Your workers have been doing a great job for the organization so far. They’ve gone above and beyond in ensuring customers’ needs are met and your business is in profit.
You’re touched by their dedication to the job.
Even though that’s what they’re being paid to do, you didn’t expect that kind of dedication.
And so, you’ve decided to appreciate them.
“But what do I give them?”
That’s what we talk about in this piece.
You’ll find some of the best employee appreciation gifts you can give workers to show how much you appreciate them.
Ready?
Let’s get on with it!
Table of Contents
Bulk Employee Appreciation Gifts
Inexpensive Employee Appreciation Gifts
Unique Employee Appreciation Gifts
Remote Employee Appreciation Gifts
Personalized Gifts for Employee Appreciation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bulk Employee Appreciation Gifts
If you head a large team or business and want to get gifts in bulk so no one feels left out, we’ve got some great ideas you can consider.
You just have to think about branding them with your company logo and name so they have a personal touch.
Let’s go over these gift ideas.
Water bottles
Our first option is this Welly vacuum water bottle.
It’s one gift you can get in bulk, customize, give out, and your employees will shower you with thank-yous.
Why?
Because we all drink and need something to hold beverages. Especially at the office or when we’re on the move.
This accessory provides a fancy way of doing that with its durable powder coating and natural bamboo wrap.
Price range: $50–$70
Where to get: SwagDrop
T-shirts
This is another gift idea your employees will love.
Get their favorite colors, have the shirt branded, and you’ll get them queuing for it.
It’s one of the best company swag gifts you can give as it’s a gift the recipients can use.
You can order a mix of short and long-sleeve tees with different colors so people have enough choices.
And if you use our pop-up shop, it’ll streamline how you give out the t-shirts. Employees get to pick their preferred size and color themselves.
Price range: $14–$60
Where to get: SwagDrop
Ballcaps
And what pairs better with a t-shirt than a ballcap? It’d be a perfect combo gift, especially for workers who love the outdoors.
The Transcend ballcap comes with a wicking finish and UPV protection.
You can customize the cap so it feels like a particularly thoughtful gift.
Price range: $9–$15
Where to get: SwagDrop
Travel tumblers
Here’s a gift for employees who are always on the road. You know, between meetings and conferences.
Getting them this drinkware would make their life easier in a way. They get to brew their coffee just the way they want from home and pour it into this tumbler for the road.
But it’s not just for coffee lovers though, it can store other beverage goodies at a preferred temperature for hours.
Price range: $17–$30
Where to get: SwagDrop
Notebooks and pens
Wanna go for simple gifts?
Then a customized notebook and pen is a great option. It can always come in handy at the office, at home, or even on the road.
And if it’s fancy like this spiral straw notebook, they’re gonna cherish it for a long time.
Price range: $4–$7
Where to get: SwagDrop
Tote bags
Here’s what we sometimes like to call one of the picks of employee appreciation gifts.
Because what’s not to love about it?
It’s fashionable, trendy, and useful whether your employees are eco-friendly or not.
Price range: $5–$10
Where to get: SwagDrop
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Inexpensive Employee Appreciation Gifts
Okay, let’s assume you’ve got a very limited budget but still wanna get something for the team.
“They’ve worked hard, I need to show that I see and value them,” you say.
Well, say no more, we know just what you need.
Mouse pads
Now you’re probably wondering what makes mouse pads a great gift.
But you see, this isn’t your regular mouse pad. This type doesn’t move whenever the mouse moves or grow germs you didn’t even know existed.
This mouse pad comes with a non-slip rubber base that keeps it in place while the mouse is being used.
And the top is made from antibacterial polyester. It’s appropriate for anyone who uses a computer at work.
Price per item: From $5.98
Where to get: SwagDrop
Keychains and keyrings
Perhaps not as fancy as some people would consider but a keychain gift set branded with your logo is a useful part of any company swag handout.
It’s got two functions in a way — you appreciate your employees and increase brand awareness.
Price per item: From $3.25
Where to get: SwagDrop
Lanyards
A lanyard is another affordable gift you can give your employees. It’s especially suitable for those who work in-house.
They can use the lanyard as a keyholder or for carrying their badge. Feel free to customize it so the lanyard has a personal touch.
Price per item: From $1.49
Where to get: SwagDrop
Stress relievers
Do your employees sit for hours on end working?
Then you should consider giving them a stress reliever as a gift.
It’s thoughtful and they can even turn it into a fun part of company culture when team members play catch while brainstorming!
And as you know, playing can be a great way to boost employee morale after a stressful day.
