A great workplace starts with healthy employees. Plus, there is a strong connection between happiness and nutrition. Why not make work a healthier, happier place to be, one step at a time? We’re here to help.
Many organizations have committed to a healthy workplace, and wellness programs continue to flourish in businesses of all sizes. However, even with strides in tech-based wellness initiatives and other fancy programs, nutrition is a fundamental piece of wellness. Don’t leave nutrition-based education to personal trainers, dieticians and nutritionists. A healthy lifestyle can start at home AND at work.
The Connection Between Happiness + Nutrition
There are volumes of research on this topic, but a New York Times article, How Food May Improve Your Mood, in 2021 stated, “Large population studies, too, have found that people who eat a lot of nutrient-dense foods report less depression and greater levels of happiness and mental well-being. One such study, from 2016, that followed 12,400 people for about seven years found that those who increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables during the study period rated themselves substantially higher on questionnaires about their general levels of happiness and life satisfaction.”
Better moods, clearer thinking, happier employees…we think that sounds like a recipe for workplace success! Here are some ideas to make work a little fresher! Here are some ideas for showcasing wellness and reaping the benefits of happiness and nutrition – at work and at home!
Start a Garden
According to Gardening Know How, gardening at work has many benefits, potentially improving the mental, physical and emotional health of employees.
“Working side-by-side in a shared company garden eases the tension between upper management and employees. It fosters social interactions, teamwork, and cooperation. A corporate garden improves a company’s image. It demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
“Donating fresh produce to a local food bank strengthens a company’s ties to community. Additionally, green space and interactive landscaping is an attractive feature for potential employees.”
Fire Up those Brains
We’ve all heard of “brain food.” However, we tend to hear this more often about what students should eat before a test. We want employees to fuel their brains, too! From berries to greens to nuts to coffee – remind everyone that nutrition actively fuels our cognition, moods, memory and more – all critical in high-performing environments.
*Create a healthy eating group where people can share recipes, inspiration and success stories.
*Provide meeting snacks that offer nutritional value. Mixed nuts, string cheese, pita and hummus? Yes, please! Here is a list ofhealthy snacks that will go over well at your next brainstorming session or all-staff meeting.
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude
Get out your calendar and start scheduling some fun – and happiness will follow! March is the ideal time to build workplace happiness. Winter is dragging on and, for many of us, spring still seems a long way off. Luckily you still have opportunities to share workplace appreciation and inspire some easy fun this month.
Hopefully you have already downloaded our free Day-to-Day Employee Appreciation Calendar for 2023 so these celebrations may already be on your radar. If not, download it today and let’s get started!
Don’t forget St. Patrick’s Day on March 17! It’s always a fun occasion to wear green and have a little office fun. But the MOST important day of the month is …… March 20!
March 20is the International Day of Happiness
This year’s theme is Mindful • Grateful • Kind. Don’t you love the simplicity? Be sure to check out the resources on the Action for Happiness website and use the #InternationalDayOfHappiness hashtag!
We talk about gratitude all the time here at gThankYou, and guess what? It turns out that gratitude is the happiness hack!
From the Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy:
“Often worldly stressors are not necessarily within our control, and although we cannot change those outside forces, we can counter them with internal strategies. Of all the virtues that correlate with happiness (i.e. kindness, prudence, self-control), the strength that has the most notable impact is gratitude. This skill has been shown to improve happiness in multiple realms of life, offering emotional, social, personality, career, and physical and mental health benefits.”
Darius Foroux lays it out simply by explaining that we all want to wake up happy, go to work happy and come home happy. He goes on to say: When you’re grateful, you don’t only feel better, you also get a better life…Good things come to those who appreciate what they have.
On the flip side, Foroux reminds us that: Conversely, when you don’t appreciate what you have or what people do for you, you become bitter and resentful. You push the positive people away. And you will only surround yourself with a bunch of other ungrateful people.
Ways to Build Workplace Happiness
Start the Morning Off Right! – Smiling and saying good morning may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes we forget the basics. Hopefully putting some pep in your step in the a.m. will inspire others to follow your lead.
Deliver praise and recognition often – The number one reason people leave their jobs is feeling underappreciated. Be consistent and generous with praise and don’t save it up for your team members’ annual reviews.
Make work fulfilling – Ensure that your staff knows why they are doing what they do and how it moves the company’s mission forward.
Working on Your Own Happiness Isn’t Selfish
Facing opposition or grumpiness as you try to change the culture at your job to one of increased happiness? Don’t get frustrated; focus instead on your own happiness. A few years ago, The Muse put together a list of 37 ways that you can be happier at your job and many of them are easy strategies that you can try out today.
Feel free to download any of our resources, including our gift guide that is sure to bring happiness!
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude
Not sure you should celebrate Easter in the workplace? Read on and learn why you should and how to take advantage of the joy of the arrival of spring and Easter to celebrate.
If you’re planning ahead, it’s time to think about Easter! This year, it falls on Sunday, April 9.
Sharing Easter employee appreciation is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate colleagues regardless of employee religious affiliation; it marks the beginning of spring and celebrates the joy, hopeand gratitudethat come with the changing seasons.
Why Celebrate Easter in the Workplace?
It’s an opportunity to show you care.
Frequent employee appreciation is the key to a productive, happy workforce. Easter employee appreciation puts gratitude front and center. Invite company leaders to write Thank You notes to employees using this popular gThankYou guide, “Writing Thank You Notes Employees Will Treasure”. Include the notes in Easter gift baskets or have managers hand them out personally at an employee party. Whether or not you include a seasonal gift, a sincere note of thanks can stand alone!
