The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better gift to give than showing your employees how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication throughout the year? As an employer, Christmas gifts are a thoughtful way to spread some holiday cheer and boost morale around the office. But with so many gift ideas out there, how do you choose the perfect presents for your staff? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to pick out meaningful and memorable Christmas gifts for your employees.
Who Should Receive Christmas Gifts?
First, you'll want to decide who will be receiving gifts. While it's not necessary to give presents to your entire staff, some good rules of thumb are:
- Full-time employees: These team members dedicate their time and efforts to your company year-round, so they definitely deserve a little something.
- Part-time and seasonal staff: Part-timers who regularly work for you each week and seasonal hires who helped out over the holidays are also good to include.
- Contractors/freelancers: Workers like independent contractors who aren't technically employees can be left off the gift list if your budget is tight.
- Interns: Consider a small token of appreciation for interns as a goodwill gesture if you want to go the extra mile.
- Upper management: Executives and owners may choose to give each other gifts, but employers don't necessarily need to give them presents.
When Should You Give Christmas Gifts?
Aim to hand out gifts 1-2 weeks before Christmas. This gives employees enough time to enjoy the presents with their families during the holidays. If your office hosts a Christmas party, passing gifts out there is another great option.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Employees
Next comes the fun part - picking out the actual gifts! Here are some awesome Christmas present ideas for employees:
Food Gifts
- Fruit baskets - Who doesn't love receiving a towering stack of delicious, fresh fruit? It makes for a healthy and universally liked gift.
- Chocolate/candy - Sweet treats and chocolate boxes check the gift-giving box with minimal effort.
- Cookies - A festively decorated tin of homemade or gourmet cookies spreads cheer.
- Gift baskets - Fill a basket with an assortment of snacks, candy, nuts, and other goodies.
- Gift cards - Give gift cards to popular coffee shops or restaurants so employees can pick out their own food and drink.
Useful Gifts
- Nice water bottles - Upgrade your staff's hydration with stylish, insulated water bottles. Add their names for a personal touch.
- Cozy slippers - Plush slippers are a cozy gift to keep feet warm around the office and at home.
- Notebooks/planners - For the new year, give your team members printed notebooks, planners, or agendas.
- Tech accessories - Items like wireless phone chargers, earbuds, portable chargers, or mouse pads work for tech-savvy employees.
Self-care Gifts
- Candles - Nothing is more relaxing than lighting a scented candle. Pick calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus.
- Bath bombs - Let your team enjoy an at-home spa experience with fizzy, aromatic bath bombs.
- Massage gift cards - Provide the gift of relaxation with certificates for massages or reflexology sessions.
- Tea/coffee samplers - Assorted tea bags or ground coffee samples give a taste of new flavors.
Sentimental Gifts
- Photo frames - Frame and print a team photo from the year or go vintage with your company's opening day pic.
- Engraved desk accessories - Engrave items like pens, notebooks, paperweights, or tech gadgets with each person's name or initials.
- Donation in their name - Make a charitable donation to a cause of their choice to give the gift that keeps on giving.
- Handwritten cards - Handwritten holiday cards with personal messages are always meaningful.
Creative Gifts
- Office plant - Liven up desk spaces with mini Christmas trees, poinsettias, or succulents.
- Company merchandise - Branded items like t-shirts, sweaters, caps, and mugs show office spirit.
- Books/puzzles - Give brain-stimulating books, word searches, Sudoku, or crossword puzzles.
- Games - Add fun to break rooms with board games, card games, or video games.
- Arts & crafts kits - Adult coloring books, paint-by-number kits, and other artsy gifts tap into creativity.
Gift Cards/Cash
Stuck on ideas? Gift cards and cash are foolproof options. Some suggestions:
- Department store gift cards - Let them do their own shopping.
- Gas station gift cards - To offset commuting costs.
- Prepaid Visa cards - Offer flexibility to buy whatever they want.
- Restaurant gift certificates - For delicious lunches and dinners out.
- Movie theater gift cards - For movie lovers to enjoy a night out.
- Plain cash bonuses - Can't go wrong giving some extra spending money.
Holiday Gift Giving Tips
Keep these tips in mind as you put together your employee holiday gifts:
- Set a budget: Decide how much you want to spend per employee, choosing an amount you can reasonably afford. $20-100 per person is common.
- Make it egalitarian: Give the same gift or same value to each employee rather than varying amounts.
- Consider dietary restrictions: Ensure food items accommodate employees' diets and allergies.
- Add a personal touch: Customize or personalize gifts with names, monograms, or handwritten notes.
