Employee Gift Ideas For Christmas
Employee Gift Ideas for Christmas: Thoughtful, Fun, and Heartfelt Picks That Say “You Matter”
Hey there I know how hectic the holidays can feel, especially when you want to show appreciation to your team but you’re juggling deadlines, budgets, and end-of-year wrap-ups. Over the years I’ve tried (and sometimes failed) to pick gifts that feel meaningful without being over the top. So, consider this your companion guide full of ideas, gentle tips, and real-life insight for giving your employees gifts they’ll genuinely enjoy.
First things first: A little mindset before gift shopping
Before I hit you with the gift list, I want to share a couple of principles I’ve learned (often the hard way):
- Personalization matters (but within reason). A generic gift feels safe but if you can put a small personal touch on it, it raises it from “just another gift” to “someone really thought of me.”
- Avoid gifts that feel like work. (No more planners they’ll dread filling out.)
- Budget consistency is kind. Treating everyone fairly helps avoid awkward “why did she get more” feelings.
- It’s OK to ask (discretely) for preferences. A short survey, anonymous poll, or even casual chats can give you clues.
- Packaging + presentation elevate everything. A little extra in wrapping or a handwritten note goes a long way.
With those in mind, let’s think through gift ideas by category something to spark your creativity.
Coworkers Custom Ornament
Naughty List Custom Ornamnet
Gift idea categories & examples
Here are categories of gifts that tend to work well, with examples. Use them as starter ideas, mix & match, and adjust to your team’s personalities.
1. Wellness & self-care treats
Because we all need reminders to take care of ourselves, especially during a busy season.
- Luxe candles (look for clean-burning, soy or beeswax). A beautifully scented candle + a short note: “You’ve burned bright for us all year enjoy some peaceful moments.”
- Aromatherapy diffusers or essential oil sets
- Plush throw blankets or cozy socks (especially for remote workers)
- Spa gift sets: bath salts, face masks, body lotion
- A subscription (3–6 months) to a meditation or wellness app
- A journal + good pen set (for gratitude entries, decompressing, brain dumps)
Tip from me: Last year I gave my team a “decompression kit” eye mask, lavender pillow spray, and a little note. It got far more smiles (and thank-you DMs) than I expected.
Reed Diffusers Set
UGG Plush Faux Fur Throw BlanketBay Balance + Harmony Scented Candle
2. Food & treat gifts
You can almost never go wrong with something edible (unless someone has allergies so check!). Food can feel festive and communal.
- Holiday gift basket (local goodies, artisan chocolates, small-batch jams)
- Gourmet coffee or specialty tea bundles
- A high-quality hot cocoa or chai set
- Snack box subscription (healthy snacks, international treats)
- A custom cookie or treat with a little branding or note
- Gift cards to local restaurants or food delivery services
Heads-up: Always check dietary restrictions (nuts, gluten, dairy) before sending. Better yet, offer options or a “choose your own” approach.
3. Tech & tools that make life smoother
These are small upgrades that folks appreciate but might not splurge on themselves.
- Wireless charging pads or stands
- Quality phone/laptop stands or docking stations
- Portable power banks
- Blue-light filtering glasses
- Noise-canceling earbuds (maybe as a team raffle rather than everyone)
- Compact Bluetooth speakers
- Cable organizers or premium gadget cases
One year I gifted a small wireless phone stand to each team member it was cheapish but got used all the time. Always fun to see the same gift around people’s desks.
Wireless ChargerPortable Charger
4. Office & desk upgrades
Especially useful for hybrid or in-office teams. Little touches can brighten the day-to-day.
- Plant in a cute pot (succulents, low-maintenance greens)
- Stylish desk organizers or trays
- A nice mousepad or keyboard wrist rest
- A pastel or themed set of sticky notes, pens, markers
- Motivational artwork or a desk print
- A mini whiteboard or memo board
- A USB mug warmer (perfect for the slow-coffee thinkers)
I once got a small desk plant and it became a conversation starter in our Slack: everyone ended up showing pictures of their desk plants. Sweet and bonding.
Cute Plant PotSticky NotesCoffee Mug Warmer
5. Experiences rather than things
Sometimes the best gift isn’t a “thing” at all, but a memory or experience.
