The holiday season is all about gratitude, giving, and showing people they matter. For companies, it's a prime moment to make employees feel seen, appreciated, and valued, not just with words, but with meaningful gestures.
Why Gratitude Matters in the Workplace
The concept of Thanksgiving giving goes beyond tradition. Celebrating blessings, expressing generosity, and reinforcing the values of community, faith, and appreciation drive loyalty and morale in the workplace.
As Melody Beattie said, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.” When corporate leaders infuse gratitude into their culture, they unlock stronger teams and deeper connections. According to studies, employees who feel appreciated perform better, stay longer, and contribute more. A simple act of thankfulness can inspire lasting loyalty.
5 Creative Ways to Express Gratitude to Your Team
While a simple “thank you” goes a long way, employees often remember the moments when appreciation is shown in thoughtful, tangible ways. Here are five creative and practical ideas to help you celebrate your team and make gratitude part of your company culture.
1. Feed the Love with Food
Everyone connects over a meal. Offering employees a warm meal, a catered lunch, or a gift certificate for turkey or ham is a practical and heartfelt gesture that says, "We’re grateful to have you on our team."
2. Write a Handwritten Thank-You Note
Yes, actual paper. Words carry weight, especially when written by hand. Take five minutes to pen a note to your top performers or every team member. It’s a keepsake they’ll revisit.
3. Celebrate Milestones
Don’t wait for an annual review. Acknowledge wins, anniversaries, or promotions. Add some flair with small gifts, certificates, or fun holiday season awards.
4. Give Personalized, Useful Gifts
The holiday season is an opportunity to think beyond generic swag. Does someone love gardening? Get them a plant. A bookworm? A bookstore gift card. Personalization can be a powerful way to demonstrate gratitude for your unique team members.
5. Publicly Praise and Recognize
Give praise in meetings or newsletters. Public acknowledgment boosts morale and shows others what kind of work earns appreciation.
Giving Back as a Team
One of the most meaningful ways to live out Thanksgiving giving is by serving others together. When employees join forces to help the community, it strengthens bonds, boosts morale, and reminds everyone that their work has a greater purpose. Shared acts of generosity not only provide much-needed support to others but also inspire unity and pride within your organization.
Here are a few powerful ways your team can give back together this holiday season:
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Volunteer together at a local food bank, church, or shelter. Working side by side to serve a warm meal to someone in need creates a lasting memory.
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Donate as a group to local organizations that provide food, clothing, and shelter for struggling families.
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Partner with one of many churches that organize Thanksgiving Day and holiday season outreach events, giving your team a chance to meet and encourage people directly.
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Organize a donation drive for food, funds, or essentials, and encourage employees to participate together. Matching employee donations doubles the impact.
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Sponsor meals or food kits for seniors and households in need, ensuring no person goes without during the fall holidays.
When employees give back as a team, the rewards are twofold: those in need experience kindness and support, and your workforce gains the joy that comes from serving with a spirit of gratitude.
Gratitude That Lasts Beyond the Holidays
Thanksgiving is a moment, but gratitude is a mindset. To keep the spirit of giving alive, companies can weave appreciation into everyday interactions, not just once a year during holiday celebrations.
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Encourage regular shoutouts during meetings or weekly recognition moments so employees feel seen and valued.
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Promote small, random acts of generosity among peers that build an ongoing culture of kindness, like offering help on a project or leaving a positive note at someone’s desk.
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Create space for employees to share their own gratitude stories, whether in team meetings or a company newsletter, so appreciation becomes contagious. You can also encourage leaders to practice “gratitude walkarounds,” taking a few minutes each week to personally thank employees for specific contributions.
When gratitude becomes part of your company culture, it goes beyond a seasonal event. It builds stronger teams, reinforces shared values, and creates a ripple of goodness that extends well into the new year and beyond.
Give Thanks with Turkey or Ham
When it comes to showing appreciation, the best gifts are the ones that are both thoughtful and useful. This Thanksgiving, choose gratitude that makes an impact. Recognize your team, support your community, and start a tradition that blends generosity, joy, and meaning. Let Turkey or Ham help you do it right with customizable gift certificates that show your team how much you care.
At Turkey or Ham, you set the dollar amount, and your employees choose what works best for their family. With no minimum orders, fast turnaround, and reliable service, it’s a no-stress way to give thanks, whether you’re recognizing five employees or five hundred.
Order today and make your workplace part of something truly good this holiday season.