Your employees want to make you happy. They really do want to do those things that matter most to you. But chances are, they don't know what specific actions you value. As you begin to recognise your employees, determine what is most important in your department and choose those values you recognise.
Many managers identify things such as:
Customer service
Integrity
Innovation
Leadership
Ownership
On-time delivery
Quality
Teamwork
Respect for the individual
Fun (yes, really, it's okay)
Take some time today to identify your department's key values. Then use those values as the foundation of your recognition efforts.