Expressing gratitude and appreciation toward your employees is one of the best ways to foster a healthy and positive working environment. Employees that feel appreciated are more likely to show loyalty to the company and provide quality work, and their positivity can quickly spread throughout the entire office.
Gifts are an excellent way to express gratitude and let your employees know that you value them. Although material items aren't everything, thoughtful and personalized gifts can mean a lot to your team. No one wants to feel like their work or their presence is unnoticed, but giving the perfect gift lets your employees know that they matter. This is especially true when you give unique, individualized gifts to each person on your team.
The consideration behind the gift is just as important as the gift itself, too. By picking out the perfect gift for your employees, you show your team that you understand them and what they like.
Managers and team leaders often feel pressured when searching for gifts for their employees. You want to find the perfect item, but you may not know where to start. If you're looking for employee gifts, here are eight ideas to help you begin or narrow down your search:
Monthly subscription boxes have been a major trend in the last few years, and they make great employee gifts. Each month, the recipient gets a box full of items related to a particular theme. You can find subscription boxes in any price range for virtually any interest. For example, there are boxes for snacks, beauty products, pop culture trinkets, and art supplies.
To personalize the gifts, you could find a subscription box that fits the interests of each member on your team. You could also offer a list of options and let each employee choose which one they want. Subscription boxes make great gifts because they're recurring, so they're a long-term expression of gratitude.
A framed photo is personalized and sentimental, so it can be a very meaningful gift. You could frame a group photo of your team, or you could choose a candid photo from a funny or memorable moment at the office. Pair the photo with a card or a letter that expresses your appreciation and explains the context of the picture.
Gift baskets are a classic option for employee appreciation. Sometimes, it's easier to find a variety of small gifts for your team than to find one perfect item. Try to put together baskets that have a mix of practical and indulgent items. Snacks, drinks, small games, personal care items, candles, and plants can all make nice additions to a gift basket.
You could either put together the baskets yourself or purchase them. Personalization is key, though, so take your time exploring the options if you decide to buy gift baskets instead of making them.
Stationery can be the perfect combination of practical and thoughtful. You could gift your team high-quality notebooks, planners, pens, or other writing supplies. Quality stationery is much more enjoyable to use than cheap paper and pens, but most people don't think to buy it for themselves. These items will definitely come in handy around the office.
You can personalize stationery items, too. Have your employees' names engraved onto their notebooks or pens, and try to choose designs that you think reflect their personal styles.
With the number of streaming services available today, most people have to pick and choose which ones they subscribe to. The cost can add up when you subscribe to multiple sites, so a streaming subscription will be a much-appreciated gift. It's also a great choice if you're looking for a gift that will be appropriate for everyone on your team. Most platforms offer such a wide range of content that anyone can find something they like.
If you work in a busy or loud office, noise-cancelling headphones are a blessing. When your employees can tune out nearby conversations and simply focus on work, they'll be less stressed and more productive. High-quality headphones can make the work day much more enjoyable, and your employees can use them outside of the office as well.
Some people like over-the-ear headphones, and others prefer earbuds. To make sure everyone gets what they want, you could offer both to your team and let them choose.
The flexibility of gift cards is very desirable, especially for millennial employees. If you're not sure of the perfect gift for your team, let them decide what to buy by offering gift cards.
You should still try to personalize this gift, though. Consider each of your team member's hobbies and interests to choose a gift card for a store they'll love. Restaurant gift cards are a good option, too, as long as you take your employees' preferences and dietary restrictions into consideration.
Gifts don't have to be tangible or monetary. Although it isn't a physical item, a day off is one of the best gifts you can give to your employees. Not only will the time off be appreciated by your team, but it also provides a chance for your employees to rest and recharge, which can improve their performance when they return.
You could offer your team a surprise three-day weekend, or you could give everyone a floating holiday that they can take when they choose. If you can't offer a day off, set aside an afternoon for your team to work on their passion projects or engage in a professional development event of their choice. This may not be as great as staying home for a day, but having the extra freedom can be meaningful.
Employee gifts are a valuable way to recognize your team's hard work and boost morale. Whether you're looking for gifts for your entire team during the holidays or shopping for one person to celebrate a birthday or promotion, be thoughtful with your selection. Give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm gift ideas and look for the right item. This is an opportunity to truly show your appreciation to your employees, and a great gift will go a long way.