For many teams, Thanksgiving is more than a holiday — it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect. But in today’s hybrid and global work environment, bringing everyone together under one roof isn’t always possible.
As more businesses embrace remote work, leaders are finding creative ways to keep their employees connected, grateful, and engaged — no matter where they’re based.
In fact, over 60% of US employees now work remotely at least part of the week, and maintaining connection across virtual teams remains one of the biggest challenges for managers.
Remote employees like virtual assistants (VA) often cite feeling isolated during major holidays, especially when in-office colleagues are hosting traditional celebrations.
That’s why a remote Thanksgiving isn’t just a seasonal gesture — it’s an opportunity to nurture belonging, empathy, and team spirit.
With the right virtual Thanksgiving ideas, you can build a shared sense of gratitude and joy that transcends screens and time zones.
Why Celebrate Thanksgiving as a Remote Team?
Even though your team may be scattered across cities or continents, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reconnect and celebrate what truly matters — people.
Here’s why celebrating together, even virtually, makes a big impact:
- Reinforces connection: A remote team celebration reminds everyone they’re part of something bigger than their individual roles.
- Encourages gratitude: Expressing thanks helps boost morale and fosters appreciation across the team.
- Promotes inclusivity: Thoughtful cross-border team celebrations allow everyone — regardless of location or culture — to participate meaningfully.
- Supports mental well-being: Sharing laughter and stories through virtual holiday activities reduces isolation and helps employees recharge emotionally.
Celebrating together, even through a Zoom Thanksgiving party or a Microsoft Teams Thanksgiving, strengthens the bonds that make great teams thrive—no matter how far apart they are.
Fun and Engaging Virtual Thanksgiving Activities for Remote Teams
Hosting a remote Thanksgiving doesn’t have to feel like another meeting on the calendar. The key is to keep it interactive, inclusive, and light-hearted.
From online Thanksgiving games to creative gratitude challenges, these ideas will help your distributed teams engage in the spirit of genuine fun.
Here are some easy-to-plan and meaningful ways to celebrate Thanksgiving virtually:
Online Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Turn your video call into an adventure!
Create a virtual scavenger hunt where team members race to find Thanksgiving-themed items around their home—like something orange, something they’re grateful for, or a kitchen utensil.
Offer small prizes or gift cards for winners. This simple, fun game sparks laughter and encourages everyone to get moving.
Virtual Thanksgiving Bingo
Design a Thanksgiving-themed bingo card filled with company or holiday-related phrases like “Pumpkin pie,” “Team shoutout,” or “Pet on camera.”
This game is pretty easy to facilitate via a virtual meeting, thanks to digital bingo templates that auto-fill. It also works well for large groups and helps break the ice naturally.
Gratitude Wall or Digital Message Board
Set up a shared online space, such as Miro, Slack, or Google Jamboard, for team members to post messages of appreciation.
Encourage everyone to share something they’re thankful for about a colleague or recent project.
This digital gratitude expression fosters positivity and reminds everyone how much their contributions matter.
Recipe Swap or Virtual Potluck
Celebrate culture through food! Have employees share their favourite Thanksgiving recipes or traditional family dishes from their own culture in a shared document or Slack thread.
You can even host a virtual potluck where everyone presents festive dishes from their countries over video. Think pumpkin pie and stuffing or even adobo, pancit, or curry.
Encourage participants to share the stories behind their dish, making it a celebration of both Thanksgiving staples and global flavors.
It’s a great way to build connections through storytelling and learn more about your teammates’ traditions.
Virtual Thanksgiving Trivia
Host a fast-paced trivia session with questions about Thanksgiving history, pop culture, and food. But don’t forget to mix in a few questions about concurrent international celebrations or local holidays for a more inclusive game.
You can use platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz to make it interactive. This is an easy, low-pressure team building activity that blends fun with learning — perfect for any remote team celebration.
Kindness To-Do List Challenge
Thanksgiving is the season of giving — so challenge your team to perform small acts of kindness throughout the week.
From writing a thank-you message to helping a colleague with a task, these gestures inspire goodwill.
Encourage employees to share their acts during the week to spread positivity and accountability.
Thanksgiving Virtual Escape Room
For teams that love puzzles, a virtual escape room offers a thrilling and collaborative twist.
Choose a Thanksgiving-themed challenge, such as escaping a “Turkey Trouble Kitchen” or solving harvest-themed riddles.
It’s one of the best online Thanksgiving games for improving problem-solving and communication skills.
Virtual Happy Hour or Coffee Catch-Up
End your Thanksgiving celebration on a relaxed note with a virtual hangout.
Invite everyone to grab their favourite drink—coffee, tea, or wine—and join in for open conversation.
You can use Thanksgiving-themed backgrounds to make it festive and inclusive, and remember to include non-alcoholic options so everyone feels comfortable.
Meaningful Ways to Show Gratitude This Thanksgiving
A remote Thanksgiving isn’t just about fun and games—it’s also about reflection, appreciation, and a shared purpose.
Expressing gratitude reminds your team that their work matters and their efforts are seen.
Write Personalized Thank-You Notes to Team Members
A simple message of thanks can make someone’s day. Managers or teammates can write personal notes to each other recognizing effort, creativity, or perseverance.
Sending these via email or digital cards during your virtual Thanksgiving celebration adds a personal, thoughtful touch.
Recognize Milestones and Contributions
Take time to celebrate big wins and small victories. Highlight standout projects, achievements, or team members who went above and beyond.
Recognition builds pride and strengthens remote employee engagement during the festive season.
