Employee Appreciation: 35+ Creative Ways to Recognize and Reward Your Team

The best workplaces are built on more than hard work—they're built on feeling seen, valued, and appreciated. If you’re looking for real ways to celebrate your team and let them know they matter, this list is for you.

These ideas are simple, meaningful, and easy to put into action—whether you’re planning something big or just want to brighten someone’s day. From personal touches to creative gifts, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to help your people feel genuinely recognized.

Why Employee Appreciation Matters

ppreciating your employees is so important that it has its own holiday. Employee Appreciation Day, celebrated on the first Friday in March, isn’t just a feel-good holiday—it’s a reminder that behind every successful business is a team of people making things happen. While it’s a chance for employers to pause, reflect, and say “thank you” in a meaningful way, it shouldn’t be the only day of the year you show your employees how important they are.

It should spark a broader conversation about how we recognize and value the people we work with. When done right, appreciation isn’t just about boosting morale—it’s about building a stronger, more connected workplace.

The Link Between Recognition and Retention

Feeling appreciated isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. There’s a lot of evidence that shows that employees who feel recognized are more likely to stay with their company than those who don’t. In fact, a Gallup report found that teams with high levels of engagement—which includes regular recognition—experience between 18-43% less turnover and 23% higher profitability.

When employees know their efforts are seen and valued, they’re more likely to stay committed, put in their best work, and become champions of the company culture. It’s one of the simplest (and most affordable) ways to keep your team strong.

The Business Case for Appreciation

Recognizing your team isn’t just good for people—it’s good for business. Appreciation builds trust, encourages open communication, and creates a culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. Teams that feel valued tend to be more resilient, more engaged, and better at working through challenges together.

It also leads to measurable results: better performance, fewer missed deadlines, and happier clients. A small gesture of gratitude today can have a long-lasting impact on productivity, morale, and the overall success of your organization.

Meaningful Employee Appreciation Ideas

If you're looking for ideas for employee appreciation that your team will love, here are a few great ideas to consider.

1. Custom Crystal Awards for Top Performers

Celebrate your standout employees with stunning crystal awards that command attention. These awards not only look impressive but serve as lasting reminders of achievement.

2. Engraved Name Plates for Desks

Give your employees a sense of pride and ownership with elegant, engraved name plates. Whether you go with a glass, marble, or wooden base, this desk accessory adds a personalized and professional touch to any workspace.

3. Personalized Drinkware

Help your team stay hydrated in style with custom barware, tumblers, or water bottles. Add their name or the company logo for a branded yet personal feel—perfect for both in-office and remote workers.

4. Gift Cards with a Personal Note

Sometimes, the simplest gestures are the most appreciated. A thoughtfully selected gift card, especially when paired with a handwritten thank-you note, shows that you understand and value your team’s individual tastes.

5. Flexible Time Off or "Surprise" Half-Days

Reward hard work with the gift of time. Offering unexpected half-days or flexible PTO lets employees rest and recharge—and shows you care about their wellbeing outside of work.

6. Wall of Fame in the Office

Designate a space in your office to recognize achievements with a "Wall of Fame." Use custom perpetual plaques to spotlight standout performances in a classy, visible way.

7. Custom Paperweights

Add a touch of elegance to their desks with a personalized paperweight. Choose from etched designs or shapes like globes and stars to commemorate specific milestones or just to say thanks.

8. Employee Appreciation Events

Throw a themed lunch, host a team-building retreat, or plan a surprise happy hour. These events offer a fun break from routine and create lasting memories your employees will cherish.

9. Work Anniversary Recognition

Mark each employee’s work anniversary with a special years of service award. Recognizing these milestones reminds employees that their time and dedication don’t go unnoticed.

10. Subscription Boxes Tailored to Their Interests

Send a monthly surprise that matches their hobbies or passions, such as gourmet snacks, wellness products, or tech gadgets. It’s a fun way to say thanks, and it keeps the appreciation going all year long.

11. Handwritten Thank You Cards

In an increasingly digital world, a handwritten note stands out. It shows genuine effort and makes the recognition feel personal and heartfelt. Bonus points if you include a gift card or another token of your appreciation.

12. Wellness and Self-Care Kits

Show that you care about your team’s mental and physical health by gifting a curated self-care package. Include items like candles, bath salts, journals, or a voucher for a meditation or fitness app.

13. Custom Engraved Clocks

For a classic and practical award, consider a beautifully engraved clock. These timeless pieces are perfect for service anniversaries, retirements, or leadership acknowledgments.

14. Peer Recognition Programs

Encourage employees to celebrate one another with a structured peer recognition system. Let teammates nominate each other for awards and spotlight these moments in team meetings or newsletters.

15. Digital Appreciation Boards

Use online tools or platforms to create virtual "kudos" boards where managers and team members can leave public shout-outs. It’s an inclusive way to boost morale and build camaraderie—especially in hybrid or remote teams.

16. Company Swag (That They’ll Actually Use)

Go for high-quality branded items like cozy hoodies, tech gadgets, or tote bags. Useful and well-designed swag becomes a badge of honor for proud employees.

17. Professional Development Stipends

Show that you value your employees’ growth by funding training courses, workshops, or certifications. This investment in their future also strengthens your team’s skill set. It’s a win-win!

18. Personalized Desktop Items

Upgrade their workspace with customized desk accessories like engraved pen holders, photo frames, or mouse pads. These items are both functional and personal, making them ideal tokens of appreciation. This is great for on-site and remote workers.

