16 Great Gifts for Employees No Matter What Your Budget

Cassy Aite
August 16, 2024
16 Great Gifts for Employees No Matter What Your Budget

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, work anniversary, or milestone, nothing shows appreciation and gratitude like gifts for employees. Regularly giving gifts increases employee engagement, boosts morale, and improves retention — so it’s a no-brainer for employers.

However, some companies work on a limited budget for such occasions, and thus, managers and owners may find gifts cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, that’s not the case.

With some creativity and a few gift ideas, you can find the perfect gifts for employees regardless of your budget. Find out why employee gifts are important to your business and some inspirational ideas to delight your team no matter the occasion.

Why Gifts for Employees Are Important

A man giving a gift to an employee in the office

Employee gifts will wow your team members, but there’s more than meets the eye. Sure, giving a gift is a gift in itself. You show appreciation, see the gleeful reaction of the giftee, and feel satisfaction. But thoughtful gifts for employees also play an integral role in company culture.

A give-and-take relationship with your staff comes with numerous benefits that often outweigh the monetary cost of gifts. Delve into these aspects of employee gift-giving and see the advantages for yourself.

Improved Job Satisfaction and Happiness

Rarely has a person received a gift and not had a smile to go with it — except maybe socks from grandma. When you give an employee a gift, they’re happier. Happiness brings more job satisfaction, a can-do attitude, and a willingness to go the extra mile.

The same results follow for the gifter. The Mental Health Foundation shows a positive link between giving or helping people and increased happiness. With the perfect gifts for employees, you’re both a bit happier and, thus, more satisfied at the office.

Increased Productivity

When people are happy and satisfied at their jobs, productivity follows. A University of Oxford study shows that happy workers are 13% more productive. It’s a modest increase, but a 13% increase in job efficiency will make work easier and faster.

Commitment to Work Relationships

Giving great gifts to employees strengthens your interoffice relationships. Interestingly, these are the people you spend the most time with — perhaps even more than spouses, friends, and family members. Forging a strong relationship is in your best interest for the sake of work and your mental well-being.

The 16 Best Gifts for Employees Regardless of Your Budget

An office worker giving an employee an envelope

The importance of gifts for employees cannot be understated. Now that you recognize that crucial point, let's move on to the fun part — buying gifts. Regardless of your budget or the occasion, you can find several gifts your employee will appreciate.

The Best Gifts for Employees Under $10

Even with a low budget, you can positively impact your employee’s day. From employee appreciation gifts to birthday gifts to holiday gifts, $10 can go a long way.

1. Houseplants and Succulents

A houseplant, tropical, or cactus can brighten up a home office with an intangible quality. Plus, they can improve air quality, giving the gift of fresh air, even inside the house.

2. Tumbler, Coffee Mug, or Water Bottle

Hydration and caffeine are the two beverage-based thingss every in-office or remote employee needs. With drinkware such as a reusable stainless steel tumbler, water bottle, or coffee mug, you can encourage hydration habits or provide a jolt of caffeine — gifts for employees that keep on giving.

3. Swag

Show off your brand with swag that doubles as a practical gift for employees. Tote bags, small gadgets, or even cool keychains with your company logo can provide a bit of advertising that your employees can also use regularly.

4. Personalized Notebook or Stationery

Office gifts aren’t always appreciated, but add a bit of personalization, and they’re instantly met with accolades. Though we’re in an increasingly digital world, a notebook or stationery with a graphic or monogram is handy to jot down notes or thoughts. And who doesn’t like a useful personalized gift — even if it is office supplies?

5. Cable Organizers

With printers, mice, keyboards, computers, phone chargers, and more, keeping a workspace neat and tidy isn’t always easy. Cable organizers are the best way to contribute to an aesthetically pleasing and organized workspace, which can contribute to employee productivity.

6. Scented Candles

Candles can get expensive, but you might be surprised that you can find pleasant-smelling, high-quality ones for under $10. Whether you love citrus, cinnamon, or lavender, appealing to your employees’ olfactory senses is always a winner.

The Best Gifts for Employees Under $25

Stacks of books

Have a bit larger of a budget? Stretch your money further with great employee gift ideas that won’t break the bank at under $25.

