Let's be honest: the annual quest to find the perfect Christmas gifts for employees can feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt. You want to skip the generic tokens and find something that genuinely shouts, "We appreciate you!"
Here's the good news: getting holiday gifting right is more than just checking a box. It's a genuine investment in your team. When you nail the gift, nearly 60% of employees say it makes them more likely to stick around in their role. The secret? Making every single person feel "seen and valued."
We've broken down the best ideas for employee gifting, from ultra-personal rewards to stress-free bulk solutions, so you can make your team feel celebrated.
The biggest mistake employers make is trying to pick one thing everyone will love. (Spoiler: it’s impossible.) When you're picking good employee gifts, you have to be ready to surrender control.
Forget the myth that gift cards are impersonal. They’re actually the most personal gift you can give! They’ve consistently ranked as the top choice for a reason: they offer maximum flexibility. Since your employees choose how they use the value, you immediately solve the problem of giving an unwanted item. It’s a win-win: the best possible gift is the one they picked out for themselves.
Even better than just letting them choose their gift, let them choose their gift card with GiftCard+
While a new gadget is nice, experiences create lasting "fond memories" for your team and their families.
Instead of booking tickets for a specific date and time—which, let's face it, is a scheduling nightmare—focus on cards that offer flexibility:
When you’re looking for high-impact recognition, focus on quality, utility, and tapping into the wellness trend.
Your gift can be a powerful symbol of your commitment to work-life balance. These gifts are perfect for reinforcing your Employee Wellness Program goals, helping staff "take a breather" and conquer that "post-Christmas slump."
The modern employee appreciates items that blend high quality with daily utility.
The challenge of buying Christmas gifts in bulk for coworkers is purely logistical. You need scale and efficiency without sacrificing that personal feeling.
The best solution often merges both: a personalized care package. You can order these in bulk but tailor the contents to include company swag, great snacks, and unique goodies, all delivered with a personalized message. This strategy easily fits into established corporate traditions, such as a "Year-End Appreciation Day" or a "Global Remote Engagement Program."
Don't let your HR or People Operations team spend December hauling boxes. Specialized services, like dedicated company store platforms or third-party fulfillment services, handle everything—from order collection to customization and final delivery. This streamlined approach ensures success for your Annual Holiday Gifting Program, even with a widespread, remote team.
The true impact of any gift isn’t its cost, but the words that come with it. Good employee Christmas gifts paired with meaningful messaging makes and impact. Make sure your words intentional:
|
What You Want to Say |
Example Phrasing |
Strategic Intention |
|
"We see your hard work." |
"Thanks for All You Do," "Grateful for You and All You Do" |
Validate their effort and boost morale. |
|
"You belong here." |
"We Appreciate You," "There's Snow One Like You" |
Foster personal loyalty and a sense of belonging. |
|
"We care about the world." |
Making a charitable donation in their name |
Integrates with your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program, allowing the employee to feel part of giving back. |
|
"Take a break." |
"Relax, Refresh, Recharge," "Warm Thanks for All You Do" |
Acknowledge their need for self-care and work-life balance. |
The most successful holiday programs use a tiered strategy: Use the high-quality Branded Utility gifts for universal appreciation across the company, and save the truly High-Impact, Personalized Rewards (like experiences or high-end tech) for targeted retention and milestone recognition.
Looking ahead, we'll see more emphasis on digital investment. For instance, gifting access to digital learning platforms and skill development subscriptions is a long-term investment in the employee’s career, often formalized within a "Professional Development Sponsorship Program."
By focusing on making the process easy, the gifts meaningful, and the message sincere, your holiday appreciation program is guaranteed to deliver a genuine, measurable impact on employee morale.