Enhance workplace culture with a personalized Holiday video from leadership

It is almost that time of year again, the weather is getting nippy, gingerbread lattés are on the menu, and everyone is thinking about family. The Holiday season is fast approaching, and with it a period of celebration and gratitude. In the workplace, employees are reflecting on their accomplishments for the year and discussing family and holiday plans with colleagues. This is a perfect time for leadership to foster a strong sense of community with their employees.
Many companies will choose to send a Holiday email from leadership. We think this option is too impersonal, resulting in many employees feeling disengaged, and the desired messaging is lost. Instead we suggest making a Holiday video. It is fun and easy to consume, resulting in much higher engagement. Imagine receiving a Holiday themed video, full of video messages from leadership, photos from throughout the year, fun animations, and more. It is a simple yet effective method to put a face to leadership, boost engagement, and end the year on a high-note. The results can be significant with engaged employees being 87% less likely to leave their roles.
Create your Holiday video easily with Ellacard
If you are thinking to yourself that this is a great idea but I can't edit videos and hiring someone is too expensive, then we suggest you try Ellacard's video maker. With Ellacard you can select a pre-made video template that you customize using our simple drop-down options, and then easily add photos, videos, and text to. You can even directly invite others to add to the video from our platform. No more headaches keeping track of who you invited and who added what. Our platform will automatically edit everything together into a professional-quality video with animations, transitions and more. You can skip below to read our quick guide on how to get started or browse our video templates now.
Key benefits of a Holiday video
A holiday video isn’t just about wishing employees well—it’s a strategic way for leadership to foster trust, build connection, and show gratitude. While it may seem like a small gesture, the impact on employee engagement, morale, and culture is anything but. Here’s how a leadership holiday video can make a real difference.
- It humanizes leadership
- A holiday video shows leaders as relatable people, sharing warmth and authenticity. This builds trust and helps employees feel a connection beyond the workplace.
- It fosters employee cohesion and family
- A Holiday video reinforces the idea of the company as a unified, supportive team. It strengthens bonds by highlighting shared achievements and togetherness.
- It boosts Holiday spirit
- A festive message brightens employees’ days and spreads seasonal joy. It sets a positive tone that carries into the new year.
- It reinforces company values
- Leadership can use the video to demonstrate values like gratitude and teamwork in action. This reinforces a culture employees feel proud to be part of.
- Establishes a Memorable Tradition
- A holiday video can become an annual tradition employees anticipate. It builds emotional connections and strengthens company culture.
Tips for creating a great Holiday video
A leadership holiday video doesn’t need to be overly elaborate to make an impact. The most meaningful videos are often genuine, heartfelt, and thoughtfully crafted. Here are some practical tips to help you create a video your employees will love:- Keep it short and focused
- Showcase the whole leadership team
- Choose a festive, candid setting
- Be authentic and personal
- Add a touch of fun
- End with gratitude and optimism
- Don’t overthink the production
- Incorporate employees
- Plan for easy sharing
- Browse our Holiday video templates and select the perfect video.
- Customize the video using our simple select options.
- Invite others to contribute by text, email, or shareable link.
- Add to the video and review contributions from others.
- Share the video with recipients by text, email and shareable link, or download it to share however you'd like.
Aim for a video that’s 2–5 minutes long. This is enough time to deliver a meaningful message without losing the audience’s attention.
Include as many leaders as possible to show unity and inclusivity. A quick “Happy Holidays” from each leader, or even just a Holiday family photo works. This helps employees feel connected to the entire team.
Opt for a setting that feels personal and warm, like a living room with holiday decorations, a snowy backyard, or even a favorite local park. Candid environments help humanize leadership by showing them in relatable, everyday settings outside the office.
Encourage leaders to share a personal anecdote, favorite holiday memory, or a message of gratitude. Authenticity goes a long way in making employees feel appreciated and connected.
Consider including lighthearted elements like holiday sweaters, props, or even a blooper reel at the end. A little humor or festivity can make the video even more memorable.
Conclude the video with a heartfelt thank-you to employees and an optimistic message for the year ahead. This leaves employees with a positive final impression.
You don’t need fancy equipment—smartphones with good lighting can do the trick. Focus on clarity, sincerity, and ensuring everyone looks and sounds great.
Encourage employee participation with a Holiday slideshow portion that contains submitted photos of employees with their family, pets, and holiday decorations.
Make sure your video is accessible to everyone by distributing it through email, your company’s internal communication platform, or at a team-wide holiday event. Using a platform like Ellacard can streamline the sharing process and add festive flair.
Create your Holiday video with Ellacard
At Ellacard we make it super easy to create a professional quality Holiday video without the hassles of coordinating receiving videos, photos and editing them together, or paying a lot of money for someone else to do it.
Our video maker does all of the hard work so you don't have to. You just need to follow a few simple steps:
Wrapping up the year with connection and gratitude
A Holiday video from leadership is more than just a seasonal greeting—it’s a powerful way to connect with employees and strengthen workplace culture. By showing authenticity, sharing gratitude, and fostering unity, leaders can leave a lasting impact that resonates beyond the Holiday season. This simple yet thoughtful gesture reminds employees they’re valued and part of a cohesive, supportive team. Whether you decide to make your own custom video, hire a video editor, or use Ellacard, we encourage you to take this opportunity to end the year on a high note and set the tone for a successful and energized New Year.