Employee Appreciation

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Photo by Melissa Walker Horn, Unsplash

It’s almost spring and Easter will be here soon! Now’s the time to start your Easter employee appreciation planning.

Why thank employees at Easter?
Besides being a widely celebrated family occasion, it’s a springtime holiday with cultural, non-religious traditions that appeal to everyone.

Easter employee appreciation is a great idea, regardless of employee religious affiliation, because it generally marks the beginning of spring and the sense of renewal and gratitude that accompany the new season.
And, as is often the case, Easter coincides with Passover.

In a diverse workplace where the majority of employees may not be Christian, focus on the secular aspects of Easter. Put employee accomplishments and community first!

Read on for five reasons to include Easter employee appreciation in your spring planning this year.
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Photo by Robert Linder, Unsplash

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and thank you! In the spirit of the holidays, it is fitting to share our gratitude with you.

We are passionate about the act of gratitude being a year-long commitment, but this time of year is always a little special. We have watched workplaces transform, leaders completely change direction, employees step up, and much more. We have lived and worked through a global pandemic, and we are here to reflect and forge forward.

As you gather with your colleagues, team members, friends and family, take a moment to savor these relationships. Support of one another is key in maintaining our mental health and wellness. Share a smile, a meal, a toast, a note of thanks. Tell everyone why you are grateful.

We have published a wide variety of blogs and resources this year and hope they have been helpful.

We have partnered with a wide variety of organizations to provide Gift Certificates that have filled the tables, fridges and pantries of people across the country.

We hope to offer inspiration as you build and maintain a culture of gratitude in your world – big or small.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas, full of cheer, warmth, happiness and gratitude. Thank you for your business, support, friendship and camaraderie.

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper

So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us—Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!

Read an NPR article about this book here.

Savor and enjoy every moment!

Our deepest gratitude,
Your Friends at gThankYou

Hurry, Check Employees Off Your List!

The holidays are upon us! But if you haven’t planned a special thank you, it’s not too late!

The holidays sneak up on us every year. But this year, with staffing shortfalls, supply chain issues, and a persistent pandemic, the holidays have arrived with even less warning than usual.

If you haven’t ordered employee holiday gifts yet, don’t despair! Order gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude today and have them in time to share for Christmas with your heartfelt gratitude.

Choose from a holiday meal centerpiece gift with a Turkey Or Ham voucher to the flexibility of a Grocery Certificate for a holiday spread of choice or, add joy with a fun pie or ice cream gift.

Whatever Certificate of Gratitude gift you choose, we work long hours to ship all orders same day. Expedited shipping options are available, so you can be sure to receive your gifts in time.

It’s Not Too Late!

gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude are fast, easy, affordable and easy to deliver on time. Check out our Case Studies and FAQ.

Order online or call us at 888-484-1658.

If you have a large company or distributed workplace, call us. We can help with volume pricing (all Certificates except Grocery) and custom logistics.

gThankYou Gift Certificates

• Are the modern way to participate in a timeless workplace holiday tradition. Employees can use their vouchers to choose the brands they want at their favorite stores.

• Can be easily personalized (for free!) with recipient and giver names. All orders come with optional Enclosure Cards (for free!), which you can customize with a message and your company logo.
  Check out our Christmas and Winter Enclosure Card designs.

• Fit in standard business-sized envelopes, perfect for distributing in person or with company mailings.

Not everything has gone smoothly this year. With gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude, employee gift-giving can be the rare exception. Order now while you still have time!

Make Your Gift-Giving Fun!

You might order in lunch for employees and hand them their Gift Certificates personally. You might have executives cook and/or serve the food. Host a virtual event, hybrid party or give everyone a well-deserved day off to go holiday grocery shopping (if they so choose)!

However you choose, be sure to share your gift with sincere appreciation and gratitude. It will not only make your recipient(s) feel great, but you too!

Year after year, gift certificates and gift cards are on top of the most appreciated employee gifts. With the knowledge that everyone loves a food gift from gThankYou, it’s a win-win!

How do you plan to reward hard-working employees this season? Let us help – it’s not too late!

2-4-6-8 – Who do we appreciate? Our hardworking employees!!

Just in time for the holidays, gThankYou has released our Big List of Employee Appreciation Gift Ideas! This book is perfect all year for inspiration for ways to support and recognize the people who make your business work. Best yet, it’s FREE to download and share with colleagues.

Still looking for the perfect holiday workplace gift? Check it out! Although here’s our suggestion!