Price per item: From $1.65
Where to get: SwagDrop
Ash recycled drawstring bag
Here’s another inexpensive gift you can get for your employees. It’s an ideal gift for the eco-activists as this drawstring bag is made from recycled water bottles.
It’s also a multipurpose bag. The recipient of this gift can use it to store personalized items when going to the gym, cycling, or even hiking.
Price per item: From $4.58
Where to get: SwagDrop
Unique Employee Appreciation Gifts
There are times when you just wanna go out of your way to do something special and different for your employees.
Perhaps after a tedious product launch or closing new clients.
If that sounds like what you have in mind, check out these great employee appreciation gift ideas below.
Experiential gift
Have you ever heard the phrase “One of the most beautiful things in life are memories?”
If you haven’t, that’s because we just coined it.
You see, experiences create memories.
So if you give your employees the gift of a lifetime experience, you’re gonna earn their respect and loyalty in ways you didn’t expect.
It could be an all-expenses-paid weekend vacation to Las Vegas, hot-air balloon rides, a human catapult, or a VIP ticket to their favorite artist’s concert.
Try it and thank us later.
Price range: $100–$2,000
Where to get: SwagDrop
Lunch with leadership
A special lunch with the bosses is another way to show you appreciate your employees, especially if it’s a large organization.
You can book a reservation at a fancy restaurant or hotel where they can go and have a good time.
For small brands, consider having lunch with the team at a good place too.
Meals are usually a good place to bond and have interesting conversations outside the workplace.
Price range: $100–$1500
Where to get: SwagDrop
Wellness or SPA gift card
Here’s an employee recognition gift your team members would love any day.
It’s a subtle way of saying “I see all your hard work and want you to de-stress.”
With this wellness gift, they’ll be looking forward to the opportunity to unwind the next time they have a stressful day.
Price range: $25–$200
Where to get: SwagDrop
Classes and training to support their hobby
Know a hobby your employees love?
Paying for their classes would be the perfect gift for them. You can pay for a couple of months or six months.
This would show that you’re concerned about your employees’ well-being and not just focused on the amount of time they spend at work. You can pair this with a handwritten note to express your appreciation.
Price range: $15–$300
Where to get: SwagDrop
Light glasses
Do your employees spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen?
Then, giving them light glasses as a gift would mean a lot.
It’s thoughtful and will foster team building within your organization.
Why?
Well, because staff will see that their boss is looking out for their well-being.
That says a lot to your employees about the kind of team you’re building and they’re gonna be more committed than ever.
Price range: $30–$80
Where to get: SwagDrop
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Remote Employee Appreciation Gifts
Your remote workers shouldn’t be left out of your appreciation or recognition program.
But considering they’re probably not in the same space as you, figuring out the appropriate gift may be a li’l difficult.
Well, not if you’ve got us in your corner.
In this section, we’ve outlined a list of the perfect thank-you gifts you can give your remote workers.
Let’s dive right in.
Cozy blankets
Let’s start with a functional gift they’d love — a cozy blanket. It’s a great companion for their bedroom, home office, or sitting room.
A blanket would serve them on cold days by warming their body or for fun movie nights when they just wanna stay on the floor with their loved ones.
Now, this particular blanket comes with a triangle patch that lets you show off your brand logo.
Price range: $20–$50
Where to get: SwagDrop
Candles
Remote workers spend a lot of time at their home office. They’re basically indoors all day.
As such, it’s important to them that their space has a really good look and smell.
How better to do that than with a scented candle?
Not just any type but one paired with a planter with seeds. It’s a thoughtful gift they’ll appreciate each time they light the candles or water the plant.
May not look like much, but it’s the little things, guys.
Price range: $40–$70
Where to get: SwagDrop
House plants
Did you know tendering to plants is part of self-care?
Here’s something else you probably didn’t know: research shows that enriching a work environment with plants can boost productivity by about 15%.
Pretty impressive, right?
When you give house plants like this as a gift, you’re doing a favor to both yourself and the employee.
It’ll make their home office cool and, of course, keep them productive.
A win-win situation.
Price range: $20–$50
Where to get: SwagDrop
Exercise equipment
A typical day in a remote worker’s life goes like this:
Wake up, take coffee, start working, munch on snacks, eat lunch, return to work, snacks, keep working, dinner, snacks, sleep, and repeat.
All the while either sitting or lying down.
It’s not good for them in the long run. That’s why giving remote workers exercise equipment like a yoga set would be a thoughtful gift.
