Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

By Stephanie Lamie

They make your business hum, are there when the doors open or the laptop flips open and patiently work with your customers, clients, vendors and machinery until they finally clock out.

So it makes sense that we honor America’s labor force with National Employee Appreciation Day on the first Friday in March. It’s nice to feel appreciated, in fact, 81% of employees who feel highly appreciated report elevated job satisfaction opens in new window.

Your company or organization doesn’t have to spend a fortune on lavish gifts or extravagant dinners (unless you want to!) in order to show your staff that you appreciate their daily reliable efforts. Thoughtful and personalized gifts show you value everything they do for your bottom line.

81%

of employees
who feel highly appreciated report elevated job satisfaction.

The way to show appreciation is through their stomach

A little planning will help you make sure that work-from-home staff or shift workers all get the recognition gifts and gestures they deserve. You may have to mail items to the former, or stagger food deliveries, such as catered meals, pizza and cake, to ensure everyone gets a slice of the pie!

Other food ideas include a sundae bar, taco bar, gourmet coffee order, grilled burgers and hot dogs outside. Or invite the employees to bring meals they love by throwing the classic potluck.

Meaningful keepsakes to say “Thank you”

Practical, durable gifts with the company logo—and even personalization—serve as a lasting memento of the day, and your gratitude for their extra efforts. Custom drinkware like coffee mugs and insulated tumblers, branded apparel, think T-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets, and office-related promo items such as executive pens, laptop bags, Bluetooth^® speakers, organizers, all remind them they’ve found a company who cares.

We also offer delicious branded snacks that can be mailed or handed out at a thank-you ceremony, employee party or placed on individual desks to show you’re thinking of them. Order extras for the night crews and shift workers.

Let employees choose a gift they’ll love

Some companies create an online employee catalog of apparel items or other gifts that allows each staffer to choose their own items! That way, they can browse color, size and style before the order is submitted and later distributed. Gifts such as blankets and caps that are typically one-size-fits-most are great options too!

And with 4imprint, it’s easy to create a unique design for your giveaways by incorporating your logo with additional designs to mark the day, or any special anniversary or milestone. Our art department and their creative services are complimentary, so you can submit your existing art electronically, or talk to them and explain what you want. You will always receive an e-proof to approve before printing.

The reason we recognize

When you show employees the value they bring opens in new window to the organization, they become more engaged, more productive and more involved with your values and missions. All wonderful reasons for showing your support for your workers!

Personalize your event with a few words from the CEO or supervisor. Did one of your staff come up with a new marketing idea or money-saving efficiency? Did a sales team set a new record or win over a major client? Be sure to celebrate those personal and team victories during the food and fellowship.

Celebrate!

Whatever you do, your dedicated staff will appreciate the effort and work even harder when they feel your gratitude. And if you miss this date, celebrate it anytime it fits your company schedule! Employees never turn down free pizza and doughnuts, right?

Stephanie Lamie

Stephanie Lamie is a senior merchandising category manager who has been with 4imprint for 28 years, including 21 years in her current role. She oversees several product categories, with her largest areas of focus being writing instruments and tradeshow displays. Stephanie enjoys discovering new products, tracking industry and retail trends, partnering with suppliers and learning more about sustainability. She began her 4imprint career as an expediter before moving into sales, claims and corporate programs—experience that gives her a broad understanding of the business. As an expert in all things pens, she uses her deep knowledge of 4imprint’s departments and customer needs to bring the very best writing utensils and tradeshow products to the market.