Do you have favorite holiday traditions?

Me too!

Before Thanksgiving dinner, my family will climb Stone Mountain (~1mi hike) and stop halfway up for our annual arm wrestling contest.

We started as kids and continued into adulthood.

Over the years, the group has expanded with spouses and grandkids. The arm wrestling championship has changed hands (arms?) many times.

It is SO FUN to return to the tradition year after year regardless of how much the rest of my life changes. It’s a combo of good memories and regularly making new ones!

I feel the same way about my morning cup of tea. In the craziness of work, kids, training, life…I love a micro-habit (and caffeine 😂) to anchor the day.

How touching, you say.

BUT HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO STARTUPS, KATHRYN????

**transition to business relevance**

In a world of constant change, are there fun traditions or micro-habits at your company???

Traditions doesn’t mean traditional or even holiday-related. It’s about ritual, routine, and small moments of joy sprinkled into the chaos.

When I think back on my favorite startup (and life!) moments, the traditions stand out!

How To Build Startup Traditions

1. There’s No “Right” Tradition

They can be simple, zany, sweet, or funny. What matches the vibe of your team? What feels authentic?

Something you, the founder, are into is a natural fit. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

2. Be Intentional

Sometimes a tradition springs up organically. You can also curate them by trying different stuff and see what sticks. Be on the lookout for something with “tradition potential” that the team is already enjoying!

3. Grow With The Company

Tradition or ritual, by definition, mean “recurring” — which is hard since startups move and grow quickly.

Your traditions may not look the same as you scale, but the spirit will stick even if the details evolve. The memories and goodwill will endure.

A company-wide end-of-quarter potluck may turn into a department-specific event or a catered one. Or, maybe it will be the most epic 5000-person potluck and you rent a stadium to hold all the casseroles and lasagnas!

Startup Traditions In The Wild

Some examples that I recall fondly:

• Friday team lunch with pizza (families invited)

• Holiday gift exchange (draw names, $10 limit)

• Paper plate awards

• Impromptu happy hour at the local dive bar patio on nice days

• Peer-to-peer award at the monthly all-hands (funny trophy or swag)

• Decorating someone’s desk on their birthday

• Daily stand up meeting

• Creating Slack emojis of teammates’ faces or representing core values

• Friendsgiving potluck

• Team photos in costume

• Sending out an email with meme or joke (or limerick - s/o Jennifer Betowt!) when a deal closes

• Ringing the gong on won deals

• Celebrating revenue milestones with big parties

• Company field day and/or picnic

And stories I’ve heard from others:

• Wearing swimsuits and floaties to jump into the retention pond in front of the office building when a big deal closed

• Personalized bobblehead doll on 3 year work anniversary

• Who can wear the most company swag contest/day

You’ll notice the examples I mentioned (exception: parties) are extremely low cost or free.

You don’t need big money to make big memories.

A little bit of time, energy, and attention can have a lasting impact!

A Holiday Week

Happy (American) Thanksgiving and hope you are making awesome memories!

If you are an e-commerce company or retail brand, sending good thoughts on Black Friday/Cyber Monday!

My favorite reminder for holidays, trips, snafus, big events — it’s either a great time or a great story. A win either way! 😂

What are your favorite holiday or startup traditions? What’s the craziest tradition you’ve come across?? Do you have traditions at your startup yet? Did you create them or did they evolve organically?