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Virtual employee appreciation ideas have come a long way since the days of awkward Zoom happy hours and e-cards that never got opened.
These days, remote and hybrid teams expect more — more connection, more recognition, and more reasons to stay engaged. When you’re not bumping into coworkers in the hallway, it’s easy to feel invisible. But with meaningful recognition at least once a week, employees are 9x more likely to feel a strong sense of belonging — according to Achievers’ 2025 State of Recognition Report.
That’s where virtual appreciation makes a real difference. Done right, it reinforces the behaviors that drive your culture forward and reminds employees that what they do actually matters — no matter where they’re working from.
Let’s get into 20 virtual employee appreciation ideas that help your people feel like part of the team, even when they’re miles apart.
20 virtual employee appreciation ideas to keep your remote team connected
Even the most engaged remote teams need a little lift now and then. Without the casual hallway chats or spontaneous high-fives, moments of recognition can slip through the cracks. That’s why the best virtual employee appreciation ideas are intentional, inclusive, and — above all — easy to act on.
Whether you’re running a fully remote team or just trying to keep hybrid employees connected, these ideas are designed to help recognition stick (and actually mean something).
Experiences & activities
1. Host virtual team-building events
Skip the awkward icebreakers. Think digital escape rooms, trivia nights, or scavenger hunts with real (and fun) prizes. Whether it’s Jackbox, Kahoot, or a Slack-based scavenger hunt, the goal is connection, not competition.
2. Plan virtual happy hours
Theme it. Gamify it. Hire a virtual mixologist. Just don’t make it another forced fun meeting. Send a drink stipend and keep it light — no slide decks allowed.
3. Create hobby clubs, ERGs, or shared interest groups
From book clubs and running groups to fantasy leagues and sourdough Slack channels, remote employees crave connection beyond project updates. Support grassroots interest groups and employee resource groups (ERGs) that reflect your team’s identities, passions, and values. And don’t forget to recognize the employees who keep these communities active — they’re building belonging behind the scenes.
4. Offer wellness programs
Meditation apps. Yoga sessions. Step challenges. Not just nice-to-haves — they’re a business investment in focus, energy, and retention. Recognize employees who engage consistently and celebrate health-focused goals, not just output.
5. Launch skill-swap workshops
Let employees take the mic and teach something they’re passionate about — from coding shortcuts to coffee brewing. It’s part appreciation, part connection, and a solid reminder that your team is full of multi-talented humans.
6. Organize virtual lunches
Send out food delivery gift cards and invite the team to eat together, cameras optional. It’s a simple, tangible gesture that says: “You matter. Also, please eat something.”
7. Celebrate employee milestones
Work anniversaries, birthdays, first project launches — they all deserve a moment. Go beyond a Slack emoji with digital cards, custom videos, or platform-based shout-outs. Tie the moment to company values to make it stick.
8. Encourage flexible schedules and reboot days
Remote work should go hand-in-hand with real workplace flexibility. Let employees choose when and how they work — and consider quarterly “reboot days” where everyone logs off and recharges. Recognition doesn’t always look like a trophy.
9. Support their home office setup
A decent chair. A second monitor. A plant they won’t kill. These upgrades show you’re invested in how they work, not just what they deliver. Stipends, care packages, or workspace contests can all deliver appreciation in disguise.
Recognition & rewards
10. Make social recognition easy and frequent
Recognition shouldn’t require a calendar invite. Use a recognition platform that fits into daily workflows — Slack, Teams, email — so appreciation becomes a reflex, not a task. And make it social, so everyone sees the impact.
11. Personalize every “thank you”
“Great job” is generic. “Thanks for jumping in to fix the client issue and saving the day — again” hits differently. Encourage employees and managers to call out the specific action and its ripple effect.
12. Go public with your praise
Recognition lands harder when it’s shared. Use your company newsletter, platform feed, or even social media (with permission) to spotlight great work. Normalize celebration, not just evaluation.
