Written by Isabelle Verdon & Federica Salvi 

December has its own flavour: it speeds up precisely when leaders need it to slow down. The season is demanding in every direction, both professionally and personally.
Budgets, projects, performance reviews, planning decks, end-of-year gatherings — all while preparing our own personal end-of-year activities, including school events, vacations, meal preparations, etc. 

And because of that, something subtle but important happens: appreciation and celebration get compressed, diluted, or postponed.

We know expressing appreciation matters. We intend to. But in the rush, the opportunity for real connection slips away. It turns into a quick “Thanks, everyone, for the great work,” or a generic message sent to the entire team in the final minutes of the final day (we've all done it.)

It’s not that leaders don’t care - quite the opposite. Often, a tricky assumption gets in the way: that genuine appreciation must be time-consuming, elaborate, coordinated, or delivered through a moment big enough to “feel” meaningful.

The strange year-end paradox:

The more elaborate the celebration, the less personal it feels. The simpler the moment, the more it lands. 

This applies to year-end parties too. The more energy poured into crafting the perfect event, the more the celebration becomes about logistics instead of people. And yet, what people talk about afterward is almost never the party theme or the delicious buffet. It’s the moment when someone acknowledges their effort. It’s when a colleague finally says a thank-you they’d been holding since July. 

When leaders simplify and focus on actual human connections, the impact grows. When you shift from presentation to presence, people feel celebrated.

From Grand Gestures to Real Acknowledgment and Connection

Here are a few small actions that help you create genuine meaning, without adding complexity to an already full season.

•  The “Before You Log Off” Note

Before the year ends, send each team member a short, personal message:
 “Something you did this year that made a real difference.”

One sentence. Personal. Impactful.
It could highlight a moment, a choice, a contribution, anything that shows you noticed their effort.

• The “Three Wins” Ritual

In your next meeting - or in a shared document - invite everyone (including yourself) to share:

one personal win
one team win
one thing they’re proud of

This simple ritual creates visibility, connection, and reflection. It turns a simple check-in into a meaningful celebration of effort and achievement.

• The Best Memory of 2025

Invite your team to share their best work memory of the year: a fun moment, a silly moment, a near disaster that became a story, or an unexpectedly emotional one.

Collectively, these moments celebrate not just the work, but the journey.

• Optional: The “Thank You I Didn’t Say Yet”

At a meeting or gathering, offer a gentle invitation: “If there’s a thank-you you didn’t say this year, you’re welcome to share it.” 

No pressure. No expectation (And if you have one, model it. It gives permission for others to speak.)

Your Challenge

Pick one idea from the list — the one that resonates most. Which one would make your team feel truly seen?

Experiment. Make it happen.

Finishing the year well isn’t just about closing tasks. It’s about finishing the year with presence, acknowledgement, and care. That’s how you end the year with meaning… and also how you can start the new one.

Here’s a challenge for you: How can you turn this into a ritual you enjoy at random moments during the year? No need to wait for the end of the year!

We talked about your team… now let’s focus on YOU:

How comfortable are you with receiving appreciation?

Often, avoiding/forgetting/postponing giving appreciation happens because we are uncomfortable when we’re recognised or appreciated ourselves.

➡️ What do you tend to do/feel/think when someone appreciates you?
➡️ How could this inform the way you show appreciation?