Christmas gift ideas for employees
| As Christmas approaches, many managers, department heads, and HR pros are asking themselves one important question: What should we get our employees for Christmas?
|
|
Finding the perfect gift that shows appreciation for hard work put in throughout the year - one that is both practical to arrange for a growing team and shows a degree of thoughtfulness can sometimes feel like a daunting task. So, to help spark some inspiration, we’ve curated a comprehensive list of Christmas gift ideas for employees. These gifts are designed to suit every type of employee, from office-based staff to those working from home. Blue collar and white collar alike. Plus, we’ve sourced some budget-friendly options, alongside higher-end gifts, should your Christmas gifting pot stretch far enough.
|
| Wireless chargers: Say goodbye to tangled cords and cluttered workspaces with the convenience of wireless chargers. These devices allow employees to effortlessly power up their smartphones by simply placing them on the charging pad.
|  |
| Ergonomic keyboards: Promoting comfort and preventing repetitive strain injuries, ergonomic keyboards are a must-have for office workers who spend hours typing away at their desks. These specially designed keyboards feature a split layout, curved keys, and adjustable tilt angles to promote a more natural typing posture and reduce strain on the wrists and fingers.
|  |
| Noise-cancelling headphones: In a bustling office, noise-cancelling headphones really help employees to maintain focus and boost productivity. They’re designed to create a quieter, more controlled auditory environment, enabling employees to concentrate on their tasks with minimal distractions. The result? Enhanced focus, clearer communication, reduced stress levels and better employee wellbeing.
|  |
Wellness gifts
All employees deserve to be spoiled at Christmas and a care package is the perfect way to show them just how much you appreciate them.
There are an abundance of different packages to choose from including eco-friendly items, snacks, and even fun personalised items, so you can create a package that is suited especially for the individual.
Guided meditation apps
Guided meditation apps enable some escapism from life's hectic pace, providing carefully crafted sessions and mindfulness exercises designed to alleviate stress, sharpen focus, and foster inner calm. Employers have a powerful opportunity to bolster their employees' mental wellbeing through gift card subscriptions to such apps available on platforms like Google Play.
These apps offer a toolbox for actively managing stress and anxiety, equipping your employees navigate the demands of work and personal life more effectively. Through regular meditation practice, employees not only enhance their emotional intelligence and self-regulation but also gain the resilience and clarity needed to confront challenges in all aspects of their life.
Spa and beauty
Spa and beauty gifts hold particular significance for office staff as they seek to priortise their health and self-care—areas often overshadowed by the demands of work. As employees grapple with heightened levels of stress and work-life pressures they can rarely carve out moments for relaxation and rejuvenation.
The gesture of a spa day or beauty treatment gives employers a chance to underscore their dedication to the wellbeing of their team. A simple gift card can grant recipients access to indulgent treatments like massages, facials, and body scrubs—serving as a welcomed respite from the daily grind.
Some of the best gift card options include:
Gift ideas for work-from-home staff
Whether your team consists of remote workers, freelancers, or a combination of both, there's no shortage of ways to show your appreciation with perfect employee Christmas gifts like these…
Ergonomics
Like it or not, remote work is here to stay, so ensuring the comfort and productivity of staff working from home is paramount.
Ergonomic office equipment plays a vital role in achieving this goal, as it supports the wellbeing of employees and creates an environment conducive to efficient work.
If you consider purchasing gift cards from retailers like Argos or Currys, you’ll empower employees to source their own furniture and equipment. Which means that their home office setup will meet their individual needs.
Employees might choose to spend there Christmas reward on likes of…
| Adjustable Desk Chairs: These allow employees to customise their seating position to support their body. Adjustable heights, lumbar support, and armrests help maintain proper posture and reduce the risk of discomfort or musculoskeletal issues during extended periods of sitting. |
|
| Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse: Both devices are designed to promote natural hand and wrist positions, reducing strain and fatigue during typing and mouse usage. Split keyboards, contoured mouse designs, and wrist rests encourage neutral wrist alignment and help prevent repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. |
|
| Standing Desk Converters: Provide employees with the option to alternate between sitting and standing positions throughout the workday, promoting movement and reducing the negative health effects of prolonged sitting. These height-adjustable platforms help transition easily between sitting and standing without the need for a separate standing desk, encouraging better circulation, energy levels, and productivity. |
|
Home and garden
As more people embrace remote work, there's a growing desire to make our living spaces practical, and visually appealing.
