Even when the economy is thriving, purchasing and exchanging gifts can be a challenge.

Everyone's tastes and desires are different, but this year, wallets and budgets are likely much tighter. With so many of us cutting back, what is a thoughtful (but fiscally responsible) employer to do?

We may want to give gifts to everyone, from our supervisors to our staff, our co-workers to our clients. We want to show how much we appreciate our teams and the valuable roles they play in our everyday lives. After all, we do spend one-third of our lives with our co-workers.

Even if they’re not expected, gifts are a time-honored way to express our gratitude for employees’ presence, quality work, and continued loyalty. It’s another fun, personal way for employees to know they are seen and recognized.

So, does a great gift need to be well-researched, hyper-personalized, and a touch expensive?

Of course not: Gifts never have to be one-of-a-kind, handmade, pricey, or lavish. Even a simple token of our appreciation can still communicate quite a lot.

Always remember that it's the thought that counts. While there is no greater gift than love, we still gathered and listed some of the best options for corporate gifts for employees. These are sure to demonstrate your genuine appreciation for your employees at any time of the year.

Below are some of the top gifts to share with a smile:

The Best Corporate Gift Ideas: Something Practical

You can’t go wrong with a practical gift if you are hoping to give employees something they’re likely to use all the time. These are presents intended for daily life — in the office or even at home.

Here are some of the best practical gifts that we found:

1. Prezzee eGift Cards for Home/Work Essentials

Overwhelmed with the clutter of unwanted gifts? Tired of dealing with holiday gift returns? Your interns have far more important things to do than wrapping dozens of boxes and addressing hundreds of cards.

That’s why an eGift card from Prezzee is the answer to your corporate gift quandary. It removes anxiety from finding the perfect something for that someone special- at home or on your team. Take the guesswork out of gifting and empower your employees to choose exactly what they most want from their favorites in Prezzee’s extensive catalog of partners and retailers.

1. Desk Organizer

Who wouldn’t benefit from a tidy, clean working space, right? Working in the office or from home, desk organizers are a must-have to maximize workspace and keep desks clear. An organized desk paves the way for a productive day.

To make sure everyone gets the desk organizer that matches their home aesthetic, opt for an eGift card to Crate & Barrel.

1. Planner

Despite living in a technology-driven world, planners are still among the most popular paper products sold. Why?

Many of us have several email addresses or multiple calendars we manage for work, family, outside communities, and more. Or, some people simply prefer to write, plan, visualize, and organize their lives by writing on good old-fashioned paper.

As a bonus: Writing helps people meet goals and process new information. Some planning gadgets can help your employees get work done while avoiding mishaps and mistakes.

1. Holiday Gift Basket

This is what practicality looks like: A holiday gift basket full of seasonal goodies should be a treat for employees, ideally something they will savor.

One tip: mind your team’s tastes and dietary restrictions. You might consider including healthy snacks in addition to those sweet, seasonal confections like brownies and dark chocolate-covered pretzels. Or, consider ready-to-cook dishes or meal kits that save money and time in preparing a dish for any festive gathering or holiday dinner.

You can also be a shoo-in for team leader of the year with a digital gift card basket with a collection of essential eGift cards.

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Employee Gifts: Something Relaxing

If we want to work well, we must be well-rested — especially since it seems like we bounce from one holiday or celebration to the next. We have the Lunar New Year (January 22nd), Employee Appreciation Day (March 3rd), Mother’s Day (May 14th), and Father’s Day (June 18th). Before you know it, it’ll be Christmas again. Taking this into account, you can’t go wrong by giving your employees something to look after themselves.

Let them know they deserve that much-needed rest with these perfect gifts:

1. Scented Candle

Whether a personal or business gift, scented candles set the tone and create a warm atmosphere–even at your desk. Research even shows that scented candles have a significant impact on our brains, instantly stimulating memory and evoking emotion.

A word to the wise, though: just because you love the scent of eggnog or welcome the nostalgia of peppermint doesn’t mean others have the same positive associations. Instead of sending a gift set that is more yuck than yum, send along an eGift carBulk Gift Cards and Corporate eGift Cards | Prezzee USd to Yankee Candle and call it a day.

