While the official 2014 Employee Appreciation Day (March 7 FYI) is still months away, companies can get a head-start on this fun professional holiday by doing a little early planning. Just as the name suggests, this is a day when companies and businesses show appreciation to their hard-working employees. It’s not uncommon for companies to conveniently ‘forget’ to show appreciation to their employees during the other 364 days of the year; however, Employee Appreciation Day is a helpful reminder to companies throughout the world to show workers appreciation.

How Employee Appreciation Day Started

Employee Appreciation Day popped up in the mid 1990s. It’s unknown who exactly is responsible for creating or celebrating the world’s first Employee Appreciation Day. With that said, the general consensus is that Employee Appreciation Day started to balance Boss’s Day (October 16). After all, why should bosses receive all the recognition and attention? A couple companies probably launched their own form of an Employee Appreciation Day, and then the idea slowly spread. It didn’t take long before this professional holiday became official, and now it’s a staple date in most calendars.

List of Employee Appreciation Day Ideas

• Make an announcement on your company’s social media networking pages.
• Allow employees to wear casual attire to work (assuming they normally wear formal).
• Bring in free breakfast and/or lunch.
• Have an out-of-the-office game or event (softball, kickball, picnic, etc.).
• Eliminate the negativity and encourage a more positive attitude on the Employee Appreciation Day.
• Perform a rewards ceremony where you hand each employee his or her own personalized trophy or plaque.
• Verbally communicate to your employees why you appreciate their efforts.
• Create a handwritten letter expressing gratitude towards your employees.
• Although this isn’t always possible for all businesses, you could cut the workday short on Employee Appreciation Day, sending employees home early.
• Give your employees free gifts, such as coffee mugs, gift cards, company-branded t-shirts, or goodie bags.

These are just a few of the countless number of ideas for celebrating a successful Employee Appreciation Day. We’re still a good ways off from this March 7 holiday, but planning for it now will take some of the burden off your shoulders once this day approaches. Just remember to focus on your employees during this holiday, showing them appreciation, recognition, and respect. Employees are the driving force behind any successful company, so show them the appreciation they deserve on March 7, 2014.