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You’ve Been Wrapped: A Holiday Staff Appreciation Idea
A holiday staff appreciation pass-it-on chain idea
Alissa Christensen
What is You’ve Been Wrapped?
A holiday staff appreciation idea where one staff member secretly leaves a small treat and an encouraging note for a colleague, and that colleague passes it on to someone new within 48 hours. The chain keeps moving until every name on the staff list is checked off before winter break.
Why try it
This holiday idea reaches every person on your staff list
Each wrap is a small treat and a handwritten note from a colleague, and the door signs show the whole building how far the chain has traveled. Staff choose who to wrap next, so the notes come from peers across grade levels, departments, and roles.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Things you'll need
Printables
Small treats
Instructions
1
Set up the checklist
Post a holiday staff checklist in the lounge
Print the staff checklist and add every staff member’s name. Clip it somewhere central, like the staff lounge or workroom, with a stack of door signs, note cards, and directions notes nearby.
2
Announce the activity
Share the holiday wrap plan with staff
Send a quick message to staff before the first wraps go out: “Keep an eye on your desk this month. If you get Wrapped, enjoy your treat, hang your sign, check off your name, and wrap someone new within 48 hours.”
3
Wrap the first staff members
Deliver the first 3-5 holiday surprises
Pick a few names from the list. Pair each treat with a note card and a directions note, then drop it at the person’s desk, mailbox, or classroom without being seen.
4
Keep the chain going
Pass the treat on within 48 hours
Each recipient hangs their door sign, checks off their name, and secretly wraps a colleague who hasn’t been checked off yet.
5
Host a reveal
Guess the wrappers at a holiday reveal
At the last staff meeting before break, give everyone a few minutes to guess who wrapped them, then let the wrappers share.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Team holiday wraps
Wrap a whole grade-level team or department at once, then that team picks the next group to wrap. This version works well for larger staffs.
Winter break countdown
Run the chain in the last two weeks before break and shorten the pass window to 24 hours.
Note-only wraps
Skip the treats and make each wrap a note card. Staff can tape their notes beside their door sign.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Check the holiday staff list each Friday
Look over the checklist at the end of each week. If the chain has slowed, wrap a few unchecked names yourself to start a new chain.
Leader Tip #2
Keep a stash of extra holiday treats
Keep a few extra treats and blank note cards in the office for staff who need a backup, like when they forget or something comes up before they can wrap the next person.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
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