15 great employee appreciation gifts

Corporate gifting is about more than giving out the occasional bonus. Gifts are the perfect way to really show appreciation for your employees' hard work and achievements. Give them out during performance reviews to reward exceptional performance, in celebration of birthdays or work anniversaries, or when people enjoy major personal or professional achievements.

There are lots of reasons to give — and lots of gifts you can give. Read below for a roundup of gift ideas for global companies that are ideal for local and remote team members alike!

1. Customized company swag

Customized company swag is a great option because it has the potential to be useful in the employee’s regular daily activities. Think about all the times your employees take their insulated coffee mugs to the local coffee shop, or when they wear company t-shirts and hoodies while out and about, and you’ll start to see how this can help boost brand visibility — particularly with remote team members who may live in an area that your company doesn’t have a major presence. 

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

People always appreciate things they can use. Give out stylish apparel or cool gadgets, and people will not only use their gifts, but happily show them to family and friends, which helps promote a positive image as an employer within your community.

Examples

• Apparel: Shirts, hoodies, hats
• Drinkware: Mugs, water bottles, insulated tumblers
• Gadgets: Bluetooth speakers, earbuds, power banks
• Bags: Totes, backpacks, laptop bags

2. Personalized gratitude boxes

The key with gratitude boxes is to truly personalize them. This doesn’t mean simply adding the employee’s name or your company logo. Instead, consider what the employee enjoys — then design or choose a gift box accordingly. Research services that deliver to your remote employees locations to ensure that their gifts arrive without delay.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

A personalized gratitude box right is a great way to demonstrate that you’ve taken enough interest in the employee to know what they enjoy. Take the time to get to know your team members during one-on-one meetings, and ask about their preferences. This can help you select (or prepare) a box that speaks directly to the employee’s interests and show them that you listen. 

Examples

• Wine and cheese boxes for foodies
• Spa gift baskets for self-care enthusiasts
• Coffee samplers for your coffee aficionados
• Pet gift baskets for the dog and cat people in your office

3. Send digital delivery meal gift cards

Digital delivery meal gift cards are convenient for the buyer and the recipient. Some sites will even let you purchase custom-branded gift cards for a little personalized flair. 

Tip: If you’re buying for remote employees, make sure that your delivery app of choice has plenty of options in the employee’s area. In small towns or rural areas, some delivery apps may not list many restaurants — or they may not be active at all.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

A nice meal from a favorite restaurant is always a great treat! These gift cards give the recipient the flexibility to choose their preferred spot and have food brought right to their door. 

Examples

• DoorDash: U.S., Canada, Australia, and Japan 
• Uber Eats: Available in 29 countries including U.S., U.K., France, Australia, and Kenya
• Takeout Central: Local takeout for North Carolina residents

4. Extra vacation days

For employers, an extra day — or even two or three — isn’t a big hit to company finances. It’s also another gift that is easy to give, and the process is the same whether your employees are in-office or remote. Communicate with managers about how they can offer extra vacation days to employees. If they decide to do so, update the information in your HRIS system as needed. Then, the employee is free to use their gifted time however they like!  

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

A recent Gallup survey of more than 13,000 employees finds that 64% wanted an increase in income or benefits, and 61% wanted a better work-life balance. It’s all about building employee morale and helping everyone boost their mental health. Some extra time away from work not only addresses the need for better benefits and work-life balance but also boosts morale.

5. Gift card to a local spa for massage

The same survey we mentioned above also finds that 61% of employees want better overall wellbeing. For many people, a massage is a perfect way to increase those feelings of wellness! 

However, before you give this gift, do a little investigating. Some people love getting massages, but some might feel uncomfortable with the idea. Bring it up during watercooler conversation or teamwork sessions to gauge how everyone feels about it, and if people are receptive, then start searching for spas local to your team members.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

There are few better ways to treat yourself than a luxurious self-care day that includes a massage. And the beauty of a massage gift card is that there is some flexibility to your gift. Employees can turn it into a day-long experience that includes other self-care activities or save it for a particularly stressful day to stop in and unwind after work. 

