Every successful business owner and manager know you simply can’t put a price tag on a loyal and hardworking employee. That’s why it is important to recognize the people who have sacrificed so much to help your company thrive. If you are struggling to come up with unique and original employee anniversary recognition ideas have no fear – we’ve compiled a list of popular employee recognition ideas.

Formal Award Plaque

Let’s be honest – nothing screams formal and serious like a genuine award plaque given in front of others. An award plaque is a relatively simple idea, but it can have a huge impact on a recipient. There are countless companies that specialize in making plaques, and more than likely, you will have the opportunity to customize the plaque to your liking with memorable quotes and images. If you really want to go the full mile, a small trophy or figurine can accomplish the exact same effect.

Gift Card

Who doesn’t love gift cards? No seriously, name one person who has ever regretted receiving a gift card from their favorite retail store, restaurant or concert venue? Gift cards are small, convenient, and they also offer the following benefits:

• Some gift cards do not expire, but most have expiration dates that give the user plenty of time to use them.
• They often come in amounts ranging from $25 to $1,000. Fortunately, most people aren’t expecting a $1,000 gift card.
• Virtually everywhere offers some version of a gift card, and many places offer refillable cards that can be used repeatedly as long as a person uploads money.

If you aren’t sure what type of gift card to buy, you can try asking your other workers or a family member of the employee you wish to honor. If you don’t have time to do this, you can buy a generic gift card manufactured by a credit card company. These types of cards can be used everywhere, and most can even be used to withdraw money from tellers and make online purchases.

Time Off From Work

Time can be one of the most effective and valuable employee anniversary gifts, especially for an employee who has a lot on their plate. Your employees spend countless hours of their lives making your company successful, and a super easy way to repay them is to give them some of those hours back. If you have the power, don’t hesitate to give a hardworking and reliable employee a day (or a couple of days if they really go above and beyond) to simply sit back and relax.

If you really want to go the extra mile, you can even give them a small vacation package (no, you don’t have to buy them a ticket to Europe or the Caribbean). Buy them a vacation to a winery or consider giving them tickets to see their favorite artist. Whatever you decide to give, just be sure it will be appreciated before you spend the cash.

A Small Gift

If your employee is an introvert or not a fan of public recognition, you can try taking a more personal approach. Try buying them a small gift, such as a book or their favorite candy. Along with the gift, you can include a written note detailing their accomplishments and how much they mean to you. No, you don’t have to get “mushy,” but just be honest and express your appreciation in a sincere manner. Other small gifts that employees tend to appreciate include:

• Wine, beer, cigars (if they smoke or consume alcohol)
• Flowers
• Coffee or tea
• Gym membership (only if they are a health nut)

Whatever you choose, just be sure to include the note (the most important part of the gift).

Company Gathering

If your employee doesn’t mind public recognition, you could easily assemble a small party or gathering in their honor. If you elect to go the party route, you can supply refreshments and encourage the coworkers of the honored employed to bring small gifts. If the employee is more of the outdoorsy type, you could even organize a company picnic. During the event, you could have everyone say a few words in honor of your employee if you want to add a more sentimental touch.

Donate to Charity

Would you classify your employee as a humanitarian or a person who is interested in the welfare of their community? If so, you could try donating to their favorite cause in their name. If the employee participates in the community regularly, you could organize an office event where all of your employees volunteer their time towards a particular cause. This is a great idea if you have employees who enjoy giving back, and more than likely, they will never see this anniversary gift coming.