Beyond the Pizza Party: How to Show Real Employee Appreciation
Employee Appreciation Day is coming up on March seventh, and while it’s great to have a day dedicated to celebrating your team, appreciation shouldn’t be a once-a-year event. Your employees put in the work day in and day out, and a well-thought-out “thank you” can go a long way in boosting morale, engagement, and retention.
But here’s the thing—not all appreciation efforts are created equal. A generic approach (like a pizza party for a fully remote team) can feel more like an afterthought than a meaningful gesture. The key to truly making your employees feel valued is understanding what they actually care about and tailoring your appreciation efforts to fit.
Know Your Team: Appreciation That Actually Feels Good
Everyone wants to feel valued, but not everyone wants to be appreciated in the same way. Instead of defaulting to a company-wide event or generic gift cards, take a step back and consider what makes sense for your specific team.
For remote teams: If your team spends all day on video calls, another virtual happy hour might not feel like much of a reward. A more thoughtful approach—like a curated care package—can make a bigger impact. But even here, the details matter. A high-quality, cozy branded sweatshirt employees actually want to wear? Great. A generic company mug that just takes up space on their already cluttered desk? Probably not as meaningful.
For teams that travel or work long hours: An after-hours team event might not be the best way to say "thank you" if employees already spend a lot of time away from home. Offering a perk that gives them back personal time—like an extra day off—can go a lot further.
The goal is to make appreciation feel personal and intentional, not like an afterthought. The more aligned your recognition efforts are with what employees actually value, the more meaningful the impact.
Keep the Appreciation Going Year-Round
While Employee Appreciation Day is a great time to go big, the real impact comes from ongoing recognition. Employees shouldn’t have to wait for a specific day to feel valued. When appreciation is woven into the company culture, employees stay engaged and motivated all year long.
Make recognition a habit- A simple “thank you” in a team meeting, a handwritten note, or a shoutout in Slack can go a long way in making employees feel seen.
Celebrate milestones and win- Recognize work anniversaries, major project completions, or personal achievements—people love knowing their hard work is noticed.
Offer meaningful perks -Appreciation doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture. Small things like flexible work schedules, wellness stipends, or surprise bonuses show employees that you value their well-being.
Check in regularly- One of the best ways to make employees feel valued? Listen to them. Regular one-on-ones and employee feedback sessions help ensure their needs are being met—not just on Employee Appreciation Day, but every day.
Appreciation starts at the top. When leadership makes recognition a habit, it sets the tone for the entire company. Employees take their cues from the people leading them, so when gratitude and acknowledgment are consistent, they naturally become part of everyday interactions. A simple “great job” from a manager turns into teammates celebrating each other’s wins, which builds a workplace where people feel valued, motivated, and connected. When leadership leads the charge on appreciation—not just once a year but all the time—it creates a ripple effect that makes the whole team stronger.
Ready to Build a Culture of Appreciation?
If you’re looking for ways to make employee appreciation more meaningful—on March seventh and beyond—Thrive HR is here to help. We work alongside leadership teams to build employee engagement strategies that actually resonate, so your team feels valued not just once a year, but all year long.
