The Best Employee Thank You Gifts


Finding the best employee thank you gifts can be a challenge. When you add in a global pandemic and navigating a ‘new normal’ for office work in 2021, finding the perfect employee appreciation gift can be even more daunting. Whether it’s a digital gift card or offering a wellness subscription gift box, we’ve gathered some of the best options below.

Page Contents
Best Thank You Gifts for Employees in 2021Alo Moves Annual Membership Gift BoxWise Owl Outfitters HammockKEDRIAN Thank You NecklaceApple AirPods with Wireless Charging CaseKnock Knock Paper Tantrum Nifty NoteDabihu Thank You KeychainAppreciation in a BoxThank You Gourmet Cookie Gift BoxIron Flask Sports Water BottleCheersville Woodland Shelfee - FoxAmazon eGiftcardSometimes You Forget You are Awesome Mug"Thank You for Your Thyme" Desk Accessory for The OfficeScented Thank You CandlePersonalized Cutting BoardBean Box - Coffee + Chocolate Gift BoxAnker PowerCore 10000 Portable ChargerBarvA Wood Docking StationJBL FLIP 4 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth SpeakerBaudville Engraved Crystal Paperweight Curated Simple Loose Leaf Tea Subscription BoxStarbucks Gift CardsSmartSweets GummiesBLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank Personalized Coffee MugKitNipBoxWhiskey Master Class: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, and MoreTile Performance PackFitbit Charge 4 6-in-1 Tactical PenEcho Dot (4th Generation)Everlasting Comfort Office Chair Seat CushionReader's Digest Fresh Coffee Candle BrüMate Insulated Can Cooler Microfiber TowelGIGAMIC Katamino Puzzle GameTokens of Appreciation and CardsNovelty Memo Pads BundleOnly Good Vibes Success and Inspiration JarFreshJax Grilling Spice Gift SetMindfulness Gift: Rustic Jar With Daily Mindful Tasks/ChallengesTop Buying Criteria for Employee Appreciation GiftsMake it PersonalSet a Standard for RecognitionGet CreativeFAQs About Employee Thank You GiftsWhat makes the best thank you gifts for remote employees?What are the best non-monetary employee gift and appreciation ideas?What are inexpensive motivational gifts for employees?How can I personalize employee appreciation gifts?How often should I gift employee thank you gifts?

Best Thank You Gifts for Employees in 2022

Alo Moves Annual Membership Gift Box

The Alo Moves Annual Membership Gift Box is the gift that keeps on giving. This subscription service offers at-home workouts, yoga, and meditation in a variety of levels and styles. This would make one of the best staff appreciation gifts during COVID especially. It brings the best instructors from all over the world to bring mindful movement for all to enjoy via video. Your employee can have the benefits of a yoga or fitness studio all in the comfort of their home.

Alo works on the web, Apple TV and iPhone/Android phones as well as tablets. Your employee will receive a sleek black subscription box as well as a booklet introducing them to Alo Moves. The box requires no equipment. That means you can stream from anywhere in your home or on the road!

Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock

The Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock makes a great thank you gift for all employees. It is offered in a variety of colors and styles. The hammock can be used in a variety of settings, whether it’s a weekend camping trip or a day trip to relax at a nearby park. It is comfortable, compact and lightweight. In fact, this traveling hammock weights only 1.5 pounds and folds to the size of an eggplant.

Set up is a breeze thanks to the 9-foot-long tree straps and carabiners that the hammock comes with. The hammocks are high-quality and are crafted from soft, yet strong parachute nylon with triple interlocking stitching to last for a lifetime, even with extended use. It will become an essential part of your employees camping trips or relaxing weekends away from the office.

KEDRIAN Thank You Necklace

The KEDRIAN Thank You Necklace in Sterling Silver is a stunning option to show appreciation for the female employees in your office. This sterling silver necklace features high-quality, three-layer white gold plating and a 1 ct. Cubic Zirconia gemstone. The necklace is 18 inches long with a 2 inch option extender. It is unique and  comes beautifully packaged in a box that shows your appreciation for a job well done.

