7 Ways to celebrate holidays inclusively with community members

December is typically associated with the celebration of Christmas, but it also encompasses over 15 notable cultural events and religious events worldwide, including Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Feast Day of Our Lady Guadalupe. 

Additionally, despite a facade of ‘business as usual’ in the corporate world, global challenges including another wave of layoffs, increased living costs, and ongoing world affairs cast a shadow over seasonal celebrations, dampening the festive cheer. Being conscious of the fact that not everyone is coping well with these challenges is crucial, given the frequent instances of injustice and suffering worldwide witnessed through social media and news outlets. 

Mindfully navigating this nuanced period to support community members demands cultural awareness, active listening, and, in some cases, sensitivity. In this blog article, we discuss how to celebrate December holidays mindfully and thoughtfully for global communities.

7 Festive Considerations for Inclusive Community Building

1. Ground yourself in research 

Stay curious and informed about the world around you! Actively learn by monitoring global events and multi-faceted issues. While not expected to know it all, avoid leading with assumptions and biases—this approach is crucial for making well-informed decisions to safeguard your members. 

2. Respect personal boundaries

Offer your community space to decompress. Lead by example by informing the group about your team’s availability, return date, community expectations during your absence, and safeguarding measures in place. Avoid the bombardment of excessive messages; adopt a measured approach to prevent members feeling overloaded and fatigued, fostering a low-pressure environment for those who still wish to participate. 

Re-emphasize community guidelines and highlight platform features for managing member engagements, including suggesting the option to turn off notifications. 

3. Sensitively navigate the room 

Pay close attention to the dynamics of the community you’re leading or moderating—not everyone has the mental capacity to switch off during the festive season easily. Some may contend with personal and societal factors, contributing to ongoing worries and anxieties and hindering their ability to unwind completely.  

Consider unspoken challenges, including family demands, mental health, bereavement, and career pressures, recognizing that this season may evoke a spectrum of emotions for each community member. 

Delicately inquire about holiday plans with light conversational prompts. For example, ask questions like, ‘With the holidays approaching, how do you usually conclude your year?’ or ‘Any favorite traditions you’re looking forward to this month?’

Promote openness by asking, ‘How would individuals like to support each other this season in a low-pressure manner?’ 

4. Expand your greetings

Go beyond exclusive Christmas greetings with a straightforward and inclusive ‘Happy Holidays,’ fostering an atmosphere that resonates with the diversity of traditions, beliefs, and cultural practices within your ecosystem.  

5. Embrace diverse calendars

Acknowledge that New Year’s Day isn’t universally celebrated on January 1st!

Various cultures follow distinct calendars, such as Lunar New Year (observed by multiple Asian countries), Raʼs as-Sanah al-Hijrīyah (Islamic New Year), and Diwali (Marwari and Gujarati New Year Day).  

6. Share mental health resources

Loneliness and isolation are heightened during this season.

As the year concludes, acknowledge that community members may still seek connection! Before pausing, facilitate discussions about alternative activities in their specific locations, encouraging members to share suggestions.  

Creating a judgement-free list of mental health resources underscores your commitment to supporting members facing emotional challenges. 

7. Reflection & recognition

It goes without saying, a community doesn’t thrive without its members, and this is a perfect time to display your gratitude! Consider these reflection prompts: How has the community grown? How have members gone above and beyond? Are there any volunteers that you need to thank? What milestones have you achieved due to the support of your community?

Compassion from community leaders holds paramount importance for fostering thoughtful and inclusive interactions during this time!

Ready to proactively build a more inclusive community? Schedule a personalized 1:1 Inclusive Community Building Workshop with Chauntelle to acquire practical strategies that amplify every voice. Reach out at info@cjnlewis.com for more information. Additionally, if you're interested in running a holiday event for your community, reach out to us at hi@talkbase.io and we'd love to help you host your event on Talkbase.