Staying Connected Through the Holidays

Staying Connected Through the Holidays

The holidays can be a tricky time for remote teams. Without shared offices, it takes intention to create moments that feel joyful and connected. We hosted a winter gift exchange using Elfster, paired with a festive ugly sweater party that brought everyone together across screens. What could have been just another calendar invite turned into one of those moments that reminds you why culture is built on the small things.

Team members showed up wearing their best and worst holiday sweaters, ready to laugh and connect. Gifts were opened live, reactions were shared in real time, and the chat was full of gratitude and excitement. Even from different cities and time zones, the energy felt shared.

The highlight of the celebration came in the form of a couple of unexpected surprises! Without any planning or prompting, teammates shared joyful personal news that made the moment feel even more special. Those spontaneous moments of celebration are often the ones that stay with you the longest.

What made the event meaningful wasn’t the gifts themselves, but the intention behind them. Creating space to pause, celebrate one another, and simply be together, even virtually, goes a long way in building trust and connection. It’s a reminder that culture isn’t about grand gestures or constant programming. It’s about showing up, making room for joy, and recognizing the people behind the work.

As a remote team, we’re always looking for ways to stay connected, especially during the times of year that are rooted in togetherness. Our winter gift exchange and ugly sweater party was a moment that reflected how we work and who we are. Sometimes, staying connected is as simple as a shared laugh, a thoughtful gift, and a few surprises along the way.