How to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

We entered 2024 with high hopes and a motto centered around "standing on business.” Unfortunately, that business–the economy–is feeling more like quicksand these days. Things haven’t been looking too bright, especially with rising cost of living. This is why this year’s Employee Appreciation Day deserves special attention.

As your teams soldier on through these tough times, it’s important that you show them that you care and value their hard work. By appreciating their efforts, you can boost morale and help ease some of their stress. So, let's make the most of this day to lift spirits and warm some hearts!

What is Employee Appreciation Day?

Employee Appreciation Day (EAD) is an annual event celebrated on the first Friday of March. Its purpose is simple: employers use this day to acknowledge and appreciate their employees for their hard work and dedication. 

In 2024, Employee Appreciation Day falls on Friday, March 1st. So mark it on your calendar and set the day aside for showing appreciation through activities, treats, and gifts. If you can, allow your employees to take a break from the usual work routine and deadlines so they can really relax and enjoy the special day.

10 Ways to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

There are several ways you can celebrate Employee Appreciation Day in your company. We recommend selecting an idea or option that aligns with your company culture, values, and budget. Here are 10 awesome celebration ideas to choose from.

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1. Employee Spotlight Session
   Organize a session to highlight each employee's contributions to the company. For remote teams, you can do this virtually or create a dedicated section on your company's website to showcase employee achievements. You can also give employees shout-outs on social media to show everyone how great they are!

2. Employee Award Ceremony
   Host a ceremony to recognize your top-performing employees. Encourage peer nominations and create various award categories to ensure inclusivity. For remote teams, you can conduct this ceremony virtually and present digital certificates or trophies.

3. Gift Cards
   Give your employees gift cards of their choice. This allows them to indulge in the things they truly desire as a token of appreciation for their dedication. Utilize a platform like Motherboard to easily distribute gift cards or vouchers for various perks.

4. Recognition Wall
   Make a special wall with pictures of all your employees to show how much you appreciate them. This will serve as a constant reminder of their value and help strengthen team morale. For remote teams, you can create a virtual recognition wall on your company's website.

Related: How to Design a High-Impact Recognition Program

5. Care Packages
   Send your employees care packages with nice treats and things to help them relax. This is a nice way to show that you care about their well-being. For remote teams, you can deliver these packages to their homes so they feel appreciated.

6. Catered Lunch or Dinner
   ‍Treat your team to a nice meal to celebrate all their hard work. This is a good way to help everyone relax and have fun together. For remote teams, you can provide food & grocery vouchers so that your employees can order their favorite food or cook a special meal without worrying about the cost, and have a virtual lunch or dinner with the rest of the team. 

7. Time Off
   Grant employees some time off to rest and recharge. This enables them to prioritize self-care and return to work refreshed. Since Employee Appreciation Day 2024 falls on a Friday, it's a perfect time to enjoy a long weekend! 

8. Office Picnic
   Host an outdoor picnic for team bonding. Plan fun activities like games or painting sessions. For remote teams, organize virtual activities and meal deliveries to bring everyone together.

9. Pay for Their Utilities
   Help employees with essential expenses like electricity, internet services, or subscriptions. This gesture shows you care and gives them one less bill to worry about. Motherboard has a utility benefit category that enables you to pay for your employees' utilities seamlessly!

10. Plan a Wellness Day
    Organize a wellness day focused on promoting employee health and well-being. Offer health checkups, mental health resources, or spa treatments to help employees unwind and de-stress. 

To wrap up

However you choose to celebrate your employees, don't forget to actually say thank you. Those two words might seem small but they pack a punch! 

You should also try to make recognition a regular part of your company culture. Consider starting an employee recognition program with rewards to show appreciation for their hard work. Motherboard is a great platform for recognition programs because it offers a wide range of employee benefits that can be managed by employers or customized by employees, making it easy to choose perks that suit their needs.

To learn more about the Motherboard platform, book a live demo for a full walkthrough!