11 Fun Ways to Show Employees You’re Thankful

3 min read
Nov 16, 2015

iStock_000019189953_Small-2Employee recognition and appreciation is always a crucial element of any company strategy — but it’s particularly notable during the holidays. The holidays is the opportune time to show your employees you’re thankful for all of their hard work. Don’t let the day pass by without taking one of these 11 fun ideas for showing your staff how much you care. 

1. Take the team to lunch

11 Fun Ways to Show Employees You’re Thankful by TINYpulseSOURCE: giphy.com

Cut out for a few hours (or even just one hour!) and treat your employees to a fun lunch outside of the office. Go to a place you wouldn’t normally go so it feels extra special.

 

2. Go on a field trip

Field trips aren’t just for grade school. Take the team out of the office for a day trip to do something seasonal. Think ice skating, a play, or something else that will put your employees in the festive spirit.

 

3. Write handwritten notes

11 Fun Ways to Show Employees You’re Thankful by TINYpulseSOURCE: giphy.com

Sometimes something as simple as a handwritten note detailing what you appreciate about an employee is the most effective thing in the world.

 

4. Throw a Potluck

Have everyone on the team bring in a dish potluck style (if you need some ideas, we have 'em!), and treat the team to the main event: the ham. Play some music and make the whole afternoon a holiday party.

 

5. Bring in treats every day for a week

11 Fun Ways to Show Employees You’re Thankful by TINYpulseSOURCE: giphy.com

Bring in donuts, cupcakes, or, to make it even more festive, pumpkin cookies or pecan pie. Do this every day for a week to make the celebration last for days.

 

6. Do one favor

If your team is small enough, tell each member of your team you’ll do one favor for them (a five-minute favor does wonders). Whether it’s bringing in their favorite lunch, taking a task off their to-do list, or letting them come in late one morning — you’ll handle it.

 

7. Sing their praises

11 Fun Ways to Show Employees You’re Thankful by TINYpulseSOURCE: giphy.com

Send around a newsletter near the end of the year that showcases each employee’s personal and professional achievements so the entire office can see how valuable they are.

 

8. Make a Wall of Fame

Put each employee’s picture on the wall under “Wall of Fame” and write a small description under each about the things they are best at and some of their biggest accomplishments.

 

9. Go on an elaborate coffee run

11 Fun Ways to Show Employees You’re Thankful by TINYpulseSOURCE: lifeloveandcoffeestains.com

Come into the office in the morning with each member of your team’s specific coffee order, whether it’s a classic drip with two creams, an iced mocha, or an eggnog latte.

 

10. Host an ice cream social

Bring in tubs of ice cream with all the fixings — sprinkles, cherries, hot fudge, whipped cream — and spend the afternoon making the best sundaes.

 

11. Hold an impromptu meeting

11 Fun Ways to Show Employees You’re Thankful by TINYpulseSOURCE: tumblr.com

This isn’t an ordinary meeting. Bring the team into a conference room for a surprise meeting, dish out some treats, and take the opportunity to say out loud just how thankful you are for each and every one of them. 

The holidays is the perfect time to show employee appreciation. Take the opportunity to find a fun way to show that you care about your employees as human beings.

 

RELATED POSTS:

The Effects of Employee Recognition & Appreciation Report by TINYpulse

Describe your image

Get Email Notifications