The eBook is broken down into categories and lists so it’s easy to read, get inspired and apply. It’s the perfect go-to resource as you brainstorm and think through employee appreciation planning now and in the coming year.

As you skim this guide, you’ll find something for everyone. Some gifts are costly or come in a big box. They always leave a big impression. Others are more modest, but they’re just as meaningful, especially when combined with your sincere gratitude.

Browse high-impact ideas in every category, including gifts that can help you:

• Support new ways of working
• Encourage employee wellbeing
• Reinforce teamwork and organizational values
• Celebrate holidays with flare
• Acknowledge milestone moments in work and life
• Recognize people anytime with simple gestures

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This time of year, employers often struggle trying to think of the perfect employee holiday gifts. What does everyone want, need and love? Food. What’s a thoughtful gift that can be shared with others over the holidays? The gift of food.

At gThankYou, we have an easy way to share the holiday gift of food with your team. gThankYou Grocery Gift Certificates allow recipients to buy any combination of food items – at the time and grocery store of their choosing. They prohibit any non-food items. such as alcohol or tobacco.

If you wish to give recipients the ability to choose the holiday meal they want for their families, choose gThankYou Grocery Gift Certificates.

If you prefer to provide the specific gift of a Christmas ham or a choice of Turkey Or Ham as a gift, we offer that too.

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” – James Beard

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Today’s headlines are full of crazy statistics about the workplace, with headlines like The Great Discontent ringing in our ears. Leaders are worried about retention rates, hiring, and assessing culture. While we understand the stress that accompanies these concerns, there is a bright light. This is an excellent opportunity! Let’s discuss what employees REALLY want for the holidays – your heartfelt appreciation for their hard work and loyalty.

This is the time to build a culture of gratitude. Thank those employees who have stuck through the hard times. Attract new talent by offering a culture that understands their needs. Build peer-to-peer and top-down communication channels and recognition that makes people feel valued.

As we dive right into the holiday season, gThankYou is here to help you share your appreciation. Personalized, heartfelt thanks is in demand and, together, we can deliver.

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As you reconnect with friends and family, enjoy fabulous meals, and have fun this week, we hope you get the chance to pause and reflect on all there is to be grateful for in your life. At gThankYou, we are grateful for our families, friends, clients and partners. Together, we can have a Happy Thanksgiving — sharing gratitude around the table and beyond.

If you have any questions about your Gift Certificate please read the information below.

Contact us at 888-484-1658 or info@gthankyou.com if you have additional questions or need help with a store.
Customer Service is available 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday (Central Time).
We have Spanish language Customer Service during weekday business hours.

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Photo by Michelle on Unsplash

‘Tis the season for festive spirits and holiday gift-giving! Wrap your holiday employee gifts in gratitude and watch as spirits rise and kindness become contagious in your workplace. At gThankYou, we are believers that the season isn’t simply about buying gifts and checking off a to-do item. It is the spirit of gratitude – thanking others for the role they play in your life or business. Sincerely, authentically and from the heart.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
– Melody Beattie

A well-designed, personalized gift with a heartfelt note of appreciation does add that special touch. It’s both meaningful and memorable making the recipient feel special and truly valued. Let’s face it, these days we all crave sincere appreciation.

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Download Your Free Thanksgiving Turkey Cookbook and Guide!

Are you getting ready for Thanksgiving?

For many, the shopping, menu planning and decorating is enjoyable and nostalgic. For others, knowing how to choose, prepare and cook the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal is daunting. And, sometimes you are pretty sure you know what you are doing, you just need a little help!

We believe preparing your Thanksgiving turkey should be fun — and at gThankYou, we are here for you and your team!

• Are you new to cooking a turkey?

• It’s been a while since you have hosted Thanksgiving?

• Are you a seasoned cook looking to spice up your traditional menu?

• Not sure how to defrost a frozen turkey?

• Never made gravy before?

• Not sure what kind of turkey to purchase?

• Want to take the stress out of cooking a turkey?

Then we have the perfect resource for you! gThankYou’s popular Ultimate Turkey Cookbook and Guide downloadable and shareable for free. (more…)

Say Thank You with a Turkey Gift!

Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. But there’s still time to show your gratitude to hardworking employees with turkey gift certificates — if you act soon and choose gThankYou!

gThankYou offers same-day shipping, so your employee Thanksgiving gifts can be there as soon as tomorrow!

The Thanksgiving Gift Everyone Loves!

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Nothing says “Thank You” like the gift of a Thanksgiving turkey. And now is the perfect time to give thanks!

