6 Creative Employee Appreciation Ideas for the Holidays

Did you know 43.3% of respondents in iHire’s 2023 Talent Retention Report left a job voluntarily in the past year? What’s more, 35.7% of them left because of a toxic or negative work environment and 28.9% jumped ship because they were unhappy with their manager or supervisor.

Enter: employee appreciation. Employee appreciation is important to keep your team motivated and working together harmoniously. Whether you run a small business or a corporation, you must show your employees that you care. This decreases the chances of turnover issues and improves employee engagement.

However, given the economic challenges we’re facing today, you might wonder how to make your staff feel appreciated or brainstorm holiday presents for employees. This article will share some inexpensive yet creative employee appreciation ideas, including for remote team members.

6 Creative Employee Appreciation Ideas Over the Holidays

The following are several cost-effective and creative ways you can show employee appreciation.

1. Thanksgiving Notes

There's no need to go overboard when appreciating employees this holiday season. A simple thank-you note tied with a festive ribbon or bow can do the trick! 

Writing a note of sincere thanks can go a long way in showing your employees that you appreciate their hard work and dedication.

Below are some tips on how to deliver Thanksgiving notes effectively:

1. Make a list of things your employee has done well in the past year. This will give you specific things to write about in your note.
2. Personalize the note by handwriting it or using calligraphy. This will show that you put thought into writing the note. 
3. You can also schedule Thanksgiving note deliveries to employees' residences.

2. Appreciation Posts Over Social Media 

By posting appreciation notes or pictures of your team, you can show your employees that you treasure their contributions and maintain a positive relationship with them. 

You can use specific hashtags to help spread the word or make a post about your favorite thing about an employee and include a link to their website or social media profile. 

Similarly, you can post a picture of the team, together or separately, at an essential moment in their career or life adventures.

These posts not only represent how much you value your employees but also let other potential candidates know what great qualities you look for in new hires.

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3. Holiday Lunches

Organizing a holiday lunch is a great way to appreciate your employees during the holiday season. This will allow them to socialize and kick back with their coworkers while getting something special for themselves in the process. You can also arrange such gatherings to celebrate employees' birthdays. Events like this allow employees to relax and get to know each other better.

By organizing a delicious lunch gathering, you'll show them they are valued team members – and they'll be more likely to put teamwork first during the busy season ahead.

4. Extra Time Off for Vacations

Time off allows employees to recharge and shows that you care about their well-being. Employees who enjoy their job are more likely to stay with the company for longer.

Here are some tips for how to go about giving employees time off:

1. Let employees know in advance if you will be extending their vacation time. This will let them plan their vacation accordingly and not worry about any last-minute changes.
2. Be flexible with your schedule and, if possible, allow your employees to choose specific vacation dates. Be willing to give your employees a little wiggle room should they need it.

5. Tickets to a Show or Event That They’ve Been Wanting to See

Employees work hard all year long and often miss out on holidays and special occasions. Show your appreciation for their dedication by giving them tickets to a show or event. 

When choosing tickets, try finding an event you think employees will enjoy. If you're unsure what they like, ask around or have a look at their social media profiles to get an idea of their interests. You can also choose a new holiday film. Once you have the tickets, send them out with a personal note letting your employees know how much you appreciate them.

If you can't afford to give all of your employees tickets, another option is to organize a raffle where everyone has a chance to win. This is a great way to show your appreciation while also creating some excitement in the office.

6. Charitable Donations 

‘Tis the season of giving, and a great way to show your employees that you care is to make a donation in their name to an organization or cause that means a lot to them. You can send out a survey asking your team members which nonprofits they’d like to support, or have managers gather that insight in one-on-one meetings.

Instead of monetary donations, you could also give employees volunteer time off (VTO) to spend a workday volunteering for their favorite organization.

Summing Up

During the holiday season, you should provide your employees with a sense of gratitude and appreciation. However, doing this can be tricky when you're short on time or don't have much money to throw around.

The engagement and retention section of iHire's Employer Resource Center can help you maintain a healthy workplace environment. In addition to providing resources on topics such as employee satisfaction, employee turnover, and ergonomics, the section offers advice on creating a culture where employees are passionate about their work and feel appreciated. By using these resources as part of an overall strategy for creating a healthy workplace culture, your business can ensure that it's attracting and retaining the best possible employees.