Easter is a springtime holiday with cultural, non-religious traditions that appeal to everyone.
Finding celebrations that appeal to a diverse workforce can be challenging. Easter-time is an opportunity to find ways to brighten everyone’s day with the focus on spring and the secular aspects of Easter — fresh flowers, spring decorations, Easter baskets and treats like chocolate eggs and themed cupcakes.
Easter’s themes of renewal and resilience are universal.
Regardless of religious affiliation, we can all identify with and appreciate Easter themes of renewal, growth, gratitude and new beginnings. Easter is a chance to honor the hope and joy of the spring season, invest in employee resilience and celebrate growth. We all enjoy the optimism that spring brings. It’s an opportune time to invest in employees’ personal growth and giving back to the community.
When you show gratitude to employees at family holidays, you’re communicating you value work-life balance.
Thanking employees for a job well done is one of the most reliable, affordable ways to motivate excellent performance. But it’s also important to recognize employees outside of their work, as people.
It’s fun!
If you want a workplace culture that employees love and that attracts others, host workplace events and make sure employees feel appreciated and valued. Take advantage of the ability to tie into everyone’s excitement about the emergence of spring; build workplace camaraderie. Who doesn’t enjoy an unexpected “thank you – we’re so glad you are on our team” and a chocolate bunny?
Tips for Managing Religious Holidays in the Workplace
Worried about what is and isn’t appropriate? Consult HR expert and TalentCulture founder Meghan M. Biro’s suggests approaching religious holidays as workplace celebrations.
“No sheaves of palms or crucifixes allowed,” writes Biro. “Bunnies, ducks, candy, chocolate, colorful eggs, flowers and other items commonly associated with Easter shouldn’t offend anyone.”
The folks at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) always offer sound advice. This blog on making holiday celebrations more inclusive focuses on the winter holidays, but there are still valid takeaways to apply to Easter.
Here’s a quick recap of their advice for holding more inclusive events:
Create a diverse planning committee.
Avoid scheduling mistakes.
Make it voluntary.
Create awareness of other religions.
Offer floating holidays.
Invite feedback.
Be forgiving (of yourself if you make some missteps).
Easy, Fun & Affordable Ways to Celebrate Easter at Work
Remember the “Hawthorn Effect”? Respondents change their behavior because they think supervisors care simply by changing something simple in the workplace environment.
Show employees you care; fill your workplace space with inspiration from spring and Easter – plants, flowers, butterflies, bunnies, colorful eggs and festive Easter baskets. Pinterest is full of seasonal decoration ideas!
2. Host an Easter Egg Hunt
Adults like a good Easter Egg hunt, too! Weather-permitting, go outdoors! Use an egg hunt as an opportunity for team-building. Create teams along department lines or mix things up!
Fill large plastic eggs with candy, as well as other prizes such as gift cards, game tickets, gift certificates and other fun surprises. Or, have employees turn eggs in for prizes that their teams can share. End the event with holiday inspired treats and an opportunity to connect with coworkers and management.
3. Have a Party with Holiday-Themed Treats
You don’t need to break the bank to host a party with Easter-themed treats. If you can’t afford to cater an event, scale it back and provide drinks, Easter candy and cookies. Be sure to provide a big helping of gratitude and employees will appreciate the festive break.
4. Give Easter Baskets
Just like the Easter Bunny, share baskets anonymously or have managers hand them out as employees arrive for an unexpected surprise! Don’t limit yourself to candy – even new office supplies can be fun!
5. Give the Gift of Something Green
For groups or workplace cultures less inclined to embrace sugar, consider giving a small flowering plant or seeds and a pretty pot. These are thoughtful ways to share the excitement of spring.
6. Organize a Community Service Project
Most employees would be thrilled for the opportunity to help local organizations alongside colleagues. Consider finding a community project that your organization can get behind supporting and can accommodate your workforce. How about planting a flower bed for a service organization or fixing up a local park? Provide materials for employees to assemble Easter baskets for an elder-care home or families in need. Host egg dying or cookie decorating at a shelter. Find something that make sense for your organization’s culture and spread Easter joy.
Healthier Easter Treat Alternatives
While many of us would be happy to have a celebration full of sugar, there are easy ways to provide great-looking and slightly healthier food choices to your Easter baskets or parties. Once again, recipe sites and Pinterest can help with healthy Easter treat inspiration.
Here are several easy ideas to consider:
Chocolate dipped fruit
Fresh fruit – skewers, pineapple flowers, etc.
Trail mix (with a hint of colorful candy)
Hard boiled eggs
Fresh carrots and other raw vegetables
Fruit juices
Fruit and yogurt smoothies
Granola Easter eggs
Carrot cake
Ham, Turkey and Groceries are Popular Gifts for Easter in the Workplace
Sharing a ham at Easter is a tradition going back hundreds of years, as far back as the sixth century. It’s the centerpiece to a big family meal that marks new beginnings and a new season. Many of us fondly remember gathering with family to celebrate Easter around a savory holiday ham.
The Perfect Gift for the Easter Holiday
gThankYou makes it easy for organizations to buy and share a holiday ham, even with distributed workforces. gThankYou! Ham Gift Certificates allow recipients to choose any brand and any preparation of half or whole ham, at virtually all grocery chain stores in the U.S. Recipients choose the ham they want for their family and redeem their Certificate at checkout just like a Manufacturer Coupon. It’s that easy!
