If there was ever a year to show some extra recognition to your employees, this was it! For so many workers, the world was turned upside down, and hopefully, your business is stronger than ever after you navigated those choppy waters.
However, a paycheck and a pat on the back can only go so far. You want to show your employees that you truly appreciate their efforts, and a generous gift can do just that.
If you think it’s time to give out some employee appreciation gifts, we’ve got you covered with a list of great ideas to get started. We think you’ll find some gifts worth giving in this list, so stay tuned and take notes!
Home Office Essentials
This past year, many employees had to work from home, while others were not able to come to work for obvious reasons.
That’s why we suggest giving employee gifts that are functional as well as meaningful so that your staff members can enjoy the experience of their home offices while staying calm, collected, and productive. Check out these ideas here.
Workstation Tools
Take a look around your desk and ask yourself what’s missing? Could you use a physical calendar to go alongside your digital one? Maybe you’re in need of a new mousepad or some ergonomic cushions to make your chair a bit more comfy?
These are just a couple of ideas that could make a great employee gift, and there are even brands online that allow you to upload your company logo and customize each one with a personal touch.
Other workstation tools include branded pens, notebooks, extra USB and charging cables, and even tracking devices for cars and phones so that nobody ever loses those essential items again. If it helps your employees be more organized and stay on track, why not send it?
Décor and Knick Knacks
Working from home isn’t all about how much tech you can fit on the desk. Employees need a calm and serene environment so that they can cut out all distractions and stay focused on the task at hand.
This means that some of the best gifts create a sense of relaxation and order in the home. Just one or two pieces can really tie the whole room together!
These could be fresh plants (ideally requiring minimal attention), scented candles that freshen up the place, or a groovy lamp that plugs in to create a chill vibe at the desk.
These types of gifts don’t need to be outlandish nor very expensive. You can pick and choose certain pieces of décor or small items that complement the employees’ personality and their interests. That always goes a long way to make things more meaningful.
Self-Care Products
One thing is for sure – this hasn’t been an easy year for any of us! We could all use a bit of help in the self-care department to stay mentally and physically strong to take on whatever comes next in work and life.
Certain gifts can show you care about your employees’ health and wellbeing and give them some time away from the desk to focus on the things that matter most. Check out these gift ideas for inspiration.
Toiletries and Trinkets
We could all use some extra self-care gear for the bathroom cabinet, from high-quality soaps and shampoos to moisturizers, lotions, cosmetics, and more.
To give this gift, you might want to segment your employee base down to male and female, but unisex options also exist if you prefer to keep things simple.
Time in the shower is always a nice getaway from work and stress, so these products can really help employees relax and enjoy moments to themselves.
There are lovely fragrant body washes, scrubs, and all sorts of rejuvenating products that can be enjoyed daily and help everyone look and feel their best when it’s time to get to work.
It’s usually better to stick with general items that appeal to a wide array of people rather than specializing and selecting gifts for individuals in this category. That way, you don’t have to try to hand-pick items that might be considered more personal.
Better yet, there are self-care packages available that let you give the same thing to everyone in your roster, with personalized notes that you can write yourself. Super easy, appropriate, and something that will definitely be put to good use.
Time To Chill
Work can be stressful, that’s for sure. But if you give the gift of relaxation, that’s one of the best ways to show that you appreciate everything your employees do for you and the team.
Gifts in this category can include things like mini Bluetooth boomboxes, scented candles or diffusers, or even a subscription to a meditation or audiobook app that can let your employees take it easy after work with something relaxing or interesting.
Better yet, you can give a gift that takes them away from technology for a while, whether that’s a book they might like, a board game they can play with friends, or a kit that shows them how to make something like artwork or a sculpture.
Some luxury snacks are also a good idea, but we’ll touch on that soon.
We’re all overexposed to screens and connectivity these days, so one of these gifts can be exactly what your employees need to unwind.
Something Tasty
We all saw this one coming – food and drink! These are gifts that simply never miss, and as long as you have a basic understanding of things like dietary restrictions and allergies, they will be appreciated by everyone in your organization.
We’ll even throw in some luxury food items for employees who have really gone above and beyond this year, so keep an eye out for those high-quality picks.
Snack Attack
These first gifts are easy as can be: simple, tasty snacks that will surely be eaten in a few days or less.
We’re talking about the chips, the pretzels, the popcorn, the candy – all that stuff that can be easily and readily enjoyed for a movie night or just typing away on the keyboard for work.
The best part about these snacks is that they’re typically non-perishable, meaning they can be shipped in bulk without any concerns about expiring or getting tampered with.
Plus, these snacks can be gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and check all the boxes you need to be in line with healthy lifestyles and workplace productivity.
Happy Hour
It might not be the healthiest gift in the world, but who doesn’t enjoy a drink or two after work? Sending wine, beer, or cocktail kits is always a home run, and you can be sure your employees will put these gifts to good use.
All-Out Luxury
If your employees deserve the luxury treatment, consider shipping them something extraordinary like authentic Royal Ossetra caviar. Despite its reputation for complexity and steep prices, this is actually quite an easy gift to give, provided you send some instructions as well.
Caviar may not be the most affordable gift for everyone in the office, but why not go all out for those top-performing teams and individuals? They can enjoy spoonfuls by themselves, share some with friends and family, and make it a special occasion worth celebrating.
Grateful Giving
Employee recognition is so important and often overlooked. Take any of these great gift ideas – from notebooks and candles to wine and caviar – to show them how much you care.
These are all meaningful gifts that go far beyond the surface level, so you know it will mean a lot.
