With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time for your primary care practice to get in the holiday spirit and show thanks to your team and patients. Keep reading for creative ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with your team and patients.

Celebrate your staff and patients and capture the spirit of the holiday with one (or more) of these Thanksgiving-themed ideas.

Decorating your office with Thanksgiving-themed decor is a great way to set the holiday mood.   

While placing floral arrangements and bowls of fresh fruit around your office are quick and easy options, they can also be expensive — especially if you’re decorating larger spaces. A more budget-friendly option is to hit up a craft store or grab some pumpkins and gourds at your local grocer or farmers market. 

During the busy holiday season, planning a big Thanksgiving dinner for your team and patients may not be the most practical option for small healthcare practices. But there are still ways to enjoy Thanksgiving goodies. 

Celebrate with small treats like cookies, individual apple pies, or homemade cheese puffs. Whether sweet or savory, small treats can help spread the spirit of the season among your team members and patients.

Thanksgiving is the official kick-off to the season of giving, and one of the best ways to celebrate is to lean into an attitude of gratitude by volunteering your time and giving to those who are less fortunate. Volunteer ideas for your team include: 

You can even make volunteering a family affair by encouraging team members to bring their loved ones along.

While this time of year is often focused on food, your team’s volunteer efforts don’t have to be. Think outside the box and consider other ways to give back, including:

Another alternative is to set up a food or clothing drive in the office where your team and patients can bring in donations. tion in person. 

Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and there’s no better time to say “thank you” than Thanksgiving. And all you need is an empty wall and some index cards. 

To build “a wall of thanks,” hand out blank index cards to your staff (and patients if you’d like) and encourage everyone to write something they appreciate about each team member.

Thanksgiving is known as a time to share joy and abundance with family and friends. But the history of the holiday is far more complex. To educate your team on the true history of Thanksgiving, consider partnering with a Native American guest speaker in your area to talk with your team over a catered lunch.

If you can’t find a local speaker, consider gifting your staff a book on the subject. Some options include:

November and December are the busiest months in the healthcare field, as patients rush to make appointments before their deductibles reset in January. Burnout in healthcare workers is a real issue, and a busy holiday season can add to your team’s stress. 

Kick off the busy holiday season and show your appreciation with small thoughtful gifts to help your team find balance and manage stress. Think about:   

YouKeep patients entertained during longer holiday wait times by screening holiday-themed movies in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving day. 

While some channels might make it easy with holiday movie marathons, you can also DIY it with your own picks or let your staff choose their favorite titles. 

Some holiday-themed options include:  

As a reminder, keep ratings in mind if you regularly have little ones in the waiting room. 

Consider holding a staff recipe contest. To keep things fair, limit the contest to 3 entry categories and make sure you have at least 2 entrants for each. This way, voters can compare apples to apples, appetizers to appetizers, and desserts to desserts.

For a dose of healthy competition, consider having a team pie bake-off. All you need here are willing competitors, a panel of judges, and a prize. 

In keeping with the spirit of the holiday, you could make a donation to a local charity of the winner’s choosing. An afternoon off works, too. 

A little fresh fall air might be just what the doctor orders to help your team prepare for the busy season ahead. To help build connection and boost morale, organize a team hike at a local park or recreational area.

When making preparations, consider everyone’s physical aptitude. Ideally, you want team events to be as inclusive as possible. Also, try to select a destination that’s easily accessible to all team members.

Research shows that gratitude, recognition, and meaningful gifting aren’t just perks, but can be effective ways to boost morale, drive innovation, and even boost revenue. Host a team gratitude workshop where the focus is on appreciating one another and strengthening relationships.   

If you’re looking for a simple and low-cost way to share the warmth and spirit of the season, a hot chocolate bar might hit the spot for staff and patients alike. Invest in some festive cups and napkins, and don’t forget the mini marshmallows.

Everyone likes a sweet treat, and coordinating a “bring a pie to work day” might be one of the best Thanksgiving ideas on our list. Simply create a sign-up sheet for the crew in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and have team members bring a pie in to share each day.

Plan a team lunch with a twist. When the crew sits down to eat, take turns around the table and let everyone share their favorite Thanksgiving traditions. This doubles as an excellent team-building exercise and a great way for everyone to get to know each other.

If turkey and other traditional Thanksgiving fare sounds like a heavy lift for your busy staff, keep it casual and opt for a campfire lunch. Cook up some hot dogs and make s’mores by candlelight.

Thanksgiving is often followed by days of creative turkey-themed leftovers. So, before your team hits their respective kitchens on turkey day, consider planning an “anything but turkey” lunch where team members can share their favorite non-turkey dishes. 

For many people, having a fancy cocktail is a fun way to celebrate the season. Get your team in the festive mood by planning a cocktail party after work or on the weekend. Provide drinks (including non-alcoholic options), some tasty appetizers, and festive music. If you prefer a dry option, consider a coffee bar or DoorDash Starbucks.

Thanksgiving and the holiday season provide several opportunities to give thanks and give back to your team and patients. And, with a little creativity and planning, you can create experiences that grow appreciation, boost morale, and foster connection.