1. Yoga Mat

As we all try to increase our movement, a yoga mat helps to easily combine wellness and work. Mats are highly transportable and can fit under or beside your desk. However, everyone on your list might not be a Yogi.

So, when you give someone a yoga mat, consider additional swag, too, like a sweatband or a water bottle. (Bonus points if it has a subtle company logo.) You may also consider sending along a link to your favorite low-impact workout series on YouTube or some Health and Beauty eGift cards.

1. An Easy-To-Care-For House Plant

We love plants for our work desks because they create a soothing effect, circulate more oxygen, help us relax, and are proven to help reduce our stress. However, not everyone is a budding plant parent, nor does everyone have the time to develop a green thumb.

When giving indoor plants, consider some from an easy-to-care-for list. While one or two employees might love flaunting their orchids on Slack, others might prefer the steady predictability of a succulent they can forget about when they go on vacation.

1. eGift Cards for Self-Care

Looking for a memorable experience and a wellness gift combined? Look no further than these digital gift cards that are accepted across nationwide spas and wellness facilities. (Even more enticing? They never expire: perfect for that unanticipated stressful day in the office.)

Prezzee offers eGift cards for a wide range of self-care products and services. Maybe your colleague would love a day at the spa for some pampering and a massage to soothe those tense shoulders.

Or, maybe another co-worker seeks out the coolest vintage clothing or all-natural makeup shops for more-sustainable, guilt-free retail therapy. Any of these folks would surely give a sigh of relief after a long day of work, enjoying precisely what restores and renews them most.

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Change the Corporate Gift-Giving Game With Something Personalized

It can be tricky to know which gift options will be right for ALL your employees. Yet, in the age of hybrid and remote work, connecting is more important than ever. Go the extra mile and stamp each present with the intended’s name (if feasible) or the company's logo (more likely).

Consider yourself an office culture setter with these personalized gifts:

1. Drinkware (Mugs, Tumbler, Water Bottles)

Water is essential for optimal health: boosting our energy and ensuring our peak performance. So what better way to remind yourself and your team to drink your daily eight cups of water than drinkware with your company name or company logo on it?

Consider options like stainless steel coffee mugs or insulated water bottles, which retain the temperature of hot and cold beverages inside. Staying hydrated is key to staying productive, so this is an investment on both sides of the aisle.

1. Bags

Our busy lives take us from the office to the gym, to the supermarket, to music lessons and team practice to… you get the picture. Whether you’re looking to stash your books, groceries, or workout gear, bags (ranging from high-quality tote bags, laptop bags, backpacks, and messenger bags) are super practical and make great gifts.

We love bags with tons of pockets and intentional storage compartments…. Compartments can also accommodate a company logo so that your team is always reminded that you support their WHOLE selves and the many roles they may play.

Reusable bags are more than a thoughtful gift; they are a financial investment. The states of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii (de facto), Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico have banned disposable bags.

Many stores that offer plastic or paper bags in these locations will charge around ten cents for a bag. With a reusable bag, your employees can say, “No thanks, I brought my own” to the cashier and save a dime every time.

1. Personalize Your eGift Cards

Aside from drinkware, pillow, and bags, did you know that eGift cards can be personalized as well? Prezzee eGift Card can be the ultimate gift of choice for your business needs and employees.

Prezzee allows you to ultra-personalize your gift cards for every single employee in a few simple steps. Your cards can be co-branded with your company's logo, and every card can be swapped for any other retailer, with a selection of hundreds of top brands.

Prezzee makes personalized eGifting easier than ever before. One major perk is you can even send a Prezzee eGift Card with a personal video, a voice message, a greeting card, or even add a personal photo. It’s about time to get creative and make your corporate gift a real stand out!

Show Employee Appreciation With Something Trending

1. Headphones or Earbuds

Who hasn't reached for a tangled pair of headphones before a VIP call or forgotten to recharge a Bluetooth headset? In an online meeting world, headphones have become a necessity, and it always pays to have an extra pair nearby. This makes them the perfect and undoubtedly classic corporate gift.

1. Bluetooth Speaker

Whether you’re singing carols with family, listening with friends to your favorite nostalgia tunes, or just singing your heart out in the shower, a Bluetooth speaker is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

With or without occasion, speakers work at the beach, a tailgate, or an office-wide employee appreciation party. Be obvious or subtle with a company logo, reminding your employees who thought of them the next time they queue up their playlist.

