A bank’s internal “Big Day” program invited branch employees to develop recurring themes around seasonal promotions. Depending on the cycle, visitors might encounter paper lanterns, a storybook tower, travel displays, kitchen props or other employee-made decorations. Staff sometimes added themed clothing and small refreshments to complete the atmosphere.

The program was designed to bring energy to branch locations and encourage employees to plan something together beyond their usual responsibilities. New themes appeared every several weeks, giving each team a chance to interpret a broad idea in its own way.

Popular culture helped teams find a theme

Movies and familiar stories often provided a starting point. For one kitchen-themed cycle, a team built a fairy-tale display around a tower and frying pan. Another group used red-and-gold paper decorations and animated-film references to establish a festive visual theme.

At a smaller branch, employees drew on a classic breakfast film, combining images of breakfast foods with costume-inspired details. The approach did not depend on elaborate materials: participants reused earlier decorations, borrowed props and brought suitable items from home.

A workplace team sharing ideas during an informal planning session
The program gave employees room to interpret a common theme using accessible materials.

Employees and visitors joined the experience

The recurring events became conversation starters. Decorations made it easy for visitors to ask what a team was planning, while employees could contribute ideas that reflected their interests and creative skills.

Teams reported that the format helped distinguish an ordinary workday from a special event. Friday celebrations were especially useful for creating a shared milestone at the end of a cycle. The archive account also noted that visitors sometimes returned to see how a display had changed.

Memorable ideas came from everyday objects

A luggage promotion inspired an airport scene with signs for arrivals, departures and baggage claim. Employees supported the theme by dressing as travelers and aviation staff. Another cycle used food-storage bowls as the basis for a “keeping it fresh” concept informed by films and music from the 1990s.

These examples show how a modest prompt can generate many interpretations. The value was not simply the finished display, but the process of choosing an idea, dividing tasks and creating something visible as a group.

What the program included

  • Recurring themes that gave teams a clear creative prompt.
  • A defined decoration budget supplemented by reused materials.
  • Optional costumes and refreshments tied to the day’s concept.
  • Employee-led planning rather than a single standardized display.
  • A visible way to start conversations with workplace visitors.

A practical lesson for workplace culture

A themed program is not a substitute for fair policies, good management or meaningful work. It can, however, provide a structured opportunity for colleagues to collaborate informally. When participation is voluntary, budgets are clear and activities remain accessible, small shared projects can help employees contribute ideas that may not appear in routine workflows.