Best Employee Appreciation Gift Ideas For Employee Appreciation Day 2024

Employee appreciation is at the core of every positive workplace culture. Employees who feel appreciated are more likely to stay with a company and stay engaged, according to Forbes.

There are so many ways that you can give recognition to the employees who contribute so much to the success of your organization. One of the best and most direct ways to show your employees that you notice their hard work is with employee recognition gifts set. 

Branded Swag Kits – A Custom Gift for Employee Appreciation

A custom gift for employee appreciation like branded swag kits not only elevates company pride but also ensures that your team feels a part of something bigger. This kit can be filled with a variety of personalized gifts, and branded items, from pens to notebooks, allowing employees to showcase their affiliation both in and outside the office. The tangible reminder of the company’s identity reinforces a sense of belonging.

Curated Snack Boxes – Most Loved Employee Appreciation Day Gift

Often considered the most loved employee appreciation gift, curated snack boxes bring joy and satisfy cravings. By offering a diverse selection of delicious treats, you demonstrate a personal touch and understanding of the different tastes among your team and team members. It’s a delightful and effective way to boost morale.

Thank You Note – An Inexpensive Gift for Employee Appreciation

An inexpensive yet profound way of expressing gratitude is through a handwritten thank you note. This traditional approach provides a personal touch, proving that sometimes, simple gestures carry the most weight. The sincerity of a handwritten note often resonates deeply with recipients, fostering a feeling of true appreciation.

Experience Gift Cards – A Thoughtful Employee Appreciation Gift

A thoughtful employee appreciation gift, experience gift cards provide employees with memories rather than material items. Whether it’s a day at the spa or a night at the theater, these cards allow employees to indulge in activities they love, promoting a work-life balance.

Sweatshirts with Logo – A Branded Gift for Employee Appreciation

Branding sweatshirts with your company logo offers a dual benefit. Not only do employees get a cozy addition to their wardrobe, but it also serves as a representation of company unity and spirit and helps in employee engagement. The warmth of the sweatshirt often parallels the warmth of the gesture.

Casual T-shirts – A Great Gift

Celebrate and give your employees the gift of cool and casual T-shirts. These can be styled for various occasions and, when branded, help boost team spirit and unity. Casual wear often aligns with the comfort level of the employee, making them feel relaxed and appreciated.

Designer Bottles – Great Employee Appreciation Gift for Travel Lovers

For employees always on the go or those who love to travel, designer bottles serve as the best appreciation gift. These trendy bottles encourage hydration and are perfect for both office and leisure settings. Moreover, they highlight an understanding of the employee’s lifestyle.

Coffee Mugs – A Good Employee Appreciation Gift Idea for Coffee Lovers

For many coffee enthusiasts, gifting a branded or specially designed coffee mug serves as the perfect token of appreciation. It’s an everyday reminder of the company’s gratitude, ensuring that each sip comes with a sense of belonging.

Premium AirPods – A Luxury Gift for Employee Appreciation

A luxury gift for employee appreciation, premium AirPods elevate the listening experience. Whether it’s for leisure listening or work-related tasks, this upscale gift signifies that the company values and wishes to provide the best for its employees.

Wonderful employee appreciation gift ideas such as gift boxes, swag kits, snack gift packs, and gift cards are widely recognized.

Coming up with employee appreciation gift ideas can be a challenge. Because you want to be sure that the gifts you choose are thoughtful and portray to your employees just how much you value them.

And sometimes, less is more. Take this story for example. 

Our new employee experience manager decided that celebrating every single national holiday that ever existed was a great way to keep employees engaged and express appreciation. We’re not just talking about Halloween and Valentine’s Day, but also obscure holidays that seem as if people just invented them, like Chocolate Chip Day, National Hug Day, and Friendship Day. Oh, and National Employee Appreciation Day of course. 

The new employee experience manager came up with all of these employee gift ideas for every holiday. Literally every single one. It got a little out of hand if I’m being quite honest. 

Custom Swag Baskets and Boxes – Perfect Employee Recognition Gift for Remote Employees

For the remote worker, receiving a swag kit or box can bring immense joy, bridging the physical distance between the company and its dispersed workforce. By curating a box filled with delightful goodies, perhaps some company merch or even tools for their home office, you show thoughtfulness and make them feel included in the larger company culture despite the miles.

