Employee gifts are an effective way to show your staff how much you appreciate all their hard work.
Still, showering your employees with gifts is not easy if you’re on a budget.
The costs can quickly add up, even if you only have a few employees.
Onboarding, birthday, and Christmas gifts can all put a strain on your company’s resources if you’re not careful.
That’s why we’ve created this list of budget-friendly gift ideas for employees.
Check them out!
Table of Contents
What’s the Importance of Employee Gift-Giving?
21 Best Gift Ideas for Employees on a Budget
What Are Some Non-monetary and Inexpensive Employee Appreciation Gifts?
How to Choose the Best Gift Ideas for Employees on a Budget?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the Importance of Employee Gift-Giving?
Based on the thoughts and opinions of our many clients, we concluded that employee gifts are used for two main reasons that produce long-term benefits.
- Welcome new employees. New hire welcome kits improve the onboarding experience and make new employees feel part of the team.
According to a BR Printers report, 24.3% of employees feel included in the team when they receive promotional products from their employer.
Getting off on the right foot creates a pleasant workplace atmosphere and builds positive employee branding.
- Show appreciation for your staff’s contribution. Your business could never succeed without all your team members’ hard work.
Therefore, saying thank you and recognizing your employees’ contributions is a must.
The same BR Printers report found that 25.8% of employees feel appreciated by their employer when given a promo item.
Still, the benefits of employee recognition go way beyond feeling valued.
A Nectar survey found that work recognition:
- Increases employee engagement for 81.9% of respondents;
- Boosts productivity for 77.9% of respondents;
- Improves job satisfaction for 87% of respondents;
- Enhances employee retention for 71% of respondents.
Now, let us inspire you with some affordable gift ideas for employees.
21 Best Gift Ideas for Employees on a Budget
We’ve got some good news for you: there are plenty of affordable employee corporate gifts to choose from.
Moreover, at SwagDrop, you can buy in bulk and benefit from additional discounts.
Check out some of our clients’ favorite company swag for employees.
1. Angus ceramic mug
Whether your team members prefer coffee or tea, they’ll use custom mugs daily.
The Angus ceramic mug will impress your employees with its unique shape and elegant matte exterior.
Price range: $4 – $7
Why we recommend it: According to Drive Research, nearly three-quarters of Americans drink coffee every day, making coffee mugs a practical gift choice.
2. All Good SPF15 lip balm
Lip hydration is important all year round, making lip balms thoughtful promotional gifts.
Made from dried medicinal herbs, Vitamin E, extra virgin olive oil, and pure beeswax, this non-toxic lip balm offers immediate lip hydration.
Price range: $5 – $8
Why we recommend it: This wellness gift shows your staff you care about their well-being.
3. Carson ballpoint stylus
Branded pens will never go out of style because of their practicality.
However, our clients often choose the Carson ballpoint stylus instead of the classic plastic pen.
Besides its exquisite design, this pen doubles as a soft rubber touchscreen stylus.
Price range: $4 – $7
Why we recommend it: Your employees will likely use this writing instrument daily and be reminded of your appreciation gesture each time.
4. Recycled cotton twill tote
Tote bags have become popular promotional products because they are eco-friendly and fashionable.
Our tote bag is reusable and manufactured from 70%-80% recycled cotton and 20-30% recycled PET, making it the ultimate eco-friendly promotional product.
Price range: $3 – $6
Why we recommend it: You can add various goodies inside to turn this into a swag bag for new hires and senior employees.
5. Recycled PET bound notebook
Notebooks are cool office supplies that come in various fun colors that you can match with your brand colors.
If you’re looking for a classy branded notebook, you can never go wrong with black.
Our notebook features 80 sheets of recycled paper, promoting sustainability.
Price range: $4 – $7
Why we recommend it: According to The World Counts, recycling one tonne of paper saves around 1,400 liters of oil, 26,500 liters of water, and 17 trees.
6. Grid lanyard phone pouch
Receiving a simple branded lanyard is a bit boring.
Wow your team members with the lanyard phone pouch instead.
The pouch can fit your recipient’s phone, ID, and credit cards, keeping all their essentials safe and accessible.
Price range: $6 – $9
Why we recommend it: It’s the perfect conference, trade show, or company event swag item.
7. Light Up Logo Bluetooth earbuds
High-quality tech swag can be quite pricey, but we found a budget-friendly option for you.
The Light Up Logo Bluetooth earbuds feature built-in music controls and a microphone for answering calls.
Due to their ergonomic ear hook, these earbuds will stay in place even while working out.
Price range: $11 – $14
Why we recommend it: Research shows that employees who listen to music while working perform better than those who work without music.