7. Target or Amazon Gift Card

Amazon and Target have just about everything, no matter what your employees love. As a result, they’re the perfect spot for endless gift options for your employees. From Christmas gifts to employee appreciation gifts, an Amazon or Target gift card provides that hard-to-find gift your employees want.

8. Wireless Charger

In a digital world, everyone’s on the go, albeit with a smartphone in hand. Sometimes, you might forget you might forget your phone charger, which can put you in quite a pickle. Offset the chance of a dead phone and cut down on cables with a wireless charger. They work with every type of phone, and they even can clean up a desk by reducing the number of cables.

9. Lunchbox

Lunchboxes aren’t just for kids anymore. With an array of styles and colors, lunchboxes are office essentials that provide practicality and functionality. It’s the perfect gift for employees and foodies, whether you offer a food stipend or they have to fend for themselves.

10. Best-Selling Books

Possibly due to online content, people are reading fewer books than ever, yet they’re integral to mental stimulation and learning. Encourage your employees to do both with a trending or best-selling book. Self-care, self-help, and industry-specific books are excellent choices, but reading — even fiction — is better than reading nothing.

The Best Gifts for Employees Under $50

A woman holding a smartphone and Bluetooth speaker

Fifty dollars is a great price point in your search for the best gifts for employees. You have many options to celebrate work anniversaries, provide a thank you gift, or just some good old corporate gifting. Discover how far a $50 budget can take you with these gifts for employees.

11. Gift Boxes and Gift Baskets

Gift boxes, gift baskets, or gift sets have long been a gifting tradition in the office. And with the advent of the internet, you can find almost anything to put inside them. T-shirts and pajamas, gourmet chocolates, healthy snacks, beer, and wine are all on the table — ready for your employees to enjoy a good night’s rest or a virtual happy hour.

12. Bluetooth Speaker

Maybe it reminds them of a library or church, but some people can’t work in silence. They need background noise to get down to business. Indulge them with a quality Bluetooth speaker, allowing them to listen to their favorite tunes or podcasts while they work.

13. Learning Subscription

Professional development is a core tenet of employee retention, yet 55% of workers state that their current job doesn’t provide enough opportunities to better themselves. If you want to celebrate their hard work while allowing them to hone their skills, a subscription or credit to a learning platform like Coursera, Udacity, or MasterClass are excellent gifts for employees.

The Best Luxury Gifts for Employees

Scotch being poured into a class

When money is no obstacle, you can choose from endless gifts for employees. However, selecting the right gift for staff members isn’t always easy, especially for high-end goods. The best luxury gifts for employees appeal to their tastes while providing a bit of flash or pragmatism.

14. Tech Gadgets

Practical and useful, tech gadgets provide something useful with a touch of flair. Fitness trackers, electronic gadgets, smartphones, tablets, or premium headphones fall under this category, giving your employees something they'll be proud to own.

15. Fine Wine or Spirits

Wine and beer are always welcomed gifts, but if you want a luxury gift for employees, nothing beats premium liquor or fine wine. Twenty-year-old scotch, a bottle of French champagne, or Italian wine should do the trick.

16. Experiential Gifts

Many employees — especially younger ones — are more inclined to enjoy experiences than possessions. If you want to indulge their wanderlust or adventure, an experience is one of the best luxury gifts for employees. Weekend getaways, sporting events, concerts, or skydiving offers an experience unlike any other, and you’ll look pretty good giving them as a thoughtful gift.

Let Hoppier Take the Guesswork Out of Gifts for Employees

In midsize and larger companies, you may not have the opportunity to get to know each employee. It’s just part of the job. If you can’t decide on a gift for an individual employee, don’t fret. Hoppier can take the guesswork out of buying gifts for employees.

With Hoppier, you can purchase virtual and digital bulk gift cards from thousands of vendors. Select the amount for each gift card, choose how they can spend it or leave it to them, and set an expiration or leave it open-ended. The card is also completely customizable, allowing you to match your company’s colors and style.

Hoppier gift card

Once you’re done, Hoppier does the rest. Each employee receives their gift card and can choose the perfect gift. When you need employee gifts, let Hoppier take away the hassle in a fun, easy, and quick way. And you’ll look like an office champ all the while.

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