Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday to show your employees a little extra care. While chocolate and flowers may be the conventional options, there are other, more meaningful ways you can show them how much their work is valued.
Don’t wait until the last minute, and start preparing with one of these employee-focused plans today.
Host An Employee Appreciation Party
You could even begin a tradition with an annual gathering as a company-wide gift. This will give everyone something to look forward to and may even become a favorite employee perk.
Be sure to send out party details and information in advance so that employees can make schedule changes to prioritize attendance.
Holding it during regular office hours guarantees much more participation as you need to consider those who have outside commitments off-hours.
Note: If you plan on including alcohol, it is your responsibility to ensure everyone has a safe way to return home.

Publicly Recognize Hard Work
Give everyone a chance to shine by publicly acknowledging each employee’s work and dedication. You can do this through a company-wide email, including a personalized thank you on your business social media, or creating a printed kudos list to post in the break room. Be sure to use the names of each person and include quotes from managers or coworkers about the impact of their contribution to the work environment.
Taking the time to celebrate little wins can go a long way towards making employees feel valued and respected.
And, of course, publicly thanking them throughout the year goes a long way.

Send Your Staff a Gift
You could even have a fruit or snack basket delivered to their home address if you’re able to go the extra mile.
A lot of it depends on the size of your company as it can get pricey. For instance, a smaller company has more flexibility, but there are ways to make it happen even with many employees.
The key is to find something meaningful, memorable, and even better if it’s useful. These types of gifts express gratitude while also reinforcing positive company culture. To follow are some ideas to consider:
- Coffee mug (not the typical company mug with a logo, but something that says they’re appreciated)
- Desk toy (preferably not a noisy option)
- Gift certificate for an additional hour at lunch or a “show up an hour late to work” hall pass
Get creative as not all gifts have to cost money.
When you treat your employees well, they return the favor with better attitudes and a higher level of productivity.