Ideas to Boost Staff and Student Morale at School: Holiday Edition
Principals (and PTOs) are spreading good vibes at school during the holiday season for teachers and students. From "12 Days of Jeans" and car line caroling to a festive "teacher swap", get inspired and find an idea that works for your school!
As the holiday season rolls around, school can feel extra busy and antsy as the countdown to winter break begins, so it's a good time to make sure staff and students are feeling the holiday spirit and staying motivated. Not every school has an active PTO or PTA, so we love seeing principals step up to lead the charge! After all, these school leaders know that it’s not just about hitting academic goals—it’s about making school a place where everyone feels supported and valued. From fun holiday activities for staff to simple acts of appreciation, we take a look at how principals (and PTOs) are boosting teacher and student morale during the holiday season—and how their efforts are making a difference for everyone in the school.
☃️ Get our FREE holiday-themed teacher appreciation printable bundle featuring holiday-themed hydration station drink recipes, signs for a teacher appreciation hot cocoa cart (or bar), and more!
Principal dresses as Elf on the Shelf
Principals are becoming local legends in their own right as they willingly don Elf on the Shelf costumes as they surprise students by hiding in all sorts of places around school, from the school roof to the display case, with some even wreaking havoc on the office copy machine.
@ahhhlieeee Part 1! #teachertok #TikTokHolidays #principal #elfontheshelf #liveelfonashelf #fyp #foryoupage ♬ Elf Main Theme (From "Elf") (Sped-Up Version) - Speed Geek
"12 Days of Jeans" for teachers
We know teachers love a jeans day, so in the spirit of the holidays, why not give them 12 days of comfort?
@auburn1997 The 12 Days of Jeans - Elementary teachers love Christmas sweaters!
♬ The Christmas Sweater - Michael Bublé
White elephant gift-giving game for teachers and staff
The way a white elephant gift-giving game works is simple: purchase gag gifts that are appropriate for teachers and staff (fun items that are slightly unusual, like an oversized calculator, a yodeling pickle, a screaming desk goat, a journal with a snarky cover, a pizza blanket, a magic 8 ball, a "Teacher's Last Nerve" candle, teacher meme stickers, etc.). To add the left-right game to this gift-giving activity: write a silly holiday-themed story about your school that incorporates the words "left" and "right" throughout the text (tip: try using ChatGPT for this one!). Wrap gifts and give one to each staff member. As the story is read out loud to staff, everyone passes their gift to the left when the reader says the word "left", and to the right when the reader says the word "right", and so on. At the end of the story, you get to open the gift you're left with!
Indoor snowball fight
Sure, this one's mainly for the kids, but we're betting some teachers (you know who they are) will want to get in on the action, too! While some schools will do an indoor snowball fight as fundraiser reward for students, there's something about doing this fun wintery activity ahead of winter break "just because".
Send "winter break buddies" home with students
West Jefferson PTO provided a small stuffed animal and a bingo sheet of challenges for each student to keep them engaged and learning at home over winter break. Parents are encouraged to share photos of their kids and their buddies reading and learning.
Teacher swap
During this fun annual holiday tradition, teachers draw names to trade places in the classroom the day before winter break. It's held as a school assembly so that students get to find out who their new "teacher for the day" is!
@mrsh_in8th This is a top 3 moment from this year for sure 🥹 I can’t wait!! #teachersoftiktok #teacherlife #middleschoolteacher #iteachmiddles #iteach6th #ilovemystudents #middleschool #teachtok #edutok #scienceteacher #mathteacher #GenshinImpact33 #secondaryschool #teachersfollowteachers #teacherfollowloop #teachersbeforebreak #winterbreak ♬ Bejeweled - Taylor Swift
Grinch Day
Teachers and students are treated with a surprise visit from the Grinch! Bonus points if your police department volunteers to bring him in at the end of the day.
Deck the Desks
Encourage students to deck out their desks for the holiday season with wrapping paper, wintry decorations, and more.
Gourmet coffee truck
Bring a gourmet coffee truck to your school campus as a fun treat for teachers and staff during the holiday season!
@marshvillepta On Friday we spoiled all faculty and staff with freshly made coffee, courtesy of the Cozy Coffee Camper @Cozy Art ♬ Cozy Little Christmas - Katy Perry
Paint party for teachers and staff
@janicemck21 Paint party with the faculty! #paintparty #facultyfun #teachersoftiktok #principalsoftiktok #merrychristmas #fyp ♬ Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Deliver teacher gifts (or treats) to teachers via the "Jingle Bell Trolley"
You can get more teacher trolley themes in our free teacher appreciation treat trolley ideas and printables bundle.
@auburn1997 Teacher Christmas Gifts! #principalsoftiktok #elementaryteachersrock #teachergifts #firstgiftofchristmas ♬ this is our dance give credit lol - kara
Make a prize punch board for teachers and staff
@ap_life_shenanigans Fun way to count down to Christmas for anyone! #teacher #principalsoftiktok #teachersoftiktok #rewards #appreciation #teacherappreciation #christmas #countdown #diy #crafts #holiday #holidaycountdown #christmascountdown ♬ Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Merry "Dip"mas
Set up a variety of dips (along with chips, fresh veggies, pretzels, etc.) for teachers and staff to enjoy in the lounge.
"How sweet it is to have staff like you" holiday candy and treats buffet
@mrsarensberg4th We dont have a PTO/PTA, so this is all done on her time. She is REALLY great abkht showing appreciation (and yes, shes supportive with behaviors/classrooms as well)! #teacher #teachers #mrsarensberg #leadership #appreciation #sweet #principal ♬ Twinkling Lights (Reimagined) - Auni
Rollerblade through the school (in your finest holiday attire, of course)
Seeing your school principal roller skate down the halls and through classrooms - while wearing reindeer antlers, jingle bells, or a full-on costume - is something students and teachers will never forget!
