The Best 20 Employee Appreciation Gift Ideas for National Employee Appreciation Day
Every employee likes to feel appreciated, so why not give them a little something extra to show how much you value them?
Are you looking for employee appreciation gift ideas to reward everyone in your business? More than 91 percent of HR professionals say that reward and recognition make employees more likely to stay with the company.
Whether it’s for company milestones or recognizing employees based on their behavior and results, recognition leads to happier, more engaged employees who feel like they belong and have a purpose.
Giving corporate gifts or rewarding employees with other presents can be part of a company culture that ensures people want to stay, and that they feel proud to work there.
One of the best ways to show employees you appreciate them is with gift cards. After all, with a gift card, you’ll never need to worry that you’ve given your employees a gift they won’t use, or worse, will just take up space somewhere. With a gift card, you give your employees the gift of choice, because they get to pick out exactly what they want. And, they get to choose when they use their card! Whether it’s immediately after they receive it, or months later, gift cards are always the right fit.
So, if you're wondering what to get the people that work for you for National Employee Appreciation Day, we have some ideas for you.
Pick up your employee appreciation gift cards at Gift Card Granny
If you’re thinking that gift cards are the right way to show your employee appreciation, you’re not alone! Many employers choose to give their employees gift cards so they can get themselves something they can really use. Head over to Gift Card Granny and pick up gift cards for your employees, and you can earn yourself cash back.
Gift Card Granny has plenty of options for popular gift cards everyone loves, and large companies can buy cards in bulk. We make buying bulk gifts simple and easy.
What Gifts Do Employees Value Most?
Many employees like gifts with a personal touch that show you put thought into them. Custom gifts related to the company are nice to give as well as presents that make their life easier like organizational products, stress relief items, food and more.
You'll find plenty of great employee appreciation ideas for recognizing and rewarding the people that work hard for you.
Our Top Gift Ideas for National Employee Appreciation Day
National Employee Appreciation Day is typically held on the first Friday of March each year. This is a great time for employers to foster a better relationship with their employees by showing them how important they are to the organization. Here's a list of awesome company swag, holiday gifts, customized items, and other present ideas to give your employees.
1. Gift Cards
Getting a gift card is one of the best gifts to give employees
Gift cards are often the best gift to give employees you may not know a lot about if you run a large organization. It can be difficult to choose the best gift card for employees, but some options – like local coffee shops, big box retailers, or more flexible cards like Visa gift cards – are sure to be a hit with just about anybody.
Plus, Gift Card Granny’s Visa gift card customization feature allows you to personalize your employee appreciation gifts with the company’s logo. On brand? Check. And employees will appreciate a gift that they can use anywhere that Visa credit cards are accepted.
2. Make Charitable Donations in Employees Names
Charitable donations are always a good gift
One of the best gifts for employees is making a donation to a favorite or local charity. Donating is a unique way to give back to the community while still recognizing employees for good work.
3. S'mores Gift Set
Break out the s’mores for a fun time!
Most people love s'mores, which is perfect for people who enjoy a sweet treat. If you have time, you can make the gift sets yourself. Or get this S'mores Gift Set that comes with vanilla bean marshmallows, graham crackers, dark chocolate, and two stainless steel sticks for roasting.
4. Provide Organizational Supplies
Because employees always appreciate ways to stay organized
Other great gifts for employees are organizational supplies. These are great ideas for both on-site and remote employees because everyone needs a neat and tidy desk for more efficiency.
5. Snack Boxes
Snack boxes or care packages are always a welcome sight
Other great gift ideas for employees are snack boxes or gift sets. Give them snack packs tailored to them, whether they have a sweet tooth, are a health freak, or love savory snacks. Creating a snack box just for them is sure to get a smile.
6. Have Custom Message Donuts Delivered
A delicious way to show your employees you care
Custom message donuts are neat employee appreciation gift ideas if you’re looking for a more personalized gift. Think of messages that could be customized or even consider phrases such as "many more years" or "you're the best."
Angel Food Bakery makes these donuts and ships them all over the United States.
7. Offer Catered Lunches
Having lunch paid for makes for happy employees!
Catered lunches also make nice employee gifts. Consider catering lunch occasionally, make it a regular occurrence, or even cater lunch for holidays.
Catering a lunch shows you appreciate your employees and can be perfect for an employee recognition ceremony.
You could also consider catering breakfast instead of lunch. It's often the most skipped meal for busy people trying to make it to work on time.
8. Family Care Packages
Keep the whole family happy with a care package for everyone
A family care package is a thoughtful gift because it shows employees that you value families and that you understand they play a key role in everyone’s life. It also highlights the company’s focus on a work-life balance. Employees definitely notice this and are thankful for employers who understand that a healthy balance is key.
Consider creating baskets with board games, picture frames, delicious family snacks, desserts, and more.
9. Self-Care Kit
Encourage time for self-care with your employees and they’ll be happier for it
Self-care kits for employees are also popular options, especially for remote employees that have a harder time with work-life balance when they work out of their homes.