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates provide recipients the choice of centerpiece to their family’s springtime celebration. This year Passover begins on April 5 and turkey is a welcome part of a Seder dinner.
For a cost-effective fun workplace reward, share gThankYou! Candy Gift Certificates for the candy of their choice. This way, they can splurge on themselves or receive a little help making baskets for others.
While spring captures our imagination after a long winter, celebrating and ensuring employees feel valued is a year-round activity. gThankYou’s Day-to-Day Employee Celebration Calendaris the perfect resource to help you plan engagement and appreciation activities that nurtures a lasting culture of gratitude and appreciation.
Happy Spring and Easter from your friends at gThankYou!
To learn more about how gThankYou Gift Certificates work, check out our FAQ.
Top Photo by Glenn Diaz on Unsplash Succulent Photo by lan deng on Unsplash Party Spread Photo by Jessy Smith on Unsplash
Cupcake Photo by Melissa Walker Horn on Unsplash
Chocolate Bunny Photo by coco tafoya on Unsplash
Two of our favorite events are coming up and we want to help you celebrate: Employee Appreciation Day and Pi Day! You still have time to rev up the fun engine and plan ahead for these excellent opportunities to recognize employees.
EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY (MARCH 3)
Let the tone of appreciation ring loud and clear! Celebrate with a team activity and message of gratitude, or use the occasion to kick off a new appreciation program.
Facilitate an (optional) book club or group that gives employees 30 minutes a week to connect and talk about something that has nothing to do with work. The relationships they build will be a net plus for your company.
Give your team gratitude journals. When you give out the journals, share research on their benefits and talk about your own experience. That’s more likely to inspire workers to try it themselves.
Have a yoga instructor come in a few times a week to do short classes for employees who could use a break that’s both relaxing and revivifying.
PI DAY (MARCH 14)
When it comes to gratitude, we can keep it going forever! Serve up some delicious pie to celebrate the mysterious mathematical constant known as pi, or 3.14159….
Some activities can include:
Host a breakfast with pie and coffee! Invite everyone to come indulge in a slice of pie and fresh coffee, allowing team members to mingle and chat.
Ask for pie recipes ahead of time and distribute a digital or printed pie cookbook including employee names, photos and notes.
Hand out pie gift certificates to all employees as a fun thank you to go pick up a pie to enjoy at home! We offer same day shipping for orders received by 3PM (CT), Mon-Fri. Our pie gift certificates are good for any brand of pie, cake, cheesecake or similar items — fresh from the bakery section or frozen. Redeem at virtually any U.S. grocery store chain. Your organization’s name will be printed on the gift certificates for free and Enclosure Cards with your custom message and logo (if desired) are FREE.
Ideas and Resources
2023 Day-to-Day Employee Appreciation Calendar
Inside this one-of-a-kind resource you’ll find the inspiration, creative ideas and current examples to help you keep employees feeling valued and important to the success of your organization in the year ahead. Why wait? Download Your Free eBook Now!
BIG List of Employee Appreciation Gift Ideas
This hefty gratitude resource offers ways to support and recognize the people who make your business work. It’s simple to download, share, print and use when you are planning ahead or need quick ideas.
We guarantee you can find something for everyone, regardless of their position and your budget. From free to extravagant, recipients will be wowed by your sincere acts of gratitude. Read to learn more here!
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude:
January is full of forecasting, goal-setting, and looking forward to a successful new year. It’s also National Thank You month, which is why it’s the perfect time to plan ahead for acts of gratitude and appreciation.
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered! Check out these gratitude resources that will inspire and help you build and maintain a culture of appreciation and employee celebration ALL YEAR LONG!
We have a wide variety of FREE RESOURCES to help you build your own employee engagement calendar.
2023 Day-to-Day Employee Appreciation Calendar
It is our tradition to publish a day-to-day appreciation calendar tailored to people who are committed to celebrating employees. This popular guide helps you plan for holidays as well as your own anytime celebrations; it offers tons of ideas to keep employee appreciation front-and-center all year long.
This how-to guide walks you through planning for seasonal engagement and a wide variety of holidays, organized by month. You’ll also find important statistics, mini case studies, “anytime recognition” ideas, and tips for building a happier workplace through engagement and fun.
By planning ahead, you’ll lessen any stress and the recognition, enjoyment and positive responses will ensue.
Peruse this gorgeous resource and think about how you can implement ideas every month, every season. Employee appreciation best practices focus on frequent recognition and appreciation. Don’t wait for the holidays next year – your employees deserve so much more!
This hefty gratitude resource offers ways to support and recognize the people who make your business work. It’s simple to download, share, print and use when you are planning ahead or need quick ideas.
We guarantee you can find something for everyone, regardless of their position and your budget. From free to extravagant, recipients will be wowed by your sincere acts of gratitude. Read to learn more here!
Don’t let the name fool you! Our Appreciation Planning Checklistis a helpful two-pager that serves as a terrific kick start to your employee appreciation and recognition conversations.
Here are some examples of when appreciation is key:
Guide to Writing Meaningful Employee Thank You Notes
The foundation of having employees feel valued and appreciated is sincere gratitude. One of the easiest and most meaningful ways managers can share gratitude is with a heartfelt note of thanks. Thank you notes should be part of any employee appreciation plan. They are low cost, easy to do, and make both recipients and givers feel good.
A written thank you note that can make someone’s day can be as simple as “Thank You! You are Awesome” on a post-it note or “You are a Life Saver” on a roll of Life Savers.