8. Ash recycled drawstring bag
While tote bags are practical shopping accessories, drawstring bags are more versatile.
The Ash drawstring bag is one of our bestsellers. It’s made from recycled water bottles and has a minimalist design.
Price range: $5 – $8
Why we recommend it: Your team members can use it to carry their essentials or gym wear daily.
9. Clip-N-Go hand sanitizer
According to the CDC, handwashing keeps you healthy and prevents the spread of respiratory and stomach infections.
When soap and water are inaccessible, a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is the next best thing.
Our hand sanitizer has a 62% alcohol content, and the bottle has a mini carabiner so you can attach it to your bag or pants for immediate access.
Price range: $2 – $5
Why we recommend it: Healthcare promotional items show employees you care about them and promote corporate wellness.
10. Basketball stress reliever
Promoting employee mental health is just as important as protecting their physical health.
Stress balls are the most low-cost and effective way to achieve this, in our opinion.
Besides its stress-relieving capabilities, our product comes in the shape of a basketball, which will delight sports fans.
Price range: $3 – $6
Why we recommend it: According to a 2023 research study, using a stress ball at home for four weeks can significantly decrease anxiety and depression.
11. Retro sunglasses
Are you looking for a summer promotional product for your team members?
Our clients suggest you opt for these retro sunglasses.
They feature UV 400 protective lenses and are lightweight, compact, and unisex.
Price range: $3 – $6
Why we recommend it: The vintage design makes these sunglasses a stylish accessory for any outdoor event.
12. Adult wellness 5-piece kit
Travel promotional items are perfect for team members traveling for work.
The Adult wellness five-piece kit is one of our best-selling products in this category.
The set includes a toothbrush with a travel cap, toothpaste, and dental floss to maintain oral health.
Price range: $6 – $9
Why we recommend it: According to the Mayo Clinic, good oral care can prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
13. Bamboo fiber lunch box
Encourage employees to bring healthy snacks or home-cooked meals to work with a reusable lunch box.
The best feature of this branded product is the bamboo lid that doubles as a cutting board.
Price range: $13 – $17
Why we recommend it: According to the CDC, eating healthily boosts immunity, strengthens bones and muscles, and lowers the risk of heart disease.
14. Aluminum bottle opener
Be a different boss and promote a more relaxed work environment with fun employee gifts.
The aluminum bottle opener is an excellent choice because it doubles as a keychain, and you can use it anytime.
Price range: $2 – $5
Why we recommend it: This employee gift can be a cool party accessory that sparks conversations about your company.
15. Huddle sweatshirt blanket
Custom blankets are ideal for creating employee care packages.
The soft Huddle sweatshirt blanket keeps your remote staff warm on chilly days.
Price range: $13 – $19
Why we recommend it: A work-at-home kit including a blanket shows thoughtfulness for your remote workers.
16. Smart cookie gift bag
Forget about the traditional gourmet gift baskets with a hefty price tag.
Instead, choose a small and delicious cookie gift bag.
The branded pouch has a trio of individually wrapped, soft-baked cookies.
Price range: $6 – $9
Why we recommend it: This yummy snack gift will make your employees smile while they enjoy their morning coffee or tea.
17. Spirit lunch cooler
Offering your team members a lunch cooler is another excellent way to inspire them to eat healthily.
Our cooler features a roomy main compartment for carrying multiple meals, a front pocket, and a side mesh water bottle pocket.
Price range: $8 – $11
Why we recommend it: Your employees can also use the cooler when picnicking or hiking.
18. Alpha fitness towel
If your employees spend all day at a desk, you should advocate for exercise with a branded fitness towel.
The Alpha towel features a highly absorbent design that keeps the towel cool and dry even after intense workouts on hot days.
Price range: $4 – $7
Why we recommend it: According to the World Health Organization, 31% of adults don’t meet the recommended levels of physical activity, which poses severe health risks.
19. Omni outdoor Bluetooth speaker
If you can’t get your team members to exercise, at least get them outside with this outdoor speaker.
With this compact, waterproof Bluetooth speaker, your employees can enjoy their favorite tunes in their backyard, the park, or the woods.
Price range: $13 – $17
Why we recommend it: Spending time outside, even without exercising, can improve mental and physical health.
20. Multi-desktop set
The multi-desktop set includes all essential office supplies for everyday tasks.
It includes all sorts of writing instruments and colorful sticky flags for keeping track of important paperwork,
Price range: $4 – $7
Why we recommend it: This set is a thoughtful way to welcome new employees to the team.
21. Trek computer backpack
Branded backpacks are versatile swag items that your employees will love.