The company that has crafted this item, KEDRIAN, has also promised to give a portion of the proceeds of the sale to fund girls’ education via Children of Promise, a nonprofit that sponsors children in 29 countries across the world.

Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case

The Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case is a coveted item for numerous employees. Whether it’s hearing a conference or Zoom call better or listening to podcasts on a walk, these top rated headphones are sure to please any employee. They offer a universal fit for any ear and offer easy setup with all Apple devices. The pods feature high quality sound and automatically connect once put in your ear. Users won’t have to worry about battery life either, as they offer 24 hours of battery life with the charging case that’s included with the purchase.

Knock Knock Paper Tantrum Nifty Note

As a small gag gift to encourage some laughs after a particularly tough project or deadline is completed, give your team this Knock Knock Paper Tantrum Nifty Note. This notepad offers 50 pages of pure sass and stress relief and measures in at 4 x 5.25 inches. The pad features vent options including how you’re feeling at the moment, what it’s due to and how the receiver can be of assistance.

There are numerous other snarky notepad options to gift ranging from an Awesome Citation to Hang in There notes to Nailed It notes to official Office Citation. It’s a great option to build camaraderie as well. 

Dabihu Thank You Keychain

The Dabihu Thank You Keychain offers a beautiful daily reminder of how grateful and appreciative you are to the hardworking employee you are thanking. It also offers a daily inspirational affirmation of the difference they are making in their professional and personal lives. This key chain is made of stainless steel, which means it won’t rust or tarnish. It is a polished, smooth surface key ring with the pendant about 5 centimeters by 1.2 centers engraved with “May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and the difference you make.” You will also receive a free gift bag to make the present even more special to the receiver.

Appreciation in a Box

Appreciation in a Box – Employee, Staff, Coworker, Student, Teacher Thank You Gift Kit - Set of 3 Bullet Journals and Matching Cards with Envelopes

Show your genuine appreciation for your employees with this unique and adorable Appreciation in a Box. The set comes with three Bullet Journals and Matching Cards with Envelopes with the great reminder to ‘Shine On.’ The 200-page bullet journals would be a great option for to-do or task lists as well as idea journaling or sketching. They are made from high-quality paper as well as a leather-like exterior that is embossed with the metallic saying ‘Shine On.’ For the moments your employee also wants to thank someone special in their life, the matching note cards come with envelopes as well as a five-point guide on how to pen thank you notes. 

The Providence Cookie Company THANK YOU GOURMET COOKIE GIFT choose 1, 2, 3 or 4 Dozen (1 Dozen) 

The Providence Company offers one of the most delicious thank you gifts that you can give your employees. This Gourmet Cookie Gift Box will tantalize tastebuds of all ages with individually wrapped cookies in a variety of flavors that feature a cute range of ‘Thank You’ stickers on each wrapper. These also come with a handwritten thank you note for a personalized touch. The cookies are fresh and homemade and can be purchased in quantities of one to four dozen.

Flavor offerings range from: Snickers Cookie, Sugar Cookie with Cranberries & Walnut, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookie, Double Chocolate with Coconut Cookie, Heath Toffee Bar Cookie, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, Almond Joy Cookie, Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie, M&M Sugar Cookie, Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie, Peanut Butter Cookie and Old Fashioned Sugar Cookie.

Iron Flask Sports Water Bottle

The Iron Flask Sports Water Bottleis a high-quality and popular water bottle that would show appreciation for a wide range of employees. This double walled insulated water bottle keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12. This water bottle can also be enjoyed in a number of ways thanks to the three lids it comes with, which range from Carabiner Straw Lid with two Straws, Flip Lid, and a Stainless Steel Lid. It is also highly durable thanks to being created from 18/8 Stainless steel and is also 100% BPA free and non-toxic.