At gThankYou, we are big believers in the power of a meaningful “thank you.” We believe leaders should be trained, held accountable for, and given resources to share thank you notes with employees, customers, and other vital constituents. Senior managers should model the behavior and peers encouraged to share their written gratitude through gratitude boards and appreciation stations.
Thank You Guides
We have two guides to writing thank you notes for workplace leaders. Be sure to download and share one or both with your appreciation planning team.
While we just closed out the holiday season, this book is really a year-round reference for how to write a company-wide employee letter of appreciation holiday-time or anytime, or a longer-form individual letter of thanks.
Inside this book you will learn:
Real-life examples of well-written company-wide Thanksgiving letters from bosses in a variety of industries.
Best practices for thanking employees and ideas for brainstorming your own unique approach.
How-to details on crafting a meaningful and memorable employee letter of appreciation.
Plan Ahead with an Employee Engagement Calendar
and Everyone WINS!
Let gThankYou be your ally in winning the workplace appreciation game. An employee engagement calendar is a GREAT way to start! Plan ahead so you can focus on what’s really important, engaging with and personally appreciating employees. These gratitude resources will help you make employees feel valued, save time, lessen stress, build loyalty, and foster a culture of appreciation and gratitude.
We hope these resources bring creativity and inspiration to your employee engagement and appreciation planning this year and in the future.
We want to hear what ideas you implement! Shoot us a note any time to: info@gthankyou.com.
Good luck creating your own employee engagement calendar — your employees will thank you!
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude
Did You Know that January is National Thank You Month?
The holidays are an excellent time to give and receive, but January is the time to slow down and say THANK YOU! January is National Thank You Month and is the perfect time to invest in new activities to nurture gratitude and kindness in the coming year.
We’d like to revisit 5 ways to embrace gratitude in life and the workplace, setting the stage for a year full of thankful habits.
5 Ways to Embrace Workplace Gratitude Now
1. Make thank you note writing EASY and FUN for employees.
After the holidays, parents often sit their kids down to write thank you notes for gifts. However, we don’t often practice what we preach. January is a perfect time to think of the gifts not only received during the holiday season but in life overall. What are the intangible gifts that you receive from others that make life better? Take the time to ponder who deserves an extra thank you and write a special note to them.
In the workplace, share gThankYou’s how-to guide “Writing Thank You Notes Employees Will Treasure” to managers and provide supplies. Ask leadership to participate and make written appreciation part of your workplace culture.
Provide an “Appreciation Station” where all employees can grab thank you cards, colorful pens, markers, and stamps. Make it easily accessible and regularly encourage team members to write notes to each other, customers, business partners, or anyone else in their support system.
This small investment will instill a sense of gratitude that translates into feelings of goodwill and happiness in the workplace.
2. Practice gratitude journaling.
The act of written acknowledgement can be key in embracing gratitude. It puts words around feelings and can serve as a great reminder of all the positives in life, even when times are challenging. There are volumes of research on the science of journaling. It can do wonders for our brain and how it impacts not just us, but also the people around us.
If you are a leader in your organization, we highly recommend starting a gratitude journal and giving them out as gifts to your team. It serves as a thoughtful, productive gift that may resonate deeply with others.
3. Embrace tech-based appreciation sharing.
We are huge fans of written thank you notes (see #1), but there are also many ways to infuse gratitude into other platforms. In honor of National Thank You Month, try something new. As you know, tech can take may forms, so what works for you? What would employees appreciate? Ask them!
A group text sharing thanks can be a high point of someone’s day – it’s quick and easy!
A shout out on an internal message board can make a team or individual feel like a VIP.
A social media spotlight can express thanks to a wide audience with some imagery, a video or a link to a success story.
A digital showering of “thank yous” when an employee is recognized by peers, customers or managers.
Organizations that have collaborative platforms, message boards, internal communications channels, and social media tools should embrace gratitude in tech-savvy ways.
4. Reach out and thank those who deserve extra appreciation this year.
Whether your team has worked extra hours, gone the extra mile, worked the front lines, or kept the company running from the back room, be sure to say thank you! We always think a Grocery Gift Certificate is appropriate – the gift of food is universal and always appreciated.
Read it, say it, live it. Find a quote about gratitude that speaks to you and put it somewhere in your line of sight. It can be a sticky note, a screen saver, a note pinned to the wall. Let this visual item be a constant reminder that you are grateful. Encourage others to do the same, and watch how contagious gratitude can be. Here are some gratitude quotes to get you started.
Consider updating the office with a culture wall and even provide a budget for employees’ offices to display inspirational artwork. (The old inspirational quote posters have come a long way!)
Commit to Gratitude in the New Year
Let the new year inspire you to focus on nurturing gratitude in your personal and work lives. To go deep into understanding why gratitude is so powerful and how to harness it for the workplace, download our FREE eBook, “Transform Your Workplace with Gratitude“.
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude:
gThankYou 2023 Employee Appreciation Calendar NOW AVAILABLE!
We are excited to once again share our annual gift with you — the Day-to-Day Employee Appreciation Calendar! It’s FREE and downloadable, as well as extremely helpful, insightful, and FUN!
We work all year to create this annual employee appreciation calendar for YOU, the people focused on employee engagement and appreciation; those who are actively building vibrant, loyal workplace cultures.
This colorful resource helps you stay ahead of the game with holidays, celebrations, and monthly ideas to keep employee appreciation fresh, exciting, and timely. It’s the ultimate resource to inspire and plan employee engagement and celebration activities for the new year!