The Trek computer backpack is one of our clients’ favorite products due to its atypical shape and business-like appearance.
Price range: $12 – $16
Why we recommend it: Your team members can use this backpack to carry their essentials while traveling for work or pleasure.
Next, let’s look at some intangible yet effective employee gift ideas.
What Are Some Non-monetary and Inexpensive Employee Appreciation Gifts?
Besides offering budget-friendly swag items to your employees, you can also show appreciation through non-monetary, intangible gifts.
Here are some of our clients’ suggestions:
- Work-time flexibility means allowing your team members to work remotely for a few days or leave work early in case of an emergency.
Getting to a doctor’s appointment or staying home with a sick child is sometimes more meaningful than any branded merchandise.
- More work autonomy shows your employees you trust them to do their jobs without constant supervision.
Of course, you should consider this perk for experienced and reliable employees, not new hires.
- Extra personal days allow your staff to spend quality time with their family or simply take a break from work stressors.
After a day of relaxation, your employees will return to work recharged and ready to take on new challenges.
- Social media shoutouts are a form of public recognition that boosts employee morale.
After all, you’re not just showing your team members how much you value them; you’re praising them in front of all your social media followers.
- Out-of-the-office experiences encourage employees to have fun and forget about work for a few hours.
For instance, you can take them out for drinks and use the time to bond with them.
Finally, we want to give you some tips on how to choose the best employee gifts.
How to Choose the Best Gift Ideas for Employees on a Budget?
While plenty of affordable promotional products are available, you must choose the right ones.
To make things easier, use the following checklist.
- Know your budget. Carefully assess your company’s finances and determine how much you can spend on employee gifts.
Factor in all important occasions, including birthday and Christmas gifts.
Set a clear budget and avoid overspending.
- Know your employees. Choosing gifts that match your team members’ preferences and interests shows you care about them.
Chris Bajda, a seasoned e-commerce entrepreneur and managing partner at Groomsday, told us:
“A generic email or a small gift can be nice, but taking the time to understand what really matters to that individual makes a huge difference. The goal is to make them feel genuinely valued and appreciated in a way that resonates with them.”
Likewise, you can customize your gifts with personal messages to make them more meaningful.
- Always opt for practicality. If your employees use your gift daily, they’ll be reminded of your appreciation.
- Support local businesses. You can support the community and source budget-friendly gifts from local, small businesses.
For example, you can offer your team members gift cards for a nearby coffee shop or make a hamper of locally made artisan goods.
- Buy gifts in advance. Never buy corporate gifts at the last minute because you risk not finding low-cost options.
Instead, you should look for sales and discount vouchers and buy employee gifts when they are most affordable.
In addition, don’t forget about our bulk order discounts, which are often handy.
- Don’t overlook the presentation. Even a small, low-cost product can look sophisticated when properly presented.
Opt for elegant wrapping paper and exquisite gift boxes that impress your employees before opening the gift.
Let’s wrap things up.
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Over To You!
A thoughtful gift can make new hires feel welcome and existing employees feel appreciated.
This is of the utmost importance for creating a productive and pleasant work environment that everyone will benefit from.
So, don’t waste any more time worrying about the costs.
Use our list of budget-friendly gift ideas and browse our SwagDrop shop for more inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the questions our clients frequently ask:
How can I source affordable gifts in bulk for employees?
At SwagDrop, you can order gifts for employees in bulk to benefit from significant discounts.
This strategy promotes equality among team members as everyone will receive the same products.
What should I give my staff for Christmas on a budget?
Some budget-friendly Christmas gifts for employees include:
- Branded apparel;
- Custom tumblers;
- Promotional candy and snacks;
- Promotional socks;
- Custom blankets.
What are some eco-friendly gift options that are budget-conscious?
Some affordable eco-friendly promotional products include:
- Tote bags;
- Insulated water bottles;
- Lunch boxes;
- Reusable straws;
- Notebooks featuring recycled paper.
What gifts do employees like the most?
Employees appreciate high-quality swag items they can use daily, like writing instruments, drinkware, and gadgets. They also enjoy personalized gifts tailored to their interests.
How do you show staff appreciation on a budget?
You can show staff appreciation on a budget by ordering gifts in bulk or well in advance when they are on sale.
Likewise, you can offer employees non-monetary gifts, like a shoutout on social media, a surprise day off, or more work-time flexibility.
What are some inexpensive gifts for employees?
Some of the most inexpensive gifts for employees include:
- Coffee mugs;
- Personalized pens and notebooks;
- Lip balms;
- Hand sanitizer;
- Bottle openers;
- Tote bags.
