When you’re running a business, it’s important to honor company milestones. The occasional celebration is a great opportunity to show your appreciation for your employees and thank them for their contributions.

Benefits of celebrating milestones at work

Taking the time to celebrate company milestones can have valuable benefits:

  • Increased morale. Celebrations are a great way to recognize and appreciate employees. Showing your team that you value their work can improve morale and help each person feel excited about their job.
  • Higher retention rates. Including employees in company celebrations can boost engagement with the business and build a friendlier culture. This can go a long way toward increasing employee retention; 41% of employees leave their jobs for reasons related to engagement and culture.
  • Lower stress. A company celebration is an opportunity for your staff to step away from work and relax as a group. The time away from screens is particularly valuable—research shows that reduced screen time can improve mental well-being.

5 ways to commemorate company milestones

No matter your industry or company size, there are always company milestones to celebrate—you can recognize team awards, important achievements, or business and employee anniversaries. The occasions don’t always have to be official; successfully navigating the busy season is reason enough to throw a party.

To streamline the planning process, keep a list of ideas on hand. That way, you’re always prepared to honor an anniversary or recognize an achievement.

1. Plan a team activity
A fun, lighthearted activity is the perfect way to mark a big or small milestone. Take the whole team out for an afternoon adventure that suits the general mood. If employees are stressed, go to the movies; if they’re in need of a creative outlet, try a cooking class or a cocktail workshop.

You can also pick more interactive activities including:

  • Ice skating
  • Bowling
  • Arcade games
  • Escape room
  • Volunteering

Kick off the event with a short speech about the milestone you’re celebrating.

2. Give time off work
After your team delivers a particularly challenging project or completes the busiest month of the year, celebrate by giving them an extra paid day off. Make it a Friday or a Monday to create a long weekend—your employees can rest, take a mini vacation, or catch up on personal tasks. If your budget doesn’t have room for a full day off, surprise the team by sending them home early one afternoon; even a few extra free hours will feel like a special treat.

3. Throw a party
A party is always an appropriate way to mark a wide range of accomplishments and anniversaries. The scale of the event should match the milestone. If you’ve just completed construction on a new office, throw a grand-opening bash to introduce the space to employees, clients, and members of the public.

No matter the occasion, food is an important part of every party. Plan a menu that suits the style and size of the festivities, and make the menu available to guests in advance. This strategy builds anticipation and ensures a higher participation rate.

4. Give gifts
Some company milestones are so important and meaningful that you’ll want to remember them for years to come—your first anniversary in business, for example, or the day the company goes public. These occasions are worth celebrating with gifts, particularly if employees were closely involved in the process. Invest in items that will get plenty of use, such as branded jackets, engraved luxury pens, or upgraded electronics. Include a handwritten note to add a personal touch.

Gifts are also appropriate for smaller milestones. Hand out custom desk plaques when employees are promoted, or keep a stock of branded travel mugs on hand to give out when teams meet critical deadlines.

5. Host a company meal
A meal is one of the most versatile and accessible celebration ideas. Employees love free food, whether it comes in the form of a breakfast bar, a company-wide lunch, or a mid-afternoon box of cupcakes. Providing food at work enables the team to celebrate together without requiring employees to give their time outside business hours.

With Grubhub Corporate Accounts, celebrating company milestones with food is fast and convenient. There are multiple ways to order—you can schedule catering for a formal lunch or invite each person to choose their own meal.

To find out how a corporate ordering solution can help you celebrate your next company milestone, get started with Grubhub Corporate Accounts today.