November is National Gratitude Month. The month leading up to Thanksgiving is perfectly fitting for us all to embrace the act of gratitude. There are many ways to express our appreciation for those in our lives. After the last year and a half, we especially appreciate being acknowledged and valued.

And, World Kindness Day is November 13. According to InspireKindness.com,

“World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. The purpose of this day, celebrated on November 13 of each year, is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations.”

There are many ways to celebrate the day, but we encourage you to be creative! Check out these resources and inspiration (including printables and more).

At gThankYou, we encourage gratitude and kindness all year long. But if there ever is a time to show employees, families, business partners, vendors and others gratitude, this is it!

What better moment could there be to distribute your turkey gifts?

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Times have been really tough for both employers and employees. While the last couple of years have been stressful, we’ve also seen people really step up! During uncertain times, it’s important to share your company gratitude with employees. This time of year, we recommend writing a memorable Thanksgiving letter to employees to show how much you care. It’s the quintessential message of, “Thank you for being here and all you have done and continue to do!”

Whether you are part of the over-taxed health care industry, over-burdened supply chain, or another business that is thankful for its hard-working employees, showing appreciation is critical – now and always.

Your Sincere ‘Thank You’ Matters

Thank you is easy to say, yet it’s underused in the workplace. Let’s collectively change that! When in-person, use eye contact, a handshake, fist-bump or other social connection while saying, “Thank you.” We promise, it will be well-received and appreciated.

Why? Because thank-you notes work! (Research proves thank-you notes work even better than cash bonuses, say HR experts.)

A written note or company-wide Thanksgiving letter of appreciation are underutilized gems. A sincere note communicates you care and are grateful for employees hard-work and dedication, especially during these challenging times.

gThankYou has spent years honing the perfect tips for how to express gratitude in a way that is authentic and well-received: in the form of a memorable Thanksgiving or holiday letter. If you’ve never done one for your team or company, it’s a great time to start the tradition!

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Believe it or not, the holidays are just around the corner. Planning ahead is key to avoid scrambling and making the season more hectic than enjoyable. The good news is that we have the tools to help you succeed! Our new holiday appreciation planning checklist can be used year-round, offering ideas for ways to celebrate your employees.

This time of year, we highly recommend ordering your Turkey Gift Certificates and free Enclosure Cards NOW so you can cross it off your to-do list.

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Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and celebrating traditions. Turkey has long-been the traditional centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal, making it the symbol of the holiday, gratitude for the bounty of the meal, shared history and family and friends.

While every group or family is different, there is something special about time together, gathering around the table, and enjoying each other’s company at the holidays. At gThankYou, we are passionate about what we do because it provides employers a way to celebrate team members in a way that honors gratitude and tradition.

A Thanksgiving turkey gift is so meaningful, it positively impacts both giver and recipient. You may not know this, but turkey gift-giving has been a workplace tradition for over a century.

In an article on MentalFloss.com, Why We Eat What We Eat on Thanksgiving, it shares that even Alexander Hamilton said,

“No citizen of the U.S. shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.”

In general, there are varied historical versions of when and how turkey as the centerpiece all started, but it was deeply rooted in American tradition when it was declared a holiday in the 19^th century.

Looking for a way to thank and celebrate your hard-working team? A turkey for Thanksgiving is a gift that everyone appreciates and values.

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Photo credit: Bee Felten-Leidel, Unsplash

 
Last year, workplace Halloween festivities took place virtually. Despite the distance — and perhaps the initial awkwardness of dressing up for a Zoom party — events everywhere were successful! Halloween is a favorite holiday for many, offering an opportunity to tap into creativity and kid-like behaviors (candy binge, anyone?). In our current environment, everyone appreciates a chance to relax and have fun at work.

In this new world of work, Halloween may continue to be a hybrid event. Some workplaces will resume all-things-Halloween, with elaborate decorations, cutthroat costume contests and sugar-laden parties. Others are still remote, but with full intentions of celebrating. Either way, the options to have Halloween fun are endless.

Delight hard-working staff with a Halloween activity or celebration this year. You’ll all appreciate the chance to engage over something fun.

“The farther we’ve gotten from the magic and mystery of our past, the more we’ve come to need Halloween.”
– Paula Curan

Spooktacular Ideas for your Halloween Festivities

Last year, we created downloadable Zoom backgrounds for online Halloween festivities. Due to demand, they ARE available again this year (see below). Other possible ideas to bring Halloween to your team members include:

• Host a good old-fashioned costume party – in-person and/or remotely. Provide inexpensive gifts for creative costume categories such as creepiest, most outlandish and best-boss-lookalike.