6. Tickets to a sporting event or a play  

There are a couple of ways to deliver this gift. If your workforce is local to you, you could turn it into a larger affair to help build employee engagement (for example, treating the whole team to a fun afternoon at the ballpark). If you have remote workers or know your employees have specific tastes, tell them you want to treat them to event tickets and let them choose the event.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

Even people who don't usually attend games or plays may enjoy doing something outside of their normal activities. When you ask about specific events that people would like to attend — then follow through with tickets to those events — it makes for fantastic personalized thank-you gifts that really show appreciation.

Examples

• Tickets to a baseball game or other local sporting event
• Tickets to a play, the opera, or an orchestra local to the employee
• Tickets to upcoming concerts or other big performances
• Tickets to cool events or venues, like fairs, amusement parks, or conventions

7. Send fresh flowers or floral arrangements to their house

Flowers and floral arrangements are the perfect way to brighten up any space — including the home of an employee who deserves recognition. Often, you can add sweet treats to the arrangement (think Edible Arrangements), or gift plants (like succulents) instead. Research florists local to your employee to ensure that their gift arrives on time and as fresh as possible.  

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

Not only are flowers beautiful, but they're also customizable gifts that you can tailor for individual employees based on their preferences. Ask for specific colors (like your company colors, for example) or specific flowers, or include a personalized note. 

Examples

• 1-800-Flowers is a nationwide service that works with florists everywhere
• Amazon delivers flowers, too — just search and send an arrangement with a gift address
• Teleflora is another nationwide favorite for sending flowers anywhere
• The Sill is a good choice for flowers, desk plants, and more

8. Deluxe snack boxes

Boxes full of goodies are a lot of fun to give and get! Look around for standalone gift boxes and baskets, or if you want a gift that keeps giving, treat your employees to a subscription snack box available in their state (or country). 

It’s important to keep in mind that every employee will have different dietary preferences and restrictions. If you’re planning to gift snack boxes, ask employees for this information to ensure their box is tailored for their specific needs.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

Just as with delivery app gift cards, everyone enjoys food. Employees will appreciate snack boxes for a convenient bite to eat when they have the munchies. There’s also a social element here in that everyone can break out their snacks during virtual office parties or coffee breaks.

Examples

• Tokyo Treat offers unique snacks from Japan
• Boxybite has a big selection, from treats to healthy snacks
• MunchPak delivers snacks from all over the world

9. Send seasonal mini gifts

Mini gifts can be quite affordable when you have to stretch your budget across a larger team. Consider candles, candy, seasonal accessories, or self-care items to match the season, like lip balm and lotion in the winter or sunscreen and cooling creams in the summer. 

Keep your employees’ locations in mind to make these mini gifts as relevant as possible — it may make sense to send sunscreen to a U.S. employee in July, but not to an Australian team member (who would be in the middle of winter).

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

Seasonal gifts help people get in the mood for the season. Plus, they’ve often got a practical side — like warm accessories that people can wear on cold days. Since they’re seasonal, it’s something that you can use to create a workplace tradition that employees will look forward to. For example, you can create seasonal mini gifts to celebrate each quarter’s milestones.

Examples

• Cold weather basket with gloves, cozy socks, and a warm throw blanket
• Seasonal skincare sampler with lip balms, creams, or even sunscreen
• Selection of candles in seasonal scents (like floral, fresh scents for spring)

10. Write a handwritten personalized note

A personalized handwritten note costs you nothing — but can have enormous value. All you need is some stationary, a good pen, and a few minutes to write a brief note expressing your appreciation and gratitude. For in-office employees, these notes are best hand-delivered. For remote workers, it’s worth the small effort required to put your handwritten note in the mail.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

Some gifts can feel like tokens, and some, despite your best efforts, may not be the perfect fit for a particular individual. But a handwritten note that expresses your gratitude? At the end of the day, appreciation and recognition is something that all of us crave for our hard work.

Examples

• Completing a major project
• Going above and beyond expectations of their role
• Commending innovation and forward thinking 

11. Home office upgrades

Remote employees spend a lot of time in their home offices, so it’s worthwhile to give them the tools to make it a more comfortable, organized space. Upgraded equipment is a great way to complement the home office tools they already have, and shows that you care about their comfort.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

For starters, your home office gift will likely be something the employee will use daily. But there are practical elements, too: Upgraded monitors can make your employee's job easier, for example. These gifts also prevent the employee from purchasing these items themselves.