“This is SO much more than a calendar!”
The 2023 Employee Appreciation Calendar is packed with valuable information including monthly Ready-to-Go-Celebrations and Don’t-Miss-Celebrations, helpful articles, event ideas, resources and more!
It is designed to include everything you need to keep you current, inspired and focused on employee appreciation all year long.
We highly encourage you to:
Shareit with your colleagues and other HR and business professionals.
Printit out or save it to your desktop for monthly review.
Sendit to your social media gurus, the benefits team, and all team managers and leaders.
Encourageeveryone to think ahead for how to illustrate employee recognition in proactive and creative ways.
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude:
We thought it would be a jolly ol’ time to round up some lists of top favorite Christmas foods, music and movies surrounding the holiday from a variety of creative sources. Enjoy and share!
We are so grateful for our family, friends, employees, customers and partners. Thank you for your support all year round! Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
The list goes to 100(!), but here are the top ranking 10. Rotten Tomatoes is known for its critics ratings, so you may not see your personal favorite (Elf – #25 or The Family Stone – #98).
As people who love food, we know this is a very subjective category. So much is based on tradition and where you live, but thought this was a creative and witty list. Here are the foods that broke their top 10 (out of 32).
Peppermint Bark (the only item to make 2 of our lists)
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Potatoes
Hot Cocoa
Gravy
Fudge
Roast Beef
Pecan Pie
Pheasant
Brie with Literally Anything
Green Bean Casserole
Coquito
Dinner Rolls
They seemed to shy away from the known classics (turkey #17 and ham #19), but we know the truth…they are always traditional, delicious and amazing.
Merry Christmas!
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It’s not too late to finish the year strong with gratitude!
Year-end can mean different things to people, depending on industry, role, personality type … and a million other factors! We hope you are thoroughly enjoying the holiday season with your friends, family and employees. Here are a few suggestions to finish the year strong as a leader who understands that appreciation is the greatest gift.
5 Ways to Finish the Year Strong:
Say THANK YOU to everyone you can. From your trusted advisors to the delivery folks to the administrative teams who make your world work. Who can you thank today?
If you’re budgeting for next year, consider ways to work in appreciation gifts and events (big or small) into your plans.You’ll be glad you did!
Share a practical gift that will offer a sigh of relief this time of year. Of course, we highly recommend grocery gift certificates! There is a lot of eating these next few weeks, and some help with the increased grocery bill can make a tremendous difference!
Consider gratitude and appreciation moments as they arise … who is retiring at the end of the year? Who is celebrating their first holiday with a baby? Who may need some extra help decorating or shoveling? Slowing down for a moment to help or acknowledge others can be a simple way to bring joy to the end of the year.
Ask for help; offer help. It’s okay to admit that this time of year can be overwhelming. By showing vulnerability and asking for help, that can be relationship-building. And if you are in a position to help when someone needs a little lift, some extra time off, more hands at work, or even a treat, do what you can. A “we’re all in this together” mentality can really help teams finish the year strong.
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At gThankYou, we like to think of ourselves as “gratitude experts.” We are strong believers in year-round employee appreciation but encourage an extra dose of thankfulness during the holidays. Here are some resources as you focus on holiday appreciation ideas.
Holiday Appreciation Ideas & Resources
Thank You Notes
Although we often publish our guide to thank you notes around Thanksgiving, it’s not too late to write a letter of gratitude in December. We encourage leaders to take the time to write something personal to those who make an impact on the business. It’s well-received and appreciated — and is a smart business move in a world where retention is key. Read more here: Put the “Thanks” into Your Thanksgiving Letteror Write a Holiday Thank You Note to Remember.
Have Some Fun!
We highly encourage a little time away from the desk, mingling with co-workers. It should be optional because, let’s face it, some people would rather crank out year-end reports. But for those who are still delighted to be “back to normal” after years of isolation and cancelled celebrations, we are here with ideas! A few resources include: Top 10 Ideas for Throwing Year-End Festivities and How to Celebrate on a Tight Budget.
Offer Practical Gifts
When times are tight, practical gifts are more appreciated than ever. The gift of food not only offers a warm gesture for celebration, but also gives the recipient some money back in their pocket for family gifts and experiences. This time of year, a turkey or ham, grocery, or piegift certificate is a perfect solution.
Make Employee Gifts Count
Did you know we have a free eBook on this topic? Download “Making Employee Gifts Count” for facts and inspiration on the concept of employee gift-giving.
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude:
As we prepare for the season of giving, many people struggle with what to give, what to spend, or where to even begin. We have been in the gift-giving business for a long time, and let us tell you, groceries are the ultimate gift.
Here are 5 Reasons Groceries are the Ultimate Gift
Everyone eats.
There is truly no other gift as universal as food. Whether it’s a celebratory meal or simply milk and veggies, everyone needs food to survive and thrive! You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t want a little extra food in the fridge or pantry. With a gThankYou grocery gift certificate, it’s completely possible to bring a smile to every single recipient.
Simplicity rules.
Sometimes the process of selecting gifts can overwhelm even the most seasoned shoppers. It’s even more complicated when purchasing gifts for entire organizations! Simple, straightforward gifts like a voucher for groceries embody the beauty of simplicity. Practicality never goes out of style.
People love food gifts.
There is a lot of research to support the fact that people love edible gifts. Just ask yourself, your co-worker, your gym buddy, “Do you enjoy food-related gifts?” The answer is usually a resounding YES! Sometimes it’s in the form of popcorn, chocolates, candy or cheese and crackers. Those can all be great. But what’s even better? Providing the option for people to shop for the food they want the most!