Send a Thanksgiving Care Package
Mailing small, thoughtful gifts, such as snacks, candles, or handwritten cards, adds warmth to any cross-border team celebration.
For global teams, digital gift cards or virtual experiences like an e-cooking class can be just as thoughtful and inclusive.
Offer an Extra Day Off or “Recharge Day”
The holidays can be busy and stressful. Offering an extra day off gives employees time to rest, recharge, and reconnect with loved ones.
It’s a simple but powerful gesture that reinforces your company’s commitment to work-life balance.
Creative Thanksgiving-Themed Games and Icebreakers
No remote Thanksgiving is complete without laughter and lighthearted fun.
Icebreakers are a wonderful way to start or end your remote team celebration, especially when your group spans multiple time zones or cultures.
These quick team-building activities help everyone feel seen, connected, and part of the same virtual table.
Here are some creative Thanksgiving icebreaker games your team can try this year.
Thank You Tag
Start your video call by asking one team member to compliment another—something they appreciate about their work and/or personality.
That person then “tags” another colleague with a kind word, continuing the chain until everyone’s received a shout out.
It’s a simple, feel-good game that instantly boosts morale and strengthens remote employee engagement.
To make it festive, encourage people to use Thanksgiving-themed backgrounds or props while sharing.
Hand Turkey Drawing Challenge
Bring back a childhood classic with a digital twist! Ask participants to trace their hand on paper, decorate it like a turkey, and hold it up to their camera.
For an extra laugh, turn it into a mini competition—“Funniest Turkey,” “Most Creative,” or “Most Realistic.”
It’s a low-pressure way to break the ice and add a dose of playfulness to your Zoom Thanksgiving party or Microsoft Teams Thanksgiving event.
“Two Truths and a Pie” Game
In this version, each person shares two true statements about themselves and one fictional Thanksgiving-related fact—the “pie.”
The rest of the group guesses which statement is the pie! This activity encourages storytelling, laughter, and discovery among coworkers, especially those who rarely chat outside of meetings.
It’s a light and inclusive addition to your virtual holiday activities.
Ways to Give Back as a Remote Team
Thanksgiving is a time to show gratitude not just within your company but to the wider community.
Even remote teams can give back meaningfully through virtual volunteering or charitable initiatives.
These activities deepen your sense of shared purpose and strengthen company culture beyond the workplace.
Here are some ideas to inspire your cross-border team celebration:
- Host a virtual fundraiser for a cause everyone supports, such as food banks or disaster relief.
- Organize a remote food drive by encouraging employees to donate non-perishable goods to local shelters.
- Volunteer online by reading books to children, offering mentorship, or contributing your team’s professional skills to nonprofits.
- Launch a “Gratitude for Good” campaign, where every expression of thanks equals a small company donation.
- Encourage employees to volunteer locally by giving them incentives when they serve their communities through clean up drives or tree planting initiatives.
By combining fun with philanthropy, your remote team bonding becomes more meaningful — turning gratitude into action.
Tips for Hosting a Successful Virtual Thanksgiving Celebration
A memorable remote Thanksgiving doesn’t require a huge budget or elaborate setup. What matters most is thoughtful planning and inclusivity.
Follow these tips to make your remote team celebration both seamless and joyful:
- Plan around time zones: Schedule your event during overlapping work hours so everyone can join.
- Keep sessions short: Aim for 30 to 60 minutes to maintain energy and engagement.
- Send invites early: Allow time for RSVPs and activity preparation.
- Encourage participation: Involve employees in planning games, playlists, or digital gratitude walls.
- Use themed visuals: Add Thanksgiving themed backgrounds or filters to make your Zoom Thanksgiving party feel festive.
- Mix fun with meaning: Balance online Thanksgiving games with reflection, gratitude, and appreciation moments.
By blending structure with spontaneity, you’ll create a virtual Thanksgiving celebration that feels personal, warm, and genuinely connected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Planning a virtual Thanksgiving might feel new for some teams, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Below are quick answers to common questions to help you prepare a celebration everyone will love.
What are the best virtual activities for Thanksgiving?
The best virtual Thanksgiving ideas combine fun and gratitude—like scavenger hunts, trivia, or a digital gratitude expression board.
Mix interactive games with heartfelt moments to keep your team entertained and inspired.
How can remote teams celebrate across different time zones?
Schedule multiple mini-sessions or record segments for those who can’t attend live. This flexibility guarantees every team member feels included, no matter their location or schedule.
How do you make Thanksgiving inclusive for international employees?
Focus on universal themes such as gratitude, kindness, and teamwork rather than traditional Thanksgiving imagery.
Encourage team members to share personal traditions or holiday recipes from their own cultures to make it a cross-border team celebration.
What platforms work best for virtual events?
Popular choices include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. Combine them with collaboration tools like Miro or Slack for interactive elements like virtual scavenger hunts or gratitude walls.
Final Thoughts
Gratitude transcends every time zone.
Even though your team may be miles apart, the spirit of Thanksgiving can still bring everyone closer together.
A thoughtfully planned remote Thanksgiving filled with creativity, laughter, and gratitude can transform an ordinary workday into a lasting memory.
Whether through team-building activities, online Thanksgiving games, or shared moments of appreciation, you’re not just celebrating a holiday, you’re strengthening your culture, even as a distributed team.
….because appreciation knows no borders!
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Darren Aragon is a multifaceted writer with a background in Information Technology, beginning his career in research at Pen Qatar and transitioning through customer service to a significant role at Absolute Service, Inc. His journey into freelance writing in 2021 has seen him excel across various niches, showcasing his adaptability and deep understanding of audience engagement.
