Gifts are significant ways of expressing warmth, affection, and camaraderie, especially when words fail to do so. Employee gifts provide employees with a sense of belonging to their workplaces and a reassurance that their contribution to the organization is valued. These gifts are usually presented to employees during festivals like Easter and Christmas, official events, a mark of appreciation for their performance, etc. Here are some things to know about selecting employee gifts:

Employee gift ideas
Engraved pens
Laser-engraved pens with employee names embossed are the perfect employee gifts that act as excellent souvenirs while having great utility at the workplace. One can also custom-design these pens based on employees’ favorite colors and use a visually appealing font to emboss their names.

Smart coffee warmer mugs
It is not uncommon for employees to become engrossed in their work and leave their coffee mugs unattended at their desks. Smart coffee warmer mugs are effective solutions to ensuring that one’s coffee remains at a set temperature level. Moreover, these temperature levels can be customized based on how hot or warm one likes to have their coffee. This gift will impress employees while saving them the hassle of reheating their coffee.

Ergonomic footrests
Maintaining a good posture is essential to prevent backache and potential back problems. Ergonomic footrests help one maintain an upright seated posture and prevent the legs from being suspended uncomfortably. The best ergonomic footrests have several desirable features, such as height and angle adjustability and soft, comfortable surfaces.

Refreshing eye masks
Staring at one’s computer or laptop screen for the entire day can lead to eye strain and discomfort. A refreshing eye mask is a great way to encourage employees to unwind after their workday and ensure much-needed rest for their eyes. These eye masks should be made of a soft fabric, such as silk, and should not contain any material that can irritate the eyes or the skin around them.

Smart water bottles
Technological advancements have ensured that employees remember to drink water regularly and stay hydrated despite busy schedules. These water bottles can be set to remind one to drink water at specific time intervals.

Daily planner calendars or pads
Daily planner calendars or pads allow employees to organize their to-do lists efficiently, sorting their tasks based on priority. It can also help them plan frequent short and long breaks during the day to ensure that work does not take away from their meal and rest time.

Lap desk with cushion
Lap desks are the perfect gifts for companies following the hybrid or remote-work models. A lap desk allows employees to work comfortably from their couches while maintaining their posture and preventing pain. It is advisable to look for desks with cushions underneath, a wrist pad, and storage pockets.

Tips to consider while buying employee gifts
Find a gift that integrates aesthetics and utility
The best gift for employees is one that has practical significance. At the same time, the gift should also have visual appeal and a festive vibe if presented during a festival. Therefore, employers should look for gifts that combine both these elements effectively.

Avoid compromising on quality for cost
While every company should have a set budget range for employee gifts, compromising on quality can cause considerable despair and disappointment among employees and even affect their motivation to work. This aspect should be considered while setting a budget for gifts. It is also important to avoid opting for extremely basic gifts – there should be a special element in terms of features or aesthetics that is unique and desirable.

Buy long-lasting gifts
A chocolate box or meal voucher is an excellent gift to perk up an employee; however, it does not have long-term relevance or utility. Such gifts may be presented alongside something of long-term value, such as a plant, an electronic device, or an ergonomic furniture piece.

Avoid announcing gift distribution in advance
A surprise gift by their employers is sure to make an employee’s day. Therefore, it helps to avoid announcing a specific day and time for gift distribution. Instead, employers should consider leaving gifts at employees’ desks or having them couriered to their homes without prior notice. Moreover, employers should avoid gifting their employees only during festive occasions, when gifts are expected, but also for other reasons, such as consistently good performance, the best performance for the month, and completion of a milestone, such as six months or a year in the company.

Present personalized gifts
Personalized gifts provide employees with a sense of belongingness to the organization; furthermore, these can be excellent souvenirs to cherish for a long time. Thus, employers should try and personalize gifts for their employees to the best extent possible.

Avoid exceeding the set budget range
As mentioned earlier, it is important to avoid compromising on quality for cost. However, considering cost is also essential to avoid a financial crunch. The best bet is to plan the year’s gifts at the start of the year and allocate estimated budget ranges for each, based on the occasion.