How to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day?

Do you want to appreciate your employees, but don't know how to do so? As you approach Employee Appreciation Day, there can be no better time to shower gratitude.

Appreciating employees is not just a courtesy; rather, it is a powerful gesture of saying thank you. While it is a fact that you should understand your employees all year long, there can be specific days when their existence, work, and contributions deserve appreciation.

The first Friday of every March is celebrated as Employee Appreciation Day. On this day, companies can organize events to celebrate the joyous occasions. They could also offer them monetary rewards or unique gift items to appreciate employees' hard work.

Appreciation makes employees feel valued. Because when they believe the organization values their work, they perform better. And that significantly helps companies to grow.

Employee appreciation is no rocket science. Yet, many companies struggle to come up with ideas for Employee Appreciation Day.

Want to know how to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day? This blog will then give you the perfect ideas for the occasion. Also, you will learn about the significance of the day.

What is Employee Appreciation Day?

Imagine a day dedicated to appreciating your employees for their hard work. Well, it is Employee Appreciation Day. The first Friday of March is celebrated as National Employee Appreciation Day, where organizations acknowledge individual and team efforts.

Bob Nelson was the man who created this event in 1995. The purpose of Employee Appreciation Day is to recognize the contributions the employees make to the organization.

Many companies organize fun events and distribute gifts to employees to commemorate the day. As employees soak in the festivities and receive gifts, it boosts their morale. Their happiness and motivation manifest into a positive work culture.

With positivity all around, the company and its employees work together in harmony to achieve success.

Why Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day?

Since Bob Nelson started the event in 1995, many companies have promptly celebrated Employee Appreciation Day. Moreover, to ensure a persistent positive culture, companies make efforts to appreciate their employee throughout the year.

But why celebrate Employee Appreciation Day? Let's find out the reasons.

• Boosts employee motivation: Recognizing employees' efforts and appreciating them through gestures boosts their motivation. As they feel motivated, they perform better in their job roles.

• Reduces Turnover: Employees expect appreciation from their employers. Through work rewards, you can make them happy. As they understand that you value them, those employees will likely stay in the company, thus reducing turnover.

• Improves employee engagement: Employees who work relentlessly in an organization deserve recognition and appreciation from their leaders and team members. On Employee Appreciation Day, consider creating gift ideas to show your gratitude towards the employees. As they receive such gifts, it fuels positivity in them. This positive attitude makes them more committed to the organization, enabling them to work collaboratively.

• Enhances team collaboration: Recognizing employees on the first Friday of March and throughout the year fosters team bonding. When everyone's work gets the deserved recognition and appreciation, it creates a harmony where they can work together with shared goals. And that results in the success of the company.

20 Creative Ways to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

Confused about how to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day? Don't worry. We've got some ideas!

Whether it's a practical physical gift or a creative box, you can express gratitude to your employees in multiple ways. Since every employee has unique interests and preferences, it can be challenging to come up with a standard employee rewards program.

We are therefore dividing employee appreciation day celebration ideas into various categories. Each element in the category will help you express gratitude to your employees effectively.

Food Items

Food is the love language for most people. And your hardworking employees deserve a treat for making constant efforts. To honor your employees, consider giving them food-related items on Employee Appreciation Day. Such gifts will include:

1. Food Gift Boxes: If you're looking for creative ways to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, consider giving employees a food gift box. The Curiously Caramel Gift Set from Groveland Confections highlights various food items in caramel flavors. Receiving such a hamper on a joyous occasion can bring them happiness.

2. Cookie Assortments: There's nothing more celebratory than a box full of desserts. On Employee Appreciation Day, consider offering your employees delicious cookies that will surely bring a smile to their faces. The Branded One Dozen Cookie Assortment can be an ideal gift idea for your dedicated employees.

3. Cup Noodles: Show employee appreciation with lip-smacking snack items. And one such item would be instant cup noodles. The Immi Variety Vol. 1 noodles can be an instant motivation factor for employees on Appreciation Day.

4. Tea Sachets: Feeling burned out is quite common in the work culture. As a warm gesture of gratitude, you can offer them tea sachets to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day. Firebelly Tea USA's Sweet Hibiscus Rooibos can make a perfect appreciation gift for employees.

Daily Essentials

On Employee Appreciation Day, consider giving day-to-day items as thoughtful presents. A notebook or a set of pens is something every employee needs. These are simple yet functional items that you can provide to honor employee efforts.

5. Journals: These are the best corporate gifts for employees. Be it writing down a checklist or minutes of the meeting, employees would require journals. Looking for a journal with a unique design? Then the WAFF LeRoyal Journal is something you can buy in bulk for Employee Appreciation Day.