It also comes in a wide range of colors and styles and sizes (ranging from 14 to 64 oz), so you can have a few on hand for employees to choose from as a thank you gift.

Cheersville Woodland Shelfee – Fox

The Cheersville Woodland Shelfee is an adorable option to show your continued appreciation for your employees. In fact, they can feel the love every time they see it on their desk or cubicle and could even be used as an office party award. Referred to as a ‘shelfee,’ this cute fox is holding a motivational sign that lets your team member know you care by stating: ‘Thanks for all you do!” The creature is made of rigid resin and has rope legs with weighted feet so that it is easily draped across a shelf. It measures just over 7 inches tall.

Amazon eGiftcard

If you’re limited for space or want something that could work for a wide-range of employees, you can quickly and easily purchase an Amazon eGiftcard in any denomination from $1 to $1,000. This is one of the best employee appreciation gifts during COVID due to its digital nature. These gift cards are redeemable for thousands of items on Amazon and never expire. To personalize the item, you can create your own Thank You message as well as choose from more than 150 designs. You can even send an animated eGiftcard with animations and music to fit the specific person you want to thank. There are two options to send the card as well, either via text or email.

Sometimes You Forget You are Awesome Mug

This Sometimes You Forget You are Awesome Mug  is a perfect thank you gift to express your thankfulness. This mug comes in an adorable gift box with one mug, one matching marble coaster and one golden spoon. The mug is made of high-quality ceramic to ensure they are durable and long-lasting, yet dishwasher safe. The mug is handmade and showcases an adorable light pink marble design with the gold inspirational saying: “Sometimes You Forget You Are Awesome So This Is Your Reminder.” Whether it’s their morning coffee or afternoon tea, this mug set is sure to serve as a great reminder of how awesome your employee is each day.

 

“Thank You for Your Thyme” Desk Accessory for The Office

The “Thank You for Your Thyme” Desk Accessory  will not only bright the day of the employee you’re rewarding, but will also brighten their desktop with a little greenery. This DIY plant kit includes a thyme seed packet, peat pellet, and a wooden cube planter. You can give this 3×3 cube wooden pine cube to hold a thyme plant. A plastic liner will protect the wood and the pellet (a condensed mix of soil and fertilizer that expands to normal soil consistency once submerged in water) creates the ideal environment for the thyme to thrive in an office.

There is an option to buy these in bulk as well as other plant options such as clover, forget-me-nots, marigolds, poppy, and sunflowers.

Scented Thank You Candle

This Scented Thank You Candle will bring hours of relaxation and joy for your employee. Homesick, the company who crafted this candle, perfectly blended soothing cucumber and fresh lemon blend atop a base of subtle patchouli to create a scent that perfectly expresses gratitude and appreciation. You can personalize the packaging with a handwritten note. The candle is long lasting with a 60-80 hour burn time thanks to a natural soy wax blend. 

Personalized Cutting Board

This Personalized Cutting Board is a great option for a personalized gift that shows you can put time and effort into the perfect employee thank you gift. It can be personalized with the person’s last name and will last for years to come. It’s made out of either Walnut and Maple wood and oiled with food-safe oil to preserve the wood through use. The board comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 12 x 16 x 1.5 inches to 10 x 14 x.75 inches to 8 x 12 x .75 inches. You can even get the board wrapped in high end wrapping paper if sending it to a remote employee.

Bean Box – Coffee + Chocolate Gift Box

This gift is especially fun for the remote worker. A Bean Box – Coffee + Chocolate Gift Box includes four freshly roasted, gourmet, small-batch roasted coffees. For the coffee connoisseur that wants to learn more, the gift includes tasting notes and roaster profiles. You will also be supporting Seattle’s small-batching roasting community, where the boxes are curated from. Four (1 ounce) chocolate bars are also hand chosen to match the tasting profiles of each coffee.

Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger

Almost everyone has run out of cell phone battery juice whether at home or on the road. That’s when something like this Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger comes in handy. It is one of the fastest chargers on the market thanks to its PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies. It is also one of the smallest and lightest 10000mAh portable chargers out there. It comes with a Micro USB cable, travel pouch, welcome guide, and an 18-month warranty.

It’s important to keep in mind that USB-C and Lightning cables for iPhone/iPad users are sold separately, so you may need to purchase extra cables when you’re giving them to the office’s Apple lover. It’s possible to also find options that you can customize with your company logo or the employee’s name.

BarvA Wood Docking Station

Whether your employees are working from home or at the office, this BarvA Wood Docking Station can come in handy in organizing items on their desk. This wooden desktop holder offers a place for almost anything they may need to be successful, including a spot for their smartphone, a ring cradle, a smart watch holder, a pen holder, a place for spare change, and a glasses holder. The possibilities are endless for the burnt wood item that even includes a place to include a charger to charge electronic items. The item dimensions are 9 x 6.5 x 8.7 inches and consists of two wooden parts that are vertical and horizontal pieces that connect.

JBL FLIP 4 – Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

A portable, wireless Bluetooth speaker that allows the user to use it indoors or outside is sure to be a hit among employees and teams. This specific JBL FLIP 4model is highly rated and sought after. You can connect up to two smartphones to play stereo quality sound for up to 12 hours of playtime thanks to its built-in 3000mAh rechargeable li-ion battery. This handy gadget is also waterproof, so the user doesn’t have to worry about rain or spills. In fact, it can be submerged in up to 4 inches of water. For family gatherings or house parties, you can also connect other JBL speakers to amply the sound or music. 

Baudville Engraved Crystal Paperweight 

For something unique and useful that can also add a personal touch, this Baudville Engraved Crystal Paperweightis a great option to show appreciation for your employees. This would make an especially great employee of the month recognition token. You can include up to three lines of engraved text to include the employees name and/or their achievement or special recognition. It is perfect for specialized display or use at 2.85 inches wide x 2.85 inches high and weighing in at 1 lb.

The paperweight comes in four different styles, sizes and colors that range from circular to a star to rainbow colored.

Curated Simple Loose Leaf Tea Subscription Box

Employees can enjoy up to 28+ cups of tea per Curated Simple Loose Leaf Tea Subscription Box. Each box includes four varieties of loose leaf teas that come in pouches that are resealable and reusable. The first tea box also includes reusable linen filters that are perfect for single-cup brewing. Taste is not the only thing that users can enjoy. They can also learn about the teas themselves thanks to tasting notes that describe details regarding the teas’ origin, flavor notes, best brew method, etc.

Starbucks Gift Cards

Almost everyone has a special drink or treat they love to order at Starbucks. That’s why a Starbucks gift card would make a great employee appreciation gift. You can pick a value range of $25 to $75 and can place the value dependent on the project accomplished or special task completed. You can also include a specialized message for the recipient as well to add the personal touch.

SmartSweets Gummies

Employee appreciation can also mean simple things like finding products that employees may like that are harder to find and focus on wellness and health. These SmartSweets Sour Gummies are highly rated and can be a quick way to say a small thank you or appreciation. They are mindful of kicking sugar cravings, with just 4g of sugar and 110 calories for the whole bag, and are smartly sweetened with high-quality, natural sweeteners. Every ingredient is gluten free, non-GMO, and not artificial, so it’s a treat that can be enjoyed guiltfree. There is even 9 grams of fiber in each bag.

They also have other flavors and candies in this line, such as gummy worms, Sour Blast Buddies, Swedish Fish and Peach Rings.

BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank 

For the techie in your office that loves finding the latest or most unique tech gadgets, this BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank is a great option as an employee appreciation gift. It charges a variety of phone types quickly using the power of the sun with a 20000mAh Solar Charger Bank, a 18W Fast Charging Power Bank and 10W Fast Qi Wireless Charger. This solar powered case can charge an iPhone X up to 4.5times, a Samsung Galaxy S8 up to 3.7 times, and Macbook Pro up to 1.0 time.

