It’s November, which means it’s the month of giving thanks! When you run a business, so much of its success is owed to your team of employees. But writing a check to show appreciation for all your employees can be impersonal and financially irresponsible. Here are seven ways to express gratitude for all your employees do: Take them out to lunch Take a break from the office take your team out to a restaurant of their choice. It’s an easy way to let your team know you appreciate them, and it’s a great way to spend some time getting to know them a little better. Time off Believe it or not, your company will survive if employees take off a few hours of work. If it’s a beautiful day, let them take off early to spend that time with loved ones. ‘Tis the season, after all. Order a food truck I used to tell my employees that there’s nothing so bad a taco truck can’t fix. Ordering a food truck or any sort of catered food can liven up the office and spruce up an ordinary day. Employee competitions I worked at a call center for years while I was in college. What kept me there was the manager’s impressive ability to engage her employees with ongoing competitions. Keeping things going – maybe fantasy football teams – can help you keep the energy up in the office and help to create a workspace that they enjoy coming to every day. Bring your dog to work day Everything’s better when you get to take your best friend with you. It’s becoming more and more common for offices to be pet-friendly, but if you don’t want to make that change permanent, setting aside one day to bring pets into work is the second-best thing.  Family-welcome work events It’s one thing to have company celebrations throughout the year – whether it’s for holidays, birthdays, or company milestones – but allowing your employees to invite their family and loved ones helps them to feel more at-home with your company – and it definitely helps to increase the likelihood of them coming!  Be vocal about your appreciation If an employee has done something worth recognizing, let them know. Having a thankful, vocal boss can make all the difference. Sometimes a simple “thank you” is all it takes. However it is you decide to show appreciation for your team, a grateful boss makes all the difference. Let your employees know how much they mean to you, and they’ll return that appreciation tenfold.