• Put out Halloween snacks and treats in the office. Take a pulse survey to see which favorites are in high-demand. Do a blindfolded taste test! Send all employees Candy Gift Certificates a week early so they can stock up for the neighborhood!

• Have a decoration party! Offer to buy seasonal decor so everyone can get into the spirit.

• Hold a pet costume contest. Zoom meetings introduced a lot of pets to colleagues. Ask everyone to send in pictures or host a pet Zoom party where furry friends can show off their outfits. Give winners a gift certificate to a local pet store.

• Sponsor a local shelter, after-school program or food bank. Volunteer in costume, bring treats and help others in your community enjoy the holiday.

• Throw an outdoor family event and offer pumpkins, carving tools, food and drinks. Do you have remote workers? Send them carving stencils and a grocery store voucher to buy the rest of the supplies.

• Arrange for fall plants/flowers to be available to take home. It will make the building look festive and serve as a great giveaway! Set up a time for remote workers to pick up their plant gifts at a nearby Home Depot or local nursery.

• Hand out Halloween gift bags – fill ’em up with glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark balloons, mini gourds and a gift certificate. Check out See’s Candies for inspiration.

• Help each other. Nominate coworkers who could use some help with fall projects. Then go out together to rake leaves, deliver groceries or a home-cooked meal, or decorate team members’ front doors. Provide reusable water bottles as an environmentally friendly memento of the service day.

Halloween is unique in that it brings joy in a different way than other holidays. Ask colleagues for ideas and preferences and be sure to include all shifts and remote workers in the fun. If you love spider webs, haunted houses and Halloween candy (or not), there are many people who will revel in the celebration!

Share your Halloween thanks and a sweet treat

If you are looking for something easy to do that works for everyone, why not share a gift voucher for employees’ candy of their choice and a Halloween themed card that reminds them that they are awesome and you appreciate everything they do for the business?

Order gThankYou Candy Gift Certificates online or over the phone at 888-484-1658. They come in affordable $5 and $10 values so it won’t break your budget. Share them alone with a big smile or tuck them in a Halloween basket of fun. Orders ship same day if ordered by early afternoon. You can have yours as early as tomorrow.

All orders come with FREE customizable gift Enclosure Cards for your personal message. You can even send us artwork to customize your spooky card.

Free Halloween Zoom backgrounds

By now, everyone knows how to use a background in Zoom. Spice it up for your team with a Halloween theme! Feel free to use these free Zoom backgrounds below:
 

However you decide to celebrate, we wish you a most fun and happy Halloween season!

gThankYou makes workplace Thanksgiving turkey gift-giving easy, convenient and affordable – regardless the size of your organization!

Turkey and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou are redeemable at major grocery chains anywhere in the U.S. for any brand, preparation and size of turkey (or ham). Recipients choose where they want to shop and the perfect turkey centerpiece of their Thanksgiving meal.

One of the perks of working with gThankYou is the ability to personalize Gift Certificates (with recipient names and organization logo) and custom Enclosure Cards. Well-done employee appreciation is all about personal connection.

To learn more about volume discounts on turkey vouchers or how we can help with large distributed workplaces, call us at 888-484-1658 or email info@gthankyou.com and we would be delighted to work with you this holiday season!

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Thanksgiving is all about tradition, loved ones and gratitude.

If you’ve ever been curious about why the employee turkey gift tradition matters, the reasons are many: it’s practical, meaningful, affordable and a gift everyone values and enjoys sharing with family and friends!

For decades, company leaders have been giving turkeys to their employees at Thanksgiving as an expression of appreciation. The gesture is a nod to tradition and gratitude. It’s an affordable gift, but one that is truly appreciated. It’s also smart business.

It is already that time of year to think ahead. How will you celebrate your employees this holiday season?

gThankYou makes turkey gift giving easy, regardless the size of your organization. Start planning ahead now and contact us to find out about our simple, easy and personalized process. Visit us online or call us today: 888-484-1658!

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Brought to you by Elsie Weisskoff with REDBUBBLE Life

February is the month of love and kindness. While some people thoroughly enjoy the multitude of candy hearts, red roses and pink teddy bears, others would rather skip right through to March. But February is much more than Valentine’s Day – it’s the month of kindness! Take advantage of this time to show compassion and support to colleagues at work. We all need a little extra appreciation these days.

We admire the work that the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has been doing for years. February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness day and this year’s theme is Explore the Good which is the perfect mindset for 2021.  They have a plethora of ideas, tips, inspiring quotes, materials like posters and calendars and even dedicated workplace materials. Check it out! Consider becoming a RAKtivist® (short for ‘Random Acts of Kindness activist).

