“What is a good gift for employees?” A question that has countless answers, with many of them being subjective. Nevertheless, we have plenty of experience to know what gifts employees absolutely love receiving, and we want to share them with you here today.

In this article, we will talk answer the question you came here with today - what is a good gift for employees? We'll address the individual factors that make some gifts great, and others...not so much. Of course, we will also share with you a list of the best employee gift ideas that are a little out-of-the-box but are sure to bring a genuine smile to everyone’s faces.

Let’s dive right in, shall we?

What Makes A Good Gift For Employees?

First things first, let’s talk about what makes an employee gift good. Based on the general consensus, employees love receiving gifts that are:

Useful

A useful gift is always appreciated. Maybe not always loved, but appreciated nonetheless. Why? Because if your gift is useful, it helps improve your recipient’s life, even if just a little bit.

So, before you buy gifts for your employees, ask yourself this question: “Will this serve a significant purpose in their lives?” If you know your employees well, you’ll have no trouble answering this question.

For instance, if a lot of them are bringing their own lunch to the office, something like a bento box or a lunch bag will definitely be a great gift. Or if your core team is a travel-loving bunch, some practical travel gear should be on the top of your list. Here are more swag ideas to help you brainstorm!

Thoughtful

Giving employees gifts is an opportunity to show them your appreciation for their hard work, loyalty, and teamwork. That said, make them feel special by putting a lot of thought into your gifts. Take the time to think about what they want; what they would appreciate the most. And if you need some help, look for hints in your daily conversations at the office.

Good Quality

Always keep in mind that the value of your gift is a reflection of how you see your employees. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to give your employees expensive gifts to show your appreciation, but your gifts should always be of sufficient quality. Why? Because no one wants to receive a cheap gift, especially from an employer that they work hard for. It shows as tacky.

What Is A Good Gift For Employees: The 7 Best Choices

When you ask yourself “what is a good gift for employees?” you’re probably overwhelmed with so many ideas that you can’t decide which ones to go with. Or, maybe you have no idea where to start. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Forget about the typical employee gifts that you see on the Internet, here is a list of some of the employee gifts that are a bit more unique:

Bento Boxes

Are your employees bringing their lunch in a tired old Tupperware container? Or worse–a plastic bag? Give them the lunch experience they deserve with a nice bento box, complete with matching utensils. Not only will your employees appreciate such a useful gift, but it will also encourage them to bring their own lunch instead of ordering out - helping them save money!

Mini Action Figures

Granted, most adults don’t play with toys. Nonetheless, seeing your favorite character on your desk is still a delightful experience–no matter what age you are. There are many brands you can choose from, including Funko Pop, Hasbro, Mattel, and so much more.

Now, the hard part is asking everyone who their favorite character is! Nevertheless, the hassle is worth having your employees feel special with such a personalized gift. This is where that personal, non-work-related conversation comes in. To truly offer a quality gift, you need to get to know your employees as the people behind the name tag.

Treat Jar

Upgrade your employees’ snack storage with their very own treat jars. Aside from being a practical gift, treat jars minimize the risk of leaving candy bars and salted pretzels in desk drawers. So, in a way, it’s a bit of pest control, too!

Personalized treat jars make for a great gift during Halloween. If you want to spice up the spooky season in your office, check out these fun Halloween giveaway ideas next.

Themed Swag Pack

A plain old swag pack is boring. If you want to give out gift packs to your employees, take it to the next level and choose a themed employee gift box. From Office Zen to Tech Lover, there is bound to be a theme that your employees will love. Or if you have something specific in mind, you can also customize your own swag pack! These are our #1 choice for most offices.

Cold Brew Bottles

If you have an office full of avid coffee drinkers (as most workplaces are), consider gifting your employees with their own cold brew bottles. These are basically portable carafes where your employees can put cold brew the night before, then enjoy their coffee in the office the next day. No more coffee shops or single-use coffee cups!

Desktop Vacuum Cleaners

Mini vacuum cleaners can pick up crumbs, dirt, lint, and tiny pieces of paper in seconds. This gift will be a blessing to your employees who love to keep their desks neat and tidy, as well as for those people that love snacking at their desks.

Padfolios

A padfolio is one of the best gift ideas for interns and tenured employees alike. It can store everything one might need in the office, including a notebook, pens, business cards, sticky notes, and other essentials. Plus, it looks more professional than your regular folder case.

What Is A Good Gift For Employees? Wrapping Up

A good employee gift is something that is useful, thoughtful, good quality, and maybe a bit more unique than your traditional fare. So, consider one or more of the best employee gifts that we’ve handpicked for you!

Or–if you’re feeling extra appreciative–reward your employees with the themed gift basket they deserve - from Swag Bar. Whether you want to create your own Swag Pack or choose from one of our fun themes, we can make it happen! Reach out to us today and let’s start working on your next big giveaway. You won't regret it!