Employee Appreciation Day is the perfect opportunity to recognize employees for their hard work and dedication. For maximum impact, skip the coffee mugs and notepads with your company logo. Thoughtful gestures, events, and activities do a much better job boosting morale, fostering team spirit, and creating lasting memories.
This guide offers several creative, practical Employee Appreciation Day ideas, including:
Host a memorable team lunch or breakfast
Create personalized gift packages
Plan engaging team-building activities
Offer wellness and relaxation perks
Celebrate with a unique company event
Keep reading to learn more about using Employee Appreciation Day to increase morale.
Make Employee Appreciation Day Unforgettable—Contact Modern Moments Today!
Whether you're celebrating employee appreciation day or taking team building to the next level, our team at Modern Moments can help you make your Employee Appreciation Day ideas a reality.
Contact us today to learn more about our charming, versatile space for corporate events, discover our convenient location, and book a tour.
Host a Memorable Team Lunch or Breakfast
Nothing brings employees together like a good meal, so naturally, we offer several food ideas for Employee Appreciation Day. This year, have a catered lunch, set up a breakfast buffet, or have a food truck come to your office. Make it even more fun by choosing a theme, such as Taco Tuesdays or Muffins & Memories.
Here are a few Employee Appreciation Day food ideas to get you started:
Breakfast bar: Scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon or sausage, and bagels with a variety of spreads (cream cheese, peanut butter, etc.)
Dessert table: Cookies, cheesecake bites, cupcakes, and other portable sweet treats
Business BBQ: Hamburgers, BBQ ribs, potato salad, and other fixin's
If you want employees to feel appreciated, make sure you accommodate their dietary preferences and restrictions.
Create Personalized Gift Packages
Show employees you care by creating personalized gift packages based on each recipient's preferences. If you have a coffee lover on your team, for example, make a basket with coffee pods, bags of whole beans or coffee grounds, and other coffee-themed items.
As long as they're meaningful, even small gifts can make employees feel valued, so include handwritten thank-you notes from company leaders to add a personal touch. If you need Employee Appreciation Day gift ideas, survey employees to learn about their preferences.
Plan Engaging Team-Building Activities
If you want to promote teamwork and strengthen the bonds among your team members, search for engaging group activities. Engaging activities inspire employees to participate rather than sit on the sidelines.
To make Employee Appreciation Day fun, organize a scavenger hunt, start a trivia competition, or host an escape room challenge for team building. Outdoor activities are also appropriate, especially if you want to foster camaraderie. Try taking a group hike or organizing a flag football game.
If possible, choose at least one activity that encourages employees to improve their collaboration and problem-solving skills.
Offer Wellness and Relaxation Perks
Prioritizing employee well-being may reduce the risk of absenteeism and burnout, ensuring that your employees stay productive. One way to promote well-being is to offer wellness and relaxation perks whenever possible.
If you have the budget for it, reward employees with fitness trackers, gym memberships, or gift cards for therapeutic massage services. Another option is to have a massage therapist provide free chair massages to employees.
When employees go above and beyond, consider giving them a few hours of paid time off to relax and recharge.
Celebrate with a Unique Company Event
Hosting an unforgettable event can leave a lasting impression, making it a great way to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day. This year, plan a themed appreciation party, complete with food, entertainment, and decorations.
To make the event even more special, highlight the achievements of key employees and teams. You can present awards for innovation, customer service, leadership, and teamwork. If you have employees reaching milestone anniversaries with your organization—such as 5 years of service or 20 years of service—recognize their contributions with a plaque or a valuable gift.
Instead of holding the event at your workplace, host it at a versatile venue like Modern Moments. Attendees will have the opportunity to make lasting memories in an engaging environment.
Celebrate Your Team in Style—Host with Modern Moments!
Our indoor venue can comfortably seat up to 100 guests, making it the perfect place for team building. We also offer professional event-planning services, complimentary tables and chairs, and affordable rates. Contact us today to book a tour of our charming and versatile space.