Terryberry has outlined 21 ways employers can mark work anniversaries, with gift cards presented as one option within a broader recognition program. Its October 29, 2025 guide focuses on matching a celebration to the employee’s interests and contributions rather than repeating the same gesture for every milestone.

The gift card examples include retailers, restaurants and online stores relevant to the recipient. Terryberry also suggests digital gift cards for remote celebrations and spa cards within wellness packages. The common purpose is to let employees choose something they value instead of requiring an employer to select a particular item.

Other options vary in cost and format: a handwritten note identifying specific contributions, a donation to a charity chosen by the employee, an additional day or half-day off, a team meal or a commemorative award. The guide also describes video messages and photo collections assembled by colleagues.

For distributed teams, Terryberry proposes online celebrations and contributions from coworkers in different locations. More elaborate ideas include an activity reflecting the employee’s interests or commissioned artwork for a major service milestone.

The company connects these ideas with its custom awards, social recognition tools, awards marketplace and incentive programs. It does not announce a new service or provide a case study measuring the effect of the 21 ideas on retention.

Terryberry’s central recommendation is to acknowledge what a person has contributed over the year. Its discussion of employee engagement provides context for recognition, rather than evidence that a particular anniversary gift produces a specific profitability or productivity increase.