Employee Holiday Gifts
Employee holiday gifts are presents given by employers to their employees during the holiday season, typically at the end of the year. These gifts are a way for employers to show appreciation for their employees' hard work and dedication throughout the year.
Holiday gifts can vary widely in type and value, ranging from small tokens of appreciation such as gift cards, company-branded merchandise, or personalized items, to more substantial gifts such as electronics, luxury items, or holiday bonuses. The choice of gift often depends on the company's budget, culture, and the preferences of the employees.
Giving holiday gifts can help boost employee morale, strengthen employee-employer relationships, and foster a positive work environment.
What are employee holiday gifts?
Employee holiday gifts are a form of recognition given by employers to their employees during the festive season. This is like an occasion to showcase appreciation and gratitude to uplift an organization and overall company culture.
Why should companies give employee holiday gifts?
Holiday employee gifts are more than just tradition—they help boost morale, reinforce company culture, and show genuine gratitude. A thoughtful employee holiday gift can leave a lasting impression and strengthen employer-employee relationships.
Benefits include:
- Increases employee satisfaction
- Encourages loyalty and retention
- Enhances company culture
- Supports festive team bonding
What are the types of employee holiday gifts?
Employee holiday gifts can be thoughtful, practical, or personalized—depending on your team’s preferences and company culture. Here are some common types:
- Branded merchandise: Apparel, stationery, or accessories with the company logo that double as useful gifts and brand boosters.
- Gift cards: Prepaid cards for popular retailers, restaurants, or online platforms that offer employees flexibility in choosing what they like.
- Cash bonuses: A direct financial reward during the holiday season to recognize employee contributions.
- Customized gifts: Personalized items like engraved pens, custom calendars, or monogrammed products that show individual appreciation.
- Technology gadgets: Practical devices such as headphones, fitness trackers, or portable chargers—always a hit for tech-savvy teams.
- Subscription services: Monthly or yearly subscriptions to streaming platforms, book boxes, or meal kits that extend the joy beyond the holidays.
- Holiday hampers or gift baskets: Curated assortments of gourmet snacks, chocolates, or festive treats delivered in attractive packaging.
- Wellness and self-care items: Gifts like spa vouchers, essential oil diffusers, or fitness accessories that encourage relaxation and well-being.
- Event tickets: Passes to concerts, sports events, or live shows for employees to enjoy memorable experiences outside work.
When should you plan employee holiday gift ideas?
Ideally, you should begin planning your employee gifts for the holidays by early November. This allows time for ordering, customizing, and delivering—even for remote employee holiday gifts.
Who should receive employee holiday gifts?
All full-time, part-time, and remote employees should be included in your holiday gifting list. You can also consider gifting contract or freelance staff if they’ve contributed significantly throughout the year.
What are some employee holiday gift ideas?
Here are some of the top employee holiday gifts that work for all industries and team sizes:
- Curated gift boxes with snacks or wellness items
- Personalized desk accessories or tech gadgets
- Gift cards to local or online stores
- Branded winter gear (scarves, mugs, beanies)
- Donations made in their name to a cause they care about
What are the best employee gifts for holidays in 2025?
Trends for unique employee holiday gifts in 2025 include:
- Eco-friendly wellness hampers
- Work-from-home care kits
- Smart gadgets like desk humidifiers or wireless chargers
- Personalized video shoutouts from team leads
- Virtual experience vouchers (online cooking or painting classes)
Employee pulse surveys:
These are short surveys that can be sent frequently to check what your employees think about an issue quickly. The survey comprises fewer questions (not more than 10) to get the information quickly. These can be administered at regular intervals (monthly/weekly/quarterly).
One-on-one meetings:
Having periodic, hour-long meetings for an informal chat with every team member is an excellent way to get a true sense of what’s happening with them. Since it is a safe and private conversation, it helps you get better details about an issue.
eNPS:
eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) is one of the simplest yet effective ways to assess your employee's opinion of your company. It includes one intriguing question that gauges loyalty. An example of eNPS questions include: How likely are you to recommend our company to others? Employees respond to the eNPS survey on a scale of 1-10, where 10 denotes they are ‘highly likely’ to recommend the company and 1 signifies they are ‘highly unlikely’ to recommend it.
Based on the responses, employees can be placed in three different categories:
- Promoters
Employees who have responded positively or agreed. - Detractors
Employees who have reacted negatively or disagreed. - Passives
Employees who have stayed neutral with their responses.
What makes a holiday gift unique for employees?
Unique employee holiday gifts 2025 should combine utility with personalization. Think beyond branded mugs—try gifts that reflect hobbies, wellness, or learning.
Examples include:
- Custom Spotify playlists with a holiday message
- Mini indoor plants with name tags
- A digital memory book of team achievements for the year
Are employee holiday gifts taxable?
Yes, in many countries, employee holiday gifts may be considered taxable if they exceed a certain value. Check with your local tax advisor or HR policy to determine what qualifies as a de minimis (non-taxable) benefit.
How much should you spend on employee holiday gifts?
There’s no fixed rule, but most companies spend between $25 to $100 per person based on role and seniority. For bulk employee gifting, you can often find better rates from vendors.
How do you select creative employee holiday gifts for remote teams?
Remote employee holiday gifts should be easily deliverable and personalized. Some creative employee holiday gifts include:
- E-gift cards or subscriptions (music, streaming, coffee clubs)
- DIY kits (baking, candle-making, wellness)
- Personalized calendars or journals
- Company-branded winter swag mailed directly
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