Groceries appeal to everyday eaters AND foodies.
Everyone has their own food preferences and requirements. Some people savor every bite and have rows of beautiful cookbooks lining their kitchen walls. Others see food as fuel. Everyone grocery shops — but with a different set of eyes. A grocery gift certificate allows people to buy their favorite vegan cheese, that decadent dessert, a charcuterie spread, or just the basics.
It makes financial sense.
Pure economics come into play here. People are grateful when they can save money. So, whether or not your food gift helps them feed their family or add a level of decadence to a holiday meal, it’s a financial win! For the gift giver, the gift of groceries ensures that the gift is money well-spent. Say goodbye to misspent funds on overdone corporate gear, creative-yet-odd gift ideas or straight-to-the-trash-can novelty items.
There are many fun ways to augment a grocery gift certificate, too! Ideas include:
Attach it to a beautifully packaged candy bar
Put it inside a reusable shopping bag
Include recipes from co-workers
Pair it with a subscription to a streaming service for food and entertainment
The opportunities are endless. Mark shopping off your list and let gThankYou make everyone on your list happy and full!
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude:
Thanksgiving is coming quickly, and it is the perfect time to write a thank you letter to employees and share your heartfelt appreciation for all they do for you and your business.
Thanking employees any time of the year is one of the best ways to engage employees and motivate them to do excellent work. But at Thanksgiving, your thanks takes on added meaning. Gratitude at Thanksgiving is more personal; it lets your employees know you value them as people. You’re honoring the all-American holiday when we celebrate and share our gratitude with family and friends.
Writing thank you notes is a practice shared by many successful leaders, but it’s not always easy to get started. What tone is appropriate? How can you express your appreciation sincerely? What do you say besides “thanks”? What’s the most effective way to share your letter?
If the last thank you note you wrote was to Grandma in fifth grade, don’t worry! Once you follow a few simple guidelines — and get ideas from our examples from workplace gratitude pros — you’ll be set to write your own memorable, meaningful letter to employees.
Let the fun commence! Here are 10 ideas for throwing year-end festivities in your workplace. This time of year can be stressful, but also full of gratitude, wonder and joy! Set the tone with simple, impactful festivities that spread the spirit!
Not only do year-end festivities offer a way to have some fun, but they are a strategic way to show employee appreciation and enhance employee engagement. Be true to your culture — what would be authentic and enjoyable? Tap some creative minds and enjoy the process!
Top 10 Year-End Festivities
Volunteer together at a food pantry or host a holiday meal at a shelter. Bring employees together to give back to the community, offering unity, perspective and goodwill to all who participate.
Pre-Holiday Potluck. Invite everyone to bring a favorite dish to share, along with a recipe card so people can take photos and add new items to their holiday dinner menus. When the meal begins, ask leaders to kick off a roundtable discussion about what they’re grateful for and why.
Thank You Wall. Start a workplace tradition by dedicating a window or whiteboard to a collection of heartfelt messages. Supply colorful sticky notes and Sharpie pens. Ask employees to post at least 3 messages about anything or anyone they appreciate. Soon, the wall will be filled with a rainbow of positive energy that will brighten spirits.
Silent Auction for Charity. Give employees a chance to give back by leveraging fundraising strength from across your organization. Vote on a local program to support. Coordinate an online auction of goods and services contributed by individual employees. Low-cost online software solutions like BiddingOwlmake it easy to manage.
Help each other. Nominate coworkers who could benefit from assistance with fall projects. Then let individuals or teams sign up to rake leaves, clean gutters, buy groceries, deliver a home-cooked meal or decorate team members’ front doors.
Give away fall flowers or plants that staff can take home for the holidays. For remote workers, arrange delivery or pick at a nearby Home Depot or nursery.
Winter Wonderland Virtual Photo Booth. Make it easy with backgrounds and a full-featured app like Snapbar. Or roll out your own on your meeting platform. Post images on the event chat board. Build an album to share at the party and beyond.
Gingerbread Contest. Host an in-office party and vote on which person or team created the best house. For remote teams, send pre-packaged gingerbread house pieces in advance. Ask everyone to post photos and vote for the online winner. Want guidance? Check specialists like Gingerbread Wars.
Holiday Bingo. Search online for holiday Bingo boards to send with invitations. Choose a coveted prize and announce it in advance, so everyone will be excited to participate.
Cookie Exchange. For an in-person party, be sure to note in invitations how many cookies to bring, so everyone can swap, taste and vote for their favorites. Prepare a special display table with signage for cookie and baker names. Order decorative boxes in advance so participants have a festive way to pack up their selections. And don’t forget to post all the recipes online!
Turkeys are meaningful, appreciated employee Thanksgiving gifts that honor a popular workplace holiday tradition going back generations.
But what if you need to buy turkeys in bulk for employee gifts for a large workforce?
It used to be the only way to share the gift of Thanksgiving turkeys in bulk in the workplace was to order and deliver them frozen. Today, you no longer need to deal with the hassle of buying, storing and distributing bulky frozen turkeys, plus you can provide a holiday gift that recipients prefer more — the ability to choose the right size turkey for their family, when they want it. gThankYou Turkey, Turkey Or Ham or Grocery Gift Certificates make it easy for you to share the gift of a Thanksgiving turkey. Plus, recipients love the flexibility to choose the size, brand and preparation they want for their holiday family celebration.
gThankYou Gift Certificates are Manufacturer Coupons good for any brand of merchandise specified and can be redeemed nationally at virtually all major grocery chain stores.