It’s been proven that one random act of kindness a day can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Acts of kindness also release hormones that make you calmer, healthier and overall happier.

“When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.”
Harold Kushner

At REDBUBBLE Life we’ve recently shared “14 Days of Socially Distant Love and Kindness” to inspire kindness this month. We are thrilled to share workplace specific examples for gThankYou readers below!

7 Ways to Share Socially Distanced Kindness in the Workplace

1. Share a note of encouragement

We can all use encouragement from time to time, especially these days. This month is an opportunity to take the time to thank those who have helped you along the way – covered you when you needed it, supported you or always had your back.

During these challenging Covid-times, if you see someone at work struggling, reach out to them with your thoughtful words. Handwrite a card that highlights the positive traits you see in them and offer your encouragement and support.

Redbubble offers notecards with mandala designs for coloring, free for downloading below. Did you know that coloring has been shown to reduce negative moods and cause relaxation?

Download your free designs below now:

Random Acts of Kindness also offers fun free downloadable “Tag You’re It Cards” for recognizing workplace kindness and encouraging colleagues to pay it forward.

2. Bake treats for your team

You depend on your team and they have worked hard for you the last year. Show them your gratitude by baking a treat for them to enjoy. This will come as a welcome surprise! If you’ve been working locally but remotely, drop off homemade treats. If that’s not feasible, consider sending a treat from local bakeries (and help local businesses too!).

If you’re giving your treat in-person (with a mask on), try attaching one of these cute downloadable dessert tags – FREE!

3. Provide a positive review

If you see someone doing a good job, let their manager know. If you are their manager, highlight their work to the company. This small act can make a big impact on someone’s mood and even boost their career.

Want to make the process transparent? Then post a gratitude board (physical or digital) where all employees can leave notes of appreciation for colleagues. Know your employees. Do employees like to be publicly applauded or is your culture more subdued and a personal thank you from a manager works best? Either way, empower employees to share gratitude for work well done and special efforts and your whole team will benefit.

4. Share a compliment

A small act of kindness can be as simple as giving someone a compliment. Is your coworker’s background on Zoom well-designed? Let them know. Is someone especially cheerful and lifts everyone’s spirits? Let them know that their attitude is contagious.

These seeming little compliments can instantly improve someone’s mood. And, when sincerely complimenting someone, they are likely to return the favor to another colleague and you’ve now started the contagion of gratitude!

The key with compliments is they need to be:

1. Specific (about why what they did or do that impresses you).

2. Authentic (your compliment must be sincere)

3. Timely (compliments have the greatest impact in the moment)

“It’s a pleasure to work with someone who knows how to make and inspire a friendly and inspiring workplace. Bravo!”

Here a some workplace compliment ideas from Vantage Circle to get you started. Don’t forget to make them specific so they are personally meaningful.

5. Gift your favorite book

Has there been a book that played a significant role in your career? Or maybe one that changed the way you thought about a daily task? Pass the knowledge on by gifting it to a coworker.

Include one of the printable bookmarks below and write down your favorite part or quote from the book. This will make the gift that much more meaningful!

Consider establishing a book share for coworkers and have readers write short blurbs why they love the book to help future readers. This can be done if work is in-person or virtual. Have employees who really love certain topics? Encourage them to host virtual or live book groups to share their passions with others.

Download your free printable bookmarks now:

6. Start by being kind to yourself

Being as kind to yourself as you are to others is sound advice.  Check out the work of Dr. Kristin Neff in the area of self compassion.  Additionally, we can’t ignore the connections between happiness, gratitude and well being.

One of gThankYou’s customers shared that she’s found that using a happiness planner has been a daily positivity boost. We bet you have colleagues who would feel the same way too! Share gifts that promote self love and thus communicate to employees and colleagues that it’s important. (There are versions for kids and teens too so they can get a jump start on increasing happiness and spreading kindness.)

7. Say ‘thank you’ with a gift certificate

The gift of food may be just the extra help someone needs or permission for an unexpected treat!

Last but not least, show your gratitude with a gift certificate. Something as simple as a Grocery Gift Certificate can be an unexpected relief after a tough week and a great way to show that you care.

Thanksgiving isn’t the only time to show gratitude. Make sure employees and coworkers know you care about them this month and every month with random acts of kindness.

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.”
Helen James

Elsie Weisskoff
Elsie is a content marketing specialist who enjoys writing about a variety of topics, from lifestyle to technology. When she’s not putting pen to virtual paper, she’s planning her next trip abroad or hiking local trails.