19. Lunch with Leadership

Give employees the chance to connect directly with senior leaders over a casual lunch. It fosters transparency, builds relationships, and reinforces that every voice matters.

20. “Caught in the Act” Recognition

Create a culture of spontaneous appreciation by rewarding employees who are caught doing something exceptional. Surprise them with a small gift or a public shout-out to celebrate the moment.

21. Custom Awards for Fun Categories

Not all recognition has to be serious! Create lighthearted award categories like “Best Zoom Background” or “Snack MVP” and present them using fun acrylic trophies or medals.

22. Write LinkedIn Shout-Outs for Your Team

Public praise goes a long way. Write a short but meaningful LinkedIn post recognizing an employee’s contribution—tag them, highlight what they did, and show the world how awesome your team is.

23. Create a “Thank You” Video from Leadership

Gather short clips from leadership and managers expressing personal gratitude. Compile them into a video and share it with the team—it’s a heartfelt way to show recognition.

24. Host a Virtual Appreciation Party

For remote or hybrid teams, throw a virtual celebration with games, music, and fun awards. Add personal touches like delivering snacks or drinks to attendees ahead of time for an extra surprise.

25. Celebrate Personal Milestones

Go beyond work and recognize birthdays, engagements, new babies, or even pet adoptions. Celebrating life’s wins shows your employees you care about them, not just the work they do.

26. Launch a Team Appreciation Slack Channel

Set up a #shoutouts or #kudos channel where people can post quick notes of appreciation. It builds a culture of recognition and gives people a space to celebrate wins, big and small.

27. Give Personalized Thank-You Gifts

Skip the one-size-fits-all swag and choose small gifts based on personal interests—like books, hobby kits, or gourmet treats. When a gift feels personal, it’s far more meaningful.

28. Let Employees Choose Their Own Award

Create a short list of recognition rewards—gift cards, time off, donations to a cause—and let recipients pick what’s most meaningful to them. It turns the gesture into something truly appreciated.

29. Feature Employees in a Company Newsletter

Spotlight individual employees or teams in your internal newsletter with a quick write-up, photo, and quote. It’s simple to do and gives them visibility across the organization.

30. Offer "No Meeting" Days

As a way to say thanks, give your team a day free from Zoom calls and status meetings. Let them use the time to catch up on deep work—or just breathe a little easier.

31. Organize a Volunteer Day

Let your team step away from their desks and do some good—together. Plan a team volunteer event and give everyone paid time to participate. Bonus points if it supports a cause they care about.

32. Give Out "Gratitude Grams"

Provide blank cards or digital templates so employees can write appreciation notes to each other. Distribute them throughout the week leading up to Employee Appreciation Day for a steady stream of positivity.

33. Surprise Desk (or Doorstep) Drops

Leave a small surprise on employees’ desks—or send something to their home if they’re remote. Think cookies, plants, coffee kits, or even a handwritten note with a treat attached.

34. Set Up an Appreciation Wall (Physical or Digital)

Use a bulletin board or shared document to post team wins, quotes, photos, and thank-yous. It becomes a living, growing tribute to everyone’s hard work.

35. Make It a Weeklong Celebration

Why limit it to one day? Stretch the appreciation into a full week, with different small surprises, shout-outs, or events each day to keep the momentum going and make everyone feel included.

36. Offer Career Coaching Sessions

Invest in your employees’ future by offering one-on-one career coaching or mentorship sessions. It shows appreciation and support for their long-term goals.

Make It Last: Keeping the Recognition Going Year-Round

Now that you have some great Employee Appreciation Day ideas, remember to treat them as a great spark—but the real magic happens when that energy carries through the rest of the year. Recognition shouldn't be limited to one date on the calendar. By weaving gratitude into your company culture, you create a workplace where people feel valued every day, not just during special events.

That could mean building small appreciation moments into weekly check-ins, celebrating milestones regularly, or encouraging spontaneous shout-outs when someone does something great. A little consistency goes a long way toward making recognition feel authentic, not performative.

Monthly or Quarterly Award Programs

Formal programs like Employee of the Month or Quarterly MVP Awards give structure to your appreciation efforts—and keep them top of mind throughout the year. These awards can spotlight outstanding contributions, celebrate growth, or recognize those who consistently go above and beyond.

To keep things fresh and engaging, consider rotating categories (like “Best Team Player” or “Most Improved”), involving peers in nominations, or letting winners choose their own reward. You can present these honors with custom trophies, plaques, or certificates to add a personal, tangible touch.

Peer-to-Peer Recognition Platforms

Some of the most meaningful praise comes not from managers, but from teammates. Peer-to-peer recognition programs allow employees to celebrate one another for things leaders might not always see—like helping on a tough project, stepping up during a busy week, or just being a great coworker.

Platforms like Bonusly, Kudos, or even simple tools like a #shoutouts Slack channel make it easy to give and receive appreciation in real time. Encouraging this kind of connection strengthens your team culture and helps recognition become part of everyday life.

Order Employee Appreciation Gifts Today

Employee appreciation isn’t just a box to check—it’s a chance to show your team that their hard work truly matters. A thoughtful gesture, given with sincerity, can turn an ordinary workday into something unforgettable.

If you want your appreciation to have a lasting impact, go beyond generic swag. Personalized, high-quality gifts—like engraved crystal awards, custom plaques, or elegant desk accessories from Awards.com—leave a lasting impression. They’re symbols of respect, gratitude, and pride in a job well done.

Whether you're recognizing one person or an entire team, now’s the perfect time to plan ahead and choose gifts that make your appreciation feel genuine. Because when you invest in recognizing your people, you’re investing in the heart of your business.