Examples

• New mouse, keyboard, or monitor
• Desk organizer
• Phone and tablet charging pads

12. Team dinner

Rather than snacks or gift cards, this is something that everyone can all do together to promote teamwork and better company culture. That’s what makes this a great idea for a staff appreciation gift.

If you're working with a remote team, schedule team dinners during off-site meetings, or consider a virtual dinner night where you contribute toward whatever everyone would like to order for themselves.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

Team dinners are appreciated not only because they’re delicious but also because they’re a chance to bond. It’s fun to dress up for an evening, set work aside, and get together for good food and conversation.

13. Online learning course (employee’s choice)

Online learning courses offer flexible opportunities — and lots of them. This gift should focus on the employee’s interests rather than professional development. With online courses, employees can choose from any number of classes that help them pursue a personal pastime or hobby of their choosing.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

Letting your employees choose a course that isn’t related to their job demonstrates that you care about them as more than an employee, but as a person. Employees will appreciate your enthusiasm in helping them develop their personal interests, and they’ll appreciate the variety and flexibility that online courses offer.

Examples

• Learn to play harmonica or another instrument
• Get started with watercolor painting
• Enhance tech knowledge with a machine learning course
• Up your game with classes in eSports

14. Recognition or award at a company meeting or event

Plaques or beautifully scripted certificates don't cost much compared to other recognition gifts, but their value can be enormous. There are lots of ways to award or recognize people, too. Celebrate a major work anniversary, recognize your top performers, or award major achievements.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

Awards and recognition are designed to make people feel appreciated, and the benefits go far beyond that euphoric feeling you get when you win an award. Employees can display physical awards in their offices and can even add such recognitions to their resumes. 

Examples

• Award.com: U.S.-based orders
• Eclipse Awards: Canada-based with international shipping available
• Direct Source: U.K.-based orders

15. Fitness classes

Fitness classes are a great gift because they’re easy to customize. Yoga, crossfit, cycling, dance; there’s a ton of variety when it comes to fitness classes. Asking your employees what types of physical activities they enjoy can help you select the perfect gift, and shows the employee that you care about their health.

Bear in mind that different states and countries will have different local class options, so be sure to research what’s available to your remote employees.

Why your employees will appreciate this gift

As people seek to become healthier and happier, they are prioritizing fitness and wellness. A package of fitness classes could be exactly what your employees need to kickstart (or revive) their fitness journeys.

Examples

• Drop-in yoga class package
• Crossfit trial package
• One month of unlimited zumba classes

Bonus: Intangible gifts

Most ideas covered above are all tangible things — but you can also give the intangible, too. This type of gift makes for a nice little bonus in addition to the more tangible appreciation gifts.

Examples of intangible gift ideas include:

• Allowing people to select charities so you can donate in their name
• Time off for birthdays or anniversaries
• A floating day off that can be used whenever needed
• A stipend for travel, self-care, learning, or other needs
• Special shout-outs and recognition in a Slack channel
• A team video expressing gratitude and recognition to an individual

Situations where employee appreciation gifts are acceptable

When should you give employee appreciation gifts? They’re appropriate in celebration of not only achievements and milestones, but also personal and professional special occasions, too. Birthdays and work anniversaries are important — especially bigger anniversaries like five, 10, or 15 years. Holiday gifts are a tradition at many companies. Gifts are also nice to give during special occasions in the employee’s life, like parental leave, marriages, graduations, and so on.

When you use Pyn, you can use automation to trigger messages about these dates. For example, Pyn offers parental leave automation, complete with messages sent to both the employee and the manager. The employee gets a congratulatory message, and the manager gets a reminder to offer a personal congratulations — and a gift, if that’s part of the company’s policy.

Appreciate your employees with Pyn

One of the biggest challenges surrounding employee appreciation and recognition? It’s that managers simply aren’t aware of the moments that matter. It’s a tough task to track all of these dates — and in many cases, if no one’s mentioned a major life event or an upcoming birthday, then managers don’t know until it’s too late.

Pyn changes that. You can use it to leverage HRIS data to keep track of birthdays and work anniversaries, using the platform to send out automated messages in advance. With Pyn, you and managers will get notified well in advance along with prompts for gift ideas, links to appreciation programs, budget guidelines, and more. You even have the option to create personalized messages for the employee. 

It's not always about the gift: It’s about managers taking the time to recognize and appreciate the individual. Pyn can help you do that — schedule a demo to learn more.