Gift Guide for Employees 2022
When it comes to end of year gifting for employees, most business owners lean towards cash and EOY bonuses. Always a win amongst the recipients, may we add. But when money is tight, bonuses when multiplied (across a team of employees and independent contractors) can add up quickly.
Always fans of thoughtful gifts, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite gifts for team members and staff – as vouched for and approved by our own team – as well for what they’d love to receive this year.
Remember: when it comes to gifting, giving something small but from the heart or with thought behind it can go far.
Best gifts for employees
Austin is known for BBQ, music festivals, and YETI. These practically indestructible goodies are far better than anyone told you. And for our staff, being able to have a fun and colorful way to stay hydrated while at their desk is a top choice this year.
Who wouldn’t want to keep up the running office joke that one can never have too much coffee by gifting an actual coffee plant?! For those of you with staff located all around the country, The Sill’s corporate gifting program makes it super simple to gift everyone at once. They’ll send a super cute live plant right to everyone’s door. Bonus? You can pick plants based on maintenance type – and this coffee plant is low-maintenance. Just how we like ‘em.
Paid Time Off
Gift staff extra time to get some R&R at the end of the year or to use when they choose. If your operations allow, try to close for some days during the holiday break. If not, offer a specific number of days off for employees to use when they want throughout the year (in addition to their regular PTO).
A Note + A Bottle
Giving a personal and heartfelt card ranks highest amongst employees on things they loved receiving from supervisors and bosses. Kindness goes a long way these days. For those who drink, a bottle of wine or alcohol is a nice touch to go with it – and for those who don’t drink, grab a fancy bottle of olive oil (like these from Brightland).
Alright, this is for those looking for an easy solution to a problem. But the reality is, Amazon literally has everything. Damn Bezos. Whether your employee is an entry level hire fresh out of college, a seasoned pro, or a single mom – a gift card can really come in handy.
Listen, Milk Bar is so hot right now. From cookies to cakes to truffles, you really cannot go wrong. It’s a party in a box. #winning. We recommend the Milk Bar Sampler pack – but you do you.
Get Personal
Getting individualized gifts rather than taking the Oprah approach to gifting (look under your chair, everyone gets a new iPaaaad!) is pretty cool. It shows how much you are listening to each person; you see who they are and have chosen something that best fits them. For example, maybe they’re a mom and could use a gift card to a Target; maybe they’ve perfected baking and you get them a cool new pie dish; maybe they’re really into soccer and you got them a scarf for their favorite club team. Ideas are endless, if not a bit more time consuming.
When it comes to employee gifts, though, you can never go wrong when it comes to money, time off, and/or a personal note of encouragement and appreciation.
