Thanksgiving team building activities: Bringing your team together this November
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. At its core, it's a moment to pause and notice what we appreciate: the people at our table, the life we've built, even the challenges that stretched us.
At work, this idea of gratitude often gets skipped. We rush from meeting to meeting, project to project, and forget that the people sitting around us (or on the other side of a Zoom screen) are giving their time and energy to something bigger than themselves. To pause and give thanks for that, for the team, for the work, for the chance to create something meaningful together, is powerful.
When leaders practice gratitude in a real, specific way, it changes the dynamic of a team. People feel seen. They feel valued. They feel part of something that matters. And from there, connection happens naturally. Not because you scheduled a trivia night or set up a pumpkin pie contest, but because people are connected by something deeper: a sense of appreciation and belonging.
Why gratitude matters at work
The numbers tell us what we already know intuitively. Organizations with high employee engagement outperform competitors by 147% in earnings per share. Research shows that highly engaged employees are 17% more productive.
Connection works when it creates genuine moments of appreciation, not just obligation or forced fun. The goal is not to check a box. The goal is to help people feel what they mean to each other and to the work you're doing together.
Gratitude as the foundation
Before planning any November activities, start with gratitude itself. Real gratitude is specific. It notices effort, contribution, and character. It sees people, not just their output.
Leaders can model this by:
Being specific in your appreciation
"Thanks for your hard work" is fine. "Thank you for staying late Tuesday to help Sarah prep for the client meeting, you made a real difference" is better. Specific gratitude shows you're actually paying attention.
Making it regular, not seasonal
Thanksgiving is a great reminder, but gratitude shouldn't be confined to November. When appreciation becomes part of your everyday leadership, it shapes your culture year-round.
Creating space for peer recognition
The most meaningful appreciation often comes from colleagues who see the daily work up close. Give your team structured opportunities to thank each other, not just wait for it to flow down from leadership.
Ways to bring your in-person team together
If your team is together in person, Thanksgiving offers natural opportunities to build connection through shared experience:
Host a gratitude lunch or potluck
Invite team members to bring dishes that represent their family traditions or cultural backgrounds. This celebrates diversity and creates opportunities for storytelling and connection. Keep it optional, accommodate dietary needs, and focus on the conversation more than the food.
Create a gratitude wall or board
Set up a physical space where team members can post notes of appreciation throughout November. Provide colorful sticky notes and markers. Celebrate submissions during team meetings. The visibility matters. When people see appreciation flowing, they're more likely to participate.
Start meetings with gratitude
Open your team meetings with a simple round: each person shares one thing they're grateful for about the team or the work. Keep it brief. The consistency builds the habit.
Volunteer together
Organize a team volunteer activity at a local food bank, shelter, or community organization. Shared service creates powerful bonds and puts work challenges in perspective. Make participation voluntary and schedule it during work hours if possible.
Take a gratitude walk
If your team is small enough, take a walking meeting where everyone shares what they appreciate about working together. Movement and fresh air make reflection easier for many people.
Thanksgiving team building activities virtual
Over 22 million employed adults in the US now work fully from home. Virtual teams need intentional connection opportunities to stay engaged. Here are ways to bring remote teams together around thanksgiving:
Virtual gratitude circle
Open your team video call with structured appreciation. Use breakout rooms for smaller gratitude circles if your team is large, then bring everyone together to share highlights. Keep it genuine and specific.
Digital gratitude board
Use a shared digital platform like Miro, Padlet, or a dedicated Slack channel where team members can post messages of appreciation. Make it visual with photos, GIFs, and colors. Pin it so it stays visible.
Thanksgiving-themed virtual gathering
Host a casual video call where people can share their Thanksgiving plans, family traditions, or favorite holiday memories. No agenda, no work talk. Just connection. Consider sending a small gift card for coffee or treats beforehand so people have something to enjoy during the call.
Virtual cooking or recipe exchange
Create a shared document where everyone contributes their favorite Thanksgiving recipe with a story about why it's meaningful. Compile it into a team cookbook that everyone can download and use. The stories matter more than the recipes.
Send physical thank you notes
In a digital world, a handwritten note in the mail stands out. As a leader, write personal thank you notes to each team member and mail them to their homes. The effort shows you care.
Recognition in team meetings
Start your regular virtual meetings by recognizing specific contributions. Name what people did, why it mattered, and how it helped the team. Public recognition in front of peers is powerful.
Making it meaningful, not mandatory
The best approaches to bringing teams together this season share common traits. They're inclusive, allowing everyone to participate regardless of dietary restrictions, cultural background, or personal circumstances. They're genuine, creating real moments of connection rather than forced fun. They're respectful of people's time and energy during what can already be a demanding season.
Focus on creating experiences that align with your team's values and interests. Not every activity works for every team. Pay attention to what resonates and be willing to adjust. The goal is connection and appreciation, not perfect execution of a Pinterest-worthy event.
The leadership opportunity
Following meaningful team activities, 63% of leaders observed improvements in team communication, while 61% noted enhanced collaboration. These aren't just feel-good moments. They're strategic investments in your team's performance and culture.
Pausing to appreciate your team during Thanksgiving sends a powerful message. You're telling them that connection matters, that appreciation is a priority, and that they're valued beyond their productivity. These moments are not distractions from work. They're investments in the relationships that make great work possible.
Whether you're planning an elaborate celebration or a simple gratitude moment, what matters most is intention. Show up authentically. Create space for connection. Let your team know they matter.
This Thanksgiving, bring your team together in ways that feel meaningful and genuine. The connections you build now will carry forward long after the holiday season ends.
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