Free Printable Employee Favorite Things List – Looking for a simple way to get to know your team better and make recognition more personal? A free printable employee favorite things list (also called a staff favorites questionnaire or “my favorite things” form) is one of the easiest tools managers, HR teams, and coworkers in the USA use every day.
These one-page forms collect preferences like favorite snacks, drinks, colors, hobbies, and recognition styles. The result? Better birthday gifts, more thoughtful team appreciation, smoother Secret Santa exchanges, and stronger workplace connections—without guessing.
What Is an Employee Favorite Things List?
An employee favorite things list is a short, fillable questionnaire that team members complete about their personal preferences. Typical categories include:
- Favorite snack or candy
- Preferred drink (coffee order, tea, soda)
- Favorite restaurant or store
- Color, hobby, or scent
- Birthday (month and day)
- How they prefer to be recognized (public vs. private)
- Any dietary restrictions or allergies (optional)
The goal is practical and low-pressure. Keep it optional, work-appropriate, and limited to one page so people actually fill it out.
Why Use a Free Printable Version?
Printable forms work especially well for in-office teams, onboarding packets, staff meetings, and schools or small businesses that prefer paper. You can print copies, hand them out, collect them, and file or scan the results. Many managers keep a binder or simple spreadsheet for quick reference throughout the year.
Digital options (Google Forms or Microsoft Forms) are useful for remote or hybrid teams, but a free printable employee favorite things list remains popular because it feels personal and requires no tech setup.
Trusted Free Printable Resources
Here are legitimate, currently available free printables you can download and use right away:
- Case Western Reserve University “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” PDF
A clean, professional one-page form from the CWRU Professional Development Center (last revised February 2024). It includes fields for snack, drink, color, cake, hobby, candy, birthday, and more, plus helpful tips for managers.
Download the free printable here: Case Western Reserve University Favorite Things PDF. - Leadership-Tools.com My Favorite Things Recognition Form
A free, more detailed employee favorite things template focused on recognition preferences, small treats, dietary notes, and practical tips. Includes both a printable form and guidance on using it fairly.
Access the free template and PDF here: Leadership-Tools Employee Favorite Things Template (direct PDF also available at the same site).
These two sources are free, no-cost downloads from established sites. Always respect privacy: store completed forms securely and let employees skip any questions they prefer not to answer.
Free Printable Employee Favorite Things List
How to Use the Form Successfully?
- Introduce it casually: “We’re collecting favorite things so we can celebrate people in ways that actually feel good.”
- Make it optional and set a soft deadline (one to two weeks).
- For new hires, include it in onboarding.
- Update annually—preferences change.
- Compile answers into a private spreadsheet or binder for easy access.
- Pair the form with consistent recognition habits rather than treating it as a one-time shopping list.
Common uses in U.S. workplaces include employee appreciation weeks, holiday gift exchanges, birthday celebrations, and everyday thank-yous.
Quick Tips for Better Results
Keep categories limited to six to eight items so the form stays short. Always include a dietary/allergy line (optional). Ask about recognition style—some people love public shout-outs while others prefer a quiet note. Avoid overly personal questions.
If you prefer a digital approach, free tools like Google Forms or Microsoft Forms let you recreate the same questions and collect responses in a spreadsheet automatically.
FAQ
Is it free to print and use these forms?
Yes. The resources linked above are free to download and print for personal or workplace use.
Can I customize the form?
Absolutely. Use the provided PDFs as-is or recreate the questions in Word, Google Docs, or Canva to match your branding.
What if someone leaves a field blank?
That’s fine—and often useful information. Simply skip that category for that person.
Are there privacy concerns?
Treat the information like any other personnel preference data. Limit access to managers or the person coordinating recognition, and never require sensitive details.
A free printable employee favorite things list is a small investment of time that pays off in more meaningful recognition and stronger team connections. Download one of the trusted templates above, print a few copies, and start learning what actually makes your colleagues feel valued.