6 Easy, Low-Cost Ways to Delight Your Employees During the Holidays

It’s a proven fact: recognizing and rewarding employees for a job well done increases employee engagement. And during the holidays, when everyone in your store(s) likely feels overworked and stressed out, showing your employees your appreciation becomes especially important. And the good news is, you don’t need a ton of cash to make an impact. In fact, studies show that cash is only a short-term motivator for most people.

Here are five quick and low-cost ways to say, “thank you” that will delight some of the most valuable people in your life—your employees!

Cake Break
Food brings everyone together, especially when that food is cake. It’s more festive and lunch-y than donuts. Stop by your local bakery on the way into the store and surprise your employees with an afternoon cake break.

Public Recognition
At your next meeting, take a few minutes to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in your business. And don’t forget to compliment the entire team in areas where you feel they’ve excelled.

VIP Parking
If you live in a state with freezing cold winters or steaming hot summers, you appreciate a rock star parking spot. Prime parking is reserved for your customers, of course, but go ahead and designate a great spot in the employee lot for the employee of the month.

Traveling Trophy
Whether you purchase an actual trophy or something silly (think garden gnome!) to award a deserving employee, it’s sure to be a coveted trophy. Keep a visible list of employees who have received the trophy in the past and let them know how they can earn it.

Get the Good Coffee
Little niceties such as great-quality coffee in the break room go a long way toward employee satisfaction, so spring for some high-class java for your employees this season (Illy or Blue Bottle works beautifully!). Don’t have a coffee machine? Invest in a Keurig—they start at $99—and ask your employees what K-Cups they want.

Handwritten Note of Gift Card
People save hand-written notes and typically trash emails. So, take some time to write a handwritten note to each of your employees before New Year’s to let them know that you appreciate their hard work over the past year. Sweeten the sentiments by including a small gift card in each envelope.

Photo by Karley Saagi from Pexels

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