At this time of year, there’s a lot to think about. One thing that often slips to the bottom of the list is gifts for employees. If this is something that you do annually, then you may have usually found yourself in the position of panic buying gifts at the last minute that don’t necessarily suit your staff. This year, with a bit of planning, you can avoid expensive mistakes and discover the best gifts to get your employees – here are a few ideas.
Technology that they might not buy for themselves
If you’ve got the resources, employees often value tech gifts that they either couldn’t afford or wouldn’t buy. That could be something as simple as an iPad for personal use, a pair of advanced headphones or a smart speaker. If you’re going to do this, make sure that the gift comes with instructions for those employees who aren’t that tech-savvy.
Vouchers and gift cards
Although it’s not that imaginative, there is no doubt that employees do appreciate this kind of contribution around Christmas. Gift cards are often popular – you can now pay for a VISA gift card, for example, which enables the recipient to choose where to spend the money. Opting for vouchers is excellent if you know that your staff like shopping from a specific store.
An event or party
Perhaps your gift to your people this year comes in the form of a great festive event. There are lots of different ways to do this, from buying lunch for a team just before Christmas to paying for a seriously extravagant Christmas party. You can also integrate an element of team building, for example, going paintballing or for a shared experience such as go-karting.
Something simple
Many staff appreciate the simple gestures at this time of year – a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates or something nice to eat. Depending on your company, it may be an idea to ensure you go the extra mile when it comes to choosing more straightforward items. For example, locally hand made chocolates will have more of an impact than something you’ve bought from the supermarket. You might even think about making the gifts yourself if that fits with the business culture – pickles, jams and chutneys always go down well at this time of year.
Cash
A Christmas bonus can make an employee’s year, so don’t underestimate the value of giving this during the festive season. To make it more personal, enclose the cash in handwritten cards and write something individual in each one.
Something off the wall
Christmas gifts that surprise staff can also be very successful, whether they involve cutting edge science or a silly novelty. Just steer clear of anything that might be potentially offensive or borderline rude if you’re going down the humorous route.
Gifting at Christmas doesn’t have to be time-consuming. There are lots of different options to choose from — dependant on your budget and the impression that you want to make
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