Buying gifts for employees can be a meaningful act of appreciation. Studies indicate that appreciating your team leads to better engagement, retention, and output. But it also comes with possible drawbacks if you don’t do it carefully.
Thoughtless or inappropriate gifts may not go over well. Always pay attention to what you give and who receives it. By following essential dos and don’ts, you can confidently select gifts that make your employees feel valued.
The Dos
1. Do Personalize
Putting together or buying custom gifts based on the recipient’s hobbies or interests makes a gift more meaningful. For instance, you could include premium coffee for your caffeine-loving employees. Curated corporate gift boxes for employees allow for creative packaging together with small, personalized items that feel heartfelt.
2. Do Consider the Occasion
Save bigger ticket items for milestones like work anniversaries and retirement. For the holidays, contribute a charity donation in an employee’s name. Small thank-you gifts like gift cards can be used to recognize an exceptional effort. Matching the gift to the situation demonstrates thoughtfulness around exactly what warrants celebrating.
3. Do Set a Budget
Extravagant gifts may cause discomfort and inequity between employees. Set per-person spending limits, usually USD$20-50 for small gestures and up to USD$100-200 for significant milestones. Exceptional performers appreciate recognition more than an over-the-top gift.
4. Do Focus on Experiences
Tickets to shows, museum exhibits, or workshops can make exciting gifts if they align with an employee’s interests and availability. Dining at a nice restaurant also offers memorable bonding opportunities. If you have the budget and can stretch it further, why not arrange a retreat in Paris or anywhere else abroad to celebrate team milestones? Experiential gifts often generate more happiness than material items.
5. Do Be Mindful of Company Policies
Check your company’s gift value restrictions to rule out specific options. Also, see if there are cultural norms or expectations to be aware of, especially when operating internationally. Following policy guidelines prevents putting employees in awkward situations.
6. Do Include a Handwritten Note
A personalized message makes any gift more meaningful by highlighting specific accomplishments. Handwritten notes also feel more heartfelt than a generic e-card. Take a few minutes to write out what makes each employee’s contributions special.
The Don’ts
1. Don’t Give Overly Personal Gifts
Avoid gifts related to sensitive topics such as politics or personal appearance, as they may not be well-received. Stick to universally safe options related to an employee’s work or hobbies. The gift should celebrate professional accomplishments and not make your employees uncomfortable.
2. Don’t Give Alcohol or Cash
While these gifts may seem safe for some cultures, they may cause discomfort or legal issues in certain situations. Alcohol can exclude those with particular religious beliefs or substance abuse issues. Be aware that cash equivalents like gift cards may have tax implications. Keep this tidbit in mind if you’re including these items in holiday gift hampers.
3. Don’t Forget About Cultural Diversity
Diverse religious holidays, varying gift-giving norms, and different preferences based on cultural background all warrant consideration. Do your research beforehand or discreetly ask around to avoid any unintended insensitivity.
4. Don’t Assume Everyone Celebrates the Same Holidays
Rather than defaulting to giving Christmas gifts, recognize hard work at reviews, after big projects, or on work anniversaries. That way, you appreciate efforts year-round and don’t leave anyone out. This also guarantees the focus stays on performance.
5. Don’t Regift
Regifting conveys the message that you did not put enough effort into selecting something meaningful. Ideally, choose gifts with the recipient’s interests in mind rather than for convenience. Even small tokens of appreciation hold value when clearly matched to an employee’s preferences.
6. Don’t Overthink It
Ultimately, a small act of genuine appreciation holds tremendous value on its own. Instead of agonizing over finding the perfect gift, focus more on the gratitude you wish to convey through a thoughtful gesture.
Bonus Tips
Creative Gift Ideas
Gift cards for experiences, signed books related to interests, board games, subscription boxes, or volunteering as a team offer unique ways to show appreciation. Tickets to sports games or other fun activities like escape rooms also encourage bonding and conversation. Customizing a gift basket around an employee’s distinct hobbies like golf, baking, or crafting makes it more personal.
Handling Difficult Situations
For new hires or remote staff, request input from their direct supervisors who know them better. Consider asking new employees to share a bit about their interests during the onboarding process. For remote staff, paying attention to video calls can reveal potential gift ideas. For employees with few known preferences, a basic self-care package with treats like candles, slippers, or luxury teas tends to work well.
Remember the Power of Recognition
Gifts should complement—not replace—regular recognition practices such as praise, awards, and growth opportunities. Small and consistent gestures also prevent recognition from only happening a few times a year. Publicly praising contributions at meetings or in company newsletters are other great ways to motivate your employees. They might even be more effective than a physical gift.
Conclusion
Managers can demonstrate their appreciation by choosing meaningful gifts over expensive ones. Avoid potential pitfalls using these dos and don’ts, personalized to each workplace.
Thoughtful gifts enhance company culture by acknowledging employees’ hard work. Follow these tips to confidently brighten your employees’ days through gifts reflecting how much they matter.
