An unforgettable birthday for every employee

As an employer, do you know which employee's birthday is next in line? Have you been giving the same gift to employees for years in a row?

We will help you in this post to make every birthday memorable in the future. Not by spending extra big, but rather by letting your creativity run wild.... What do you get in return? Motivated and engaged employees! So read on!

There are many reasons to take a moment to celebrate each employee's birthday. At first glance, it seems like something trivial, but it gives you as a company the opportunity to give a sign of recognition, to be that little bit closer to your employees. Many studies also show that recognition has a direct effect on employee performance. So celebrating birthdays is a simple way to show your employees that you care about them.

In this article, we'll give you a series of tips to give your employees' work happiness that extra boost. Get started!

Birthday squad

Now when reading the intro, you're thinking... "I'm too busy for this". Then our first tip is; look for volunteers who want to be part of the birthday squad. You will find some enthusiasts who want to join you.

Is the team formed? Then sit around the table together to further shape the ideas and initiatives. TIP: keep it realistic ... it would be a shame to have to stop certain initiatives because they end up being too much work.

Below are our tips to get started.

A little administration 

During the onboarding process, ask for the employee's birthday and keep track of it in your HR software tool (Excel is of course also possible). You then create a -yearly-repeating calendar invitation for each employee. Matter of not forgetting anyone!

Depending on your elaborated initiatives, set up several notifications, for example a few days in advance to make the necessary preparations.

Written congratulations

Step away from the classic pre-printed birthday cards. Do a brief survey of the people who work closely with him or her. Based on the input, write something personal that typifies the person in question.

Something personal  

If you want to go a step further, you can tailor the gift to the person in question, because nothing is more powerful than a customized gift. You are showing the employee that you know and respect him or her.

Again, go ask around among colleagues. Poll about interests, hobbies ... or make the gift even stronger by capitalizing on past conversations. Think of something the person could really use, something that could help in everyday life.... you will undoubtedly score with that last one!

Desk decorating  

You know that feeling... you arrive at the office assuming few know it's your birthday? But when you arrive, suddenly your entire desk is decorated.... :-). Nice to be the center of attention for a moment, isn't it?

Go for balloons, garlands ... and it's okay to overdo it. Just as if a birthday bomb has exploded.

TIP: Does the birthday boy or girl have a favorite color? Incorporate this into the decoration.

Is the birthday person always in the office early? Then make the necessary preparations the night before or in the morning when the birthday boy or girl often arrives a little later.

Gamification

As a company, do you want to go a step further and really create awareness around birthdays? Then the next team meeting is the ideal opportunity. Put a prize wheel in front and have the birthday celebrants from the past period spin....

Go for a variety of prizes: shopping vouchers, books, a day off.... This will be a fun fact to brighten up the team meeting.

Out of the box thinking

Sit around the table with the team and spend some time thinking about possible birthday gifts. A brainstorm here can lead to some very fun and creative ideas. For example:

• An individual wellness or massage near the office
• A day off work
• Lunch at company expense
• ...

Or a healthy and personalized gift box ... 😅

Discover the possibilities

How do you celebrate employee/colleague birthdays?