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12 Heart-warming Virtual Thanksgiving Ideas for Remote Teams

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By Preethi Jathanna

Senior Writer for HR and Remote Work

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Now that the Thanksgiving season is in full swing, it's time to throw a Thanksgiving team building event that everyone at the workplace can have fun with!  Be it spectating the parade, having some finger-licking turkey, or just watching the beautiful fall season go by, there are plenty of virtual Thanksgiving ideas for your teams to stay engaged and inspired. It is a perfect way to show gratitude, promote team bonding and let your colleagues know how much they mean to you. 

We're excited to share 12 ideas for some enjoyable Thanksgiving teambuilding activities that the whole team can partake in this holiday season. Let's dive right into it!

If you are looking for perfect ways to make every festive occasion memorable in the virtual realm, explore our articles on Independence Day, Halloween party, Easter Day, Christmas, and Diwali.

1. How Workplace Thanksgiving Celebration Enhances Team Building?

Research shows that even a small recognition makes your colleagues feel valued and virtual Thanksgiving ideas provide a stellar opportunity for employers to express gratitude and appreciation. This is a wonderful way to increase workplace morale, boost productivity while reducing employee turnover. 

Furthermore, organizing Thanksgiving team-building activities or events allows employees to collaborate on something outside the mundane office settings - whether it's planning a themed office celebration, participating in team games, or coordinating a thanksgiving potluck, these activities promote teamwork and a sense of togetherness. This shared positive experience contributes to a more cohesive and harmonious work environment.

2. 10 Best Virtual Thanksgiving Ideas For Holiday Fun

2.1. Thanksgiving Trivia

Thanksgiving-Trivia

Want your team to really enjoy the holiday with a bit of fun banter and healthy competition ? Check out the Thanksgiving Trivia with Hooray Teams. In this fun event, a live Quiz Host will guide your team through 3-4 festive rounds of holiday trivia. 

This one-hour game session is not just a mental workout for the team but also a fantastic opportunity to bond and boost camaraderie. If you’re looking out to add a personalized touch, reach out to Hooray Teams. They will assist you in customizing the trivia to suit your team's style and knowledge.

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2.2. Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating

-Thanksgiving-Cookie-Decorating

Indulge your team's sweet tooth, this holiday season with Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating class by Hooray Teams, the ultimate hosted virtual team-building platform. Led by an experienced baker, you and your team get to decorate plain cookies using handy tips techniques like flooding, marbling, and flocking. If you’re looking for something specific, you can also add in your special requests to personalize the session.

To make it more convenient for all participants, Hooray Teams delivers specially crafted kits comprising assorted cookies (to decorate), icing bags, sprinkles, and decorating sugars, prior to the activity. So, all you need to be prepared for; is to give free rein to your creative imagination. 

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Ease of Setup - βœ…βœ…βœ… Β½ 

2.3. Thanksgiving Cupcake Decorating

Thanksgiving-Cupcake-Decorating

Do not let the opportunity for sweet teamwork pass you by this Thanksgiving! Check out Cupcake Decorating by Hooray Teams, our sister site that offers fun and engaging hosted virtual teambuilding activities. In their cupcake decorating class, you and your team will learn and master the art of transforming plain cupcakes using fun holiday ideas.

A seasoned baker will help you bring your favorite autumn designs to life – be it pumpkins, pies, or turkeys. To make it more easy and convenient, Hooray Teams also delivers specially curated kits with all the decorating essentials needed like icing, fondants, sprinkles, and toppers, straight to the participants’ doorsteps for hassle-free prep.

 Fun Rating - πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

Ease of Setup - βœ…βœ…βœ… Β½ 

2.4. Thanksgiving Cocktail Making Class

-Thanksgiving-Cocktail-Making-Class

If you are looking for fun virtual thanksgiving ideas for teams this holiday season, then check out the Cocktail Making Class by Hooray Teams. During this exciting cocktail-making class, you and your team will learn the art of crafting a beautiful cocktail with the help of a seasoned bartender. 

To ensure that you have the best experience, Hooray Teams will deliver curated kits with all the essential ingredients and supplies to your doorstep before the class. So, be ready to create and sample the best fall-inspired drinks you have ever had with your team and bond over shared memories. 

Fun Rating - πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

Ease of Setup - βœ…βœ…βœ… Β½ 

2.5. Thanksgiving Icebreaker Games

Icebreaker games help jump-start conversations and relieve people of the awkwardness in the beginning. It helps employees get to know each other. 

