Appreciation Day

My husband has enjoyed Appreciation Day for the past 9 years. The idea came to me our first summer selling as a newlywed. It happened to be a good one... so it quickly became a tradition! It's not his birthday.  It's not a holiday, or an anniversary. It comes randomly as a surprise during the summer every year and lasts from the moment he wakes up to the minute he falls asleep. The whole day is about making sure he knows I value all his hard work and appreciate his sacrifices. I am always looking to find new and creative ways to celebrate every year...so if you have any fun ideas, send them my way!

In my experience, this is not only something that my husband LOVES, but it's a day that I love. Taking the time to be grateful, to pay attention to the wonderful person he is, to plan and prepare surprises and gifts for him -- it all makes me love him even more. It makes me realize how lucky I truly am! 

I always encourage friends, family, and women in my office to do the same for their husbands!

Now that you know the 'why'... here is an excerpt from the manual on the "how":

Appreciation Day

"Every summer, choose one random day to surprise your husband with, "(His Name) Appreciation Day".  This is a tried and true favorite, and an idea every wife in summer sales could definitely do!  It is so fun for both of you.  This is a nine year tradition for Andrea Taylor, and her husband, BJ Taylor.  She still finds ways each year to make it fun and unique.  
Ideas include starting off with breakfast in bed, and a few small gifts.  You could create a video montage of all the reasons why he is appreciated, or writing an article about his work with Vivint and submitting it to Insider.  Spend the morning together doing something he loves, and when he leaves for his meeting, get busy making a treat for the whole office.  You can take them to the office at the end of correlation and let everyone know how lucky they are to work with such a great guy.  You could hide other gifts in his car or trunk, or even little notes in his binder!  Another great idea is leaving treats for his entire car group.  Each of these treats and gifts includes heartfelt sentiment for why he is appreciated and loved.  Other ideas are having friends text bomb him about how amazing he is, or doing the same idea of Facebook.  Wives who are holding down the fort at home could send a package with different little packages or cards inside for him to open at various points throughout the day!  
The working day is left undisturbed, but as soon as he comes home, you can whisk him away for a late dinner and movie, or be waiting with other fun surprises and a date night at home.  One of the best parts of this is to be reminded of all the things your husband works so hard to provide, and to totally surprise him.  The possibilities to this are endless!
It does take some planning and effort, but it doesn't have to be expensive, and the rewards far exceed what it takes to make the day happen.  Imagine how much harder your husband will work when he knows that his efforts are truly appreciated!"

There is no right or wrong way when you are letting someone know you appreciate what they do for you.  Find a way to make this idea work for you!  
Dani found a blog that details a 30-day Husband Appreciation Challenge, which is a fun variation on the idea:

http://theeverydayjoys.blogspot.com/2011/07/30-day-husband-appreciation-challenge.html

Brittany and her team in Texas are planning a Rep Appreciation Week in July.  She will post details of that event in the coming weeks!

Any of these are fun, creative ways to let your husband know you love him and notice how hard he works for you.  I promise the expression of appreciation will be reciprocated...maybe not in the same thoughtful, thorough, grandiose manner -- but he will certainly love feeling loved.

What are some ways YOU show your appreciation?  What are some of YOUR best practices and traditions?  We want to hear!  Keep the conversation going!