13. Layer in reward points that matter
Back recognition with points employees can redeem for things they actually want — from local experiences to global brands. A rewards marketplace with no markups gives more value per dollar and more motivation per win.
14. Let peers recognize each other
Some of the most meaningful appreciation comes from coworkers. Make peer-to-peer recognition easy, visible, and encouraged — and reward employees who use it regularly.
15. Send care packages that feel human, not corporate
Snacks, swag, handwritten notes, even cozy socks — care packages are a low-effort, high-feel-good move. Tailor them to the person (and please, no more generic mugs).
16. Create personalized digital awards
Forget cheesy clip art trophies. Build custom, shareable awards tied to real achievements — like “Mentorship MVP” or “Most Likely to Save the Launch.” Make them fun, meaningful, and easy to display or share.
17. Give public endorsements on LinkedIn
Want to really show appreciation? Write a thoughtful LinkedIn recommendation. It’s free, it’s personal, and it boosts both morale and professional growth. Win-win.
18. Donate to a cause they care about
Recognition doesn’t always have to come to them. Let employees choose a charity and make a donation in their name. It shows you’re paying attention — and that your values align with theirs.
19. Send company swag that employees will wear
Branded swag isn’t just about logos — it’s about identity. Whether it’s a cozy hoodie, a sleek water bottle, or a tote they’ll actually use, great swag builds team pride and reinforces a sense of belonging. Platforms like Achievers offer branded company swag ideas built right into their rewards marketplace, making it easy to get the right gear to the right people, wherever they are.
20. Send e-gift cards with a personal touch
Sometimes, the simplest rewards are the most appreciated. A personalized e-gift card — for coffee, lunch, or their favorite store — shows you’re paying attention and gives employees the freedom to treat themselves.
How to bring your virtual appreciation strategy to life
Great virtual employee appreciation doesn’t happen by accident. It takes consistency, relevance, and a human touch — the kind that makes people feel like more than just a name in a Zoom grid.
Here’s how to turn all these ideas into a strategy that sticks:
Personalize recognition
A blanket “great job” won’t cut it. Tailor recognition to the individual — their interests, contributions, and communication style. Whether it’s a gift tied to a hobby or a shout-out for something they value, relevance is what makes appreciation land.
Include employees’ families
For many remote workers, home and work blur together — and recognition can reflect that. Add family-focused options to your rewards marketplace, like toys, pet accessories, or experiences they can share with loved ones. Recognizing the whole picture brings a deeper layer of meaning to your culture of care.
Integrate communication tools
Recognition shouldn’t feel like extra work. Build it into your daily workflow with integrations for Workday, Slack, Microsoft Teams, or wherever your people already collaborate. The easier it is to give appreciation, the more naturally it happens.
Celebrate achievements and milestones
Don’t wait for anniversaries to roll around. Celebrate when someone launches a new feature, mentors a peer, or finishes a tough project. Virtual events, custom videos, or even a surprise care package can turn small wins into memorable moments.
Invest in employee growth
Want employees to feel valued? Show that you’re invested in their future. Provide talent development opportunities, support side projects, and call out their progress — not just the end result.
Empower peer recognition
Appreciation means more when it comes from every direction. Encourage peer shout-outs, build recognition into team rituals, and reward the people who make appreciation part of their everyday rhythm.
Virtual employee appreciation ideas are easy to act on
You can have all the virtual employee appreciation ideas in the world — but without the right tools, they’re just… ideas. Real connection takes more than the occasional ‘great job’ and a gift that misses the mark. It takes a strategy backed by science, built to scale, and simple enough for everyone to use.
That’s where Achievers comes in.
We don’t just help you recognize remote teams — we help you reinforce the behaviors that move your culture (and your business) forward. With real-time recognition, reward points, branded swag, and a global marketplace that doesn’t skimp on choice, we make it easy for employees to feel appreciated in ways that actually resonate. And yes, it all works seamlessly inside the tools your people already use.
If you’re ready to make virtual appreciation more than a feel-good moment, Achievers helps you turn it into a competitive advantage.
