Organizational Wellness

10 Creative Ways to Show Your Gratitude on Manager Appreciation Day

Last Updated Jan 31, 2025

Time to read: 8 minutes

Sarah was fresh out of college, navigating her first job, and feeling completely overwhelmed. Deadlines loomed, her confidence wavered, and she questioned if she even belonged in the role.

That’s when her manager, James, stepped in. He didn’t just assign tasks—he listened, coached, and encouraged her to tackle challenges head-on. When Sarah doubted herself, James reminded her of her strengths. When she struggled, he offered actionable feedback. A year later, Sarah wasn’t just surviving—she was thriving, leading projects with confidence and mentoring new hires.

Those of us who have had great leaders like James understand what a profound difference they can make in our lives. And that’s why Manager Appreciation Day matters! It’s a moment to honor the leaders who do more than manage—they shape careers, build confidence, and create environments where people flourish. These leaders inspire trust, foster collaboration, and drive teams toward success.

Great leadership deserves recognition, and this is your opportunity to make it meaningful.

What Is Manager Appreciation Day?

Manager Appreciation Day (or National Boss’s Day) is October 16 and celebrates the leadership, guidance, and hard work that managers bring to the workplace. National Boss’s Day is actually considered a public holiday, even if no one gets the day off — it’s meant to be appreciated in person! If the 16th falls on a weekend, the celebration rolls over to the following Monday.

This unique day was created in 1958 by Patricia Bays Haroski, who worked under her father at State Farm Insurance in Deerfield, Illinois. Wanting to honor her father and foster a positive manager-employee dynamic, Haroski registered October 16—her father’s birthday—as a day to appreciate the special role managers play in their teams' success.

Why Celebrate Manager Appreciation Day?

Appreciation has a real impact on performance. When managers feel valued, they’re more engaged, productive, and motivated to support their teams in meaningful ways. You’ll often see a trickle-down effect, too — managers who receive recognition are shown to have more positive energy and a more optimistic outlook, whereas valued managers cultivate more fulfilled teams. Essentially, it’s a morale boost for everyone and builds a culture of gratitude.

Recognition also reinforces a manager’s sense of purpose and belonging within the organization. In fact, 19% of surveyed employees reported that they would consider leaving their company due to a lack of recognition, according to Achievers— which includes managers. Acknowledging their contributions fuels a positive cycle of engagement and loyalty that benefits the entire organization.

10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Manager Appreciation Day

So, what can you do to celebrate all of the bosses at your company when October rolls around this year? Here are 10 ideas to get your ideas flowing and offer a sincere “thank you” to your leaders.

Handwritten Thank-You Notes

In a world of digital messages, a personal, handwritten note carries a unique emotional weight — they communicate care. This shows that you took time out of your day to express gratitude, adding a level of thoughtfulness that a quick email or message can’t quite capture.

If you don’t know where to begin, think about specific ways your manager has made a difference in your day-to-day work or company culture. Simple phrases like, "Your support during project deadlines makes all the difference," or, "Thanks for always listening and offering thoughtful advice," can make a note memorable. Adding a few personal details makes it all the more special.

Creative Tokens of Appreciation

Personalized appreciation gifts go a long way in showing managers that you see them as individuals with unique interests and passions. If you know a manager’s favorite hobby or go-to coffee shop, consider a gift that reflects that. You could gather the team to contribute to a collective gift that everyone can be part of, such as a care package with small items they enjoy.

Whether it’s a custom coffee mug, a gift card to a favorite lunch spot, or a book you think they’d love, personalized tokens demonstrate your attention to detail and appreciation for who they are.

Team Building Activities

Celebrating Manager Appreciation Day with team-building activities can strengthen team bonds and create lasting memories. Building relationships through fun, shared experiences like an in-office board game session or even a team trivia game can boost morale and foster creativity. Whatever you decide to do, spending time building relationships and building teams helps increase productivity, encourage creativity, and improve morale.