For an extra touch, the case also includes a three-mode flashlight and built in compass.

Compatible phone types include: 10W compatible with Samsung Galaxy Note9, S9/S9+, Note8, S8/S8+,7.5W compatible with iPhone XR/XS MAX/XS/X/8/8plus.

Personalized Coffee Mug

For special milestones or work anniversaries, a Personalized Coffee Mug would make a great employee appreciation gift. You can include a team photo, a photo of an employee during their first year of employment or even a photo of the completed project. You can also add specialized text. This mug is microwave and dishwasher safe and comes in two sizes, 11 oz and 15 oz.

You can also receive business only pricing for these mugs through Amazon Business.

KitNipBox

For employees that have pets, a pet subscription service such as KitNipBox would show that you care about them personally and offers a personalized touch for special team members. This is especially relevant for employees whose furry friends may have made a special appearance or two during COVID Zoom meetings.

The KitNipBox offers a monthly subscription service with high-quality cat toys, all natural treats, as well as other fun, unique cat-centered products. The box will not only support your employee, but also other 100 animal animal welfare organizations such as SAAP and San Francisco SPCA with portions of the proceeds of the box.

Whiskey Master Class: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, and More

For the well traveled foodie or liquor connoisseur, a themed food or beverage book would make a great employee thank you gift. This Whiskey Master Class offers an inside peak into the world of whiskey and its different styles. Lew Bryson is one of the leading voices in whiskey and leads readers through the worlds of bourbon, Scotch, rye, Japanese whiskey, and more. It goes over the key ingredients of whiskey as well as the process of distillation.

Tile Performance Pack

The Tile helps you find your keys, wallets, tablets and more and with the performance pack – offering the Pro and Slim options – an even wider option of devices or items can be located. The Pro can be attached to your keys or purse while the slim can be tucked into a wallet. Use an iOS or Android app to locate the items if they’re lost. You can ring your Pro within 400 ft and your Slim when it’s within 200 ft via the app as well. The Tile also works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Xfinity, and Siri.

Fitbit Charge 4

One way to thank your employees for a job well done is to help them become more mindful about their health and wellness with the Fitbit Charge 4. This device uses built-in GPS to show pace and distance on screen during outdoor walks, runs, hikes and more. Users can utilize a workout intensity map in the app as well that shows your heart rate changes during your workouts. Feel a buzz on your wrist when you reach your target heart rates and track your heart rate 24/7 to better track calorie burn.

It even tracks SpO2 nightly averages and sleep stages to see how well you sleep, which can be helpful for employee welfare.

 6-in-1 Tactical Pen

For the handy employees, try out the 6-in-1 Tactical Pen. Made of aircraft aluminum, this pen can be used as a self defense tool as well as a flashlight, bottle opener, screw driver, and multi-tool. It of course also can be used as a pen and is smear proof with no possible ink leaks. Although it may sound like it would be a heavy tool, it is actually very lightweight and offers a unique grip design for not just writing but also self defense.

It also comes in a gift box and offers 6 batteries and 5 ink refills.

Echo Dot (4th Generation)

Amazon’s popular smart speaker would make a great appreciation gift for any employee. The 4th generation of the speaker allows users to ask Alexa to do everything from play music to turn off lights to play audiobooks and more. She also can tell jokes, reminds you of important tasks, checks the weather, set alarms and much more. You can even make calls hands free and tell others in the house dinner’s ready. Its newest iteration also comes with the capability to set up Guard which can detect the sound of a smoke alarm or glass breaking if you’re away from the home.

You can also choose from other sizes and capabilities ranging from the Echo Flex, Echo Dot (3rd Addition), Echo (4th Generation), and the Echo Studio. Each has its own perks and capabilities, so you can choose what features you think your employee would like best.