@missnormansmiddles We adore her 🤩☺️ #middleschool #principalsoftiktok #bestprincipalever #middleschoolteacher #countdowntochristmas #winterbreak ♬ Holly Jolly Christmas (Sped Up) - Michael Bublé & Sped Up Songs + Nightcore
Rockin' around the Christmas tree (during car line duty)
Principals, teachers, and PTO volunteers gather for some light caroling at morning drop-off. What a way to kick off the holiday season and get students excited for school!
@auburn1997 We dance in between sets of cars! #principalsoftiktok #elementaryteachersrock #principallife #elementaryprincipal #carriderline #morningduty ♬ Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
DIY stovetop potpourri (simmer pots) for teachers
Gift teachers the smell of the season with a stovetop potpourri simmer pot! You'll need the following supplies for each stovetop potpourri simmer pot:
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- A handful of star anise
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- 1/3 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 whole, unpeeled orange (if you prefer to use slices, cut oranges into slices and dehydrate first; plan on 3-4 slices per teacher)
Include the following instructions on a gift tag: "Cut orange into slices. Add all ingredients to 2 cups water in a pot or saucepan. Simmer on stove and enjoy!" Package in a clear baggie or a mason jar and finish off with a festive ribbon.
These teachers were caught red-handed during holiday shenanigans
@mshoneybee02 Our school is cooler than yours🤣🤣 #ourschoolisbetterthanyours #ourprincipalisbetterthanyours #christmasshenanigans #school #specialeducationteacher #specialeducationassistantsrock #schoolchristmas #christmaslineup #fancylikechristmas #walkerhayes #weloveourprincipal #christmas2023 ♬ Fancy Like Christmas - Walker Hayes
Underground Staff Spirit Week: Holiday Edition
A themed Underground Spirit Week is a great way for staff to have some lighthearted fun the week leading up to break (students will get a kick out of it, too!). Give your underground spirit week a festive spin with a new holiday theme each day (ugly sweater, dress as your favorite holiday movie, etc.).
@thescholarlywarrior #christmasspiritweek #christmasdressupdays #dressupdays #christmas #elementary #teachersoftiktok #teachertok #teachertiktok #elementaryteachersoftiktok #teacherootd #teacherootw #chooseyourcharacterholidayedition ♬ original sound - Kristin Chirico
@yourfaveprincipal Underground Day 5: Holiday Chaos 🎄❓and somehow it’s already day 70 of school?! 📚⏳ #HolidayConfusion #SchoolLife #Day70Vibes #SpiritWeek #principalsoftiktok #teachersoftiktok #educatorsoftiktok📚🖊 #edutainment ♬ original sound - Juanita Parker
Dress like a holiday song or holiday pun
@auburn1997 Dress like a Christmas PUN or Christmas SONG! #principallife #principalsoftiktok #elementaryprincipal #elementaryteachersrock #christmassongs #christmaspuns ♬ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - neozilla
Christmas karaoke at school pep rally (featuring Mariah Carey, obvs.)
@kaytea_cee Clearly the teachers & principal won the pep rally Christmas karaoke 🎄🎤🎶#fyp #peprally #highschool #christmas ♬ original sound - kaytea_cee
Teachers lip sync to holiday tunes and create a fun holiday video for the school
@arkansasmiddleschool We hope you have a holly jolly Christmas!♥️🎅🏼🎄🫶🏼✨ And a Happy New Year! #christmas #school #schoolchristmas #christmastime #middleschool #schools #schoollife #teachers #teacher #principal #counselors #christmasparty #christmascountdown #arkansas #arkansasmiddleschool ♬ Holly Jolly Christmas - Michael Bublé
Decorate the halls for the holidays
So that's how a principal spends their time on a snow day!
@principal_lubinsky #principallubinsky #phillies #philliesfan #phanatic #philliephanatic #deckthehalls #christmas2022 #principalsoftiktok @phillies @phandemickrew #teachersoftiktok ♬ Christmas Magic - Background Music Lab
Hold a holiday door decorating contest
@auburn1997 The annual Christmas Door Decorating Contest! #principalsoftiktok #principallife #elementaryprincipal #elementaryteachersrock #elementaryprincipals #christmasdoor #christmasdoordecor #christmasdoordecoratingcontest ♬ Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Tchaikovsky) - Alternative Version - Ian Post
Give teachers the "gift of time"
@amesmc Gift from my principal #teacher #winterbreak #gift #teachergift #principal #kindergarten #present @Nacho.Average.Principal.2.0 ♬ original sound - Mrs.Mc
Dress up as Buddy the Elf to greet students
@kelliward10 Just providing the best entertainment possible. Elementary principals at Christmas break be like …. 😂😂😂 Also could be a commercial for @HEYDUDE 😂🙌🏻🎄 #christmas #christmasbreak #santa #buddytheelf #principalsoftiktok ♬ original sound - Kelli Ward
Send holiday goody bags home with students
@auburn1997 Christmas Goody Bags! #principalsoftiktok #principallife #elementaryprincipal #elementaryteachersrock #elementaryprincipals #christmasbreak ♬ Nutcracker: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairly(845241) - ogsogs
And for those of you looking to pull a prank your principal (all in good fun) ahead of winter break...we just had to share this "That's a Wrap" prank below!
@therealmrsdehl That’s a wrap! #gotcha #holidaypranks #teachertok #principalpranks #weloveourprincipal #bestwaytospreadchristmascheer #whatsnext ♬ Snowman (Sped Up Version) - sped up nightcore
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