Company Branded Merchandise – Personalized Staff Appreciation Gift Idea

Branded merchandise is more than just a promotional tool; it’s a symbol of unity and belonging. When sent to remote employees, it not only aids in their day-to-day tasks but also instills a sense of pride and connection to the company. Every time they use the merchandise, they’re reminded of the larger team they’re a part of.

• The North Face City Parka
  
  It is the ultimate personalized staff appreciation gift. This high-quality winter coat features a durable water-repellent finish and is insulated with 550-fill down for reliable warmth in frigid conditions. Personalize it with your staff members’ names or initials embroidered on the front or inner tag to show your gratitude for their hard work and make this coat extra special. The City Parka will become their go-to cold-weather gear for years to come.
• Rover Pack Classic – Black Canvas
  
  Black Canvas backpack is a thoughtful personalized gift for staff. This sturdy, vintage-inspired backpack is constructed with durable canvas and genuine leather accents. Customize it by having their name or initials monogrammed on the front leather patch. Staff will appreciate the usefulness of this stylish, quality backpack for work, travel, or everyday use. The personalized touch makes this classic Rover Pack an extra special token of appreciation.
• Peter Millar Men’s Perth Stretch Loop Terry Quarter
  
  Give the corporate gift of luxurious comfort with the Peter Millar Perth Stretch Loop Terry Quarter Zip. This ultra-soft quarter zip pullover features moisture-wicking fabric to keep staff feeling cool and dry. Personalize it by having their name or initials embroidered on the front chest for a special added touch. Staff will feel appreciated every time they relax or lounge in this cozy personalized pullover. It’s the perfect gift to show your appreciation and gratitude in comfort and style.

After a few months of this, many people were feeling a little holiday exhaustion (if that was possible). There were so many leftover teddy bears from National Give a Hug Day that HR was giving them out in bags to anyone who asked (no one did). 

Eventually, the CEO had to step in and put a stop to the madness of celebrating every holiday. Instead, the CEO decided that we would celebrate one holiday a month. We all got the chance to vote on what those holidays were. 

During each of those holidays, the company would give out clever employee appreciation gifts, such as employee gift boxes.

Even the remote employees were able to get in on the action too. The company sent out remote employee appreciation gifts each month since the remote employees weren’t able to attend the company holidays in person. Remote employees got company swag kits for one month so that they could represent our company from wherever they were in the country. 

Snack Appreciation Gift Boxes

Even with only 12 employee holidays to celebrate per year, these special employee parties were still getting a little exhausting. So the employee experience manager decided to step it up with unique employee appreciation gifts.

Personalized employee appreciation gifts were given out at each party in hopes of generating more engagement. These gifts were great honestly. One month we each got a different food bundle with our personal favorite food. 

These unique gifts for employees all had a personal touch, which was a big hit among everyone in the office. Yet still, we dreaded these parties. Whether it was because we all had to play a cheesy game at each party or because Susan insisted on bringing her homemade lasagna (that no one liked) to every single holiday and watching everyone to make sure they ate it, the parties were just too much.

Cookies for Team Appreciation

Who doesn’t love cookies? This sweet treat can be an excellent and inexpensive way to show appreciation. Consider sending a batch of freshly baked cookies or even a DIY cookie mix with a heartfelt note. It’s a gesture that warms the heart and delights the taste buds, proving that you don’t always need to spend big to show you care.

Customized Mugs to Show Appreciation – Inexpensive Staff Employee Appreciation Gift Idea

A personalized mug can brighten up a remote employee’s coffee or tea break. Whether it’s branded, has a motivational quote, or perhaps a design unique to their personality, a customized mug is a daily reminder of the company’s thoughtfulness and the integral role it plays, even from afar.

Personalized Stationery for Team Members

1. Pen
   
   A personalized pen is a useful gift that staff can keep on their desk and use daily. Have their name engraved with a message of appreciation on a quality ballpoint or rollerball pen to show your appreciation in a practical way.
   
2. Journal
   
   A customized journal is a thoughtful appreciation idea for jotting notes or reflections. Add their name or initials to the cover of a sturdy, beautifully bound journal for a gift they’ll treasure.
   
3. Color Highlighters
   
   Colorful highlighters with their name printed on each one provide a personalized set they can use to get organized and highlight important tasks or notes.
   
4. Sticky Notes
   
   Personalized sticky notes are a handy desk accessory that will keep their workspace organized. Print their name on the sticky notes to make the gift extra special.
   
5. Personalized Stamp
   A customized stamp with their name or initials is a unique gift they can use to personalize notes, cards, and letters. Every time they use the stamp, they’ll be reminded of your gratitude.

