Small Business Holiday How-To: 5 Gift Ideas for Employees
By Margot Carmichael Lester, Staples® Contributing WriterI wouldn’t say I regret receiving the Jingle Cats CD a boss bestowed on me one Christmas long ago, but it didn’t exactly make me feel appreciated. “The holidays are so hectic it feels like you have no time at all to be thoughtful,” says Nellie Akalp, founder and CEO of CorpNet.com in Westlake Village, CA. “But the truth is you do have time if you plan ahead.”
Start your planning with a quick review of these holiday gift ideas for employees and you’ll be able to do more this holiday:
1. Technology.
“I wouldn't say no to a tablet, but barring that, a portable Bluetooth® speaker is a fun and useful gift for the home and for parties,” says Jessica Dolcourt, a senior editor with San Francisco-based CNET. Tech accessories like tablet stands, keyboards or interactive pencils/styluses are always appreciated.
2. Deliciousness.
Gift baskets filled with tasty treats are always popular, as are presents like coffee pods or a good bottle of champagne or sparkling grape juice. “At the very least, you know it will go to good use at New Year’s,” quips Nolan Walsh, coowner of the Thursday Boot Companybased in New York, NY. If individual presents aren’t in the budget, “gift” the breakroom with an array of special snacks and holiday-themed beverage options like cocoa and eggnog. You can even provide a new branded mug or tumbler for each team member.
3. Wellness.
“Health is on everybody's wishlist each holiday season,” says Martina Janeckova, head of marketing for San Francisco-based Qardio, Inc. That makes fitness trackers a great employee gift idea. “Choosing a device that will improve the lives of your employees will not only show that you care but will also save you money in the long run. It's a win-win gift.”
4. Inspiration.
“I like giving out at least one gift that has inspired me personally,” Walsh says. “Last year, it was the book Devil in the White City by Erik Larson; this year, it will probably be the soundtrack to Hamilton.”
5. Time.
One of the most overlooked gift ideas for employees at the holidays is time. Schedule longer lunches or flexible start-stop times to give employees extra time off without compromising operations. Or invest in a contract admin from a service like Ruby Receptionists to cover the phones or help with additional workload. “During any busier than average time, a short-term contractor keeps the owners and employees on track doing their own jobs,” says Quinn Nieland, “the guy who stops the buck” at North Star Property Management in Lake Oswego, OR. “They also keep clients from getting annoyed by waiting longer than average for help.”
Holiday presents for employees may feel like a nice-to-have, but Walsh begs to differ.
“Gifts are more than just a token of your appreciation,” he says. “They're an opportunity to genuinely connect and enrich a meaningful relationship. For our employees, we don't just want to recognize their contributions. We also want to keep people excited about the work we're doing and get everyone reenergized for the upcoming year.”