Workplace Celebrations, Contests, Fun

UP AHEAD: summertime — sunny, lazy, distracting summer, with vacation days and “summer Fridays” tempting employees at every turn. In other words? A recipe for disengagement. And your task is keeping employees engaged. Summertime workplace celebration ideas are plentiful AND enjoyable.

Keeping up engagement levels through the summer months depends on a good balance that integrates fun, freedom, fitness, and focus. If employees have opportunities for regular, low-key summertime celebrations that center on accomplishments, family, and/or wellness, they’ll be more likely to be productive the rest of the time.

Let us inspire you with the following summertime workplace celebration ideas to plan your own engagement calendar for the season. (more…)

 

Summer gifts keep employees engaged through the distractions of the season. The ability to leave the office early on Friday afternoons — “summer Fridays” — is a popular perk. But showing appreciation with schedule flexibility just doesn’t work in all businesses and industries. What always works? Food gift certificates! And ice cream is especially special and fun in the summertime (or popsicles or other frozen treats). A gThankYou gift certificate for ice cream is affordable, quick, and brings a smile to people of all ages.
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Teacher Appreciation Week is the first week of May, and we’re here to help everyone yell, “THANK YOU” from the rooftops! (But get down quickly before a teacher catches you.)

There are more than 4 million public and private school teachers in the U.S. Of course, that number multiplies when you expand into higher education and into the world of training, development, mentors, and other roles. It’s generally agreed upon that teachers are amazing people who are underpaid and underappreciated. YOU can make a difference in how teachers feel – this week and year-round.

According to Zippia.com and WeAreTeachers.com:

• The average teacher impacts more than 3,000 students throughout their career.
• 83% of students credit teachers with improving their confidence and self-esteem.
• 87% of people wish they had expressed more appreciation to their teachers.
• 88% of individuals acknowledge that teachers played a significant positive role in their lives.
• 79% of students have been encouraged to follow their dreams by a teacher.
• 54% of students have had a teacher who helped them through difficult times.
• 75% of students view teachers as mentors and role models.

“The job of an educator is to teach students to see vitality in themselves.”
– Joseph Campbell

How to Say Thank You to Teachers

Expressing gratitude to teachers is essential, as they play a pivotal role in shaping our lives and futures. Here are some heartfelt ways to thank teachers year-round:

A Sincere Thank You Note: Write a heartfelt thank-you note expressing your appreciation for their dedication, guidance, and impact. Whether it’s a handwritten letter or an email, your words will mean a lot to them.

Personalized Gifts: Consider giving a small gift that reflects a teacher’s interests or something related to their subject. It could be a book, a grocery gift certificate, or even thoughtful classroom supplies.

Public Recognition: During Teacher Appreciation Week or other school events, publicly acknowledge teachers’ hard work. Share positive stories about teachers in your organization, make a donation to a local school, or find other ways to share your gratitude for this important profession.

Volunteer Your Time: Offer to help in a classroom, assisting with tasks, organizing materials, or assisting during events. Teachers often appreciate extra hands.

Remember Special Occasions: Celebrate teachers’ birthdays, Teacher Appreciation Week, or other milestones. A small token of appreciation on these occasions goes a long way.

Spread Positivity: Share positive stories about how teachers are making a difference in your organization or community. Word of mouth can create a ripple effect of appreciation.

Additional Ways to Celebrate

Teachers of Tomorrow offers some wonderful ideas for how to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Here are some of our favorite ideas from their list:

• Organize a Lunch for Teachers
• Gift Cards (Gift Certificates)
• Refill Classroom Supplies
• Create a Thank You Book
• Put Together a Gift Box
• Create a Staff Spotify List
• Plant Trees in a Teacher’s Name
• Present Certificates of Appreciation for Teachers

Whether you lead a district, partner with schools, or simply respect the world of teachers, there are many ways to show appreciation to these people who shape the future of our world.

Learn More About gThankYou Certificates of Gratitude:

• Check out our Home Page
• See all our Gift Certificate Choices
• Watch our ‘About Us’ Video
• See what customers say in our Case Studies
• Look at our FAQ
• See our FREE customizable Gratitude cards
• Reach us at 888-484-1658 or via info@gthankyou.com

Top Photo by ThisisEngineering on Unsplash

 

Nurse appreciation is the focus of National Nurses Week, which begins May 6. Be sure to plan your Nurses Week celebrations now so you can adequately thank the fabulous nurses you know or employ!

Nurses remain the most trusted profession, with 78% of U.S. adults currently believing nurses have high honesty and ethical standards, according to Gallup’s 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll.  In addition to being trusted, nurses are universally respected due to their deep knowledge, kindness, and overall care for people. Anyone who has needed healthcare in any capacity is likely to underscore that nurses are truly the heartbeat of medicine.

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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 1)

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.

Some activities can include:

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There isn’t just one recipe for success when it comes to employee recognition; there are many thoughtful ways to acknowledge employees’ dedication. Leaders who take the time and energy to show employee gratitude year-round end up with happier team members and a more enjoyable workplace. Each season provides multiple opportunities to recognize employees, partners, and other stakeholders. Below are some ways to celebrate spring in the workplace.

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Acts of kindness are one of the most powerful ways we have to connect with others.

February is the perfect month to share workplace kindness – with Random Acts of Kindness Day (17^th) and Week (February 11-17), and Valentine’s Day! Take advantage of these dates and inspire kindness in your workplace.