Large company or widely distributed workforce? gThankYou can help with a customized gift program to meet your timing and budget. To learn more about our large volume pricing, customizing and delivery options, call us at 888-484-1658 or visit our website here for more information.
Read on for a step-by-step guide to ordering gThankYou Gift Certificates this holiday season and see for yourself why gThankYou is America’s Favorite Employee Gift™! (more…)
Believe it or not, the holiday gift planning season is here! Here are some details you should know as you prepare to celebrate employees for a year of hard work. The good news? We can handle the heavy lifting for your holiday gift planning.
Many gThankYou customers are faced with the daunting task of distributing gifts to a large number of locations, employees working from home, or to clients across the country. With dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of offices and associates nationwide, it can be challenging and very time-consuming. Let us help.
gThankYou Exists to Make Your Holiday Gift Planning Easier!
Mailed to individuals in households or offices through the USPS, AND/OR
Conveniently bundled and delivered via UPS to any number of locations for easy distribution to recipients.
Have a request that requires special distribution and mailing services? Give us a call!
Gift Distribution Made Easy
We make your gThankYou Gift Certificate distribution a breeze with 4 easy steps:
Give us a call at (888-484-1658) to discuss the form of distribution needed, timing, and type of Gift Certificates along with any extras to include such as a personalized Enclosure Card for your kind words of appreciation; a gThankYou Recipient Letter informing recipients how and where to best use their gift certificate; or your own uniquely crafted letter of gratitude.
Email us a completed, pre-formatted mailing address spreadsheet with all recipient or location addresses to be mailed or shipped. Individual mailings will be sent with First-Class postage through USPS. All addresses will be verified for accuracy and we will notify you of any undeliverable addresses, before they are sent. (Pre-formatted spreadsheet download here.)
Send us your Logo (optional) via email to be used on gift certificates, Enclosure Cards, or envelope.
Approve your order. Review and approve all invoice charges and artwork/copy for your Enclosure Cards or envelope, if included. Also, confirm the most appropriate Return Mailing Address for any undeliverable gift certificates.
What Will Individuals or Locations Receive?
Individuals – Mailings to individuals will arrive in a white #10 business envelope with your return address, including your company logo (optional). We also include an eye-catching ‘stamp’ in red stating “Important – Open Immediately!” to help stand out in the mailbox and provide a higher level of importance (also optional).
Multiple Locations – Delivery via UPS to any number of locations will arrive in a conveniently bundled package. Package size will depend on the number of certificates and optional pieces for the location. For bulk delivery to locations, Gift Certificates and additional materials can be:
Inserted into individual #10 business envelopes, similar to individual mailings above (with or without company logo and/or recipient names printed on the front) OR
Without envelopes, for stuffing of your own or delivery in your own special way.
When will these mailings take place?
The following dates have been established to provide you with flexibility in your holiday gift planning. Typically, mailed gift certificates are received in-home or office within 3-5 business days after the mail date.
* The dates and information provided below only apply to orders with many locations or individual USPS mailings through gThankYou’s distribution and mailing services.
gThankYou orders going to a single or few locations can be placed any day, online or by calling 888-484-1658, and will ship the same or next business day. If you are unsure what form of distribution you will need, please give us a call at 888-484-1658 and we will gladly help evaluate your needs.
Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude:
Will employees at your company be spending Thanksgiving at work? If so, bring the gratitude (and treats) and make it a workplace celebration they’ll appreciate!
Spending the holiday at work isn’t where most of us want to be for this traditional at-home celebration. But with the right attitude and activities, sharing Thanksgiving with colleagues is an opportunity to highlight workplace gratitude and celebrate your work family.
If your company has employees spending Thanksgiving in the office, now’s your chance to plan ahead and make it a celebration of success, teamwork and gratitude! Consider providing a meal, gift certificates, thank you notes and a positive environment full of appreciation.
Make Gratitude Your #1 Priority for Thanksgiving at Work
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward
Employees in retail, law enforcement, health care, travel, utilities, freight, news and other industries all keep working through the holidays. And although they’re not alone, it’s crucial to let each employee know how much you appreciate their dedication and hard work by coming in on a holiday.
Whatever else you do to celebrate Thanksgiving at work — gifts, a communal potluck, or a catered turkey feast — gratitude comes first. A Thanksgiving gift or activity shared without gratitude is apt to feel shallow and impersonal.
Clearly expressed appreciation from company leadership is key. Employees will notice if managers and other leaders are truly appreciative of their sacrifice to work on a holiday.
A note of gratitude from the company CEO can make all the difference — and it doesn’t have to be big production. A simple acknowledgement and “thank you” is the right place to start. If budget allows, a gift or complimentary Thanksgiving meal is a great way to reinforce this message of gratitude. (more…)
According to the National Retail Federation, 69% of consumers plan to celebrate Halloween this year. People love getting into costume, putting up scary decorations, and sharing their favorite treats. With interest like this, Halloween is the perfect opportunity to bring your workplace together for a holiday celebration.
Download gThankYou’s “Halloween Team Building Guide” — a one-page PDF that highlights 20 time-tested exercises, games and activities for Halloween team building to help you engage your staff in a meaningful celebration.
In many ways, it marks the beginning to the holiday season. Many of your employees want to celebrate Halloween at work — and they will. Take the opportunity to use the holiday as an opportunity to engage and have some workplace fun consistent with your culture.
