Celebrating special occasions at work

Last week we began to explore how to bring joy to the workplace through celebrations. We touched on marking your calendar to remember birthdays, Administrative Professional’s Day, and other fun occasions.

The simplest way to show someone how much you and others care is through a good old-fashioned card. I think now more than ever, a real card means a lot to people. With most of our communication being done via email, social media, or text/call, getting a card stands out.

You can go as elaborate or as simple as you like here. If you don’t have a “party fund” where everyone contributes an amount they feel comfortable giving every year or every quarter for special occasions, you can make your own card. There are free templates and card makers online where you can create cards in just a few minutes.

If you do have a party fund or are able to buy cards for co-workers on your own, stock up on appropriate, fun cards the next time you visit a dollar store. I like to get cards to match various personalities. For example, my friend Cara was nicknamed The Princess when she worked in our department for the City of Noblesville, so I was always on the lookout for any card with a tiara!

If you don’t know everyone quite yet, stay on the safe side and stick to themes like balloons, cake, candles, etc. I always make certain that I know someone well before going into the “humorous card” territory. You also should remember to respect different cultures.

Next, create a check list of names you can print off for each card signing occasion. End the checklist with the phrase “last person to sign the card please return to Amy” or whatever your name is. I put this checklist in a brightly colored folder labeled “signature needed” along with the card and place it on the first person’s chair so he or she can easily see it.

If you’re not in an office, you can put the folder along with a pen in a hidden location in a common area such as the break room and give everyone a heads up via email or text about it.

One important note – give people a lot of time to sign the card. I try to get the folder circulating at least the day before the special occasion if not sooner. You never know when someone might have a day off, a big project they must complete, or an emergency. If someone’s on vacation or ill, you can always sign their name and put “signature on file” – something we jokingly did at the City of Noblesville.

I always sign the card first to set the tone. Depending on how well I know the individual, I’ll put a sincere compliment, “inside” (departmental) joke, or at least a comment about what a pleasure it is to work with the person.

Once you get the card back, now it’s delivery time! You can tape it to the person’s door or locker, leave it in their coat, on their chair, etc. I try to make it a surprise whenever possible, since most people love (nice) surprises. If you just can’t make a surprise happen, there’s nothing wrong with giving it to someone before lunch or the end of their shift with a smile and a wish for a great day.

Most of the time now, people aren’t even getting many cards from their own family or circle of friends. This small gesture will make their day, week, or month!

Amy Shankland is a writer and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John, two sons, two dogs and a cat. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.