In an era of digital communication, the joy of writing on personalized stationery is unparalleled. Gifting remote employees bespoke stationery, tailored to their style or perhaps branded with company details, is a nod to both their professional and creative sides. It serves as a functional tool while also adding a touch of personal flair to their workspace.

In the end, participation was still waning, so they decided to drop the holiday parties down to just three per year. But to make up for the lack of employee parties, the company decided to go a little crazy with small appreciation gifts for employees. But hey, we weren’t complaining!

The company was handing out inexpensive employee appreciation gifts left and right. Some of these gifts included gift baskets with snacks such as cookies and chips (my personal favorite) and small swag items, such as customized mugs and other branded accessories.

Handing out employee appreciation gifts under $10 was honestly one of the best ideas the employee experience manager had all year (a lot better than the idea to celebrate National No Socks Day). The inexpensive staff appreciation gifts that we all go to every so often really helped to boost morale and make us feel appreciated. 

Bulk Employee Appreciation Gifts for Christmas and New Year Holiday Gifting

Hoodies and Sweatshirts

During the holiday season, the chill in the air makes hoodies and sweatshirts a perfect gift for employees. When bought in bulk, these cozy clothing items become an economical yet deeply appreciated token. Customizing them with company branding or a special holiday message can add a personal touch, ensuring that employees feel warm both physically and emotionally. They serve as a reminder of the company’s care and commitment to its team during the festive season.

T-Shirts

T-shirts are a versatile gifting option, suitable for almost any occasion. For the holidays, consider bulk-ordering T-shirts with festive designs or company branding. They can be worn casually or during company virtual holiday parties. Gifting T-shirts in bulk ensures uniformity and fosters a sense of team spirit. Plus, they are a lasting memento of holiday celebrations with the company.

WFH (Work From Home) Employee Kits

With the rise of remote work, WFH kits have become increasingly relevant. These kits, when given as holiday gifts, can include essentials like ergonomic mousepads, branded notepads, headphones, or even desk plants. Ordering these in bulk can be cost-effective, and they show employees that the company values their comfort and productivity even when working from home. Such kits are especially thoughtful during the holidays, allowing employees to kickstart the new year with a refreshed home workspace.

Snack Boxes

The holiday season is synonymous with indulgence, making snack boxes a fitting bulk gift for employees. Curated with a mix of different sweets and snacks these boxes cater to diverse palates. When ordered in bulk, snack boxes can be tailored to reflect festive themes, ensuring that employees relish holiday flavors. Sharing snacks, even if virtually, can also provide a communal experience, adding to the holiday cheer.

• Sweet Treats- Brownie Basket
  
  The Sweet Treats Brownie Basket is an indulgent way to show your appreciation. Customize this gift basket of scrumptious brownies and treats baked from scratch by adding their name or initials to the packaging. This personalized assortment of Baby Brownies, Brownie Bruffles, chocolatey Brownie Edgies, and more is a decadent gift they’ll never forget!
  
• Savory Bites- The Wicked Big RI Bundle
  
  The Wicked Big RI Bundle is a personalized gift full of Ocean State classics. Customize this assortment of Iggy’s and Del’s best sellers by adding their name to the pint glass or packaging. With chopped clams, chowder, lemonade mixes, and Rhode Island swag, it’s the perfect way to show appreciation for their Rhode Island pride!
• Healthy Treats- Exotic fruit box
  
  The Exotic Fruit Gift Box provides a unique and healthy way to show your gratitude. This personalized gift contains a delightful assortment of rare tropical fruits for them to try. Add a custom note with their name on the gift box to make it extra special. With mangos, lychees, dragonfruit, rambutans, and more, it’s a tasty adventure they’ll love. The Exotic Fruit Gift Box is an outside-the-box gift that lets you thank your staff in a memorable and delicious way!

The employee appreciation gift ideas were doing so well that the employee experience manager decided to put in an order for bulk employee appreciation gifts along with personalized appreciation quotes. We all got bulk thank-you gifts for Employee Appreciation Day, which included branded sweatshirts and t-shirts. 

The employee gifts bulk were such a hit that we finally convinced the company to stop making us sing an acapella version of jingle bells at the company Christmas party every year.’

So all in all, the employee appreciation gifts were great for creating a more positive work environment. And we’re all extremely thankful that we’ll never be forced to celebrate National Talk Like Shakespeare Day ever again. 

Also read: Salesperson Day Gifts Ideas