1. Power Bank Charger

Power banks can be figurative and literal lifesavers. Whether you’re out with friends or colleagues or traveling on a trip for work or fun, we all know what a relief it is to be able to recharge our phones on the go.

Add in some Gaming eGift cards for the department with the weekly after-work Mario Kart championship and cement your status as the cool boss.

Prezzee eGift Cards: The Best Gifts for Employees

Digital eGifts can be used to make purchases online and in physical stores, making it a highly convenient option for gift-givers. With hundreds of retail brands - even in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Prezzee is the leading company for eGift cards worldwide.

Whether for a specific occasion, like Employee Appreciation Day, or just out of kindness and appreciation, you can easily send one Prezzee eGift Card or dozens or more in bulk seamlessly. (Bonus: It’s more environmentally friendly, too: Think of the paper, ribbon, fuel, and energy you will save by sending an eGift Card.)

In fact, Prezzee’s gift cards eliminate the need for plastic entirely, as every card is 100% digital. (Something to feel good about: since Prezzee’s inception in 2014, over 105,000kg of CO2 has been diverted by avoiding plastic cards.)

While eGift Cards may look simple, the option to co-brand with corporate logos or personalized videos will offer that ultra-personal touch, making this a thoughtful gift for anyone on your list.

Selecting company gifts can sometimes be tricky, but you can never go wrong in handing Prezzee eGift Cards. We are proud to offer more than 370 brands your employees will value and enjoy, including Best Buy, DoorDash, Land’s End, Spotify, and 366+ more. From sweet treats to luxury goods to home gadgets and travel essentials, we’ve got it.

The Magic of Gift Giving

Put yourself in their shoes: the excitement of opening a unique gift. Savoring the suspense. Discovering what the gift is. Imagining how you might use it or enjoy it. Envisioning where you would take or wear this gift. And most importantly, the growth of the interpersonal relationship.

Receiving a gift can jumpstart a process of mutual appreciation that continues to unfold long, even after you’ve given or received your gift. Even if the gift is modest, it still feels good to know others were thinking of us.

Let’s face it: we can spend up to a third of our adult lives working (and for many of us, we work far more than that!). Our co-workers and colleagues are some of the people we see the most frequently, and we can spend more time with them than with our own families.

So whether it’s Employee Appreciation Day, an employee’s birthday, or a national holiday let’s spread the love!

Gifts are always a way to acknowledge others, express gratitude, and show our appreciation for those who worked so hard throughout the year, even amidst these uncertain times. With unseen stresses and strains at home and in our workplaces, we want to let our teams know we see them and we care. The right gift for the right person can demonstrate just how well you know each employee and that you’re invested in their growth and well-being as a person.

Gifting with intention can also promote greater employee loyalty. Many employees report that they will stay working for those employers who show how much they value and support their team.

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Prezzee: Personalize Presents Pain-Free

You can start by giving your colleagues any one of the hundreds of eGift Cards available through Prezzee. With a Prezzee eGift Card, you can have the best of all worlds.

You have the personalization of selecting the right retailer or experience for each of your employees. You can even shoot a personal video and send a custom message to each person while also integrating your company’s brand and logo.

Not to mention, it’s all about the ease and convenience factor. eGifts are easy to send, easy to use, and work online and in-person. They won’t take up storage space or leave your team with wrappers, boxes, and more items to toss and recycle.

While it may seem simple, this well-thought-out present will surely be embraced by all.

Allow your employees to indulge in their own ways this gift-giving season with these convenient, guilt-free eGift cards from Prezzee! Sign up for a free business account or reach out to our sales team to learn more about how Prezzee can refresh your organization.

Sources:

One third of your life is spent at work | Gettysburg College

Gifting to employees? Consider offering them your gratitude | HR Executive

Neuroscience Explains Why You Need To Write Down Your Goals If You Actually Want To Achieve Them | Forbes

How scent, emotion, and memory are intertwined — and exploited | Harvard Gazette

The Best Easy Houseplants to Grow in Any Home | The Spruce

The Benefits of Having Plants in Your Home or Office | The Sill

Drinking Water Can Make You More Productive | Bloomberg