Fun Gift & Activity Ideas After a Big Project

Showing appreciation for hard work, dedication and success is a no brainer. It makes employees feel valued, validates their commitment to the company’s mission and reinforces their energy and motivation. Having said that, there are times when a simple “thank you” is not enough. There are times when a team’s above and beyond effort and success deserves to be celebrated—and rewarded. For example, after a major win or the successful completion of a large and difficult project.

Fortunately when it comes to celebrating a team win, recharging morale and showing genuine appreciation, there are a litany of options to choose from. There are thoughtful gift ideas like custom swag bags, gift cards from a variety of vendors and experiences, or subscription treats. Or there are interactive activities like office or virtual escape rooms, themed game show events, relaxing wellness sessions, or a mini team retreat. Just remember that in order for your show of appreciation to land, it’s best to choose the option that reflects the tastes and personalities of your team. Let’s take a closer look at these gift ideas.

Why Celebrating Success Matters

There are numerous strategic benefits to celebrating success, acknowledging dedication and showing appreciation for hard work. It reinforces a shared sense of purpose and pride, and helps embed values like collaboration, excellence, and resilience into your team culture. Employee recognition is also a powerful motivator that reinforces positive behavior and team motivation. And furthermore, it’s an effective tool to prevent employee burnout. Burnout is the enemy of employee engagement, productivity and retention, and after a big push, teams need a moment to breathe, reset and recharge. A pause for celebration and recognition provides the necessary emotional closure before moving on to the next challenge.

But it can also do so much more than that. Genuine recognition gives employees the opportunity to take pride in their work. This can boost morale and re-energize the team. It also helps employees feel like they’re more than just a number which goes a long way to creating team and company loyalty. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, it makes people feel valued which encourages them to stay inspired and engaged.

Thoughtful Gift Ideas to Say “Well Done”

There are endless ways to show appreciation and recognition. The secret is making your team feel seen, valued, and celebrated through meaningful and thoughtful demonstrations. 

When it comes to employee gift ideas, it doesn’t have to be complicated. You start simple and practical with personalized gift cards to things like favorite coffee shops, independent bookstores, or local wellness services. This way they can treat themselves in a way that they’ll enjoy. 

Staying on the theme of personalized work gifts, you can give everyone custom pens that are engraved with their names or project title, hoodies or t-shirts that branded with an inside joke or team slogan, or desk accessories like mousepads or nameplates that contain a subtle nod to the completed project.

Experience-based gifts are a great option because they offer the reward of downtime or a shared memory. These include things like movie tickets or streaming subscriptions, spa or wellness dollars, or team lunches or dinners.

Or you can go the extra mile with team reward gifts for the entire team. For example, who doesn’t like an extra day off to rest and relax? Or add a dose of fun with surprise packages that are delivered to each person containing snacks, goodies and a note of appreciation. A fun team activity like an escape room, trivia game or mini retreat can also be a great way to say thanks while providing a team boost. 

Bring on the Fun – Post-Project Activities They’ll Love

After completing a big project, your team deserves a chance to exhale, laugh, and reconnect. And when it comes to post-project activities there’s no better way to wind down and strengthen bonds than with fun team building games. 

If you’re looking for office fun ideas, you can’t go wrong with an in-person Office Feud game. BreakoutIQ’s Office Feud is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud game show competition where teams try to guess the most popular answers to quirky, crowd-sourced survey questions. Celebrate quirky knowledge with low-pressure interactions that re-energize the team.

Or give BreakoutIQ’s Team Quest game a try. This problem solving game is a collaborative, challenge-based experience that blends riddles, trivia, and photo challenges with strategic teamwork. It’s a great way to celebrate the team’s problem-solving skills while recognizing each team member’s individual strengths.

These are just a couple of fun post-project activities that you can check out. What’s important is choosing team building games that reflect the team’s personality—whether they’re competitive, collaborative, creative, high energy or low-key. For example, trivia buffs might enjoy a game show style activity, puzzle lovers would enjoy escape room or murder mystery games, and teams that just want to relax and have fun might enjoy a light, low-stakes activity to decompress together.

The Power of Recognition: Make It Count

At the end of the day, celebrating your team’s success isn’t just a feel-good moment—it’s a powerful tool for building a stronger, more motivated, and connected team. Whether you choose thoughtful gifts, memorable experiences, or energizing team games, the key is to make your appreciation meaningful and personal. Recognition done right shows your team that their work—and who they are—matters.

So the next time your team crosses the finish line on a major project, don’t let the moment pass quietly. Use it as an opportunity to boost morale, deepen team bonds, and create momentum for what’s next. After all, success is sweeter when it’s shared—and celebrated.

Ready to bring the fun to your team?

Check out BreakoutIQ’s team building games to find the perfect post-project celebration activity that fits your team’s style and energy!