Why should you celebrate Valentine's Day with your team? 💞
Valentine’s Day is ripe with romantic dinners and whispers of sweet nothings. That’s… a little blegh in the workplace. But we still think the day’s worth celebrating in the office (we even have a Valentine's Day Collection)!
Valentine's is one of several holidays throughout the year when eating gobs of sweet treats is not only acceptable but encouraged. However, it's not just about filling your insides with decadent chocolates from a big heart-shaped box — it's also about how that experience brings everyone together.
Celebrating Valentine's Day allows you to do the same for your team, offering a fun bonding experience that has positive effects well after the sugar high has worn off.
Additionally, a Valentine's Day celebration at work can help you foster a more inclusive environment. Bringing your workforce together for some fun activities can make everyone feel embraced and truly valued. It puts the focus on positive employee relationships and raises the mood across the entire organization, and it's something everyone can participate in, regardless of their department or role.
Speaking of employees being valued, since the Valentine's Day spirit is all about love, it’s the perfect opportunity to display your employee appreciation and help your team destress from all their hard work.
Research from Gallup shows that employees who are recognized and appreciated may be up to 45% less likely to leave the organization. That same research indicates that how you show appreciation matters — that it needs to be authentic and embedded into the company culture.
That's your cue to start this year by making Valentine's Day celebrations part of your workplace culture. If you're not sure where to start, don't worry: We have plenty of ideas and resources to help you make this sweet celebration memorable and meaningful for every member of your team.
What are the benefits of employee appreciation? ❣️
We desire positive recognition from many people in our lives, such as family, friends, and teachers. It's no secret that people want the same amount of appreciation from their employers as well. When employee recognition is regularly implemented in the workplace, there are many benefits to company culture as a whole.
According to a Trust Index™ survey by employee recognition software company OC Tanner, compared to employees who don't feel appreciated by their employers, those who are consistently recognized are more likely to:
Contribute their best work
Your recognition and appreciation of an employee can give them a much-needed boost of confidence in themselves and their work. This increased confidence motivates them to put their best foot forward and makes them less hesitant to offer new and innovative ideas.
Believe that promotions are fair
When you recognize and appreciate employees for the work they do, they'll see the links between the value that employees bring to the workplace and the promotions they receive. This sentiment motivates your employees to work hard, knowing that it will pay off in the end.
Experience higher job satisfaction
With data showing that employee engagement is at an all-time low — with just 31% of employees showing signs of enthusiasm about their work — now is the time to ensure your company is bucking the trend by making employees feel appreciated.
Remain loyal
Employee recognition can also increase employees' loyalty to the company. When employees are shown consistent appreciation, they'll know that they're an important member of the team — that their role and presence make a difference in your organization. They'll believe that you value them as a person beyond just what they can produce for you.
Ready to give your employees the appreciation they deserve? Below we have a list of 11 sweet Valentine’s Day virtual activities for the workplace!
11 ideas for your virtual Valentine's Day celebrations:
1. Spread the love 💌
If you aren't already giving your employees regular words of affirmation, now is the time to start! Before moving on through our guide of team building activities, the most valuable thing you can do for your employees this Valentine's Day is to tell them how much you appreciate them. Gather your whole team around for an engaging presentation, where every person can anonymously give and publicly receive meaningful compliments. Think of it like a Secret Santa, but with Workplace Gratitude!
If making a public presentation isn't your style, you can still impact your team by sending with customized Valentine's Day eCards. The more specific and personal to each team member you can be, the better!
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? Spreading positive affirmations and words of gratitude around the office are perfect ways to carry the spirit of love to your team.
How to get started 👉 Let your team know they matter by booking Workplace Gratitude!
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2. Declare a bake-off 🧁
There's nothing a team workplace loves more than a challenge, so why not have one in a virtual cooking class? For some Valentine’s Day office fun, sign up for a cupcake decorating class. Your co-workers will love this fun and interactive way to unwind as they frost a box of cupcakes with sweet designs that they can share with their friends and family. At the end of the class, encourage everyone to share their cupcake creations and vote for the best decoration! Even though you can declare a winner, technically, the whole team wins. Because the prize is cupcakes. 🧁
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? It's not Valentine's Day if there are no sweets on the table. Instead of opting for store-bought chocolates this year, treat your team to a personal experience that allows your guests to share some laughs and make positive memories together.
How to get started 👉 Sprinkle a bunch of fun in Valentine's Day Cupcake Decorating!
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3. Play some Valentine's Day games 🧠
If you like to keep things simple, but engaging, then play Valentine’s Day team building games! A game is an easy way for your team to connect on a holiday that's all about connection. After a busy holiday season, an activity like a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt may be hard to throw together for your virtual team. Let Confetti handle the games instead!
Your team will love a round of Valentine's Day Coworker Clash. In this team building Valentine's Day trivia game, led by a lively game show host, players will compete to guess the answer to survey-style questions with a Valentine's Day theme.
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? Considering February is the new hire season, virtual games like Coworker Clash make for wonderful icebreakers. In Valentine's Day Coworker Clash, your large group will be broken up into teams, allowing each person the chance to work with new faces and form bonds outside of their department!
How to get started 👉 Create some friendly competition between coworkers in Valentine's Day Coworker Clash!
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4. Raise a glass 🍸
Here's a great valentine's day gift for the team: a happy hour!
Consider ending the day with a mixology class where they'll learn how to make some unique-themed cocktails. Plus, they'll walk away with expert mixology tips and ideas they can use to wow their valentine!
As an alternative option, you can host a wine tasting. Invite each employee to bring a bottle of their favorite wine and share recommendations.
