Showing that you care about the people who work for you is one of the most effective retention strategies, and we wholeheartedly believe it’s also the right way to treat people. Here are 23 easy ideas to make your team feel appreciated during the busiest and merriest times of the year.
Flexibility + Time
- Give everyone the day after Thanksgiving off
- After a stressful deadline week, make sure the following week you allow staff to leave early to catch up on life and decompress
- Announce a surprise half-day when the weather is particularly lovely or particularly miserable (you never know what you’re going to get this time of year!)
- Give back time for high-priority work by rescheduling any non-urgent meetings during short workweeks like Thanksgiving
- Be flexible with people’s work-life needs, let them start later for a school concert or step away for personal appointments
Transportation
- Help protect their car from the special blend of road salt, sand, and slush with a car wash gift card
- Offer Uber or Lyft credits to make commuting easier or for those times when happy hour got happier than planned
Words (Spoken + Written)
- Write a handwritten thank-you note (not an email) that mentions something specific you’ve noticed
- Recognize individual effort during meetings (or one-on-one) and share how their contributions made a difference
- At the end of a big project, send a quick message recapping what went right and who made it happen
- Keep a running list of “thank-you moments” to reference later
- Ask for input during a stay interview on how things could be improved
Food and Drink
- Surprise the team with warm pastries and coffee
- Bring in soup or chili for lunch on a really cold day
- Stock a snack basket or drink bar in the breakroom for the afternoon slump
- Let them expense a coffee or lunch
Workspace
- Brighten up their workspace with a desktop lamp
- Upgrade office lighting by replacing harsh bulbs with softer, warmer light
Milestones
- Celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries with a lunch, a handwritten card, and/or a gift card
- Send a thoughtful gift when a new baby joins someone’s family
- Send a housewarming basket (our go-to is Geometry kitchen towels) when someone buys a new home
- Ask your team what they’re proud of from the year, and celebrate those answers together
- End the year on a happy, festive note with a company holiday party
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I figure out which ideas my team will actually appreciate?
Notice what makes people light up- the things they mention, joke about, or seem genuinely excited by. When in doubt, ask! A short survey or casual chat (“Would you rather have lunch brought in or get a few hours back?”) can give you a lot of insight.
What if my budget is limited?
Some of the best gestures cost little or nothing. Flexibility, handwritten notes, or giving back time are free but meaningful. The key is sincerity. People can tell when a “thank you” is genuine.
What if my team is hybrid or remote?
You can adapt almost everything on this list. Mail handwritten cards, email local coffee gift cards, or host a short “gratitude huddle” over video where everyone shares one win from the week. Distance doesn’t have to dull connection.