It’ll be easier for them to create time to work out and stretch when they’ve got the equipment for it.
Price range: $30–$60
Where to get: SwagDrop
Digital gift cards
Want to avoid the whole stress of dealing with delivery logistics and following up?
Just get them a gift card from their favorite stores.
This way they can get something of their choice when they feel like it. There are different stores you can consider from Amazon to Target, Best Buy, or their favorite coffee shop like Starbucks. The list goes on.
Price range: $50–$500
Where to get: SwagDrop
Personalized Gifts for Employee Appreciation
So, gift-giving day is fast approaching and you have no idea what to give your employees as a token of appreciation.
The idea on your mind was what you gave them last year during the work anniversary. Bringing it back for another gift-giving day would seriously damage your rep.
Well, don’t worry.
SwagDrop has your back.
Here are some of our top employee appreciation gift ideas.
Custom corporate pop-up shop
Our first suggestion is to allow your entire team to choose their gifts.
After all, they’re the only ones who really know what they’d like.
How do you do that?
By creating an online pop-up shop for your company.
This way they can select things just right for their size, weight, or preference and you won’t have to.
You get to leverage teamwork for your staff appreciation gift day.
Price range: $1–$100
Where to get: SwagDrop
Personalized padfolio
You have that one employee who has desk accessories scattered across their workspace. You’ve tried to tell them subtly, but they don’t seem to get the hint.
Giving them a personalized padfolio would most likely do the trick.
It would allow them to arrange their items in an organized manner and help you show appreciation for their hard work.
Whether their workspace is littered or not, a padfolio is a functional and thoughtful gift anyone would like.
Price range: $5–$15
Where to get: SwagDrop
Personalized backpack
Some might say backpacks are too common but trust us, a high-quality one is a timeless classic gift.
It’s a perfect present when onboarding new employees or if you just wanna appreciate your team’s effort.
Why do we sound ecstatic about this gift?
Well, branded backpacks are functional and if you pair them with the padfolio, you have a special gift box for your employees.
Price range: $30–$70
Where to get: SwagDrop
Personalized letter of appreciation
Really wanna let your employees know how much you value their contribution?
Write a personalized letter. And by ‘personalized’ we mean written with your hands and all.
You’re probably wondering how this would count.
Well, that’s because no one has the time nowadays to write a physical letter anymore. If they see that you took your time to do that, it’s gonna mean a lot to them.
So, put on your thinking cap, pick your special pen, and write that heartfelt letter.
Price range: Free
Where to get: Your heart and pen.
Extra paid time off
Here’s another idea every employee would love.
If they’ve been working hard, rewarding them with free time is priceless. It won’t cost you anything, but it would mean a lot to them especially if they’ve got a family.
You can pair this with any of the gift ideas we mentioned further up.
But hey, only if it’s a good time to have your employees take a little time off.
You also have a business to run.
Price range: Free
Where to get: Your heart and HR department.
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Start Customizing Employee Appreciation Gifts
You’ve got loads of gift options to give your workers now. You never have to rack your brain thinking about the best options.
Just one more thing before we part ways.
When you choose a care package for your employees, ensure you customize it.
Why?
A customized gift goes a long way in showing that you put a lot of thought into the present and that would mean a lot to your employees.
Still trying to figure out how to begin?
Just click here to start customizing your employee appreciation gift with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have additional questions, we’ve compiled some of the top questions people ask about appreciation gifts.
Q1. What are the benefits of employee appreciation programs?
Here are our top reasons why we believe appreciating employees is a necessity.
- Boosts the morale of your workers.
- Improves relationships within your organization.
- Limits turnover.
- Improves employee retention.
- Reduces workplace stress and pressure.
- Increases productivity, employee engagement, and creativity.
Q2. When and how often should we give employee appreciation gifts?
While there’s no defined timeline for gift-giving, we recommend you give gifts:
- On work anniversaries.
- On special occasions like birthdays or holidays.
- After outstanding performance reviews.
- After a product launch.
- When a target is met e.g. a 100k-subscribers milestone.
Q3. What are the dos and don’ts of giving employee appreciation gifts?
Do’s of giving corporate gifts:
- Have a budget.
- Do a little research to know what they like (e.g. asking friends and family).
- Ensure they’re personalized so the gift is more meaningful.
- Go for practical gifts.
- Be mindful of sentiments (religious or cultural).
- Remember to attach the receipt.
Don’ts of giving appreciation gifts:
- Avoid giving gifts too often.
- Avoid gifts that are too personal.
- Don’t go over your budget.
