While any day is great to celebrate your employees, the first Friday of March is officially Employee Appreciation Day. Recognizing employees for hard work is not only kind but essential to improve retention and build a positive company culture. Whether you celebrate on the first Friday of March or another day of the year, these creative employee appreciation ideas will help ensure your team members feel truly valued.
Simple Employee Appreciation Day Ideas
If you’re part of a small company or planning something last-minute, these simple yet thoughtful employee appreciation ideas will help communicate your gratitude and thankfulness.
🍻 Host a happy hour. Clock out early and head to a favorite local spot for drinks, snacks, and some well-earned social time.
✍️ Write handwritten notes. A personal touch goes a long way! Have leadership craft heartfelt appreciation notes — bonus points if you include a gift card or company swag.
🏡 Offer a remote work day. Show your appreciation with flexibility by letting everyone work from home on Employee Appreciation Day.
🌮 Bring in a food truck. Treat your team to a delicious surprise by inviting a local food truck to serve lunch on the company’s dime.
🎟️ Plan a raffle. Give away fun prizes like extra PTO, event tickets, or tech gadgets to add excitement to the day.
🎉 Throw a themed celebration. Pick a fun theme—like a 90s bash, board game day, or pajama party—and plan activities, music, and treats to match the vibe.
Little gestures can make a significant impact, so choose what fits your culture the best and make appreciation a priority. If you have time and resources to plan a bigger event, check out the options below for some entertaining and relaxing party ideas to celebrate your employees.
Lively Employee Appreciation Day Ideas
If your team members are outgoing and full of energy, then throwing a lively party might be the perfect way to show appreciation. Not only will a fun celebration build community, but it will also boost morale, strengthen bonds, and create lasting memories.
Celebrate with a carnival 🎪
Create a circus extravaganza with dazzling entertainers, festive décor, and classic fair-style treats. From stilt walkers and jugglers to colorful balloons and cotton candy, bring the magic of the midway to your event for a fun-filled experience everyone will love.
🤹♂️ Book unique entertainers. Hire an aerialist, stilt walker, or juggler to entertain guests and create the carnival environment.
🍿 Serve up classic carnival-style food. Offer a selection of ice cream, cotton candy, popcorn, corndogs, and homemade funnel cake!
🎈 Decorate your office or rented space with themed decor. Use red and white streamers, circus banners, and plenty of balloons for an authentic big-top feel.
Make it musical 🎶
Music is the perfect way to bring everyone together and celebrate! Provide some great food and drinks, then turn up the volume with these fun, music-filled ideas.
🎸 Treat everyone to a private concert. Book a singing guitarist to visit the office, or if you can make room or book a space, hire a cover band to play.
🎤 Throw a karaoke party. Encourage everyone to sing their favorite tunes! You can keep it simple and set up your own karaoke station or take it to the next level with a professional karaoke DJ.
🕺 Have a dance party. Let loose and get out on the dance floor. Make a collaborative playlist or hire a DJ to set the vibe.
Experience Vegas 🎲
Bring the excitement of Las Vegas to your team with a high-energy casino-themed party. From thrilling games to dazzling entertainment and signature cocktails, this event will make everyone feel like a high roller.
♥️ Arrange for casino party rentals. Bring in craps tables, roulette, poker, or slot machines for your employees to enjoy through a casino rental company.
🕺 Spice it up with a variety of performers. Hire a Rat Pack tribute show, strolling tables, or a magician to create an authentic Vegas vibe.
🍸 Serve up Vegas-style drinks. Hire a bartender to mix up some colorful beverages or sling drinks yourself with these creative Vegas cocktails.
Relaxing Employee Appreciation Day Ideas
Maybe everyone could use a calm reprieve from the typical workday. Throw a chill movie party, host an arts and crafts event, or encourage employees to have a healthy work-life balance with a spa day. These relaxing ideas will help everyone reset!
Host a movie party 🎬
Roll out the red carpet for a movie-inspired celebration that’s sure to be a blockbuster hit. From celebrity impersonators to big-screen entertainment and film-themed games, this event will make everyone feel like a star.
🎭 Book an impersonator. Bring popular films to life with talented impersonators of famous movie stars or characters. From Tom Cruise to Austin Powers, surprise everyone with an entertaining visit!
🎥 Ensure a great movie experience with a proper screen. If weather permits, book an outdoor movie screen or set up a projector inside for a true movie theater feel.
🥇 Get competitive with themed games. Try out era-based movie trivia or a forever classic game, charades. For smaller groups, test your knowledge with challenging board games like The Blockbuster Game.
Unleash creativity with arts and crafts 🎨
Get creative with a hands-on event that lets your team craft, mingle, and unwind. With engaging DIY projects, live artists, and delicious refreshments, this artsy gathering is the perfect mix of fun and relaxation.
🧵 Plan a variety of crafts for different interests. From small leather items to customized soaps to DIY coffee mugs, there are many activities for offices and team-building events.
🧑🎨 Book live artists for extra flair. Hire a caricaturist or airbrush artist to create fun, personalized favors that everyone will enjoy and remember.
🧀 Offer up refreshments. Provide flavorful finger foods like bruschetta, a cheese board, and fruit skewers. Include a drink station with batch mocktails, flavored waters, and tea or coffee.
Pamper with a spa day 🌿
Give your crew the gift of relaxation with a rejuvenating wellness retreat. From soothing scents and calming music to self-care activities and spa-like treats, this serene experience will leave everyone feeling refreshed and appreciated.
🫖 Create a soothing atmosphere. Place essential oil diffusers around the space, offer infused waters and herbal tea, and decorate with natural tones and warm lighting.
💆 Treat employees to self-care. Lead a guided meditation session, invite a Yoga instructor to lead a rejuvenating session, or book a mobile massage provider to treat everyone. Provide goodie bags with bath salts, face masks, scented candles, and gift cards for a local spa.
🎹 Play calming music. Set the tone with a tranquil playlist. Or, hire a harpist or solo pianist to serenade everyone.
Employee appreciation day is a powerful time to show your team how much they mean to your company. A little recognition can go a long way in boosting morale, improving retention, and creating a work environment where everyone thrives. We hope these ideas inspire you to find new, meaningful ways to make your employees feel seen and respected! 💙
Ready to start planning something special for your team? Find the best performers and services on GigSalad!
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.