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Employee Appreciation Ideas

Employee appeciation is thoughtful, great for productivity, and boosts morale--not to mention that it can be as fun to give as it is to get. The challenge for principals, managers, and other leaders is in coming up with a fun, meaningful, and creative idea for how to recognize their employees during designated appreciation weeks. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Create a rewards program. Like a store rewards club, employees can earn “bucks” for customer service, or any traits you want to encourage. (Perhaps even fellow employees can award each other bucks.) At the end of the week, bucks can be redeemed for small prizes or privileges.
• Give out a mini “Stress Support Kit” with items like aspirin, herbal tea, vitamin C, a notecard with an inspirational message, and a stress ball.
• Throw an ever-popular ice cream sundae party, pizza party, or “hero sandwich” party for your team of heroes.
• Create your own themed appreciation party, such as: "Chip, Chip, Hooray! Our staff is the best; they never dip below expectations"-- serve chips and dips. “Our Staff floats above the rest”---serve root beer floats.
• Give magnets with messages or thanks or inspiration.
• Give mugs filled with treats.
• Give back scratchers with a note that says "Thanks for the helping hand!"
• Be a "Fairy Godmother" by asking each staff member to make one wish (meaning you will take one task off of their hands that day.)
• Room Service/Cube service--Take a cart of fresh coffee, orange juice, donuts, and muffins around to support employees throughout your office/school.
• Come up with a number of categories for informal employee awards. Think of fun categories like best hair, tidiest workspace, cutest shoes, and best sense of humor. Nominate each employee for at least one category, and then ask your employees to vote. Hold a ceremony where the winners get small prizes or privileges.
• Use treats to share your message of appreciation (but be mindful of nut allergies!) Write a cute note and attach the corresponding treat:
  • Kudos ® to You!
  • You’re worth 100 Grand ®!
  • Thanks for all the laughs and Snickers ®
  • You are Out of this World! (Mars ® or Milky Way ®)
  • Thanks for the Mounds ® of work you do!
  • You are M&M!!! (Marvelous and Magnificant)
  • Thanks for putting up with us Ding Dongs ®!
  • We Love You!!! XOXO (Hershey's Hugs and Kisses ®)
  • You deserve an extra Payday ®!
  • You are a JOY! (Almond Joy ®)
  • You're all that and a bag of chips! (Snack bag of chips)
  • Have a poppin' good week (popcorn)
  • Thanks for pudding up with us (pudding cup)
  • You are a lifesaver! (roll of Lifesavers)