Effective leaders know how vital employee appreciation and recognition are in the workplace. Acknowledging (and rewarding) your team’s accomplishments, offering robust benefits packages, and ensuring a healthy work-life balance are just a few ways to get the job done.
But Employee Appreciation Day, on March 3rd, is an ideal time to amplify your employee experience! So, why not throw a virtual celebration? 🎉
In this article, we'll give you the down low on:
- The best employee appreciation party themes 🎊
- Office party ideas your entire organization will love 😍
- How to plan each employee appreciation idea ✍️
So, what're you waiting for? Start readin'. 😎
Boost company culture with our staff appreciation party ideas:
1. Pick a fun party theme 🥳
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Before you can get the office party plans in motion, you gotta pick a theme. Having a dedicated theme brings each element of your party together, ensuring everything is unified and purposeful - but it also adds a little zhuzh.
We love zhuzh.
So, yes, the first staff appreciation party idea is to brainstorm a theme. Thankfully, we've got a few great ones here:
- Office Olympics: Bring on the sporty vibes and healthy competition! Rumor has it this concept pairs great with group fitness classes. 💪
- Field Trip: Become your office's very own Ms. Frizzle. Even virtual teams can enjoy this theme with unique museum storytelling tours! 🚌
- Throwback: Have staffers dress in attire from their favorite decade, create a tubular playlist, and kickback with retro party ideas, like Totally 90s Trivia! 🕺
2. There's no hour like happy hour 🍻
Ahhh, yes, what better way to show gratitude than with a big ole' CHEERS!
Happy hours allow everyone to unwind, share a drink, and build their relationship in a casual environment. Even for virtual teams, happy hours offer a unique opportunity to build company culture.
For participants 21+ only.
How to get started 👉 Go the extra mile with an interactive happy hour, like this virtual mixology class!
3. Bring the action in a team talent show 🕺
A team talent show is about to be your new favorite employee recognition platform. (Next to Bucketlist, of course. 😉)
Have staffers show off their hidden talents, giving everyone a better idea of who someone is outside of the office space. Seeing all your employees' creative sides may even help you discover a new sense of appreciation for them!
And don't think this idea is limited to in-person teams - organizing virtual talent shows on Zoom is just as much fun!
Pro-planning tip 👉 Consider having a relevant industry speaker host your show!
4. Bond with virtual scavenger hunts 🔍
Virtual scavenger hunts, especially personalized ones, are a fast-paced way to bring the whole team together.
Hosting a virtual scavenger hunt looks slightly different than hosting one on-site. Here are a few great ideas to add to the team's list:
- Take a picture with your pet 🐱
- Show off your favorite mug ☕️
- Share a family recipe 🍳
- Wear your shoes on your hands 🤷
Pro-planning tip 👉 Consider offering a real reward for teams who complete their scavenger hunt list!
5. Gratitude goes far with gift cards 🤑
Look, you may not always have time for a party, so we're putting this unique option on the list.
We love gift cards because they're so versatile: you can give them to your employees for any occasion, and they're a great way to say "thank you" without going overboard.
You can even purchase gift cards for stores or restaurants your employees like, so it's like getting a little bit of their favorite thing as a bonus.
How to get started 👉 Fresh gift cards here; get your fresh gift cards!
6. We scream, you scream, your team screams for ice cream 🍦
Now, this idea really takes the cake. The ice cream cake, that is. 😎 That's right, we're talking about an ice cream party.
Now, don't roll your eyes. We know it's a tried method. But it's tried and true - people love ice cream. However, there are plenty of fun ways to turn your standard icy affair into a truly unique employee appreciation party.
Like, for example, learning how to make ice cream together! Since ice cream is always better, consider allowing employees to invite families to the event. That way, everyone can celebrate your team's hard work.
How to get started 👉 Get the inside scoop on our BYO Ice Cream Making Class!
7. Talk strategy in online escape rooms 🧐
Friendly competition is an art form. And nothing shows appreciation better than inviting employees to battle it out in a series of online puzzles. 😉
But seriously, a virtual escape room is a great idea for any staff party! Team games allow your employees to work together in new ways with staff members they don't collaborate with often.
The stakes are low, but the chance to have fun & connect is high, making this one of our favorite employee appreciation party ideas.
How to get started 👉 Try our Escape Quest, one of our most popular & fun games!
8. Try a tie dye party 🌈
If you want a super fun time, try the magic of a tie dye party.
A tie die experience is a great way to show your employees you care! You're setting aside specific time for them to relax, bond, and connect. Plus, they'll have a funky souvenir to remind them of their time together.
For those at the office, consider hosting your event in the parking lot to avoid rainbow-ing up the break room. And if you're working from home, encourage employees to take their crafts in the fresh air!
While the best tie dye workshop will include things to dye, try giving your employees some company swag to stain! Bonus points if the swag has employees' faces printed on it (how's that for public recognition?).
How to get started 👉 Bring out your team's true colors in a virtual Tie Dye Workshop!
9. Show your love with good food 😋
Food is our love language. And your employees might feel the same way!
Ditch the standard pizza party and try a cooking class. You can choose from various cuisines and styles, from taco making classes to dumpling making classes. Every employee will walk away with new skills, recipes, and memories that will last a lifetime.
How to get started 👉 If tacos or dumplings aren't your team's thing, try an Italian Cooking Class!
10. Important: host a holiday party whenever you can 🚨
Holiday parties don't just mean your annual Christmas party or Employee Appreciation Day get-together. We mean reward employees with celebrations all year long!
Breaking free from the usual routine to genuinely show your gratitude helps employees feel valued, and when your employees are valued? Employee engagement skyrockets!
It's a win-win for everyone involved. 👏
For Employee Appreciation Day & beyond, choose Confetti 🎉
There's no rule on how many office parties one can have, only a budget. Confetti can work with your budget to help you plan the perfect office party for whenever you'd like. Whether your team wants to celebrate National Pirate Day or you simply want an office party to raise employee morale - we're here for it! 🙌
