Showing Kindness & Hospitality to Your Co-Workers

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NABISCO Cookies and Crackers. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m one of those lucky people who works with great people. I love where I work and who I work with every day. My colleagues are smart, funny and kind.

When you have to spend 40 hours a week somewhere, it’s good to do it with people you like. Christmas is a great opportunity to show kindness and hospitality to your coworkers.

Last Sunday, Matthew and I opened our home to host the first ever office families Christmas party. I was in a staff meeting when someone suggested, “we should have a Christmas party.” I texted Matthew and said, “want to host the office Christmas party?” He quickly replied, “Sure, I love a good holiday party.”

Yes, I married a great guy.

You see, to some people, it might seem crazy to open your doors to 40 families at the holidays. But something I have learned again and again is that hospitality doesn’t have to be complicated — and it is always appreciated.

We kept things really simple for the roughly 30 adults and 10 kids that attend (about half my staff).

An evite to track who could come, if they were bringing kids, etc.

Most of the food was store-bought, along with a few simple homemade sides and desserts. Christmas music played through our cable television (we don’t have a sound system). The weather was gorgeous (70 degrees) so we were able to use our deck, which was an unexpected plus.

For the kids, I had a few small tables set for making ornaments, eating and playing together.

Elias and Adeline also helped me make these oreo cookie pops to give the kids as favors.

We slid popsicle sticks into the cookies, dipped them in chocolate, then sprinkled crushed candy canes and sprinkles on top of the chocolate. Making the oreo pops was an awesome opportunity to chat with them about the gift of opening up our home to others and how things like treats make everyone feel happy!

Once they cooled and hardened, we put them in bags and tied them with bakers twine. (Get the easy step-by-step recipe + coupons on NABISCO Party Planner ) It was so fun to give them to all the kids. We totally used them as bribery to get a group photo.

The photo was taken with a flash at night and totally not perfect, but perfect all the same. And, as a parent, I love favors that can be consumed!

Now, it’s probably too late for you to throw an office Christmas party, but it’s NOT too late to show kindness and hospitality to your colleagues.

Some ideas include:

• Leave a small treat on everyone’s desk, like an oreo pop, baked cookie, special chocolate or even small box of popcorn.
• Send (or deliver) Christmas cards
• Bring in a treat platter for the break room
• Coordinate a gift swap
• Decorate your office and have special Christmas treats on your desk for the people who stop by.

It’s easy to spread kindness, love and joy at Christmas. Don’t forget those you spend your days working alongside of.

If you work, how to show kindness to your colleagues? And if you don’t work, maybe share how you spread kindness in your community.