I'm a small sole proprietor w/ 2 PT employees. 1 is with me for 25 yrs now. How to recognize his contribution?

This is a seasonal job. We wait for a potential customer to call and place an order for our services on their property, then I call my employees and we do the work. I work on every job with my employees. I get to know them well. They are my friends as much as they are my employees.

I pay them well, and they have some benefits, plus when they are laid off for lack of work they collect unemployment.

I can't get unemployment so I work a 3rd shift factory job year around to help make ends meet, in addition to working with my guys on every job we do.

The point is that I'm struggling from month to month and year to year the same as they are to earn a living, and I don't have a lot of money to throw around. I would like to recognize this one employee for his contribution of 25 years of his working life, for always being there whenever I called to tell him "we have a job to do tomorrow".

I'm planning my first ever company Christmas dinner at a restaurant with my 2 employees and their SO's, and at this time I'd like to present some form of recognition. This also MIGHT be his last year, as he's already past retirement age.

I need ideas on some inexpensive way to recognize him in a way that would be meaningful to him.

He's not into material things.He has a heart of gold. Most of what he has he gives away or shares to help others in their times of need. He doesn't need the customary "25 year watch". He always manages to get to work and Dr's appointments on time, and the rest of the time he couldn't care less what time it is.

If any reader recognizes himself in this circumstance described above your input would be appreciated.