- Gift card or tickets to a local show, concert, theater
- Virtual class vouchers (cooking, painting, dance, craft)
- Massage or spa vouchers
- Subscription boxes (book clubs, art projects, wine if your company policy allows)
- A day off-in-lieu (extra paid leave)
- Team outing (escape room, escape room day, ice skating, restaurant dinner)
- Donations in their name to a cause they care about
This is where knowing your team helps. For example, one employee is passionate about cooking the voucher for a cooking class was a surprise hit.
6. Quirky & playful gifts
This is where you can show some personality if it fits your company culture.
- Fun socks or silly “mood” socks
- Puzzle sets, brain games, or mini desk toys
- Customized mugs, ornaments or tumblers (with a punchy inside joke)
- Plant terrarium kits
- Board games or card games (team-based)
- Funny book (humor, cartoons, comics)
- A message-in-a-bottles jar: each coworker writes a note or memory and you gift the jar
One year I included a scratch-off “fun fact about your coworker” game. Tons of smiles and laughter in the “opening gifts” Slack call.
Funny SocksFunny Black Cat Coffee CupDIY Terrarium Kit for Adults
How to pick the right gift for your team
To avoid guesswork, here’s a simple process (that I use every year):
- Group personalities – Some prefer cozy/self-care, some love tech, others enjoy quirky surprises.
- Set budget bands – E.g. $20–30 (all), $50 (bonus or raffle), $100+ (executive or milestone).
- Check logistics – Remote employees, shipping costs, time to deliver, customs if international.
- Survey or poll – Offer 2–3 gift “themes” and let employees anonymously pick their preference.
- Mix & match -Combine a smaller gift + note + shared experience.
- Add the personal touch – A handwritten holiday card, a short voice note, or a small note specific to their contributions that year is worth more than the gift itself.
Sample gift combinations by team size & budget
Here are a few setups to spark ideas adapt them to your own constraints:
| Team Size / Budget | Gift Combo Idea |
|---|---|
| 5–10 people, modest budget ($25–35/person) | A candle + cozy socks or throw + personal card |
| 20–50 people, uniform gift | Quality notebook + pen set + sweet treat |
| Remote/hybrid team | Wellness box (tea, lip balm, self-care items) shipped directly + e-gift card |
| Mid-tier bonus layer | Main gift + raffle for one or two higher-value items (e.g. earbuds, experience voucher) |
| Leadership or milestone level | High-end gift envelope + bonus + experience voucher |
I remember one holiday crunch, I couldn’t ship in time so I pivoted to e-gift cards + mailed cookies afterward. People were understanding (always better to communicate). And the cookies still got rave reviews.
Ideas to make the gift more meaningful
- Write a note: “I appreciated how you stepped up when we were swamped in July” means more than any item.
- Timing matters: Give the gift before the final busy week or wrap party, not during the rush.
- Group unboxing event: If remote, host a short video unwrapping moment to create connection.
- Secret gift swap: For fun, assign pairs and everyone gives something small.
- Matching “team theme” gifts: e.g., matching mugs, T-shirts, or ornaments with your company or team logo.
- Encourage sharing: Ask recipients to post their favorite gift in your team channel fosters warmth and gratitude.
Pitfalls to avoid
Because I’ve stumbled on these myself:
- Avoid overly personal gifts (perfume, intimate items) unless you’re very close.
- Be allergy-aware (food, candles).
- Don’t make comparisons obvious (e.g., two people getting wildly different gift tiers).
- Avoid gimmicky corporate swag without value (U-shaped neck pillow with logo? Meh.)
- Don’t wait till the last minute your best intentions can fall flat if shipping fails.
- Don’t force gift exchange if someone opts out respect comfort levels.
At its core, giving an employee gift at Christmas is about saying: I see you. I appreciate you. You’re part of this family (or team).
I won’t pretend gifts are everything honesty, culture, day-to-day respect all matter more. But a well-chosen, thoughtful gift can warm hearts, spark delight, and reinforce bond. And in the midst of year-end stress, it’s a small gesture of humanity.
If I had to pick one tip after all those categories: focus less on the price tag and more on the heart behind it. Insert a few personal words, tailor one element, speak to someone’s interests that’s what shifts a gift from “just another present” to a moment of connection.
If you like, I can tailor gift ideas for your specific team (remote vs in-office, age ranges, interests). Want me to brainstorm for your team?