Host a Halloween Party at Your Work
Halloween celebrations don’t have to be elaborate. Halloween is an affordable holiday that favors imagination over expense. Here are a few simple ideas for celebrating Halloween at your workplace:
Have a pumpkin carving (or decorating) contest.
Hold a costume parade complete with prizes for most creative, scariest, etc.
Set the mood with a Halloween playlist.
Provide a spread of Halloween themed treats.
Play Halloween movie trivia.
When in doubt, everyone loves the gift of candy!
Plus, if your company is hosting kid-friendly fun, Halloween also provides the perfect setting for the families of your employees to see the workplace where Mommy or Daddy spend most days.
No matter how your team works — on a factory floor, in an office, in retail or sales, at an outdoors construction site, even remotely or on the road — gThankYou’s “Halloween Team Building Guide” has ideas for engaging everyone.
Download yours free today and start planning now for a fun, productive and inspiring Halloween in the workplace! (more…)
Our New Enclosure Card designs are the perfect way to add a special note of “Thanks!” with your gThankYou! Gift Certificates. Select your favorite from dozens of design choices and include the thoughtful message already included or write your own personalized message of gratitude.
Our cards are FREE with your purchase of any gThankYou! Gift Certificates. We’ll even customize the cards for you! Include a personal message, signature, and even your company logo – free of charge.
A customized message of gratitude makes your gifts more meaningful and memorable. That’s why a note of thanks is an important part of Thanksgiving gift-giving — because your employee gift is so much more than a present! It’s an opportunity to let your employees know how much you appreciate them and small gestures of gratitude can carry a lot more weight than many realize. (more…)
It’s almost October and time to start planning your annual corporate turkey and food gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Early planning provides peace of mind that your holiday gift-giving is planned and ready to go! By crossing this important item off your list, there is more time to focus on what really matters this time of year: sharing gratitude.
Let gThankYou take care of the logistics this year.
A turkey is the centerpiece to the most gratitude-focused holiday of the year. We all crave feeling valued and recognized. The gift of a Thanksgiving turkey or groceriesshows your recipients that you care about them and their family. When they sit down to their annual Thanksgiving feast surrounded by loved ones, they’ll be grateful for you and your organization, too.
Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash
Our corporate turkey and food gifts carry on the appreciated tradition of giving employees a Thanksgiving turkey, without the hassle of storing and handling a large number of frozen birds. Shoppers can choose the size, brand and preparation they prefer.
Grocery vouchers are also an excellent choice, allowing recipients to shop for anything they need! For a sweet option, check out our Pie Gift Certificates.
gThankYou Gift Certificates are redeemable at virtually all major U.S. grocery stores.
All gThankYou purchases come with customizable Enclosure Cards — absolutely free! It’s the easiest way to wish a “Happy Thanksgiving!” to the people in your workplace and express your sincere appreciation for their contributions. Check out our new cards here.
Givers and recipients alike love gThankYou! Gift Certificates. They’re easy, practical and, best of all, meaningful. (more…)
Celebrated every Sept. 21, World Gratitude Day was started by the United Nations more than 50 years ago. It’s also known as the International Day of Peace.
In the workplace, World Gratitude Day is for celebrating the power of “Thank You” — from company leaders to employees, between coworkers, from employees to customers and, ultimately, as a building block for a culture of gratitude.
Numerous studies and business cases have shown the benefits of gratitude and the ill effects of a lack of gratitude — job dissatisfaction, turnover, absenteeism, burnout, gossip, negativity and exploitation.
When leaders exude gratitude, it sets off a chain reaction that builds a culture of gratitude that eventually circles back and betters the workplace for everyone.
In the end, employees deserve appreciation. Everyone deserves appreciation. Give a fist bump, a kind note, a small gift — or a simple, “I’m grateful for all you do!”
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About the Blog: The gThankYou! Team believes happiness and engagement are key ingredients to a successful workplace. That's why we give workplace leaders advice and insights to build a culture of gratitude. We invite you to explore our blog and discover ways to celebrate and build successful workplaces.
About gThankYou: gThankYou is a leader in easy, affordable and meaningful employee gifts. We are best known for America’s favorite Turkey Gift Certificates and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates which are redeemed for any Brand, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S. To learn more about gThankYou Gift Certificates watch the video on the right.
Start a Garden
Get out your calendar and start scheduling some fun – and happiness will follow! March is the ideal time to build workplace happiness. Winter is dragging on and, for many of us, spring still seems a long way off. Luckily you still have opportunities to share workplace appreciation and inspire some easy fun this month.
We talk about gratitude all the time here at gThankYou, and guess what? It turns out that gratitude is the happiness hack!
It is our tradition to publish a day-to-day appreciation calendar tailored to people who are committed to celebrating employees. This popular guide helps you plan for holidays as well as your own anytime celebrations; it offers tons of ideas to keep employee appreciation front-and-center all year long.
This resource is your go-to for writing an employee thank you note.
2. Practice gratitude journaling.
Share a practical gift that will offer a sigh of relief this time of year. Of course, we highly recommend grocery gift certificates! There is a lot of eating these next few weeks, and some help with the increased grocery bill can make a tremendous difference!
Have Some Fun!
Gingerbread Contest. Host an in-office party and vote on which person or team created the best house. For remote teams, send pre-packaged gingerbread house pieces in advance. Ask everyone to post photos and vote for the online winner. Want guidance? Check specialists like Gingerbread Wars.
