If teams are in the same vicinity, consider socially distant team outings such as a drive-in movie night or a drive-by, in which cars parade by a coworker’s house with balloons and treats. There are also drive-in operas now, drive-by art exhibitions, and much more. While these types of outings should remain infrequent until the majority of the population is vaccinated, they are a fun way to acknowledge successes and get to see coworkers safely.
Last but not least, remote celebrations will remain the norm for much of 2021, so spend time polling team members on activities that will truly feel delightful and not burdensome. A cooking class might feel exciting to some colleagues and like another obligatory task on the to-do list for others. Avoid falling into the one-size-fits-all trap; it’s more important to make everyone feel heard and appreciated, even if that means dividing the team up into smaller groups based on preferred activity.
The same principle applies to team gifts - 2021 is the year to go specific, not generic. Poll teammates now on what they want or need, and/or encourage them to make Amazon lists that others can access. Then, when the time comes around to recognize an achievement, they’ll hopefully forget they’ve even made the list and voila - a colleague can swoop in and with the perfect pseudo-surprise.