With 1^st quarter winding down, your team has gotten this year’s goals off to a running start. While they are diligently working through quarterly goals, the start of 2^nd quarter and Springtime is a great time to show thanks for their efforts. There may be spring fever and longer lunches outdoors looming, but a surprise gift of thanks will keep them running strong as they are made to feel appreciated.

Administrative Professionals Day is April 26^th. Letting your admin know you appreciate them is often overlooked in the everyday hustle. Giving them an Administrative Professionals Day gift is a sure fire way to make them feel appreciated.

Employee relocation – Are you sending your employee off to a new location? Consider giving them a send-off gift specific to their new location or a custom gift basket designed for their new home. Every state or major city has foods they’re known for; mix a few up with a couple of personalized mugs or other destination themed gifts specific to their interests, and they’ll be happy to continue over-achieving in their new locale.

Life milestones - According to a recent Gallup poll, 65% of people say they don’t feel appreciated at work.For many, the demands of work life interfere with home life, and nothing compounds that stress more than feeling under appreciated. For employees who give their all, during all hours, let them know that you value their time and dedication. A great way to do this is to recognize out of the office life milestones such as getting married, having a baby, or losing a loved one. Giving them the time they need for life’s adjustment, and sending an appropriate gift will speak volumes.

Team outings – For many companies spring is the longest stretch without a paid holiday. Break up those months with a day dedicated to a fun team outing. A team building activity, day of volunteering, or simply a social gathering in the interest of strengthening team relationships can go a long way to keeping up morale. And make Memorial Day feel a lot less far away!

Employee appreciation and gift giving go hand-in-hand but even with a next-to-nothing budget, you can boost your team morale. A little goes a long way, so words of appreciation and gratitude should be daily rituals. A personalized greeting card for a birthday or as a way of saying thanks at the end of a project will mean much toward team satisfaction. Whatever your budget or HR policy allows, just be sure to keep gratitude top of mind and keep your top employees in it for the long run.