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Giving small gifts to employees is a delicate art. You need to strike the right balance between thoughtfulness and professionalism. Predictable T-shirts, printed keychains, and cheesy mugs are decent gifts for your employees but don’t qualify to enter the realm of awesome.
Your employees are an indispensable asset to the company and deserve next-level recognition and appreciation, i.e., gifts that they would actually use and appreciate.
We get it. Finding cool gifts at the appropriate price can be surprisingly challenging. However, simple, affordable, and practical gifts — the three aspects that make employee appreciation gift ideas beneficial for both sides — are available if you know where to look.
That’s why we worked hard to curate some fantastic employee appreciation gift ideas that make a profound impact on your team members. Use one or more of these ideas to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, jump-start employee recognition programs, or just say thanks.
Ideally, we should feel lucky to receive gifts at all. But if we’re honest, a gift someone adores is remarkably elusive. So what sets these gifts apart from the usual ones? Here are the factors that make a small gift click with the recipient.
The latest iPhone or a piece of high-end jewelry will certainly improve employee morale, but you can’t go about giving them to every employee on your team. It’s implausible and impractical.
Sticking to minimal, low-key options within $25 to $50 for small employee gifts won’t catapult you into the red on your budget. When done right, these gifts will make just as big an impression as the flashy ones.
How? Around 37% of employees consider employee recognition the most vital aspect of working for a company, leading to 59% less turnover for the employer — if you offer recognition regularly. Now imagine the one-two punch combining these kind words with a gift. It’s simply too strong a gesture to ignore.
Don’t be afraid to spend more on a thank you gift or a milestone occasion. You may not be able to afford high-end gifts regularly, but on occasion, they make a statement.
We get it: finding a unique gift is easier said than done, but it's also not impossible. Make general gifts more fun by thinking of a unique angle. For instance, if your employees love coffee, arrange a coffee-making or a coffee-brewing session instead of giving them a coffee bean hamper. You get the idea.
Picking out a memorable gift goes hand-in-hand with buying something unique. Memorable items often coincide with a personalized gift — an aspect that makes the gift one-of-a-kind.
But how do you choose a memorable gift? Ask yourself whether your employees will remember the gift in the next few years. If the answer is no, skip it and look for something else. Keep trying until you finally say, “Yep, that’s the one.”
The best employee appreciation gifts aren’t those that add positives but those that remove negatives. Read that again for clarity.
When picking gifts, think about how they‘ll solve a problem in your employee’s life. For example, if your employees are parents or pet owners, you can give them a gift certificate for a few days of babysitting or pet sitting. Similarly, you can plan a party or buy them a gift card to give them a break from the routine and monotony of the workday.
Finding employee appreciation gift ideas takes a little extra time, but it’s an effective way to show your employees you care.
The best approach is to consider small details about your employees. Have they mentioned they need anything? If yes, give them precisely that.
If you don't have that kind of budget, look for more affordable alternatives. Give them something related to a special or fun memory that you and your employees share.
The tried-and-tested idea we love? Consider a thought-provoking book, complete with a personal note from you or the CEO. That's sure to boost employee engagement now and in the future.
The good thing about small gifts is you have a lot of flexibility to make them meaningful. For instance, you could give a stress buster customized with a positive quote to an employee you know takes on too much stress. You can also donate to any charity of your employee's choice.
Essentially, you want a thoughtful gift that means something to the employee, and the only way to achieve this is to think from their perspective.
Of course, you don’t have to check all the above boxes when brainstorming employee appreciation gift ideas. But these factors are undoubtedly great guidelines to ensure your budget gifts are thoughtful and creative, helping you make the most of your gift-giving opportunities.
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Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best small gift ideas for employees suitable for any occasion. From birthdays and work anniversaries to corporate gifts and holiday gifts, use our top recommendations to express gratitude and make your employees feel valued, regardless of the occasion.
A work-from-home survival kit is a personalized box designed to solve everyday remote work struggles.
Curate one-of-a-kind gift boxes filled with delicious and healthy snacks, company swag (like a stainless steel tumbler with your company logo), and other practical items like organizational office supplies, a notepad, a charger, and a webcam cover. You can also add fun stuff like a fidget spinner and scented candles that employees can use in their spare time.
Alternatively, you can have employees curate their own work-from-home kits. Hoppier’s virtual cards allow remote employees to buy things they like from global shopping platforms like Amazon and Best Buy. You can customize the design of each virtual card and set the dollar amount that can be extended in future credit or refunded.
The flexibility of a Hoppier gift card can’t be understated. Rather than simply buying an Amazon gift card that an employee can only use at one store, you give them the freedom to buy useful gifts that add a personal touch to their home workspace.
