Employees are the face of the company, shaping the company’s reputation through their dedication and hard work. They are the foundation upon which the entire organization rests, driving success and growth within the competitive marketplace.Â
In order to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and efforts of these employees, as business owners and managers you can use unique ideas for gifting. Especially with Christmas coming up, it’s better to get a headstart on planning for the holiday season.
That said, there is always the question of – what to gift your team. In this guide, we’ve highlighted the top 8 special gift ideas you can use for your employees. It’ll be handy especially if you like to be well-organised beforehand.
Let’s begin!
1. Fun Team Parties
Who doesn’t like parties? We all do. Hosting fun office parties is a great way to inject excitement into the workplace.
Choose from a range of options, including theme-based and seasonal parties. For instance, selecting “80s Throwback” or “Beachy Vibe” as the party theme creates a sense of anticipation and fun among the employees. For a seasonal party, plan for a fantastic and out-of-the-box corporate Christmas party to end 2023 with a bang.
With such festive gatherings, you boost team engagement while also delightfully showcasing your appreciation for your staff. It’s a great way to foster a vibrant and innovative work culture.
2. Personalised AccessoriesÂ
By gifting personalized desk accessories, you can strengthen your relationship with employees.Â
Desk accessories like custom nameplates, engraved pen holders, or quirky merchandise like Tubbz ducks or merch from their favorite show or movie can add a fun twist to the gifting experience. You can make it more personal, by adding a motivational quote, a message, or an inside joke that resonates with the team member.Â
It is also important to choose the right time and date to gift. Let’s say it’s an employee’s birthday or work anniversary, then gifting them desk accessories on those days would be more impactful.
If it’s an office gathering before a big holiday, that’ll be a great time as well to gift everyone a little something.
3. Spa or Wellness VouchersÂ
This can be a great way to gift something thoughtful and relaxing to your employees.
To break the monotony of work life, spa vouchers can be a therapeutic gift, enabling employees to recharge and relax. These vouchers typically include services such as spa treatments, yoga classes, fitness sessions, or wellness retreats.
Tailor these vouchers to suit individual preferences, ensuring that your team chooses activities that resonate with them. By gifting such self-care vouchers, you can ensure that employees prioritize their mental health and physical well-being.Â
4. Tech Gadgets
To stay up-to-date with technological trends, employees can be gifted with advanced tech gadgets.
For managers seeking gift ideas, they can consider options like a smartwatch, noise-canceling headphones, or Bluetooth speakers. These gifts can allow employees to enhance their productivity and work more efficiently and conveniently to deliver the desired output.Â
Simultaneously for employees working from home, make sure they have good quality webcams and if not, gift them one to enhance the video conferencing experience.
Tech gadgets can be a great way to boost productivity and employee morale. When employees notice that the company is investing in tech gadgets to stay ahead of the competition, it’ll add to their level of job satisfaction as well.
5. Team-Building Activities
Nowadays, many companies are incorporating and organizing team-building activities to promote team collaboration and encourage a sense of camaraderie.Â
Team building activities help employees take a break from their work life, and indulge in the feeling of excitement and fun. By organizing outdoor team activities such as paintballing, pay, and play day experience, quad biking, scavenger hunt, tug of war, or sports day, you can encourage your team to participate while enabling them to foster a bond with fellow team members.Â
Alternatively, you can also arrange for indoor activities such as culinary challenges or art workshops. By organizing such activities, managers not only strengthen their relationships with employees but also provide them with a rewarding experience.Â
6. BooksÂ
Books are another great way to gift something special to the employees. They can be the most thoughtful and versatile gift for employees.
Since books offer knowledge and personal growth opportunities, select titles based on the employees’ likes and dislikes. Thoughtfully chosen books can inspire creativity, leadership, or a positive attitude, contributing to the employee’s personal growth and professional well-being.
Books provide insight, a sanctuary, a necessary escape, and meaningfulness to the reader, depending on the genre of course. This means your team members can revisit these, serving as a constant reminder of their manager’s or team lead’s appreciation. It’ll go a long way in showing them that their managers value their growth and development along with their preferences and likes.Â
7. Sponsored Vacations
One of the tangible ways in which you can appreciate your employees is by providing them with sponsored vacations.
A vacation is a significant reward that can motivate employees to relax, rejuvenate, and return refreshed to take up work challenges. Usually, in fast-paced working environments, employees do not get enough time to spend with their family members and friends.Â
Such vacations can help employees to take a break from work, and spend quality time with their loved ones. Arrange for group picnics or short one-day trips to cultivate better team engagement and bonding. By offering such benefits, you can improve communication and even be attractive to potential hires.
To Sum It Up
More than gratitude, it is the practice of giving tangible and special gifts that create a positive impression on employees. When employees feel appreciated, they tend to be more engaged, motivated, and committed to their work. This, in turn, boosts their morale, which results in better productivity and efficiency, benefiting the organization as a whole.Â
In terms of organizational success, appreciating your team for their hard work is an investment as it leads to reduced turnover, attracts top talent, and saves on costs. Additionally, employees feel more satisfied with their jobs which makes them go above and beyond in their roles, fostering a culture of innovation where both the organisation and members of the team are happy.Â
Regardless of whether you’re a manager or a business owner, we are sure these gifting ideas will do wonders for you, your business, and your employees!Â