National Employee Appreciation Day, Friday, March 1st, is fast approaching. Are you scrambling for ways to show your team some love this upcoming Employee Appreciation Day? Whether a misstep left your original plans derailed or you’re realizing just how badly your staff needs a morale boost, your employees deserve to be celebrated.
With these last-minute employee appreciation gift ideas, you can whip up an experience that'll leave them feeling valued and inspired.
#1 Game on!
Forget the stilted icebreakers, and unleash some friendly competition instead. Ending the day early and gathering your team either in person or in a virtual meeting room for company-wide games is a quick, easy way to generate some goodwill, employee engagement, and build camaraderie.
Here are some fan-favorite virtual options that you can set up at a moment’s notice:
- Skribblio – Like an online Pictionary, Skribblio gives each player an online whiteboard and a word to draw while the rest of the players guess as fast as they can.
- Quiplash – This Jackbox Games mainstay has everyone submitting zany, clever responses to questions, and then voting on the winners.
- Kahoot! – This platform lets you create your own questions, so you can design a trivia game specifically for your teammates to enjoy.
If you’re in person, consider setting up card tables, board games, or parlor games (hello, did someone say “charades”?). It's also a great idea to have small gifts for employee recognition throughout your games as an additional touch. These could be things such as gift cards, small trinkets, or a day of PTO for the winning team member (if not unlimited).
#2 Tailored experiences
A whopping 78% of Millennials prefer experiences over items, so why not apply that same logic to your Employee Appreciation Day planning? And don’t worry, you don’t need to personally plan a large-scale event for 50 employees in a matter of days.
With Blueboard, you can set your employees up to choose their own meaningful, experiential reward, or you can select the same experience for everyone to enjoy.
Zero planning involved, you can pick exciting options such as:
- Sporting events
- Helicopter tours
- Ziplining
- Wine tasting tours
- Pottery classes
- Stand-up comedy shows
- Foreign language lessons
- Photography courses
- River rafting
- Personal massages
- In-home golf simulation
#3 Lunch breaks of luxury
Who says employee appreciation programs can't be delicious? Company culture building blocks like team meals are statistically proven to raise employee engagement and productivity, so surprise your staff with gourmet lunch deliveries featuring curated meals from local restaurants or top-notch caterers.
If your team’s in the office, set up a spread and turn it into an extended lunch break and social event. For any remote employee, consider sending gift cards or stipends so everyone can order their own meal, then gather the gang on a virtual hangout.
#4 Self-care in a box
Acknowledge all their hard work with a care package full of pampering goodness. Try for a selection of wellness-focused options, from aromatherapy sets and cozy blankets to guided meditation subscriptions and healthy snack packages. Whether you have a self-care day in the office or remotely, these indulgent treats let your team recharge and return refreshed with clear heads.
#5 Sincere thanks
Okay, so what if it’s really last minute? We’re talking, reading this article on February 29th at 9 o’clock last minute. There’s still hope.
Research shows that even ‘symbolic gifts,’ such as “congratulatory cards, public recognition, and certificates” can all increase motivation, performance, and employee retention rates.
Take some time tonight to handwrite thank you cards to each person on your team, telling them exactly why you appreciate them. Cite specific examples of their hard work, leadership, or value to the company. You can even take an hour out of the day to publicly present each employee with their card and a small token, like a gift card or treat.