A portable bluetooth speaker is often the standard choice for employers, and not without reason. This piece of technology is a fun and useful gift for both home and office parties.
Unwanted noise makes noise impossible to work, so employees will appreciate a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones. You may have to spend a bit more, but when you factor in the boost in productivity and greater peace of mind the device will give your crew, it’s more than worth it.
Got beer lovers and campers on your team who love winding down with a fizzy bottle of cold beer? A beer caddy would make the perfect gift. While Amazon offers some excellent beer caddy and drinkware options, we recommend buying from a dedicated website that lets you personalize it for a special touch — such as an employee’s name or favorite sports team.
Help your employees re-energize with an essential oil diffuser after a long day at work. Throw in a gift basket of soothing and fragrant essential oils like lavender, rosemary, and chamomile to help them sleep better and relax.
Amazon and Samsung have a fantastic collection of affordable tablets your employees will love. You can also combine it with other tech accessories like a stylus, an interactive pencil, and a tablet stand to take your gift to the next level.
Buying a tablet is quite the splurge, so this gift is better for celebrating special milestones and work anniversaries.
Skip the power bank and give your tech-savvy team members a charging station that lets them charge multiple devices simultaneously while keeping their desks organized and clutter-free. You can easily find these handy desk accessories and (often) at discounted rates, too!
We cannot recommend personalized nameplates enough if you need employee appreciation gift ideas for a promotion or accomplishment. Choose stunning and unique designs that will get the star treatment and place of honor on their desks.
Gifting books isn't old-fashioned. Or boring. But you want to be absolutely sure the employee you‘re buying the book for is an avid reader.
Pick the latest bestseller, or stay safe with classics. You can swap opinions and thoughts with them as you read them to build a healthier relationship. If your coworker or employee enjoys cooking, a cookbook makes an equally great employee appreciation gift.
If there is anything close to gifting an actual book, it’s a Kindle that lets them carry unlimited books wherever they go.
Hire a mixologist or a Japanese chef to lead your team through a virtual mixology or sushi-making experience, respectively. Ideal for remote workers, these staff appreciation gifts are experiential — something that 90% of employees would rather receive than a material item.
Employees appreciate an employer who is interested in their personal and professional goals. In fact, 94% of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in helping them learn.
Gift your staff the ability to learn new skills from field experts. Opt for Hoppier’s virtual cards to sponsor world-class professional courses from Udemy and Udacity. To sweeten the deal, add a coffee shop gift card to give a jolt of energy and determination while employees learn and study.
If you have an employee on your team who feels passionate about a cause, charitable donations are one of the best employee appreciation gift ideas. Donate on their behalf and include their name to personalize the gift.
Allow your workforce to build a better version of themselves by sending customized self-care kits. Don’t forget to have separate kits for your male and female employees. If you’re confused, consult your team about what they like in their kits to help them relax and unwind, whether in their free time or a home work environment.
While small plants like succulents or peace lilies are great gifting options, not everyone has a green thumb or the time and initiative to care for them.
A self-watering planter allows them to add greenery to their spaces without maintenance. These planters also make excellent employee appreciation gift ideas for those who like growing their own ingredients, such as chilies and herbs.
If you have a health-conscious or gym rat on your team, consider gifting them personal fitness equipment.
You don't have to splurge on dumbbells or a spin bike. Simple fitness items like yoga mats, resistance bands, or a jump rope work just as well as employee appreciation gift ideas. Alternatively, you can give them a free one-month subscription to a fitness class or a gym of their choice.
Who doesn’t like a day (or two!) off work?
Allow employees to spend extra time with their friends and family as a token of appreciation for all their hard work. This will also convey that you’re a responsible employer who cares about their well-being and work-life balance.
Celebrate your employee’s birthday or offer the occasional perk by giving them a fine dining experience in a beautiful restaurant renowned for its delicious food in the city. Trust us; nothing beats a good culinary experience!
When we say event tickets, we mean free tickets to any enjoyable event your staff likes. For example, if your team would enjoy some laughs, give them tickets to their favorite standup comedian’s show. Or, if they are music lovers, arrange tickets to their favorite artist’s concert. If you have sports fanatics on your team, let them cheer for their favorite team live from the arena.
Assisting your employees with their traveling expenses is another thoughtful small gift. Arrange for subsidized bus and taxi fares to help them commute to work safely. Otherwise, you can give them a small stipend to help with their daily traveling expenses.
A mindfulness box is just how it sounds — a wellness box filled with carefully picked items to maximize good vibes and happiness.
