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Thanksgiving offers a natural pause in the calendar, a moment for teams to reflect, share appreciation, and enjoy simple rituals that bring people closer together. For remote teams, these small, intentional moments of connection matter even more.
When teammates take time to recognize each other, swap stories, or celebrate progress, it strengthens the trust and camaraderie that fuel great collaboration. Thanksgiving becomes more than a holiday, it becomes a chance to reinforce the culture you’ve worked hard to build.
By weaving in light, meaningful traditions that feel authentic and inclusive, leaders can create shared experiences that bring energy, deepen connection, and make remote culture something people feel proud to be part of.
Simple initiatives that bring remote teams together during Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving traditions take on a new meaning in remote teams, especially when the focus is on activities that feel inclusive, easy to join, and rooted in genuine appreciation. When thoughtfully chosen, these small rituals can spark lighthearted conversations, encourage creativity, and create shared moments that reinforce team culture in a lasting way.
Each of the 5 ideas below is designed to bring people together in ways that feel natural and enjoyable, without adding pressure or formality. Whether it’s a story shared, a small win celebrated, or a laugh over a pumpkin design, these moments make a real impact on how people feel about the team.
By creating space for authentic connection, leaders strengthen the kind of trust and camaraderie that makes future collaboration smoother and more rewarding. The result is a culture where people feel seen, appreciated, and excited to build together, even from different parts of the world.
1. Virtual gratitude wall
A virtual gratitude wall is a simple but powerful way to highlight the everyday moments that make teamwork meaningful. Each team member can post a quick note, personal win, or shout-out to a colleague, creating a steady stream of appreciation that brightens the entire workspace.
As messages accumulate, the wall becomes a living collection of positive moments: milestones reached, kind gestures noticed, quiet efforts acknowledged. It’s a space that naturally encourages people to look for the good in one another and to speak it out loud.
Because the format is lightweight and voluntary, participation feels easy, not performative. Over time, this small habit of recognition helps strengthen relationships and reinforce a culture where appreciation flows freely. For remote teams in particular, it offers a visual reminder that support, gratitude, and team spirit are always part of the day-to-day.
2. Team gratitude map with pins across locations
A shared gratitude map turns distributed work into a vivid, visual experience. Each team member drops a pin on a digital world map and adds a short note about a person, moment, or achievement they’re thankful for.
As the map fills in, it becomes a colorful reflection of the team’s reach, diversity, and shared purpose. Colleagues get a glimpse of what others value across time zones and in the process, discover new stories, inside jokes, and quiet wins that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.
This kind of activity sparks connection without forcing it. It brings out regional voices, invites curiosity, and nurtures a deeper sense of belonging. For remote teams, it’s a reminder that gratitude, like talent, lives everywhere.
3. Remote pumpkin decorating challenge
A remote pumpkin decorating challenge adds a fun, low-pressure burst of creativity to the workweek and it’s surprisingly effective at bringing teams closer together. Whether it’s carving real pumpkins, sketching digital designs, or crafting with whatever’s around the house, the goal is simple: create something playful and uniquely personal.
Teams can share their creations on a live video call, in a Slack thread, or on a shared board, turning the reveal into a moment filled with laughs, supportive comments, and a healthy dose of friendly competition. Some teams even add fun twists like themes, “best in show” voting, or family co-creators for extra charm.
This kind of lighthearted activity helps people reset during a busy season and connect on a more relaxed level. It also sends a subtle but powerful message: culture isn’t just built around deadlines, it’s built around shared moments of joy.
4. Thanksgiving flavors tasting session
A Thanksgiving flavors tasting session brings a fun and cozy twist to remote connection, letting teammates share in a sensory experience, even from miles apart. Everyone joins a virtual call with a few seasonal treats in hand: spiced teas, apple crisps, pumpkin bites, or a dish from their own holiday tradition.
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s presence. As people describe what they’re tasting, they often share personal stories, regional quirks, or family recipes passed down through generations. These moments spark genuine curiosity and often reveal sides of teammates that don’t come up in daily standups.
This light, low-prep activity helps create a welcoming space where people feel comfortable bringing more of themselves to the group. It’s a simple way to deepen relationships and build cultural warmth, one bite (or sip) at a time.
5. Leadership appreciation message
A thoughtful message from leadership can turn a routine day into a meaningful moment. When a founder or executive takes time to express genuine appreciation for the team’s dedication, adaptability, and impact, it resonates, especially in remote settings, where praise isn’t always visible or spontaneous.
Whether delivered through a live call, a personalized video, or a well-crafted written note, this kind of message creates a shared emotional space that uplifts the entire team. It signals that leadership is paying attention, not just to results, but to the people making them happen.
During Thanksgiving, the message carries even more weight. It becomes a moment to celebrate the collective journey, recognize progress, and reflect on what’s been built together. And when that message feels sincere, specific, and unhurried, it strengthens the trust and motivation that carry into the months ahead, reinforcing a culture where people feel seen, proud, and aligned with the mission.
How GlobalTeam supports strong and connected remote teams
Thanksgiving highlights the value of connection, but in remote teams, that connection is built day by day through the people you choose to bring in. When a team is made up of professionals who communicate clearly, contribute with intention, and care about shared outcomes, culture becomes a lived experience.
GlobalTeam helps founders build that kind of team. Using our proprietary 13-Step Global Hiring Process™, we connect companies with remote professionals from the top 1% of global talent, individuals who are ready to integrate seamlessly, work across time zones, and strengthen collaboration through steady, high-quality execution.
With the right people in place, everyday interactions become more fluid, communication feels natural, and culture grows stronger with every project delivered.
A Thanksgiving season that strengthens team connection
Moments of shared appreciation can energize a team, strengthen collaboration, and create meaningful bonds that last well beyond the season. When remote teams take time to celebrate intentionally, even simple rituals can reinforce connection and bring culture to life in small, powerful ways.
As companies grow across locations and time zones, these shared experiences help unify the team around common values and a genuine sense of belonging. They bring people together through participation, appreciation, and positive energy that carries into future work.
For founders building remote teams that thrive year-round, the right people make all the difference. If you’re ready to scale with professionals who integrate fast, communicate clearly, and contribute with consistency, book a free consultation with GlobalTeam. We’ll help you structure a team that feels connected from day one and keeps growing stronger with every milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving and Remote Team Culture
Why is Thanksgiving a good time to focus on team culture?
Thanksgiving naturally encourages reflection and appreciation, making it an ideal moment to strengthen bonds, highlight contributions, and celebrate progress as a team.
How much time do these Thanksgiving activities take?
Most of these activities are light, low-prep, and take 30–60 minutes. They’re designed to energize teams without adding meeting fatigue during a busy season.
What tools do we need to run these activities?
You can use familiar platforms like Slack, Zoom, Miro, or Google Docs. The goal is to use what your team already knows and focus on connection, not logistics.
How does GlobalTeam support long-term culture building?
GlobalTeam helps founders hire remote professionals from the top 1% of global talent using the 13-Step Global Hiring Process™, ensuring every team member contributes to a strong, collaborative, and healthy culture year-round.