These Corporate Milestone Gifts Are So Much More Thoughtful Than a Plaque

Show your staff you really care and want to celebrate their wins with one of these meaningful ideas.

Just like sharing a Valentine’s Day or anniversary card with your plus one is better than pretending like the occasion doesn’t exist, awarding an employee a certificate or plaque is better than no recognition alone.

 The clichéd and often templatized nature of all of these gestures makes them far less impactful, however. A significant milestone should be highly personalized and overwhelmingly thoughtful, and these items have been overused to the point of potentially losing their meaning. 
As you start to build out your corporate reward structure, it’s wise to consider setting aside budget and a gameplan to commemorate significant milestones and reward loyalty. A work anniversary (AKA “workiversary”) is the perfect chance to tip a cap to your employees and celebrate the exciting opportunities ahead. For many businesses, work anniversary gifts are awarded after a staff member dedicates 1 year, 5 years and 10 years with the company, as well as every 5-year mark after that. 

Even if you have a milestone strategy in place, though, that doesn't mean you’re done after one. Random, unexpected gifts and a year-round culture of gratitude and recognition will foster loyalty and boost morale. 

Calling out a valued team members’ accomplishments and dedication to the company will make them feel like they matter to you and in turn will make them loyal.

Expert Tips to Give Work Anniversary Gifts That Matter

As you start to flesh out your milestone package plan, keep these general best practices in mind.

• Pay attention. In line with one the biggest corporate gift trends, for milestones, it’s wise to make each package personalized. Get to know your staff member’s interests and hobbies outside of the office, and try to align your award with that. The unique nature will make your investment memorable and deliver the message you’re aiming to send: “Thank you for your dedication. You matter, and we’re glad you’re part of our team.”

• Scale up. The more significant the milestone, the more profound the gift should be. For the 1-year and 5-year anniversary, secure a nice memento, pair it with some personalized touches (for a java fan, a handwritten card signed by the team stuffed with gift cards to every local coffee shop for a DIY drink tour) and call it good. Raise the value as they rise up in seniority.

• Set a budget. For equity, aim to stick to about the same price range to recognize employees at the same anniversary category (1 year, 5 year, 10 year…).

• Start early. Keep a master calendar of employee start dates, then set a reminder on the anniversary dates themselves and one month prior to that date so you have enough time to plan ahead.

The Best Corporate Milestone Gift Ideas

If you could use some inspiration for where to get started, here are some work anniversary gift ideas that will send a thoughtful, unforgettable message. 

Time Off

Since time doing what you love is priceless, consider granting the celebrant with a bonus half-day or full-day of paid time off is a terrific option for an occasion like a 1-year work anniversary. That way, they can choose to sleep in, leave early or extend their weekend to make the most of their desired out of office time. As the commitment escalates, consider a paid sabbatical so the recipient can take a vacation, sign up for a course or simply unplug and recharge. 

Charitable Donation

Ideal for a 5-year anniversary (so you have time to familiarize yourself with the organizations your employee supports), making a donation in your team member’s name is extremely thoughtful. If you’re not sure on the exact 501(c)(3) they donate to personally, brainstorm charities that align with their passions. A few ideas that have all earned an “A” rating from Charity Watch:

• Civil Rights: American Civil Liberties Union 

• Environment: Wildlife Conservation Society

• Cancer: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

• Kids: World Vision

• LGBTQ+: The Trevor Project

• Hunger: City Harvest

• Mental Health: Mental Health America

• Veterans: Semper Fi + America’s Fund

TLC

A self-care-focused gift is a terrific option for a 5-year or 10-year work milestone. Try pairing a gift card to a local day spa with a basket of at-home spa products, a pair of slippers and a robe to keep the “treat yourself” energy going. This sends a beautiful message that you care about your employee’s wellbeing and respect them as a human (not just a contributor to your bottom line).

Art

A stellar option for a 10-year or 15-year anniversary if the staff member collects art or enjoys decorating their office space. If you don’t want to dive into portraits, landscapes or abstract art, a customized print noting their name and unique talents can be a unique departure from the plaque route—and a way to call out all the many aspects you admire and appreciate about the individual.

A Getaway Experience Box 

For 15 years and beyond, any and all of the above at a larger scale (more days off, larger donations, etc.) all work well. Or curate a thoughtful vacation-inspired box to tip a cap to their favorite city, and share it with a prepaid debit card for them to use at restaurants, spas, classes or whatever their heart desires during their well-deserved retreat. “Allowing recipients to choose their own vacation adventure is a great way to show appreciation to some of the more senior recipients,” Nebons says.