This employee appreciation gift idea can include stress-busting items like a stress ball, nutritious treats and snacks, handpicked mindfulness activities, and scented candles. You can add a Hoppier virtual card to the mix, offering employees free subscriptions to wellness apps like Calm and Headspace.
With people increasingly concerned about their health, an activity tracker or a fitness band watch is one of the best employee appreciation gift ideas out there. These devices can track total calories burned, distance walked, and sleep patterns, among other things, to help employees lead healthier, happier lives.
A Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime subscription will never backfire. If you want to take the road less traveled, gift them an Audible subscription where they can listen to audiobooks on the go.
A gift set of charcuterie strikes the right balance between practical and fancy. Select meat-based products like sausage, ham, and bacon, along with various cheeses and other accompaniments like sauces and jams for a delicious, savory snack.
Make employees laugh out loud seeing bobbleheads that look just like them. The remarkable thing about this creative employee gift idea is that it’s unique and personal without any outrageous expense. Your crew will surely cherish it.
Arrange for an exhilarating team experience where employees gather and put on their thinking caps to solve an escape room puzzle. Trust us; it’s even more fun than it sounds!
Employee appreciation gift ideas don’t have to be expensive to be pragmatic. Buy high-quality pen sets that are good to look at and hold so that your employee is more careful not to lose them. You can use this idea for other employees who love stationery, too!
Soothing to look at, a Himalayan salt lamp is an aesthetically pleasing gift that adds a pop of warm light to any room.
Give your employees the gift of gab with conversation starter cards. These card sets cover various topics, from imaginative to thought-provoking, helping them easily initiate conversations.
Nobody has time to print and frame memorable photos with loved ones anymore. Instead, let your employees keep their most cherished moments right by their side by gifting them a digital photo frame. With a product like Frameo, they can add images of their family, pets, and friends — or have those with access upload photos themselves.
Tiny and oh-so-functional, a desktop vacuum collects dust, crumbs, and lint to support easy workplace organization. Choose between battery-operated and wireless models in bold or discrete colors as clean employee appreciation gift ideas.
A reusable, well-designed, and personalized water bottle is a gift that keeps on giving. Being lightweight and easy to transport, they are functional and super stylish. Write an encouraging message or engrave employee names on the bottle to score brownie points.
If any of your employees are big on journaling, give them a gratitude journal or writing pad to encourage them to foster self-awareness and personal growth. This will help them reflect on mistakes, enjoy their accomplishments, and set personal and professional goals that keep them organized and focused.
Indulge your employees in a relaxing spa session with their peers. Book them an appointment for basic services like a facial, body massage, or manicure/pedicure to show your genuine recognition of employee efforts.
Gifting a bath bomb set is a more affordable alternative to a spa session. Curate a few essential oil bath bombs featuring delicious senses like strawberry, coconut, and lavender to help your employees unwind and pamper their senses.
If a Bluetooth speaker sounds predictable, give them a Bluetooth keyboard for their home office and have them bid farewell to wires and plugs. Don’t worry; you'll find many affordable and sleek models from renowned brands like Logitech.
If you’re looking for practical employee appreciation gift ideas, try touchscreen gloves. These gloves allow users to check their email or shoot a quick text without wrestling off mittens and facing the cold wind. Other designs have a textured palm grip that gives you a sturdy hold on devices, even in slippery conditions.
Nothing beats a handwritten note recognizing the efforts and contribution of an employee. Write down a personal note or letter and give it to them in person. It would be even better if you could include specific events highlighting their wins.
If all else fails, gift cards will always be there to your rescue. Hoppier’s virtual cards are one of the top employee appreciation gift ideas for new hires or those you still don’t know on a personal level. We partner with millions of vendors in 60+ countries, letting your employees decide what to buy — all while staying within the decided budget.
These employee appreciation gift ideas prove that it really is the thought that counts. While finding something meaningful and unique will take time, the reward of making employees feel appreciated and valued makes it more than worth it, especially considering the positive effect it'll have on employee engagement, morale, and retention.
We’ve filled this guide with feasible small gift ideas for employees for all situations, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. But if you want to make your gifts even more personalized and convenient, don’t wait to partner with Hoppier. See Hoppier in action.
Ready to 2x your global engagement at your next event, with Ox stress?
Make Hoppier your unfair advantage today, schedule a demo
Ready to 2x your global engagement at your next event, with Ox stress?
Make Hoppier your unfair advantage today, schedule a demo
Ready to 2x your global engagement at your next event, with Ox stress?
Make Hoppier your unfair advantage today, schedule a demo
Ready to 2x your global engagement at your next event, with Ox stress?
Make Hoppier your unfair advantage today, schedule a demo
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