A More Inclusive Holiday Season
As I write this, my family and I are officially on winter break. The kids are home from school, my office has shifted to limited hours and my husband has taken PTO to spend the holidays with us. This time together feels aligned with our values and brings us immense joy. But that’s not always the case for everyone, is it?
Many workplaces and schools go all in for certain holidays—especially Christmas—while unintentionally leaving out those who celebrate differently or not at all. It’s a missed opportunity to create a more inclusive and compassionate culture, one that truly acknowledges and values the diversity within our communities.
So, what could it look like if we designed spaces where everyone felt supported and aligned with their values and traditions during the holiday season?
The Impact of Inclusive Holiday Policies
The holidays are meant to be a time of joy, connection, and reflection, but for many, they can bring stress and feelings of exclusion. According to research from the Journal of Organizational Behavior, employees who feel their cultural or religious practices are unsupported in the workplace report lower job satisfaction and higher turnover intentions (Mayo et al., 2020).
In schools, a lack of inclusivity in holiday celebrations can create feelings of alienation for students who don’t see their traditions reflected or acknowledged. Research from the Journal of Educational Research found that inclusive environments where students’ cultural practices are celebrated lead to greater engagement and a stronger sense of belonging (Banks, 2015).
When we design systems that recognize all holidays—or allow people to choose what feels meaningful to them—it not only fosters a sense of belonging but also aligns with the pillars of happiness, including Curiosity, Compassion, Authenticity and Purpose.
Curiosity and Compassion: Exploring New Possibilities
What does it mean to approach the holidays with curiosity and compassion? It starts with asking questions and listening deeply.
Who is at the table? Are we considering all cultural and religious practices represented in our workplaces and schools?
What are we assuming? Are we making the default assumption that everyone celebrates the same holidays—or celebrates at all?
How can we create choice? Instead of enforcing a one-size-fits-all schedule, what if we gave people more autonomy to observe the days that matter most to them?
These are not just theoretical questions. Designing for inclusivity has tangible benefits. Inclusive workplaces see higher employee engagement, stronger collaboration and better problem-solving (Harvard Business Review, 2017).
The Purpose of Inclusive Design
Designing inclusive holiday schedules isn’t just about fairness—it’s about purpose. When we align our policies with the diverse values and needs of our teams and communities, we create spaces where everyone can show up as their whole selves.
This could mean offering floating holidays instead of fixed days off. It might mean celebrating cultural milestones throughout the year, not just in December. Or it could look like creating classroom activities that explore a variety of traditions, fostering empathy and understanding among students.
When people feel seen, valued and supported, they thrive. It’s a simple truth rooted in the science of happiness: belonging fuels flourishing.
Designing Inclusive Spaces
Here are three ways to begin creating more inclusive environments for the holidays and beyond:
Audit your policies. Take a close look at your holiday schedules, PTO policies and school calendars. Are they designed to support everyone? If not, consider adding flexibility or floating holidays to accommodate diverse needs.
Celebrate curiosity. Encourage open conversations about different traditions and holidays. Create opportunities for people to share their practices and what matters most to them.
Align actions with values. Inclusion isn’t a one-time effort; it’s a commitment to designing systems that reflect the diversity of the people they serve. Align your workplace or school policies with the values of equity, compassion and belonging.
A Holiday Season for Everyone
As we enjoy this holiday season, let’s take a moment to reflect on what it might look like to create spaces where everyone feels supported and celebrated. Designing for inclusion isn’t just about accommodating different holidays—it’s about fostering connection, compassion, and authenticity.
When we honor the diversity of our communities, we create environments where everyone can thrive. And isn’t that the greatest gift we can give?
Let’s approach the holidays—and every season—with curiosity, compassion and purpose and create spaces that truly reflect the beauty of our shared humanity.
