With the start of school and a new year of ministry programming in the rearview mirror, now’s a great time to show a little love to those who serve your kids and families. Incorporating ideas that correspond with the fall season is a great way to do that! The beauty of volunteer appreciation is that you can personalize it to fit your budget, creative skillset (or lack thereof), and your volunteers’ likes and preferences. You know them best, after all.

Here are a 20 ideas to help you get started:

Food-themed Options

• Pumpkin-themed: pumpkin spiced coffee, coffee cream, donuts, pie, and other treats
• Apple-themed: apple cider (hot or cold), fritters, donuts, candied apples, pie, caramel apple bar with different toppings
• Popcorn (caramel or kettle corn)
• Treat bags filled with candy or chocolate-covered pretzels (with or without a personalized note attached)
• S’mores or s’mores kits with a miniature chocolate bar, 2 graham cracker squares, and a jumbo marshmallow
• Trail mix
• Hot oatmeal with toppings
• Soup or chili starter kits
• Leaf-shaped sugar cookies
• Warm muffins/quick bread/coffeecake
• Tailgate party – enjoy yummy food while watching your local football team
• Charcuterie board with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers, and fall-themed treats such as candy corn, apples, kumquats, pumpkin or caramel dip, nuts, and cookies

Non-Food Themed Options

• “Our team is UNBE-LEAF-ABLE” – paper leaf cut-outs with each volunteer’s name written on it along with why you appreciate them
• Thankful tree – put up a paper tree in a prominent spot in your kids area. Provide leaf cut-outs for families in your ministry to write thank you notes to volunteers. (You can also have volunteers write them for one another.)
• Fall-scented soap, lotion, candle, hand sanitizer, or simmer pot ingredients
• Fuzzy socks (you can even have them personalized with your ministry logo)
• Coffeeshop gift cards
• Glow-in-the-dark items (again, these can be personalized with your ministry logo)
• Tickets to a local fall event/attraction
• Bonfire (with or without with s’mores or hot dogs)

Looking for even more volunteer appreciation ideas? Be sure to check out my Pinterest board or this older post with year-round ideas!

Now it’s your turn…how do you appreciate your volunteers in the fall?

Posted on: 10/14/2026, by : Kathie Phillips