- Prepare early: Shop for gifts well in advance to get the best deals and avoid holiday headaches.
- Present them nicely: Splurge on festive gift bags, wrapping paper, ribbons, and name tags. It elevates a simple gift.
- Keep receipts: Hold onto gift receipts in case employees want to exchange sizes or flavors.
Alternatives to Gift Giving
Giving tangible gifts isn't the only way to spread holiday cheer:
- Company parties - Host a festive party with food, drinks, music, and games.
- Potlucks or cookie swaps - Organize shared meals and treat exchanges.
- Time off - Give the gift of relaxation with extra paid time off or vacation days.
- Charitable efforts - Coordinate a holiday philanthropic activity like volunteering or donating.
- Bonuses - Hand out end-of-year bonuses or extra pay as a monetary thank you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Giving Christmas Gifts
Once you've settled on gift ideas, follow these steps to execute a seamless holiday gift exchange:
- Make a gift list - Jot down names and gift ideas for each recipient. Check it twice!
- Set a budget - Decide how much you can spend overall, allocating equal amounts per person.
- Shop for gifts - Use your list to shop for gifts, keeping your budget and timeline in mind.
- Prep and personalize gifts - Wrap, bag, and tag gifts. Include personal touches like custom labels.
- Coordinate gift distribution - Determine timing and method to hand out gifts, like at a party or individual desk drop-offs.
- Convey appreciation - Verbally express gratitude for your team's efforts when giving gifts.
- Collect reactions - Pay attention to employees' gift feedback and appreciation. Note any gift suggestions for next time.
- Say thank you - Follow up with a thank you email or card reiterating how much you value your staff.
Pros and Cons of Giving Christmas Gifts to Staff
Here are some key advantages and disadvantages of giving holiday presents that companies should weigh:
Pros
- Increased employee happiness, morale, and motivation
- Strengthened employee loyalty and retention
- Boosted team bonding and relationships
- Opportunity to show appreciation for staff's contributions
- Chance to create positive associations with your brand
Cons
- Added costs and expenses for the business
- Time and effort required to shop for and distribute gifts
- Difficulty picking gifts that appeal to everyone
- Pressure for employers to get increasingly extravagant gifts
- Tax complications if gift amounts exceed IRS thresholds
Best Practices for Holiday Gifts to Employees
To get the most out of your staff holiday gifts, incorporate these best practices:
- Survey employees to identify the most desired gifts. Things like gift cards, food, and useful gadgets tend to be big hits.
- Stick to gifts that create positive and professional associations with your company's brand. Avoid anything inappropriate.
- Give gifts based on position level rather than performance to avoid perceptions of favoritism.
- If giving cash, distribute bonuses separately from gifts to underscore that gifts are just a token of thanks.
- Set expectations by communicating gift plans and timelines with employees in advance.
- Maintain consistency year-to-year with gift values and types to keep things fair.
- Coordinate gift distribution and storage for remote employees who aren't in the office.
- Pair tangible gifts with heartfelt verbal, written, or digital thank you messages.
- Take photos on gift giving day to capture moments and share the joy company-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good gender-neutral gifts?
Great gender-neutral options include gift cards, office tech tools like wireless chargers, food gifts that most people enjoy like chocolate or nuts, self-care items like scented candles or nice slippers, and useful desk accessories like notebooks, planners, or coffee mugs.
Should managers give gifts to their direct reports?
Managers can absolutely give small token gifts or gift cards to their individual team members. It's a nice gesture for managers to show appreciation toward their direct reports through a holiday gift.
What gifts should be avoided?
Steer clear of gifts that could come across as insensitive or inappropriate like alcoholic beverages, gag gifts, or anything with sexual undertones. Also avoid overly lavish or expensive gifts that other employees will then come to expect annually.
Can companies give cash as a holiday gift?
Cash gifts are allowed, though the IRS puts limits in place over certain amounts. Giving cash also comes across as less personal than a tangible gift. If giving cash, characterize it clearly as a holiday bonus instead of a gift.
Is it better to give gifts or extra time off?
Employees often appreciate extra paid time off even more than a tangible gift. However, a holiday party, paid day off, and a small gift can combine to make the perfect festive package. Offer traditional gifts for those who celebrate Christmas while giving time off for others.
Conclusion
Giving thoughtful Christmas gifts to employees is an excellent opportunity to show your appreciation, boost morale, and bring some festive cheer to the workplace. With so many fun gift possibilities available, choose options tailored to your staff's preferences while staying within your budget. Most importantly, make your gratitude shine through and reward your team for all their hard work. Following these tips will ensure your staff feels happily rewarded this season.