Why not show your remote employees some appreciation with gift cards from renowned home decor stores like Homesense, Habitat, B&M, or B&Q?
This opens up a world of possibilities, allowing employees to browse through a vast selection of furniture, decor items, and accessories to spruce up their home office or living space. Whether they're looking to update their workspace with a stylish desk chair, add a pop of colour with decorative accents, or create a cosy reading nook with a new rug and cushions, these stores offer something for every taste and budget.
And for green-fingered individuals?
Consider gift cards from esteemed garden centres like Dobbies or Caulders. Here, they’ll be able to explore a treasure trove of plants, gardening tools, outdoor furniture, and landscaping essentials to transform their outdoor oasis into a vibrant and inviting retreat.
Christmas gifts for manufacturing and warehouse staff
With their demanding roles and often extensive hours, it may be an idea to prioritise gifts for warehouse and manufacturing staff that are both practical and conducive to improving their work-life balance. Ideas may include tech gadgets, outdoor activities and home food delivery options.
It’s important to offer warehouse teams a treat they’d probably otherwise skip (as it might be seen as a non-essential treat). Offer a gift card for the right store or experience and they’ll spend their card balance on something that’s truly a reward… and doesn’t get absorbed among everyday expenses!
Some options warehouse staff may wish to treat themselves to include:
| Smartwatches: These multifunctional devices are all the rage, with hands-free communication that enables lucky recipients to make calls, send texts, and access apps directly from their wrists. Plus, on the work-front, they offer task management features for organising schedules and reminders, which helps employees to stay on top of their deadlines. |
|
| Bluetooth earbuds: Bluetooth earbuds are a game-changer for warehouse staff, liberating them from the hassle of cumbersome wires and granting them the freedom to move unrestricted throughout the workspace. Listening to music or a favourite podcast can help warehouse staff boost their concentration and motivation, especially during repetitive or monotonous tasks - just be sure the environment allows for safe use of course! |
|
| Home food delivery: Juggling fluctuating shift schedules often leaves little time for meal prep. Enter food delivery gift cards, offering a lifeline of convenience. These cards bring delicious meals right to employees' doorsteps, alleviating the burden of cooking after a demanding workday. By bypassing the need to queue up for takeout, employees can unwind and enjoy their preferred dishes in the comfort of their own homes. Some of the best available food delivery gift cards include: |
|
| Outdoor activities: Given the extended indoor hours typical of warehouse work, it's crucial to prioritise the wellbeing and enrichment of your staff. A thoughtful approach involves providing them with gift cards, such as those offered by the National Trust and National Garden scheme. By venturing outside, staff can immerse themselves in nature, uncovering hidden gems and historical treasures along the way. Whether they choose to wander through tranquil gardens, explore ancient ruins, or hike through scenic trails, these experiences offer a welcome respite from the demands of their job and provide a chance to recharge both mentally and physically.
|
|
Budget-friendly gifts for staff
For small businesses with limited budgets or startups, here are some affordable Christmas presents for staff:
Coffee cards
Starbucks and Costa Coffee gift cards make an ideal Christmas treat for your hardworking team without breaking the bank. These gift cards provide employees with the freedom to indulge in their favourite beverage at their leisure, whether it's a morning boost to kickstart the day, a midday refresher to power through tasks, or a serene coffee break to unwind after hours.
Employees can also use them to carve out precious moments, whether it's a solo coffee break to recharge or a chance to connect with colleagues over a steaming cuppa during brainstorming sessions.
A night out at the cinema
A cinema gift card gives employees a chance to escape the demands of their daily lives and indulge in the latest blockbuster. With cinema tickets typically starting at around £10, a night out at ‘the flicks’ is an affordable option for employers seeking to reward their staff without exceeding their budget.
From action-packed thrillers and heartwarming dramas, to family-friendly animations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy from the likes of Odeon and Vue.
High-end gift options
By investing in luxury Christmas gifts for staff, you can effectively communicate to employees that their dedication is deeply valued. These gifts serve as powerful motivators, encouraging employees to go above and beyond. They inspire teams to strive for excellence and take pride in their work. Some of the best options include experience days, travel and family outings…
Experience Days
Experience Days inspire, thrill, and create lasting memories. With an experience day gift card, employees can choose from all manner of activities tailored to their passions. From adrenaline-fueled adventures like driving a supercar or skydiving to indulgent spa retreats and gourmet dining. Or they may even redeem it to book a romantic getaway for two or a fun-filled day with close friends.
