12 Ways to Practice Holiday Diversity and Inclusion Leaadership

1- If you want employees to feel included and show up, make sure your holiday party isn't a Christmas party in disguise. Decorations and food should  either be general, and non-specific to any religion or include decorations and food that represent everyone in your organization.
2- Ask employees what symbols and decorations they would like to include in the celebration. Items can be placed on display with a written description describing the tradition.
This is a way to learn about different cultures and religions, and the traditions that accompany them.
3- Consider having a New Year's Party instead of a Holiday party. This type of party can get everyone on board with the company's mission and vision for the New Year.
4- Remember, some people do not attend parties at all.  Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in parties or gift-giving. No one should be pressured to attend the party.
5-Accommodate diverse palates, including dishes on the menu that can be  enjoyed by everyone, including vegetarian.  Encourage employees to share their celebrations through stories, decorations, and foods that they can bring to their workplace.
6-Display a diversity calendar to help all employees know the important cultural events for the rest of the year. Here is one that I like. http://diversitycalendar.ca
7-Post different holiday greetings on your webpage and internal communication platforms.
8- During the whole year, be respectful of special dates when planning events and meetings. Don't plan a lunch or breakfast meeting during Ramadan if you have Muslim employees. Be aware of important religious holidays where it's customary for people to take off work, like Jewish High Holy Days.
9-Learn traditional greetings and correct pronunciation for different holidays.  Employees who celebrate those holidays will appreciate your interest and time you took to learn.
10-Encourage your employees to learn about other different holidays and the different ways people around the world and in your own country celebrate them. There are usually events all year to celebrate different holidays that are open to the public. Take the time to attend them.
 11. Share your learning with others, and use it as a chance to expand the conversation at parties and at the dinner table.
12. Let go of assumptions of what people know about your holidays. Educate people about the origins and meaning of what you celebrate.  Invite people from different traditions to your celebrations.