Everlasting Comfort Office Chair Seat Cushion

As employees select more remote or work from home options, setting up their home office environment can be tricky. This is especially true when it comes to comfort and finding office equipment that suits their needs but helps them get through the day. One popular COVID employee gift idea was to provide cushions such as this Everlasting Comfort Office Chair Seat Cushion. This memory foam based seat cushion uses body heat to mold to the owners body while improving posture and providing back support. It also offers pain relief for the back, legs hips and Sciatica. It accomplishes this by  alleviating pressure on the lower back, waist, hips, and thighs. It also claims tailbone pressure relief through its ergonomic U-shaped design.

This cushion is also a great option because it comes with a lifetime guarantee. It even comes with a machine washable cover. More than 72,400 Amazon reviewers also gave it an average rating of 4.4 stars.

Reader’s Digest

For the avid reader among your team, opt for a classic magazine subscription or a subscription based on their hobbies. Reader’s Digest is a classic option that is a lost cost option for an annual digital subscription. For Reader’s Digest, you can offer topics that are often health and wellness related, which most employees have an interest in or that you as an employer want to offer education around. Other topics include books, humor, and food.

Other popular options include Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, HGTV Magazine, and National Geographic History.

 Fresh Coffee Candle 

It’s no secret that many employees live off coffee to get them through the morning at work or when the afternoon slump hits. Give them the joy of the coffee aroma at home with this Sweet Water Décor Fresh Coffee Candle. The candle has the same cozy smell that lingers in the air when a fresh pot of coffee is on in the morning. The candle offers 60+ hours of burn time and comes in an 11 oz jar. The candle itself is made of a soy wax blend and is hand poured in Pittsburgh, PA.

Scent notes include caramel crème, mocha latte, kona Coffee, sugar cane, and rum.

BrüMate Insulated Can Cooler 

Although using this item at the office may be taboo, offering something fun and unique to enjoy outside office hours can be a great option for an employee thank you gift. These top-rated and best selling BrüMate Insulated Can Coolers come in a wide variety of colors for 12 oz slim cans ranging from 12 oz beer, energy and soda canned drinks. These can coolers offer double-walled stainless steel with an extra copper layer that keeps drinks 20 times colder than a standard neoprene can cooler. Condensation is also eliminated so no sweaty hands or having to wipe of droplets as you enjoy your beverages. There is also a range of other options in the series, ranging from 16 oz tumblers to the standard beer bottle shape holding 12 oz bottles.

These could be great for company happy hours or company picnics during warmer months.

Microfiber Towel

Microfiber towels are somewhat new to the market, but have gained increasing popularity. This specific option could be personalized with a company logo and comes in a variety of colors. It is also comes with its own carrying case, which makes it perfect for a day at the beach, the gym or for camping. Microfiber is fast absorbing but also quick drying and light weight. It’s texture is like a soft suede that is comfortable on the skin.

Size options from small (12×24 inches) to XX-Large (40×72 inches) and colors range from forest green to purple to orange.

GIGAMIC Katamino Puzzle Game

The GIGAMIC Katamino Puzzle Game would make a great addition to an employee’s desk and also helps to keep their mind sharp on the more stressful days in the office. It could even be a great teambuilding option! This 3D block puzzle offers more than 500 puzzles in one game with thousands of solutions. It’s so popular that it’s even played live on TV in Europe. This puzzle itself helps build spatial observation skills, sharpens logical thinking skills, and teaches the basic properties of 2D/3D modeling. The puzzle game includes a playing board measuring 12 1/2 inches x 7 inches, a movable space bar, and 12 playing pieces.

It has received a 4.7 review rating from more than 500 reviews.

Tokens of Appreciation and Cards

Sometimes its not just about giving an employee appreciation or thank you gift yourself as a boss, but encouraging your employees to recognize their peers’ and teammates’ work and achievements as well. By offering these Tokens of Appreciation and Cards, you can empower employees to show their teammates their appreciation when a deadline is met, a project is completed, or a small task is done that helped them get through the day. Each colorful card is sized 3.5 inches x 2 inches and includes a motivational message on one side along with a metal token that is 3/4 inch diameter.

