7 Holiday and Christmas Gift Ideas for Employees

  • December 8th, 2022
  • 5 minute read
  • Bagmasters Team

The holiday season is upon us! As you gear up to plan for your employee celebrations and end-of-the-year festivities: You may want to start thinking about office Christmas gift ideas.

Employee Christmas gifts are a great tool to keep your team engaged and happy in the workplace. The small branded gift is a token of your appreciation for their hard work and dedication during the year. To you, it may be just a branded jacket or a tote bag, but for them, it's so much more.

Company holiday gifts for employees are integral to a thriving, happy workplace. However, finding holiday gifts that appeal to your entire company isn't always easy. We’re here to show you the best Christmas gifts for employees in 2022 and some benefits of prioritizing them in your budget.

Let's dive in.

Benefits of Holiday Gifts for Employees


Boost Company Morale


In busy day-to-day office life, it can be difficult for bosses and HR departments to remember to go out of their way to thank employees and recognize them for a job well done. Giving out holiday gifts for employees can help breathe new life into an office and are a great way to thank employees for their dedication throughout the year. With meaningful, high-end office Christmas gift ideas, you can leave a lasting impression on the individual while improving your retention rates over time.

Ongoing Marketing


customized gifts branded with a company logo is a great way to market your company more subtly. As branded items are used in public by employees, a company logo will be front and center in the public eye, and brand recognition is one of the key driving factors for boosting revenue.

Be careful when it comes to branding items, though. Heavily branded items are likely to be viewed as promotional items rather than a gift and could be a turnoff to employees. Finding a way to tastefully incorporate your company logo onto gifts is an important aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Tax Deductions


Christmas gifts for employees can benefit both companies and employees when tax time rolls around. Giving monetary gifts is counted as taxable income, leaving employees with only a fraction of what a company gives.

However, tangible gifts are not subject to employment taxes and are deductible expenses for companies. Laws vary state by state, and some tangible items are not excludable, so research on the part of the business is crucial to ensure its gifts are within guidelines to count as a tax deduction.

Utilize Leftover Budget


If you have some leftover budget for the end of the year, office Christmas gift ideas are the best way to use them! For many companies, it’s “Use it, or Lose it!” when it comes to budget. By allocating the leftover budget towards high-quality holiday gifts for employees, you can ensure you get the same budget next year and even spread some holiday joy!

Keep Your Employees Engaged


The chaos of Q4 can cause burnout in the workplace. Employees are ready to throw in the towel and go on vacation. However, if you were to surprise them with their own holiday gifts, it could improve their relationship with your company and keep them engaged during the last few months of the year. Office Christmas gift ideas are a small token of your appreciation that won’t go unnoticed by the individual.

Your employees will appreciate the thought and consideration that went into choosing a gift. This small gesture will improve their relationship with your company and help you increase productivity levels at the end of the year.

Top Office Gifts for Employees


Custom Tumblers


  • High-end options that have a high-quality look and feel
  • Choose from different materials and colors
  • Option to engrave a logo or stick with a one-color silkscreen imprint
  • Great for end-of-the-year appreciation gifts
  • Best custom tumbler: 20oz. Himalayan Tumbler

Custom Backpacks


  • Perfect for everyday use while heading into the new year
  • Option to be subtle with your branding to avoid being too promotional
  • Appeals to a larger audience
  • A great high-value item that your team will find useful
  • Best custom backpacks: Melbourne Backpack

Custom Notebooks


  • Option to choose from low-cost or high-end options
  • Wide variety of materials and sizes to choose from
  • Great way to showcase your branding and connect with your employees
  • Leftover employee Christmas gifts can be used as client gifts
  • Best branded notebooks: Moleskine Hard Cover XX-Large Notebook

Tech Holiday Gifts


Personalized Powerback


  • Considered a premium holiday gift
  • Useful, versatile, and appeal to a larger audience
  • Typically features a large canvas for creative branding
  • Perfect for the working professional that’s always on the go
  • Best custom powerback: Skullcandy Fat Stash 10000 MaH Power Bank

Branded Wireless Speaker


  • Great high-end tech item that is sure to be utilized
  • All of your employees are sure to use and enjoy whenever they want
  • Great way to get your brand noticed on the weekends
  • Different sizes and branding capabilities
  • Best branded wireless speaker: Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
  • Custom Wireless Earbuds


    • Perfect for long days at the office or the gym
    • Higher perceived value than most promotional items
    • The marketing is subtle yet effective, making this option great for Christmas gifts for employees
    • Most cases also double as a power bank, making them great for traveling and people that are always on the go
    • Best custom wireless earbuds: Periscope Bluetooth Earbuds

    Apparel Gifts for Employees


    Branded Jackets


    • Great for the colder winter months
    • Option to go with a name-brand option like Nike, Northface, or Ogio
    • Great for subtle yet effective branding
    • Choose from a large range of styles, colors, and materials
    • Best personalized jackets: The North Face Full Zip Fleece Jacket

    Custom Quarter Zip


    • Stylish and great for layering
    • Perfect for client meetings, running errands, or company outings
    • Choice between men’s and women’s fits
    • Durable and versatile
    • Best custom quarter zip jacket: The North Face 1/4 -Zip Fleece Jacket

    Food and Wine Holiday Gifts


    Custom Aprons


    • Great way to encourage your team to follow their passions
    • Fun, versatile, and easy to brand
    • A top choice for BBQs, dinner parties, and everyday cooking
    • Perfect for foodies, chefs, and people who love to cook!
    • Best custom aprons : Hot Pockets Corduroy Apron

    Personalized Wine Tumbler


    • High-end look and feel that won’t get thrown away
    • Great way to encourage your team to sit back, relax, and enjoy themselves
    • Can be used for all types of drinks
    • Option to silkscreen or engrave your logo
    • Best custom wine tumbler: Brisbane 12 oz. Stainless Steel Wine Tumbler

    Branded Coaster Set


    • Thoughtful, elegant, and high-end
    • Will appeal to all employees
    • Great for subtle branding opportunities
    • Choose from a wide variety of coaster materials
    • Best custom coaster set: 4-Piece Bamboo Coaster Set

    Brand Company Holiday Gifts for Employees Today


    At Bagmasters, we want to help you get ahead of your holiday shopping and find high-end options your employees will use and love. Whether you’re shopping for 10 or 1000 employees: It can be hard to find something that everyone will enjoy on your own. With our selection of employee Christmas gift ideas, you can feel confident that your team will feel appreciated and recognized.

    Start shopping today, or reach out to our team for more suggestions!

Bagmasters Team

The creative team at Bagmasters collectively works on articles to help give insight into the latest trends in marketing and promotional products.