With options ranging from short breaks and day trips to unique workshops and cultural activities, there's no shortage of ways to make the most of a Virgin Experience Days gift card.
Travel
Travel experiences have the power to create lasting memories that employees will treasure for years to come. By offering the gift of travel, employers give their staff the opportunity to discover new destinations, engage in exciting activities, and unwind from work pressures, making their Christmas present truly unforgettable.
Travel gifts send a powerful message to employees that their wellbeing and work-life balance are really valued (and not just a corporate slogan hung on the wall). Encouraging staff to take time off to recharge and enjoy life outside of work can lead to greater job satisfaction, reduced burnout, and overall improved well-being.
Best of all, you don’t have to lift a finger!
There are many tour operators out there, ready to do the heavy lifting of sorting the travel arrangements. Some of options to explore include:
Family days out
Family tickets to much-loved local attractions offer a fantastic opportunity for employees to create cherished memories with their loved ones.
Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures invite families to embark on unforgettable adventures filled with excitement and wonder. With a plethora of thrilling rides, captivating shows, and enchanting attractions, these theme parks promise moments of pure joy that will leave a lasting impression. From adrenaline-pumping roller coasters to interactive animal encounters, there's something for everyone to enjoy,
For those who prefer to explore the wonders of the underwater world, SeaLife aquariums provide a fascinating glimpse into marine life with mesmerising exhibits and interactive displays. Families can marvel at colourful coral reefs, graceful sea turtles, and majestic sharks. Meanwhile, Madame Tussauds offers a unique opportunity for families to rub shoulders with their favourite celebrities and historical figures, posing for selfies with lifelike wax figures of pop stars, movie icons, and world leaders.
Supporting low-income employees
During the Christmas season, many people, especially those dealing with financial limitations, find the holiday period challenging. Filling the Christmas stocking, expensive meals out and catering to the whole family can be daunting, especially when faced with tight budgets. In such situations, gift cards present a pragmatic and considerate solution that employers can offer.
You see, unlike physical merchandise gifts, which might not always match the recipient's needs, gift cards empower individuals to select precisely what suits them best. In this case, here are some of the best gift options you can offer to low-income employees:
Supermarket gift cards
Supermarket gift cards are a welcome reprieve for employees, particularly during the Christmas season when expenses can add up quickly. These cards provide employees with the flexibility to purchase groceries, household essentials, and even special treats for the festive season, without worrying about stretching their budgets. They offer recipients the freedom to choose what they need most, whether it's ingredients for a Christmas dinner, or buying gifts for loved ones. Here we stock supermarket gift cards from leading stores including Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose.
Children’s gifts
Employees who are parents often face the pressure of buying gifts for their children during the Christmas season. The desire to create magical moments for their little ones can sometimes clash with the reality of budget constraints. To alleviate this strain and show appreciation for their hard work, consider surprising these employees with gift cards for toy stores, such as The Entertainer, Early Learning Centre, and Nintendo eShop.
FAQs
1. Should you buy your employees Christmas gifts?
While there is no obligation to buy your employees Christmas gifts, studies have shown that 69% of companies choose to do so.
But why?
Numerous surveys have explored why companies decide to provide Christmas gifts to their employees. One key finding is that employers view these gifts as strategic investments in employee engagement and retention, rather than just tokens of appreciation. Research reveals that a whopping 80% of employees believe that receiving an employee Christmas gift has enhanced their working relationship with the company.
2. What are the best Christmas gifts for employees?
When it comes to choosing Christmas gifts for employees, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. However, popular options include supermarket gift cards, experience days and tech gadgets.
To ensure your gifts hit the spot, why not ask your team directly about their preferences? Sending out a quick survey can give you valuable insights into what they'd love most. That way, you can be confident that you're giving them something they'll truly enjoy and appreciate.
3. Are staff Christmas gifts taxable?
If the gift you've chosen for your employees costs less than £50, it's usually exempt from taxes. However, if its value exceeds £50, taxes might apply. For more details on tax regulations regarding business gifts, you can consult the comprehensive guide provided by HMRC.
4. Is it expected to give Christmas gifts to all employees?
While treating your team during the Christmas season is a thoughtful gesture, it’s up to you whether you should offer a gift to every single employee, based on your company culture and budget considerations.
Some companies prefer to provide gifts to all employees as a token of appreciation, while others may opt for department-wide or team-specific gifts to better align with their resources and priorities.