5 Festive Ways to Show Employee Appreciation During the Holidays

The holiday season is the perfect time to show your team how much you value their hard work. Thoughtful gestures of appreciation can go a long way toward boosting morale and strengthening loyalty. Here are five creative, budget-friendly ways to show your employees appreciation and make this season truly memorable.

1. Give the gift of time off

Consider allowing a few hours of “shopping and errand blocks” as bonus time off to show appreciation for your team. During the holiday rush, an extended lunch hour or the ability to flex a start or end time for their shift can make a big difference to alleviating the stress of the busy holiday season.

2. Make gift wrapping easy and festive

A gift-wrapping station is a fun and engaging activity for employees, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. Incorporating a holiday wrap station into your workplace is an affordable way to enhance the employee experience by offering access to wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, gift tags and a weighing station to help package up their holiday finds. Employees, especially working parents who juggle their professional lives and creating holiday magic, will appreciate the convenience and stress-free access to get their holiday wrapping needs accomplished.

3. Spread cheer with creative employee awards

Wrap up the year on a high note. Hosting a recognition ceremony isn’t just festive, it’s smart. Recognized employees are nearly six times more likely to stay with their current employer, so a little appreciation goes a long way toward retention. Consider keeping it fun and creative with categories that reflect your company culture and holiday spirit such as Holiday Cheer Award, Aloha Ambassador, Elf Efficiency Award, President of Sparkle & Shine, or Customer Joy Maker. A fun awards ceremony makes recognition personal, timely and meaningful while shaping culture, reinforcing values and truly making people feel appreciated.

4. Celebrate your shining star

Celebrate the season by shining a light on an exceptional team member. Poll your staff for what they appreciate most about this coworker—whether it’s their creativity, teamwork, or holiday spirit—and turn those insights into a fun, lighthearted presentation. Add festive touches like holiday graphics, cheerful music, and even playful charts (think “favorite holiday treats” or “top team moments”). This unique recognition not only honors their achievements but spreads joy across the team.

5. Give a thoughtful, personalized holiday gift

Show your appreciation with a thoughtful gift that feels personal and heartfelt. Consider something personalized tied to their hobbies or favorite local treats, like a custom coffee mug for the office caffeine fan or a gift card to their go-to lunch spot. Ensure the gift is truly one that will be useful and appreciated. Consider including a handwritten note to make the gesture even more meaningful. It’s a simple way to say, “I see you, and I value you,” during the busiest time of year.

Celebrate your employees in meaningful ways by recognizing their achievements with thoughtful intention. This season, give the gift that matters most: appreciation. When employees feel seen and valued, they’re more engaged, more loyal, and ready to help your business thrive well beyond the holidays.