With Halloween in the rearview mirror, the holiday season is officially upon us. As you brainstorm creative Thanksgiving dinner ideas for your family, don’t overlook your work family.

This Thanksgiving, take a moment to appreciate your dedicated, fun-loving team. A small gesture can leave a lasting impact. Here are five ways to show your employees how much you value them:

1. Express your gratitude with sincerity

“Please” may be the official magic word, but “thank you” is pretty special, too. It’s all in how you say it. A throw-away “thanks” can get lost in the shuffle and taken for granted, but a heartfelt and specific “thank you” can make someone feel seen. 

This Thanksgiving, take the time to thank your employees and tell them exactly why you appreciate them. Are they always doing that little bit extra, lifting up their peers, or maybe helping the team adapt to remote working? Whatever it is, let them know you really appreciate their contributions.

2. Go old school with a handwritten note

Our whole world is digital. With most of our conversations taking place online via email, texts, Slack channels, and social media, a handwritten note really stands out as something special. 

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to send a unique Thank You card to each of your employees. You can choose something seasonal or pick out a special card based on each employee’s personality and interests. Cards are also the perfect solution if you want to show your gratitude, but get a little tongue tied at the prospect of saying things out loud. 

3. Put on a feast

If your team is working in the office, you can boost that holiday vibe by serving your employees a delicious and festive Thanksgiving feast as a way to express gratitude for weathering 2020 together. And of course when it comes to feeding your office team, you can count on ezCater to have your back with more than 75,000 restaurants offering business catering nationwide, including perennial favorites like Carrabba’s Italian Grill, McAlister’s Deli, and Honey Baked Ham. 

This year, many of our restaurant partners like Denny’s, Buca di Beppo, Brio, and Boston Market have added new Thanksgiving-themed packages to serve everything from smaller teams to party-sized groups of 20 or more. Many of our catering partners offer COVID-smart individually packaged meals with contactless delivery, and plenty of options for dietary restrictions.

And if your team is not in the office, how about sending some catered meals to your local shelter or soup kitchen? Thanksgiving is an important time to say thanks to the people who help you out all year long, but it’s also an opportunity to give back to those who could use a helping hand. 

Explore your holiday catering options at ezCater.com.

4. Remember that great things come in small packages 

You don’t need to wait for December holidays to indulge in the joy of giving gifts. As the unofficial kickoff of the winter holiday season, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to show you care with a little something-something. 

And don’t stress. Gifts don’t have to be large or expensive to make your employees feel special. Gift cards to local coffee shops, restaurants, and bookstores are a great way to treat your employees while supporting local businesses. Another fun (and cost effective) idea is creating company swag like t-shirts and hats. Not only will people appreciate the thought, they’ll feel more part of the team.

5. Commit random acts of kindness and transform someone’s day

A little kindness goes a long way, especially when it’s unexpected. As the holiday that’s all about gratitude, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pay it forward by going out of your way to do a little something extra. 

This might look like treating someone to their favorite morning drink. It might be returning a favor with interest. It might be as simple as remembering someone’s birthday or asking how their kids are doing with remote school.  The best part—random acts of kindness are contagious. If you get the ball rolling, others are sure to join in! 

We hope this has given you some food for thought on how to thank your employees for a challenging year. If you’d like to make food a part of that, we’re here to cater your office Thanksgiving! Get started now at ezcater.com.