Recognition Awards

Employee recognition is an essential aspect of any thriving workplace culture, and Manager Appreciation Day is the perfect time to spotlight each manager’s unique strengths. Try creating awards that reflect specific qualities—like "Master of Organization" or "The Listening Ear Award"—to give a heartfelt nod to what they bring to the team.

If you haven’t already created one, consider using this as a starting point to launch an ongoing recognition program. This helps encourage appreciation beyond one day and creates a workplace where everyone feels valued year-round.

Office Decorations and Surprises

Boss’s Day is a holiday, so why not treat it as such and decorate? Transform the office into a festive space to celebrate— decorations like streamers, balloons, and even personalized photos can bring a fun atmosphere that’s both enjoyable and welcoming. And for an added surprise, organize a lunchtime celebration or cake-cutting event to make the day feel special. A lively, decorated office can energize everyone and show that managers are valued and appreciated—making the space feel a little brighter for all.

Share Manager Success Stories

Another unique way to show your appreciation is with stories. Celebrating managers through storytelling can create authentic connections and reinforce the positive impact they have. Encourage employees to share stories about ways managers have supported or inspired them, then display these stories either physically in a bulletin area or digitally on a dedicated platform like Slack.

Virtual Celebrations

For hybrid or remote teams, online celebrations can make Manager Appreciation Day inclusive and meaningful. Host a virtual party with games and prizes, organize a virtual team-building event, or send each manager a fun gift to enjoy. There are also a ton of things you can sign teams up for, like a virtual cooking class or a virtual escape room. With these remote get-togethers, you can make sure all employees have the opportunity to participate and connect with their leaders in a fun setting.

Employee Wellbeing Activity

If you’re looking for a way to show appreciation that will have lasting benefits, consider launching employee wellbeing initiatives for Boss’s Day. From gym memberships to mindfulness sessions, there are all kinds of support you can give managers.

Employees follow their managers’ lead on wellbeing, according to Gallup, so when managers focus on their wellbeing, their team members often take that to heart and improve their own wellness. Plus, 79% of employees with wellness perks believe HR genuinely cares about their wellbeing — compared to 45% of employees without a wellness program — according to Wellhub. So, not only do well-cared-for managers positively impact the entire organization, but wellness programs can help ensure those managers feel sincerely cared for at work.

Mentorship Moments

A great mentor provides wisdom, encouragement, and support that can positively shape an employee’s professional journey. This Manager Appreciation Day, celebrate those managers who go above and beyond by creating meaningful opportunities for mentorship and growth.

One way to do this is by asking employees to share personal stories about how their managers’ mentorship has impacted them. This could be a skill they developed, a career hurdle they overcame, or a new perspective they gained with their leader. You could even create a “Mentorship Award” to spotlight specific qualities managers bring to their mentoring roles. For example, awards might include “Career Catalyst” for managers who help employees realize their potential.

Wellness Workshops

You can also say “thank you” to your company’s managers by giving them practical solutions to their wellness goals. Managers often bear the responsibility of supporting their teams while navigating their own stressors, which is why a wellness workshop can be so helpful and show that their wellbeing is a priority.

Consider hosting workshops on topics like stress management, financial wellbeing, and literacy, or mental health to equip managers with tools to thrive and inspire their teams to do the same. You could even conduct a yoga session to combine physical and mental wellness, ultimately reducing stress.

Recognition and Wellbeing: The Bigger Picture

Recognition and wellbeing go hand in hand. Celebrating days like National Boss’s Day isn’t just about saying thank you—it’s about highlighting the essential role managers play in shaping a healthier, more engaged workplace. When leaders feel valued, they’re more likely to prioritize their own wellbeing and inspire the same in their teams.

Making recognition part of your culture doesn’t require waiting for a holiday. A customizable wellness program, like Wellhub, integrates recognition seamlessly with initiatives that support mental and physical wellness. And it’s a strategy proven to help employees feel seen: 79% of employees with wellness perks believe HR genuinely cares about their wellbeing compared to 45% of employees without a wellness program.

Speak with a Wellhub Wellbeing Specialist for help launching a wellness into a program that supports every employee every day.

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[*] Based on proprietary research comparing healthcare costs of active Wellhub users to non-users.