You can include a weighted blanket, aromatherapy products, an oil diffuser, body lotion, or even adult coloring books.
10. Assorted Cookies or Brownies
A sweet treat is always an employee favorite
Anyone with a sweet tooth would love to get a gift basket with cookies or brownies in it. Fairy Tale Brownies creates delicious brownies made with Belgian dark chocolate. They come in three sizes and 12 different flavors like walnut and cream cheese.
Another great option if you want to send cookies is Cookies By Design. They make fresh-baked gourmet cookies you can get delivered.
11. Gourmet Gift Basket
Give your employees the gift of a wonderful gift basket
If you're looking for another great gift basket, giving your employees gourmet food baskets is another option. Harry & David creates some of the most popular gourmet food baskets out there.
Choose from mixed snacks, fruit, cheese, and more. Harry & David even sells plant and flower arrangements, wine gifts, and other fine foods.
12. Anker Soundcore Noise Canceling Headphones
Because everyone would appreciate a great set of headphones!
If you're looking for something other than food gifts, these Anker Soundcore Noise Canceling Headphones make a great present for work anniversaries, rewards, and more.
They have excellent sound quality, fit comfortably, have multiple modes, and have high-resolution sound. Your employees will know you're a cool boss if you give them these headphones!
13. Offer a Workout Pass or Gym Membership
Healthy employees make for happier employees
Many employees value the gift of health, so offering to pay for a gym membership or even adding a gym area on-site can be very beneficial to everyone.
You can also give employees a set amount of time to use the gym during work hours. Other companies have done this quite successfully.
14. Offer Extra Time Off
Employees need time to rest and relax so they can be at their best
One of the best employee appreciation gift ideas is rewarding employees with extra time off. This present also speaks to your core company values, and the fact that you value everyone's time off shows the importance of a better work-life balance.
15. Order a Pinata Filled with Treats for an Office Party
Welcome a little fun into the office!
Pinatas aren't just for kids, so why not order one and have a fun office party. Pinatagrams has great options for miniature Pinatas that will level up the fun at your next celebration.
You can also include a personalized message that makes everyone feel special and valued.
16. Give Them Business or Self-Improvement Books
Help your employees expand their horizons!
Get a Barnes & Noble gift card
Everyone can better themselves so giving team members and employees helpful business books as a present is a great idea. Books are a relatively inexpensive present if you need to buy them for many people, but they are worth so much more.
Show employees that you care and want to help them get better in business, their industry, or improve themselves.
Get a Barnes & Noble gift card
17. Offer the Gift of Home Services
Take some things off of your employees’ to-do list
We've all come home tired from a long day of work only to find more work. Many of us let household chores stack up during the week until our to-do list becomes overwhelming.
Consider helping employees by giving home service gifts like house cleaning, meal delivery kits, laundry services, and more. It can help alleviate stress at home so they can enjoy a more relaxing time with family and friends. It can help them be more efficient at work too.
Gifts For Employees Working at Home
Don't forget your virtual employees. There are other nice gifts for those in your company working from home.
18. Virtual Tasting and Pack of Wine
Experience all the fun of a virtual wine tasting!
Get a gift card for Total Wine and More
Consider hosting virtual events with wine tasting. You could even make it an after-hours work event, kind of like a Christmas Party. If having alcohol is against company policies, substitute the wine for another beverage.
You can have packages delivered with everything your employees need for the event. You can add tasty gourmet cheeses, crackers, and more.
Make sure you pick up an e-gift card to Total Wine and More for your employees from Gift Card Granny.
Get a gift card for Total Wine and More
19. Work From Home Survival Kit
Make sure you include options for work from home employees!
A work-from-home survival kit is a great idea for remote employees. Employees working from home get virtual meeting fatigue, the absence of coworkers that make them feel like a team, and lack of personal space.
This Work from Home Survival Kit is the perfect present that can make everyone laugh at their predicament. Commiserating together can create a bond and increase job satisfaction.
20. Useful Accessories and Gadgets
These items can help make work easier for remote employees
Gadgets and accessories that make working from home easier make great employee appreciation gift ideas for remote workers. Gifts like a printer-scanner combo, a new laptop or iPad, and other helpful gadgets make life easier.
Some items to consider giving as gifts include:
- Earbuds
- Laptop bags
- Extra-long charging cables for phones
- Cord organizers
- Portable power banks for power outages or travel
Final Thoughts on Employee Appreciation Gift Ideas
Some of the best employee recognition gift ideas are things that make a worker's life easier at home or work. Many employees also value personalized presents and gifts that help them bond with others.
We created this list of gift ideas to show your employees how much you appreciate them to make buying the perfect gifts easier.
You may even want to consider starting an employee recognition program and making it a part of your core company values and culture. Showing employees that you care can reduce your overhead expenses by reducing costs associated with turnover.
