How to Celebrate Valentine's Day at Work

Share a little Valentine spirit with your co-workers.

Certain holidays lend themselves to light-hearted and enjoyable celebrations in the workplace. Provide careful and explicit instructions to keep the events from annoying or alienating coworkers and employers. Offer specific guidelines for a workplace Valentine’s Day celebration to avoid concerns about sexual harassment or inappropriate office behavior. Issue the necessary interoffice memos several days prior to Valentine’s Day so everyone is aware of company policy and no one gets into trouble through ignorance.

Things You'll Need

• Clear container
• Chocolate Valentine candy
• Conversation hearts or heart suckers
• Valentine's banner
• Paper plates and napkins
• Music

Instructions

1. Instruct employees that they may trade valentines as long as they avoid adult themes and poor taste. Suggest that they stick to the kinds of sentiments found in kids’ Valentine cards. Allow employees to set out a container where other employees can drop off the cards. Recommend employees open the cards during break time or at lunch to prevent disrupting the office routine.

2. Encourage employees to wear something with a heart on it in celebration of the day. This could include a heart-shaped pin, a blouse with hearts or a tie with hearts. Instruct employees to keep their attire tasteful and office casual.

3. Hang a banner in the break room or in areas where the public has no access. Suggestions include writing “Happy Valentine’s Day” on alternating red and white hearts or printing the banner on individual sheets of copy paper. Set out a clear container and fill it with various versions of chocolate kisses or heart-shaped wrapped candies. Invite employees to speculate on the number of pieces in the jar, but note that they may not take candy out of the container. Award the jar of candy to the employee who guesses closest to the correct number.

4. Deliver a heart-shaped candy sucker or a box of conversation hearts to each employee’s desk with an attached note wishing them a great day for their heartfelt gift of service to the company.

5. Invite employees to bring a dish to share for lunch. Challenge them to bring it in a heart shape. The company could provide the main dish, plates of heart-shaped cookies or a fresh fruit bouquet. Provide red and white paper plates with matching napkins. Have someone arrive in the break room early to help coordinate setting out the meal so employees get their food quickly, eat and get back to work on time.

6. Play light-hearted music during the lunch break. You might choose ballads or contemporary music with a love theme. Alternately, play instrumental music at a low volume.

References

• "Inspire Harvest"; How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Work Place; January 2011
• Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals: Staff Appreciation Ideas
• Party411.com: Valentine’s Day Ideas for the Office