Although we typically think of Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday, it can be one of camaraderie and team-building in the workplace. This week we expound on some fun facts and offer ideas for you to create a celebration of your own.
Fun Fact #1: 220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine’s Day each year.
Even though Valentine’s Day is typically celebrated between sweethearts, why not bring this sweet celebration into the workplace to boost morale and show employees your appreciation during that mid-February Winter funk.
Fun Fact #2: Did you know that about 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year? This makes it the second-largest seasonal card sending time of the year.
Remember the excitement you felt when exchanging Valentine’s day cards at school? Why not consider an old-fashioned card exchange in the workplace? Ask everyone to bring a work-appropriate Valentine’s Day card for each of their teammates and you can even create mailboxes for your employees out of paper bags or shoe boxes to put them in.
Fun Fact #3: Although perhaps old-fashioned y today’s standards, girls in medieval times ate bizarre foods on Saint Valentine’s Day to make them dream of their future spouses.
How about hosting a Valentine’s day potluck (no bizarre food allowed)? Ask employees to bring Valentine’s Day themed dishes such as heart-shaped casseroles, cakes, cookies, pizza, etc. Use red decorations and encourage attendees to wear red clothing and accessories. Get creative and award prizes for the most festive red outfit, most unexpected red food, the tastiest dish, etc.
Fun Fact #4: More than $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine’s Day in the U.S.
Who doesn’t like free chocolate? Fill a large glass vase or candy jar with foil wrapped Hershey’s kisses or other small candies. During the week, ask employees to submit their guess for the number of kisses in the jar (post contest rules on the front of the jar). The employee who gets closest to the actual number wins. Movie theater tickets, a box of Godiva or other specialty chocolates, dinner for two at a great restaurant, or a bouquet of red roses could be prizes awarded.
Fun Fact #5: More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine’s Day.
Since February is American Heart Month, Valentine’s Day is a great reminder to focus on heart health for employees. Get active: take the team roller skating, hiking or just be silly and have a hula hoop contest and see who can hula hoop for the longest time. Start a healthy recipe exchange or invite a local nutritionist to come into the workplace and provide a seminar on cooking healthy foods. Hire a massage therapist to come on-site for a few hours each week for an afternoon to give free 10-minute shoulder, back and neck massages.
Using these ideas may just make this Valentine’s Day a day to remember!
Fun Facts provided by list25.com