The token is inscribed with “Token of Appreciation” and the reverse says “Pass it along.” You can give it to employees with the encouragement to pass it along to their hardworking teammates who may need a pick me up or deserve a token of appreciation. They are sold in sets of 10.

Novelty Memo Pads Bundle

These Novelty Memo Pads offer a little stress relief and fun in the office. These would make a great gift especially after the completion of a long or stressful project or after meeting a tight deadline. Sayings on each pad include:  I Have No Idea What I’m Doing, Everything is Fine, This is my life now, and I’m not even trying anymore.

Each individual pad includes 50 sheets of paper and is 4.25 x 5.5 inches.

Only Good Vibes Success and Inspiration Jar

This thank you gift would be great for an every day pick me up and would be a great desk accessory. The Only Good Vibes Success and Inspiration Jar includes motivational quotes to make the owner laugh, feel motivated or inspire. It can also be shared with coworkers who may be having a bad day. Positivity is a key element to every quote included in the jar. Just grab a printed quote from the jar each day for a spark of joy. The jar includes 31 quotes.

This could also be used long term with employees adding their own motivational and inspirational quotes to the jar as they continue to grow with your company.

FreshJax Grilling Spice Gift Set

For the foodie or griller on your team, this highly-rated FreshJax Grilling Spice Gift Set is sure to be a hit. These certified organic spices are gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO and have no artificial flavors. What they do have are versatility and flavor.

The Peppered Habanero adds spice and heat to steak, kabobs, and wings while the Fresh Bay is great for grilling seafood. The Grill Master is a burger blend or good on veggies while the Smoky Southwest is good for chicken or corn-on-the cob. Lastly, the Citrus Pepper is great on fish, chicken or veggies as well.

Your purchase also contributes to the FreshJax Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, which has supplied more than 380,051 meals to hungry children in the United States.

If grilling may not be your employees favorite way to cook, the company also offers a pack of All-Star BBQ spices, Seasoned Sea Salts, Smoked Spices and a Taste of the World pack.

Mindfulness Gift: Rustic Jar With Daily Mindful Tasks/Challenges

Let’s face it, 2020 was just plain hard on all of us. This is especially true for employees who had to transition to remote work while juggling remote learning for their kids or worrying about cut hours or tighter deadlines. Help employees’ transition back to the office or their ‘new normal’ in 2022 with this Mindfulness Gift.

This jar comes with a daily dose of mindfulness in the aim to enhance creativity, productivity, peace of mind, and reduce stress. This “A Month of Mindfulness” jar offers 31 days worth of tasks to increase mindfulness in your life. Each task is printed on a postcard size piece of paper and are designed to be able to be don anywhere, even on the busiest days. These can be especially useful for stressful days at the office.

As one Amazon reviewer stated: “These were a wonderful office gift. Everyone loved them and it has been really nice topic of discussion.”

Top Buying Criteria for Employee Appreciation Gifts

Make it Personal

Employee appreciation gifts offer you an opportunity to not only recognize the hard work of your employees, but also showcase that you value them as an individual by giving them a personalized gift tailored to them and their interests. Take the time to get to know them to showcase that they are valued by you and the company itself.

If it’s a newer employee or you can’t find a personalized item that you think fits the interests of the employee you want to recognize, find other ways to make the gift seem personal. If you’re purchasing a gift card, include a personalized, handwritten note of appreciation. Due to the increase in remote working, finding a personalized gift can be even harder, so if you’re sending an eGiftcard including a personalized message (even in digital form) can go a long way.

Another way to get information on how to personalize appreciation gifts would be to ask their teammates that know them the best. What type of food do they like? Could you offer a food gift basket to be delivered to their home or offer to purchase lunch and have it sent to them?