Planting seeds of kindness yields improved moods and productivity. Better yet, it’s contagious. Share a little kindness and see how it ripples through your office.
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Holidays at work can be a delicate subject. Diverse workforces mean that there are different ways to celebrate a variety of holidays. However, it’s possible to ensure that the season is festive and fun for everyone. Holiday work parties go one of two ways — something people (leaders and employees alike) have to do or want to do.

We’re in the peak season for companies throwing a holiday work party for their employees. Most parties happen before the New Year, but for many in the service industry, the season continues through the end of January.

How can your company pull off a warm and inviting experience for everyone? Here are some considerations for making your holiday work party an appreciated event that employees of all ages want to attend.

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Managers: It’s Your Time to Shine!

Employee Christmas gifts are the perfect way to share end-of-year gratitude and strengthen manager-employee relationships. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report, “the manager is the linchpin of engagement. Seventy percent of team engagement is attributable to the manager.”

This holiday season, managers should feel empowered to celebrate their team’s hard work, even if it’s a small gesture. It’s important to remember: giving employee Christmas gifts and notes of gratitude is not a one-time transaction. It’s an opportunity to build and strengthen relationships. Encourage all managers in your workplace to take advantage of this communication opportunity!

At gThankYou, we pride ourselves as a manager’s BFF, helping you simply give thoughtful appreciation gifts.

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As the holiday season approaches, companies seek ways to express gratitude to their employees for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Employee gift baskets are a thoughtful and fun way to show appreciation. A basket with an ornament, some candy and a gift certificate are a perfect gift. And if you have company swag, now’s the time to share it! Here are some compelling reasons why employee holiday gift baskets are a great idea:

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As the holiday season approaches, thoughts turn to gatherings with loved ones, festive feasts, and of course, the delectable treats that grace our tables. Among the culinary staples that evoke the spirit of the holidays, ham holds a special place. Its rich flavor, versatility, and symbolic significance have made it a timeless choice for both celebratory meals and thoughtful gifts.

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The holidays are often a time to take stock. What’s working? What’s not? How can we improve the human experience?

One way to look at how employees, partners, volunteers and others are treated is to look at how their needs are addressed all year long. Organizations likely have an HR department or someone who is charged with ensuring that people are safe, paid, and generally taken care of. However, it’s a useful exercise to think through this lens for gift-giving, too.  Everyone has “wish lists,” but what do people really need to live … and live well?

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Whether on top of buildings, fixing plumbing or electrical, or any other in-demand trade work, our blue-collar workers work hard every day. These individuals form the backbone of our economy, keeping our infrastructure functioning, our homes comfortable, and our lives running smoothly. And while we’re grateful all year long, now is the time to say, “thank you!” for their dedication, long hours, and challenging work. (more…)

‘Tis The Season for Holiday Corporate Gifts! 

The holiday season is a time for giving and gratitude, and businesses are no exception. Many companies choose to send or deliver gifts to their employees, clients, and partners as a way to show appreciation. However, it can be difficult to choose the right holiday corporate gift, especially when you want to make sure that it is both personal and practical.

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Good old-fashioned pie continues to be the quintessential holiday treat. It is perfect for dessert, as a snack, or even as breakfast with a rich cup of coffee. Traditionally, after enjoying a juicy turkey and savory side dishes like stuffing and potatoes, a sweet bite is just what everyone craves. To answer that call, we offer pie gift certificates to send to employees and other stakeholders whom you would like to thank for their support and hard work throughout the year. With their delicate nature, pies are not easy to transport, let alone ship. Pie gift certificates offer the best-case scenario for sending a sweet gesture of gratitude. With gThankYou, sending pie as a holiday gift is actually easy as pie!

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If your organization has a history with giving frozen turkeys to employees for the holidays, or even if you’re a new company looking to do something along these lines, a turkey gift program is easy to implement!

What’s a Turkey Gift Program?

There is longstanding tradition in employers providing their hardworking employees with the centerpiece of a holiday meal: turkey! But now, it’s quick and easy and no need to order heavy frozen birds. With gThankYou, you can order gift certificates for employees (local or around the country) and we do all the heavy lifting.

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It’s Always Time for a Delicious Treat So Give A Candy Gift!

We hope you had a Happy Halloween and have a little extra pep in your step today with a pocketful of candy! Overall Halloween spending was predicted to be over $12.2 Billion in 2023, up 15% over last year. What does that say? PEOPLE LOVE CANDY! This is your friendly reminder that candy is a welcome treat all year long! It’s never too late to order up some candy gift certificates for your employees, partners, neighbors, clients and other stakeholders.

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Who’s ready to gobble up some turkey? Your employees are!

If you are charged with Thanksgiving gifts this year, fear not! Thanksgiving Turkey gift certificates are a nostalgic and thoughtful gift. Let us help you as you navigate gratitude season.

Bulk Turkeys – The “New” Way!

Gone are the days of waiting in the winter cold while frozen turkeys are being dispersed to a line of employees before Thanksgiving. Stay inside and surprise your hardworking employees with gift certificates instead! gThankYou gift certificates offer recipients the flexibility to purchase a turkey OR ham OR grocery (or other options) at the store of their choice. Please see our store locator here. 

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The Countdown Has Begun!

The holidays have a tendency to come like a freight train once the calendar flips over to the “BER” months. Be ahead of the game this year! As you prepare for your seasonal parties, activities, and year-end chaos, it’s possible to swiftly check off EMPLOYEE CHRISTMAS GIFTS. Based on our experience and recent conversations, we’ve rounded up a list of the best Christmas gifts to help you out.

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Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to bring the spirit of this festive holiday into the office. Embracing Halloween in the workplace brings excitement to the daily routine and creates a sense of camaraderie among colleagues. Check out these ideas for making your Halloween office celebration a memorable experience.
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