Choose a theme for your decor.
Birthday celebrations are a common way to improve on workplace morale and show employees their company cares for them. Before commencing decorating, always verify what is and isn't allowed with human resources and management. The goal is to celebrate in a work-appropriate way that doesn't impede productivity but still shows your coworker that you care. Does this Spark an idea?
Cubicle and Office
Private cubicles and offices offer more design opportunities than a shared space or work area. Tying your decoration endeavors to a theme will keep it from being the same old plain corporate celebration. Pick a theme that matches the celebrant's hobbies or likes---if he enjoys jet skiing in his spare time, a nautical or beach theme is a good idea.
Hang streamers and balloons around the top of his cubicle walls. Suspend a birthday banner over the entrance to the cubicle---high enough so heads don't bump it. Place a cluster of weighted helium balloons on either side of the entrance. Hang decorations or place them where they won't interfere with work.
Cover the office door or an outside wall of his cubicle with wrapping paper and a large bow. Attach small party favors or toys that match your theme to yarn. Tie a paper clip to the other end of the string. Slip the paper clip between the ceiling tile and metal dividers and hang throughout the office or cubicle space.
Work Areas
Tone down birthday decorations in shared work spaces to avoid distracting others. If your coworker has her own desk in an open floor plan decorate her chair and computer monitor. Measure the monitor and cut a square out of a piece of poster board. Trim the outside edges of the poster board to make a 3- to 4-inch frame. Decorate it it with markers, glue ribbons and bows to it, and write a special birthday greeting. Attach to the monitor with tape.
Attach balloons and streamers to the back of her chair. Make or purchase a small birthday sign or banner to place in the center back of the chair. Hang metallic fringe skirting around the edge of her desk.
If she has no specific work area or is in front of customers all day, traditional decorations won't be an option. Instead, make her a special birthday name tag and attach a gift bow or a cascade of curling ribbon to it. Place a balloon with her new name tag attached to the string near her locker or where she clocks in.
Break Room
Break room is synonymous with party room at most work places. Place colorful plastic birthday tablecloths on the tables. Use pencil cups and desk organizers to hold arrangements of pen flowers. Make these by holding the stem of an artificial flower against a pen. Wrap green floral tape around the stem and pen to attach them together.
Hang plenty of streamers and balloons around the room. Supply some fun party ware for the food---whether you have a potluck or order in from somewhere. Decorated plastic drink picks and decorated paper plates add to the festivity. Choose a cake design that matches your coworker's personality. If there is more than one birthday that day, get a small cake for each person instead of one large sheet cake.
Tags: your coworker, back chair, balloons around, paper clip, poster board, special birthday