Personalizing a gift also helps your ROI. Research shows that recognized employees often stick around, lowering your turnover rate. Some research even finds that turnover costs could be reduced up to half.

Set a Standard for Recognition

It is important to set a standard for what types of behaviors should be recognized with a thank you gift or recognition. You don’t want to seem you like you are playing favorites or want anyone to feel like their achievements or contributions are going unnoticed. As Eric Mosley and Derek Irvine state in, “Making Work Human”:  “The common denominator is behavior – something that can be described and qualified and adopted by people who see the award.”  They also said that it should be consistent, frequent, fair and easily seen by other employees.

Create an employee recognition program that kicks into gear when certain projects are complete or behaviors are done by an employee. Without a program in place, you could be waiting too long to recognize your employees and therefore lessen the positive effects of giving them gifts and praise.

Get Creative

Workforce culture has made a shit from it being a ‘nice addition’ to have employee appreciation and thank you gifts to it now being a necessity. Although there are numerous ‘traditional’ gifts that are still appreciated, getting more creative in your gift ideas and programs is vital for the younger workforce.

Microrecognition (daily small recognitions) or less formal recognitions are increasing. Less formal options include pizza parties, potlucks, and happy hours. Don’t be afraid to seek guidance from your teams on how they want to be recognized and the types of gifts they appreciate.

FAQs About Employee Thank You Gifts

What makes the best thank you gifts for remote employees?

The options are almost limitless when it comes to the best thank you gifts for remote employees. They range from free to more expensive, but can largely depend on the frequency of the gift and the size of your team.

One option is to create a virtual teambuilding event that allows employees to connect with one another. This may be more difficult for larger teams, but can offer create a sense of community and comradery among coworkers. Options range from online murder mysteries to trivia to virtual team BINGO.

Technology accessories are a great option for employee thank you gifts for remote workers. Whether its Apple Airpods or laptop bags or cord organizers, you don’t have to break the bank on high tech accessories. You can find a variety of options to fit your budget.

Other remote worker gift ideas include exercise equipment, stationary/desk supplies, coworking space memberships, coffee/tea, music or audiobook subscription services, pet care packages, plants and more.

What are the best non-monetary employee gift and appreciation ideas?

There are numerous ways to show employee appreciation that do not involve money. One of the easiest and top ways to show employee appreciation is by creating an employee of the month award. This offers a visual and social way for an employee to be recognized and incentives and motivates other employees to earn the award as well. A personalized and sincere Thank You Card can also show individualized appreciation as well as a shout out on social media, a specialized parking spot, or a day off work.

What are inexpensive motivational gifts for employees?

Employee appreciation gifts don’t have to break the bank. Employees value individualization and personalization. You can bulk buy company swag that is relevant to their work and personal lives such as water bottles, pens and pencils. You could also purchase flowers or create a custom award or ribbon that is given to the employee at certain milestones. Food items can also be fairly inexpensive but popular items.

How can I personalize employee appreciation gifts?

Whether it’s finding out someone’s favorite plant or favorite restaurant to order lunch from, personalizing an employee appreciation gift can go a long way in employee happiness and retention. Personalized products include a desk dock to help organize your desk with things like your cell phone, watch and keys, as well as a personalized pen, a mini speaker, leather luggage tag, a beer stein, personalized journal, leather portfolio, toiletry bag, phone charger, charging station and more.

You can also personalize employee appreciation gifts through company swag. Put your logo on a coffee or water bottle, stress balls or reusable grocery totes.

How often should I gift employee thank you gifts?

Creating an employee recognition program can help you figure out and set a standard for how often and when an employee should be recognized. Set certain parameters so that the recognition or gifts are consistent and fair across the entire team. Ideas for when an employee or team should be recognized include when a team reaches an important deadline, when a project is completed, when great work happens and work anniversaries.

Companies who recognize and thank employees are four times more likely to have highly engaged employees and two times more likely to have increased revenue over the past year, according to O.C. Tanner.