The winter holiday season is one of the busiest, most demanding times of the year for private clubs. Member events multiply, expectations rise, and every department, from F&B to Golf and Facilities Maintenance, feels the pressure of long hours and high volume. During this season, it becomes even more important to create small moments that lift spirits, build connection, and remind our teams that they matter. When we establish memorable team traditions, we brighten a hectic month and we create annual touchpoints that strengthen culture, deepen loyalty, and make our clubs stand out as exceptional places to work.
Clubs that intentionally invest in holiday traditions often find that team members look forward to them all year long. These moments become fixtures in the employee experience; the same way members cherish their own annual celebrations. Over time, these experiences transform into part of the club’s identity, something that draws new candidates in and keeps long-tenured employees proud to stay.
Why Holiday Traditions Matter
During the winter season, energy can fluctuate quickly. Team members may feel stretched, tired, or overwhelmed. A steady dose of appreciation and fun keeps morale high and reminds teams that their hard work is seen and valued. When memorable moments are woven into each year, the holidays begin to feel less like a marathon and more like a shared celebration.
These traditions also reinforce belonging. People stay where they feel connected to their leaders, their coworkers, and the culture of their club. When we create joy-filled experiences that become “just what we do,” we reinforce that sense of community. This connection plays a significant role in retention, especially during a season when hospitality burnout runs high.
From a recruitment standpoint, clubs with strong, employee-centered traditions tell a powerful story: We celebrate our people. We make time for joy. We appreciate our team. In a competitive hiring market, that message matters.
Small Moments with Big Impact
Not every memorable moment needs to be elaborate. Often, the simplest gestures carry the greatest meaning. These moments become traditions because they are repeated, anticipated, and shared.
Here are examples of traditions, both whimsical and heartfelt, that clubs can create or deepen:
- The Annual “Warm Wishes” Breakfast
Host a surprise early-morning breakfast during the week of Thanksgiving with pancakes, bacon, pastries, and thank-you cards set on every table. Department heads serve the team, and the General Manager opens the morning with words of gratitude. Employees look forward to it each year because it feels personal, consistent, and genuine.
- Hot Cocoa & Cookie Carts
During peak December rush, imagine a leader rolling through the clubhouse with a decorated cocoa cart, offering warm drinks, cookies, and a moment of connection. It is simple, lighthearted, and a much-needed pause in a busy day. Many clubs that start this once quickly find it becomes a beloved annual ritual.
- “12 Days of Appreciation”
Each day brings a small gesture that can include handwritten notes, raffle prizes, snack baskets, festive socks, or small gift cards. These are minor investments with major emotional payoff. The team begins guessing what each day will bring, creating anticipation and excitement throughout the season.
- Family Holiday Boxes
Prepare take-home boxes with baked goods, hot chocolate kits, club-branded ornaments, or small toys for team members with children. These gestures acknowledge that behind every employee is a family supporting the long hours of holiday hospitality.
- The Annual “Memory Ornament” or Keepsake
Each year, employees receive a unique ornament or small keepsake marking the holiday season. Over time, employees collect these mementos and display them proudly at home. It becomes a personal connection between the club and the employee’s family traditions.
- Holiday Storytelling & Reflection Circles
Set aside 20 minutes during December for teams to gather and share favorite seasonal memories, meaningful moments from service, or personal holiday traditions. These gatherings deepen relationships and build empathy across departments. Perhaps do this while the team is decorating the clubhouse.
- Caring Through Community
Create team traditions rooted in giving like adopting a family, preparing meals, gifting toys, or volunteering together. These acts build pride and reflect the values of the club community.
Creating Consistency: The Secret Ingredient
Traditions only become traditions when they are repeated. Consistency turns a single event into something employees count on and look forward to. When we build that rhythm, the holiday season becomes less chaotic and more connected.
Consistency also deepens trust. If a club says it values its employees, annual traditions demonstrate that value in action, not just in words. Over time, employees begin sharing stories with new hires: “Just wait until the cocoa cart rolls around,” or “You’re going to love our team breakfast, it’s a big deal here.” That sense of continuity builds a culture people want to stay in.
The Link to Recruitment and Retention
Holiday traditions communicate warmth, gratitude, and humanity. In recruiting conversations, these moments become part of the club’s story. Candidates want to know who you are behind the job posting, what it feels like to work here, what the culture values, and how leadership treats its people.
Clubs with strong traditions often see:
- Higher retention through the winter season
- Greater engagement during peak workload weeks
- More referrals from current team members
- Stronger emotional ties between employees and the club
- A reputation as an employer that cares about people and not just shifts
A culture of celebration sends a clear message: We honor our team, we appreciate their commitment, and we make joy part of our leadership philosophy.
Looking Ahead
Holiday traditions are powerful because they remind us that hospitality is about people: our members, our guests, our teams. When we create moments of connection and celebration, we strengthen the spirit that carries clubs through their busiest season. These traditions foster belonging, spark motivation, and bring a sense of magic to the work we do.
And most importantly, they help build workplaces where people don’t just work… they feel part of something special.
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About the Author: Paige Frazier
A performance-driven thought leader and transformational manager, Paige began her career in private clubs in 2001. Her progressive development has provided extensive and comprehensive training in Club operations and in team leadership. She has fostered her passion for hospitality and leading with a servant’s heart, beginning with food and beverage operations, continuing through to her most recent position as a General Manager. She continues to seek opportunities to learn and grow every day. She has demonstrated an ability to streamline operations, identify and correct inefficiencies, and deliver strategic direction and initiatives.
