Gifts the Whole Office Can Use

In a year of tightening budgets, many businesses may be wondering how they'll be able to reward their employees. If you're looking for smart and affordable ways to say thank you, consider purchasing new computer monitors, comfortable chairs, breakroom snacks, and other gifts the whole office can use.

A new laptop, or a new laptop case

If the road warriors in your office don't have a laptop, consider buying them one. Staples offers the HP Pavilion laptop for under $1,200. For the employee who has a laptop consider a durable, water–repellent notebook case.

Handheld

Is a new laptop outside of the budget? Then give employees something just as handy, if not more. The latest handhelds serve as a mobile email and document manager and, in the case of the Sony Clie®, an MP3 player and digital camera. Or, opt for the Handspring Treo®, a mobile phone, wireless Web browser, short message service (SMS) platform, and a virtual computer. Handheld models range in price from $129 to $649. If your employees prefer using a pad and pencil, you could reward them with a handsome personal planner instead.

A rolling bag

A rolling bag with water–resistant vinyl and sturdy, wear–resistant wheels is a great gift for employees who frequently travel.

A top-notch chair

An ergonomically sound chair can help improve an employee's health and productivity. To help keep your employees comfortable, give them a fully adjustable chair with head and neck support (in leather or fabric). See chair buying tips.

Pain-stopping support

Since pain can hamper productivity, employees need to be outfitted with more than a good chair. To fight the frequent menace of hand and wrist fatigue, invest in gel wrist support, a gel wrist and mouse pad combo, or a keyboard drawer. (See other ergonomic product ideas.)

LCD monitor

The prices of LCD screen monitors have recently come within reach of small business and home users. Given the benefits of using LCD monitors, now might be a good time to buy. LCDs are thin (almost flat), free up tons of desk space, consume 70% less power than conventional (CRT) monitors, and cause less eyestrain. (Frequently Asked Questions about LCDs).

Labelmaker

An indispensable device that also happens to be fun to use, labelmakers help employees organize paperwork and label files. Choose a labelmaker that has a variety of font options, accommodates different tape colors and widths, and features laminated label–tape and a 15–character LCD display.

Recorder

A small, portable device that eases the stress of note taking and lets employees record great ideas as they occur. The lightweight Panasonic® Micro Recorder features voice–activated recording, a jack for speakers, and a two–speed tape selector.

Office audio

A 2002 Case and Company study found that music increased production efficiency by as much as 4.1 percent, and employee promptness by as much 31.2 percent. For an affordable, top–quality system that looks sounds great in a private office or employee common area, consider the Panasonic® Micro System. (Add headphones if the microsystem will be used in a private office.) For the cutting–edge in sound and design, look to the Bose® Lifestyle 5, a great sound system for the entire office, or for the reception area.

Telephone headset

A great help in the fight against neck and shoulder pain, headsets also free up your employees' hands. For office use, opt for a multi–line headset that connects to single– or multi–line phones. Other features include volume control and a mouthpiece that eliminates background noise. Employees who travel can free their hands for driving (or for typing while on a train) with a mobile headset. A mobile headset plugs into most cell phones and features clear sound and comfortable, over–the–head design. Also available as ear buds.

A cool mouse

A cordless mouse eliminates tangled cables and works up to six feet away from a computer. An optical mouse tracks motion with an optical sensor, rather than a ball, works on any surface but glass, and has no moving parts that need to be cleaned or replaced. And there's no need to settle for one or the other when you can have a combination cordless optical mouse.

A well-stocked breakroom

Maintaining a clean breakroom filled with the essentials, from popcorn and M&Ms (or other snacks) to coffee to the all–important microwave, is great way to show appreciation for your employees. See a checklist of breakroom must–haves.