To have them head over heels, plan it for the last hour of the workday. That way, they’re not missing out on each other's company due to work obligations or sacrificing after-hours quality time with their valentines.
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? A virtual happy hour may seem overdone, but nothing compares to giving your team a chance to spend time unwinding and socializing in a way that's impossible during the workday.
How to get started 👉 Shake up the party with a Mixology Class!
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5. Get crafty 🎨
Remembrandt that love is the greatest muse of all. 🖼 Make the best virtual Valentine’s Day party with wholesome, creative fun. Arts and crafts classes offer a chance to destress from the workday and equip your team with a homemade gift for their loved ones.
Participants can choose to paint what's in their hearts or get inspired by prompts featuring themes like romance, sweet treats, and more!
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? People love to tap into their creative side, so an arts and crafts experience is a wonderful choice for Valentine's Day. If your colleagues are participating at home with their kids, invite them to join in on the event as well!
How to get started 👉 Art imitates life in a Valentine's Day Painting Class!
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6. Arrange a group fundraising effort ⚖️
In addition to spreading the love at work, spread love to your greater community as well. Valentine's Day is an excellent holiday to center charity in your team building activities and boost employee engagement in your charitable giving efforts year-round.
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? Charitable giving as a company gives everyone those warm, Valentine's feelings. Charitable giving increases company morale and pride in the organization. Plus, there's no better team building activity than bringing employees from all levels to contribute towards a greater goal!
7. Make life sweeter with a box of chocolates 🍫
There's nothing that screams "Happy Valentine's Day" more than chocolate. Instead of limiting your taste buds to the usual grocery store selections, add some spice with a virtual chocolate-tasting experience.
Participants in this activity get a chance to learn the history of chocolate and how it's made. Plus, you'll delight everyone's senses with six bite-sized chocolate varieties that can be customized to meet a range of dietary restrictions.
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? Chocolates are indeed a Valentine's Day staple, and it's easy to get your team excited about this activity. A chocolate tasting allows you to turn what might be another mundane workday into one that's fun, engaging, and interactive. Who knew that eating chocolate could be such a bonding experience?
How to get started 👉 Send some love right to their doorsteps with virtual chocolate-tasting kits!
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8. Make a note of it 📝
Did you hear the news? Valentine's Day cards are so passé! What can you do instead? Help your team write heartfelt handwritten notes to each other in style!
A hand-lettering class is the perfect addition to a Valentine's Day activity list since it includes both educational and hands-on elements. Your team will learn all about different hand-lettering styles and then practice basic techniques like brush lettering, script lettering, blending, adding depth, and incorporating embellishments.
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? What shows a person how much you love and appreciate them more than telling them in writing? A handwritten letter is a meaningful way to express your thoughts and recognize how much your team contributes to the company and to each other.
How to get started 👉 Give your team a Valentine's Day gift that keeps on giving by helping them develop hand-lettering skills!
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9. Don't forget to sweat your pets 🐶
Humans aren't the only ones who want to feel loved on Valentine's Day. As you plan your celebrations this year, don't forget to share the love with your team members' furry friends. Boost morale by allowing everyone to bring their pets to the virtual office. Make sure their fur babies don't get left out of "love day" by hosting a BYO Pet Treat Baking Class.
You can choose kits with either dog or cat treats. The class will teach your team how to select ingredients that are safe for their pets as well as techniques to make fun and tasty oven-baked treats they're sure to devour.
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? Pets need love, too! Nothing brings your team together like introducing their canines and kittens to one another. It's a unique bonding experience that you all won't soon forget.
How to get started 👉 Get your pet-appropriate ingredient list so your team can start shopping today!
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10. Bring your celebrations full circle 🫶
When you think of wreaths, what comes to mind? If it's images of red and green or silver bells, it's time to change your tune. Wreaths are a great addition to any holiday decor — Valentine's Day included.
Our wreath-making class will guide your team in using an assortment of flowers and other beautiful materials to make a heart-shaped wreath that will bring joy to all who encounter it. A dedicated teaching artist will make sure everyone walks away with a finished product they love and the skills to produce as many as they want.
Why is this a great activity for Valentine's Day? It's true that Valentine's Day is indeed a special time set aside for showing love and celebrating your team. However, it doesn't have to stop there. Our wreath-making class gives everyone a skill they can use year-round. No matter the holiday, their wreath-making abilities will help them make it fun and festive.
How to get started 👉 Get your team in a crafty mood and order your team's Valentine's wreath-making kits for some heartfelt holiday fun!
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11. Plan a fun Valentine's themed scavenger hunt 🔍
After eating plenty of chocolate, it's a great time to get up and get moving! Send your team on a fun scavenger hunt, complete with a list of items worth different point values.
Feel free to get creative, but your list might include ideas like:
- Something with a message of love
- A heart-shaped item
- A tasty chocolate treat
- A bouquet of flowers
- A red or pink item of clothing
This is a creative and fun way to let individuals compete for the title of scavenger hunt champion or to divide up into teams to connect with each other.
Got remote teams? This is still a great way to connect! You can plan this type of activity as a photo-based scavenger hunt, inviting team members to take pictures of the relevant items from around their homes or neighborhoods.
Plan your Valentine's Day celebration with Confetti ❣️
Aside from the depictions of romantic love and secret admirers that flood Valentine's season, it's possible to make this a date that's celebrated in the office. Showing your teams some love doesn't have to be cheesy — you can do it in an impactful and fun way!
After all, the spirit of Valentine's is about letting people know how much you care for and appreciate them. Spend Valentine's Day showing your employees how much they mean to you — this February and all year round!
Need more Valentine's Day activities? Create team building memories with our Valentine's Day Collection!
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