The Company Turkey Tradition: How It Started and Why Turkey Gift Certificates Are the Modern Upgrade
For generations, companies have celebrated the holidays with a gesture of gratitude that’s become an American workplace tradition: gifting employees a turkey. What started as a simple way to share in the holiday spirit has evolved into a flexible, modern practice that fits today’s diverse, distributed workforces: Turkey Gift Certificates.
A Classic Tradition of Employee Appreciation
The tradition of company turkey gifts dates back more than 100 years. In the early 20th century, employers would hand out a turkey or ham before Thanksgiving or Christmas to make sure every worker could enjoy a festive meal with their family.
It was a thoughtful, practical gesture that carried a message still relevant today: “You’re valued, and we appreciate your hard work.”
That sense of shared gratitude is what turned the company turkey into a beloved workplace ritual that continues to this day.
Why The Corporate Turkey Gift Tradition Matters
The Challenge of Modern Workplaces
Of course, times have changed. Today’s businesses are more complex, employees are spread across multiple locations (or working remotely), and ordering and handing out bulk frozen turkeys isn’t as simple as it used to be.
For HR teams and managers, coordinating turkey deliveries, refrigeration, and scheduling can become a logistical headache; especially for large or national organizations.
That’s why more companies are switching to the modern version of the classic turkey gift: Turkey Gift Certificates.
Why Turkey Gift Certificates Are the Modern Solution
Turkey Gift Certificates offer all the warmth of the traditional company turkey without the hassle. They’re easy to distribute, appreciated by employees, and redeemable at grocery stores nationwide.
Here’s why they’ve become the go-to choice for HR leaders and employee recognition programs:
- Convenient for Everyone: No more coordinating freezer space or delivery times.
- Easy to Distribute: Send certificates by mail, email, or include them in a holiday card.
- Perfect for Remote Teams: Employees across the country can redeem their turkey gift locally.
- Personal Choice: Recipients pick the turkey (or equivalent) that fits their family’s needs.
- Keeps the Tradition Alive: The meaning stays the same– gratitude, appreciation, and togetherness.
Whether you’re recognizing your team for a year of hard work or celebrating the holiday season, Turkey Gift Certificates make it simple to say thank you in a meaningful way.
Keeping Tradition Alive The Modern Way
The act of giving a turkey to employees has always been about more than food. It’s about connection, appreciation, and celebrating shared success.
By updating the tradition with turkey gift certificates, companies can preserve the heartfelt spirit of giving while making the experience more flexible, practical, and inclusive for today’s workforce.
So whether your company has 20 employees or 20,000 continuing the turkey gift tradition is as easy as ever. Because while the way we give may evolve, the message stays timeless:
“Thank you for being part of our team.”
