13 creative ways to reward your employees this holiday season
- Posted By: Limo Anywhere
Now that we're fully immersed in the holiday season, it's the perfect time to recognize your hard working employees. With even the slightest kind gesture, you can show them how much you appreciate them and how they're a huge asset to your growing business.
Making a move, on your part, could even motivate your employees to stay in business with you. A survey by Glassdoor found that more than 50 percent of respondents would stay longer if the boss expressed his or her appreciation.
Recognizing your workers could seal your fate as a business owner. Looking for a creative way to reward them around Christmas and New Year's? Here are 13 ideas:
1. Be more than a boss
You shouldn't just be the person your employees are intimidated by – you should be looked at as a confidant, too. Inc. Magazine recommended taking interest in your employees and being more than just their boss. Show that you're interested in what they do outside of work – it'll form a new bond between the two of you.
2. Show them the kind of respect you'd expect
Contrary to popular belief, the customer is not always right. Recognize your employees through a hard situation and always have their backs. They deserve the same amount of respect you'd expect in return.
3. Write a thank you letter
A genuine token of appreciation, in the form of kind written words, can move mountains. Sit down and write personalized thank you letters for each one of your team members. Highlight what they've done – specifically – to help the company grow.

4. Send home a personal Christmas card
Much like a thank you letter, sending a Christmas card to your employees' homes shows you're grateful for their hard work, especially around the holidays.
5. Encourage them with a brag board
Any time your workers make a great impression on customers, it deserves to be showcased for the company to see. Create a brag board and hang up positive reviews and feedback your team members have received.
"Throw an after-hours party with an open bar and endless appetizers."
6. Throw a holiday party
Your employees will likely be celebrating with their families this Christmas, but no one can ever attend too many holiday celebrations. Throw an after-hours party with an open bar and endless appetizers for the company to enjoy.
7. Provide a catered lunch
If you can't swing a holiday party after work, just provide a catered lunch during office hours.
8. Brighten their mornings with a cup of coffee
Before your employees head home for the holidays, choose a day to provide them with their morning cup of joe. Give each worker his or her choice of specialty coffee, or grab a carafe of gourmet brew to share with everyone.
9. Give the gift of flexible hours
It's the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the most hectic. By giving the gift of flexible hours, you're showing your team members that you care enough to offer more time to do last-minute gift shopping, travel home for the holidays or simply spend time relaxing during this chaotic time. From sign-up to no deposit bonus!

10. Hand out an extra paid day off
If you want to take a step further, surprise your workers with an extra paid day off. Just send an email or make a phone call the night before. Much like the trusty meteorologist who just called to announce a snow day for the kids, you're going to make each team member's night.
11. Provide company swag
Want to give your workers a brand-inspired present? Insperity recommended handing out company apparel. This is a simple and inexpensive, yet thoughtful way to say thank you around the holidays.
12. Give out a holiday bonus
You can give out dozens of trinkets, kind words and meals to your employees, but they likely won't react in the same manner if they received a monetary holiday bonus instead. You know your workers have spent plenty of their hard-earned paycheck on Christmas gifts this year – so consider giving them a little extra.
13. Offer a raise
If an employee has hit incredible numbers for your business since January, now's the perfect time to consider that raise. Think of the joy and light you'd bring to his and her life – a raise around Christmas time means a stress-free holiday season, which few and far between can come by.