6. Ball pens: A classic gift idea for any occasion would be ball pen sets. Even in the digital world, the importance of pen and paper is a constant. Since you cannot miss any employee on such an important day, look for cost-effective gift ideas. Give Embrace Your Magic: Rollerball Pens to employees to thank them for their efforts.

7. Travel Mugs: To celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, consider offering travel mugs as a gift item. These are core daily essentials that employees will require who are commuting to offices. The Superstar: Travel Mug from Effie's Paper is a valuable present to offer your employees.

8. Lunch Boxes: To value your employees' hard work, consider giving them practical gifts. And YETI Daytrip 5L Lunch Box is just the gift you can consider offering your employees when you're organizing the appreciation day event.

Fitness & Wellness Gifts

A good employer would ensure that their employees are in good health, mentally and physically. As a form of employee appreciation, you can promote their well-being through fitness and wellness gift items. They are as follows:

9. Hi-Tech Body Massagers: Long working hours can lead to body pain. To appreciate their labor and contribution, you can offer them devices that can alleviate body aches. With the Purosonic Stomach & Back Massager, your employees can seek moments of relaxation.

10. Yoga Mats: Don't let the work pressure compromise your employee's fitness regimen. Show your appreciation and value by giving a Yune Yoga Non-Slip Pilates Mat as a gift on Employee Appreciation Day.

11. Pillows: Are you looking for ways to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day? How about giving employees gifts that will promote their well-being? With Go Neck Pillows from Ostrichpillow, your employees can sleep like a baby after a hectic work day.

12. Skincare Sets: As a caring employer, consider appreciation ideas that benefit your employees. The daily hustle often makes employees forget about their skincare routine. To ensure their skin remains flawless, the Cardon Essentials Skincare Set is something to indulge in.

Apparel & Accessories

Clothing and accessories are classic gifts for both informal and formal occasions. As Employee Appreciation Day is around the corner, you can provide such items. A comfy hoodie or a nice hat can increase employee satisfaction.

13. Hoodies: To celebrate the joyous occasion of Employee Appreciation, consider offering hoodies as a thoughtful gift. The North Face Women's Evolution Simple Dome Hoodie is a warm gesture of appreciation. Owing to its quality and style, it will make the employees feel appreciated.

14. Hats: When you want to appreciate your employees through gifts, know about their preferences. Many of them may have a fascination with hats. The B.M. Franklin & Co. "Nantucket" Brisa Straw Hats are ideal gift items to appreciate your employees.

15. Monogram Initial Necklaces: Necklaces are beautiful accessory items for Employee Appreciation Day. Kobelli offers the most beautiful necklaces, perfect for showering gratitude towards your employees.

16. Charm Bracelets: Employees are the pillar of any organization. And it is important to value them on Employee Appreciation Day and all year round. With Fuze Body Black and Turquoise Feather Charm Lava Stone Essential Oil Bracelets, you can convey to your employees that they are the organization's lucky charm.

Gadgets & Tech Gifts

Want to make your employees feel truly appreciated? Surprise them with tech gifts on Employee Appreciation Day. Receiving these gifts would boost their morale and motivate them to work better.

17. Loudspeakers: A useful tech gift that you can give on Employee Appreciation Day would be Gemini Sound AS-12P: Powered Loudspeaker. Your employees can use these speakers according to their needs and feel honored.

18. iPad Cases: For affordable Employee Appreciation Day ideas, consider the Speck Balance Folio Case for Apple iPads. These are practical gifts that employees can use to increase the longevity of their devices.

19. PopSockets: A simple and effective gadget for your phone would be PopSockets PopGrip Luxe Multi-Color. Giving such a unique gift on Employee Appreciation Day will allow the digital content creators in your organization to make seamless videos.

20. Keycaps: To show gratitude towards employees, consider creating simple gift ideas. Keycaps are a great item to offer your employees on Appreciation Day. The Cheshire Grin Keycaps are small yet effective tools that your employees can attach to the keyboards. These gadgets would protect the keys from any external damage.

Plan the Best Employee Appreciation Day Ideas with Gifted

Did you figure out how to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day? If not, then the ideas mentioned above can help you find out the best ways to celebrate the day.
With unique and valuable gifts, you can express gratitude towards your employees. Receiving such warm presents would boost their confidence and motivation to do better.

We at Gifted provide the best gift ideas for every corporate event. Even for Employee Appreciation Day, our wide range of gift items is effective in putting a smile on their faces. From cookie hampers to tech gadgets, you can offer different presents to show you care for them.

Explore our diverse gifting categories to make Employee Appreciation Day truly memorable!