Have you started brainstorming for employee recognition ideas yet this year? Please don’t say you’re going for a generic mug or the lazy gift cards. They deserve better, honestly.
If you want to really show your team some love, ditch the standard, boring gifts and go for something more personal and thoughtful. How about a surprise video greeting card? Or a relaxing spa day that melts away the stress so they bring fresh energy when they come back to the office.
Ideas sounding good? Read on and check out other ideas you might want to explore.
8 employee recognition ideas for happy teams
This year, do away with the usual and try these eight fresh and thoughtful ways to say “Thank you” to your employees.
1. Personalized greetings
Instead of a generic card, upgrade it into a video greeting card with clips from the team congratulating the recipient. Go around and collect videos from their colleagues then turn it into an interactive experience using GiftLips.
When the employee receives it, they can scan the QR code on the card then scroll through the personalized greetings with happy faces congratulating them. Isn’t it lovely!
2. An SDO
If you take one of the employee recognition ideas from this article, let it be this one. The ultimate solution to the stressed out worker is a Surprise Day Off. Wouldn’t you agree?
Granting them a surprise time off shows that you care for their well-being and that they deserve a break for doing well. This chance at recharging allows them to step away from the daily grind, clear their mind, and return to work feeling refreshed.
3. Skill-boosting stipends
When you invest in your team members, you invest directly in the success of your entire business.
Consider setting up an employee appreciation program where staff can receive personalized acknowledgments like thank you cards alongside experience-based incentives. You can give them a company-paid online course, conference registration, or any activity that furthers their professional development.
4. Relaxation vouchers
The high-stress demands of work deserve a pure, unapologetic chance at relaxation in the form of a voucher or greeting cards with a pre-loaded gift card.
Load up your surprise gift with a spa day full of different services at a spa center, or a wellness subscription to a healthy meal service are good things to start with.
This idea recognizes their hard work by giving them the opportunity to recover, recharge, and prioritize their well-being outside of work.
5. Host a Thank You Awards show
It would be nice to hit the pause button to the usual office grind. To boost employee engagement, play around a little and host an awards show to present some appreciation gifts to team members.
Roll out the figurative (or literal, if you’re classy like that) red carpet and thank them for hitting the quota, going above and beyond, or successfully completing a daunting project.
You can give them a stylish trophy they can display at the office so they have a constant reminder of their achievement.
6. Create a Wall of Wins
Usually, walls signify a divide. But not this one. This time, it unites people towards a common goal: making it to the Wall of Wins.
You can dedicate a physical wall in the office or set up a shared digital board (like on Notion or Trello) where team members can post their wins, big or small. They can post whenever they close a deal, hit a project milestone, or even get positive feedback from a customer or colleague.
7. Charity donation for CEO
Other than gifts for employees, maybe you’re also thinking of gifting your manager, director, CEO, or president. This one can be a bit challenging.
Why don’t you consider making a donation in their name? Ask them which cause they feel deeply towards or a charity they already support. If you can’t ask them directly, consider making the donation to a cause that aligns with the company’s core values or vision.
After choosing a card from one of the office work templates, you can present this thoughtful gift with a custom greeting card that explains the donation.
8. Custom corporate gifting
Office gifting doesn’t have to be stiff or predictable. It could be more meaningful and affordable once you get to know your employees better. Talk to them and take note of their personal interests.
Does your designer love coffee? Get them a subscription to a coffee-of-the-month club.
Is your sales lead into fitness? Gift them a pilates class package at a fitness studio.
And yes, this kind of effort gets noticed and talked about. Trust!
Dos and don’ts when giving out appreciation gifts for employees
Before you hit “add to cart”, here are a few tips to make your gifts more meaningful.
The Dos
✅ Personalize your gifts to the recipient’s needs and interests.
✅ Keep in mind: function over fluff. Aim for something they can actually use in their daily life.
✅ A little flair in the presentation won’t hurt. Wrap or present the gifts nicely.
✅ Keep it appropriate. Don’t have to tell you twice.
The Don’ts
❌ No hidden fees, please! The last thing you want is to burden them.
❌ Did you remove the price tag? Check again.
❌ Don’t disguise the gift as something else. It’s not a substitute for fair compensation or promotion. It’s a bonus, not a replacement.
Make greeting cards part of your recognition routine
When giving out gifts for employees, one way to level it up is adding a personalized greeting card with video. It’s a small detail that instantly makes any present feel more thoughtful.
You can keep it low-effort but high-impact with a platform like GiftLips where you can easily create custom video cards for employees. All you need to do is choose a card, upload your video greeting, and send!
It can also be a collective effort since GiftLips also lets you collaborate with other people so they can also join in on the fun!
Employee recognition shouldn’t feel distant
As you brainstorm for some employee recognition ideas, keep in mind that it’s about genuine connection and appreciation.
A simple thank you can go a long way when it feels real and intentional. It can be in the form of a personalized gift, video greeting card, or a curated experience. What truly matters is making your team members feel seen and valued.
When recognition becomes part of your company culture, you’ll build a workplace where gratitude grows naturally and the morale stays high all year long.
FAQs
How do you creatively recognize employees?
Get personal and make it fun!
Creative recognition is about surprise and sincerity. You can try things like giving out a digital greeting card from GiftLips, experience-based rewards, spa packages, gym memberships, or wellness subscriptions.
Make sure to get to know your employee better so you can tailor your gifts to their interests.
What to give employees for recognition?
When thinking of ideas, aim for thoughtfulness.
You can give them gifts that support their interests and hobbies. If they’re into wellness, it can be a new pickle ball racket or a paid pilates class.
For the ones who are into gaming, give them some gift cards they can use to purchase their new favorite game.
For the career-minded, paid courses and conference attendances might be best to support them.
You have to get to know the employee to make them feel valued and seen when you recognize their efforts.