You can add a Thanksgiving twist to a game like β€œNever Have I Ever…”:

  • Eaten an entire turkey by myself
  • Made a gravy dish from scratch
  • Played football on Thanksgiving
  • Fallen sick after devouring the feast on Thanksgiving
  • Eaten a whole pumpkin pie
  • Skipped the parade show on Thanksgiving

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2.6. Virtual Thanksgiving Parade Show

One of the most common traditions on Thanksgiving is to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the most-watched show on this day every year. Get all the remote employees together over an online conferencing software and watch the parade together. 

You could host a poll and ask everyone to vote for their favourite floats, characters balloons, and cheer along with the marching bands. You can also ask the employees to dress up in their favourite character costumes to brighten the atmosphere!

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2.7. Virtual Thanksgiving Wine Party

Celebrate the spirit of gratitude and togetherness by hosting a virtual Thanksgiving Wine Party with your team. Prior to the event, select a variety of wines based on the preference of your team members. During the virtual gathering, guide the team through the wine tasting process, discussing notes and flavors as you raise a glass in a heartfelt toast to express gratitude for each other's accomplishments and shared successes over the past year.

To complement the virtual wine tasting party, consider some food pairings that resonate with the Thanksgiving theme, such as roast turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie. To make this meal time extra fun, ask your team to spill the beans about their culinary mishaps or other cherished holiday memories. Sharing these fun anecdotes adds a deeper connection and a sense of belonging among your team members in the workplace. 

Elevate your virtual celebrations this season by booking Hooray Teams wine-tasting session that ensure a memorable and fun-filled experience for your remote team.

Fun Rating - πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

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2.8. Thanksgiving DIY Crafts

Virtual Thanksgiving DIY Crafts offer a delightful way to infuse creativity and festivity into your online celebrations. Tap into your remote team’s creativity by arranging for a fun lineup of engaging DIY holiday themed activities. These could be as simple as building a gratitude scrapbook, creating a holiday wreath or origami paper crafting. 

These virtual DIY craft activities also double up as a wonderful way to strengthen team bonds and share the joy of Thanksgiving in a collaborative and interactive manner.  

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Ease of Setup - βœ…βœ…βœ…1/2

2.9. Online Pumpkin Decorating

-Online-Pumpkin-Decorating

A virtual pumpkin decorating not only sparks creativity but also provides a unique opportunity for team members to share in the joy of Thanksgiving despite the physical distances. 

Choose a theme for the pumpkin decorating session and to make things easy, provide digital pumpkin templates for the team to use. They can choose from traditional or creative shapes. Team members can use online tools or apps for drawing and design. Make it fun and interactive by letting everyone vote for their favorite pumpkin, with categories like "Most Creative," "Most Festive," or "Best Use of Colors”.

Fun Rating - πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

Ease of Setup - βœ…βœ…βœ…βœ…βœ…

2.10. Thanksgiving Movie Marathon

Hosting a Thanksgiving movie marathon is a fantastic way to bring remote teams together for a shared and festive experience. Consider curating a selection of heartwarming and holiday-themed movies that capture the spirit of Thanksgiving. Schedule a virtual movie night where team members can join in from the comfort of their homes. 

This enjoyable activity not only fosters a sense of togetherness but also provides a relaxed and entertaining way for the team to celebrate the Thanksgiving season.

Fun Rating - πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

Ease of Setup - βœ…βœ…βœ…βœ…βœ…

3. FAQs

3.1. How do you celebrate virtual Thanksgiving at work?

Remote and distant teams can come together to have a great virtual Thanksgiving celebration at work. You can:

  • Send an invite to all employees and set a time (that is convenient for all) that is synced to their online calendars.
  • Host a virtual activity that everyone can take part in. You could also hire vendors who offer virtual parties like singing telegrams, magicians, caricaturists, etc.
  • Ask employees to set a Thanksgiving-related image as their background on the online conferencing platform to give it a festive look. You can choose from one of these Zoom backgrounds by The Bash. 
  • Send ideas for decorations, meal recipes, and Thanksgiving-themes drinks to have an amazing meal together online.

3.2. What are some fun Thanksgiving games?

Some fun Thanksgiving games are Pictionary, Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt, Thanksgiving Bingo, Thanksgiving Hand Turkeys, and Thanksgiving Trivia.

3.3. How to set up a virtual Thanksgiving event on Zoom?

To set up a virtual Thanksgiving event on Zoom:

  • Create an invite and send it to all the remote employees. Make it creative and Thanksgiving-themed using tools like Canva.
  • Select an appropriate video conferencing software that is suitable for your team size like Zoom or Teams. You can ask employees to change their backgrounds to a Thanksgiving-themed image.
  • Host an activity or a game that can be played virtually like Trivia, Scavenger Hunt, Pictionary, Bingo, etc.
  • You can also share ideas for meals, drinks, and decorations to add to the holiday cheer and joy. Have fun!
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