Behind every successful company is a team of dedicated employees who put in valuable hours of hard work. While upper-level management, directors and C-level staff are undoubtedly important for helping navigate a company towards growth opportunities, junior staff play more integral roles in the daily operations of a company, and ensuring deliverables are being met in a timely manner to keep the company afloat.
If you are in charge of keeping employees happy within your company and don’t already have resources dedicated to employee satisfaction, it is never too late to start planning. Keeping employee morale high throughout the office doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-consuming endeavor.
In this article, we’ll explore 12 of our favorite office gifts for employees and the benefits of choosing promotional products to praise hard work in the workplace. Here’s everything you need to know:
Why Invest in Gifts for Employees?
There are many advantages to investing in personalized office gifts for employees. Not only can the right gift help boost retention rates and strengthen your company culture, but it can also help:
Connect Employees to the Company
Giving gifts is a great way to help employees, especially new hires, feel connected to the company and coworkers. Those who feel connected to the company will be more likely to stick around longer than those who are disconnected.
Show Appreciation
Expressing appreciation can feel difficult. Oftentimes, people get so caught up in the day-to-day tasks that they forget to take a moment to say thank you to their colleagues. Planning to give gifts outside of the normal holiday season is the perfect way to show employees they are appreciated for their hard work.
Boost Company Morale
Noticing a sinking morale among employees in an office? It is bound to happen sooner or later, even to the happiest of employees. Giving spontaneous gifts, especially during your company’s busiest and most stressful season, will help brighten team moods and put pep back into employees' steps.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Employee Appreciation Gifts
Before buying and handing out gifts to employees, here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your gifts have the most impact:
Be Inclusive
Take time to consider gifts that will be inclusive and appealing to all employees. If handing out apparel, be sure to offer employees a range of sizes and styles to choose from. Keep gifts consistent across teams and avoid giving different items to different people, as this may come across as favoritism.
Budget
Giving gifts doesn’t have to break the bank. While you want to ensure gifts are well-made and not cheap, pick a reasonable budget and stick to it. There are plenty of well-made office gifts for employees at affordable prices.
Know Your Audience
Consider your audience’s likes and dislikes, to ensure you invest in office gifts they’ll actually use. If you're unsure what items your employees want to receive, consider conducting a survey to better understand their hobbies and interests.
Top 12 Best Office Gifts for Employees
Ready to start gifting? We’ve compiled a list of our top 12 gifts for employees to help make your search easier.
1. Computer Backpack
A computer backpack is the perfect go-to for new hire kits and holiday gifting. No matter what line of business you work in, your employees will find a way to use the backpack on their daily commute. These backpacks may come at a higher price point than traditional giveaways, but offer more brand exposure, which is a win-win for marketing!
2. Custom Aprons
Are you looking for a fun, out-of-the-box office gift idea for employees your team will actually use? Consider a custom apron. Aprons are a high-quality giveaway, perfect for employees who love BBQing on the weekends and cooking dinner throughout the week. The gift is thoughtful and useful. Every time your employee goes to use their apron, they'll be reminded that you care about their likes and aspirations.
3. Journals
Journals are a crowd favorite. These are highly usable items in the office and are sure to impress your employees. Every time they go to jot down a note during a meeting, they'll be reminded of the company culture and the connections they've made in the office.
4. Cooler Bags
Cooler bags are an office gift your employees will actually use on the weekend! These bags are designed to carry up to 12 cans, and can also hold food and snacks. When your employee goes to the beach, park, or pool during the weekend, your company will receive authentic brand exposure. Custom cooler bags come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. There are also name-brand options, Igloo and OGIO, if you're looking for a high-end gift.
5. Cosmetic Bags
If you have an all-women workforce, consider a more women-centric gift such as a custom cosmetic bag. Custom cosmetic bags are a great catch-all bag for makeup, skincare, and toiletries. There's also a wide range of decoration methods available, so you can get as creative as you want with the design.
6. Boat Totes
Trade in your everyday totes for a durable, stylish alternative. Boat totes are designed with a heavier cotton material. The design is durable and versatile, great for trips to the grocery store and the beach. These totes are also designed to maintain their structural integrity for longer, so you can feel confident that your employees will use them regularly.
7. Power Banks
Do you have a tech-savvy team? Consider a branded power bank for your next office gift. Power banks are designed to keep your everyday electronics charged while commuting to work or traveling. This popular tech gift is available at various price points, so you can easily find an option that impresses your employees within your budget.
8. Bar and Wine Gifts
Celebrating the end of a successful quarter? Are you looking for a high-quality holiday gift your employees will actually use? Can't go wrong with bar and wine gifts. Craft beer glasses, wine tumblers, and wine tote bags are popular corporate gifts that appeal to a large audience. When your employee goes for a nightcap, they'll be reminded of the hard work and contributions they've made with your company.
9. Umbrellas
Umbrellas are a necessity in some parts of the United States. To ensure your employees always have a reliable option on hand when it's rainy, consider gifting them a custom umbrella with your logo. Umbrellas are useful and have a high perceived value. It's a great item to include in a new hire welcome kit or holiday gift.
10. Duffel Bags
If your employees are frequent flyers or travel a ton for business, ensure they have a reliable bag they can use for every occasion. A branded duffel is a high-end gift that's sure to impress your employees. There are also options from popular name brands such as Nike, Carhartt, and High Sierra.
11. Coasters
Are you looking for a low-cost office gift for employees that still leaves an impact? Consider custom-made coasters with your logo. Coasters have a high perceived value and are a great giveaway for holiday parties and quarterly celebrations. There's a wide range of materials to choose from, including wood, bamboo, and leather.
12. Sweatshirts
You can't go wrong with branded apparel. If you're looking for an office gift for employees with a higher perceived value than a regular t-shirt, consider a sweatshirt. Crewnecks and hoodies are an everyday essential during the winter and fall. You can choose from a range of colors, materials, and styles, customizing the look of the sweater to complement your branding.
Find the Best Gifts for Workers at Bagmasters
Are you on the hunt for the next best office gift? We're here to help. At Bagmasters, we have an always-growing collection of gifts, giveaways, and high-quality promotional products. We’re here to help you get creative with your next marketing campaign, so you can improve employee retention rates and boost workplace morale. Shop our best sellers today to get started.
