15 Thoughtful Employee Appreciation Gifts That Make a Lasting Impact

Team working their butts off? Kicking goals? And meeting those KPIs? Now it’s your chance to show some gratitude for their efforts. But maybe a “thanks for your hard work” just doesn’t feel enough. 

There’s nothing like delivering a gift to make employees feel truly appreciated and valued. The question is: where do you even begin? From vouchers to subscription boxes and home office upgrades, we’ve got you covered.   

Understanding employee appreciation

Your team hustles to hit those deadlines. Giving their all to help your company thrive. And for them, working day in and day out could feel thankless. We all know the feeling of working hard and not getting that much-deserved recognition. 

So, to keep your team feeling motivated, valued and appreciated, a little recognition here and there can go a long way. 

Nectar research shows that 83.6% of employees think recognition boosts their motivation to succeed at work. Not just that, 77.9% say they’d be more productive if they were appreciated more often. 

Essentially, with appreciation, we’re talking boosted motivation, better productivity and lower attrition rates. Basically, all the good stuff! 

The value of employee appreciation gifts

Sometimes a “thank you” via email just doesn’t feel enough – especially if your crew has been nailing it. Gifts can feel more special and be a more substantial way to show recognition. 

Gifting can also really pay off. A Snappy report found that 57% see a gift as a sign of their employer's gratitude and appreciation, for example.  

Acing expectations 

Employees don’t just see gifts in a positive light – sometimes they expect and hope for them too. 

The Snappy report showed that 75% of employees were hoping to receive a gift from their company around the holiday season. 

Delivering gifts, then, is the ideal way to fulfil those expectations. 

Impact on morale

If you’re being appreciated, it’s no secret you’re likely to feel a morale boost too. 

According to a Glogoforce survey, recognition leads 86% of people to feel happier at work and 86% to feel more satisfied with their job. 

Impact on company culture

Culture might seem like a vague concept. But it counts more than you might think. MIT research, which analyzed 34 million online employee profiles, found that the greatest predictor of attrition was a toxic culture. 

The right culture, then, can have major impacts. Gifting is one simple way of promoting a culture of employee appreciation and respect. It’s a way of saying, “we appreciate you” – but with some substance too. 

Impact on retention

A little gift here and there won’t just keep employees happy – it’ll boost staying power too. And we all know how much retention impacts that bottom line. 

Nectar stats showed that 71% of employees would be less likely to leave their jobs if they received more frequent appreciation. 

In summary, employee appreciation gifts count for a lot! 

Choosing the right employee appreciation gifts

That all sounds well and good. But where do you even begin with employee appreciation gifts? 

Sure, there are plenty of things your team would likely enjoy, but you don’t want to blow the budget (and have the finance team raise their eyebrows). You also don’t want to buy something cheap and cringey that they’ll never use. Let’s be real – they probably don’t want your company logo on a coffee mug! 

Before diving in and getting everyone matching sweaters, it’s helpful to do a little planning first.  

Get to know their vibe 

What are your crew actually interested in? If you’re not sure, it’s time to find out. Employee surveys, check-ins and polls are a great way to discover what might be useful and meaningful for your team. 

You’ll quickly learn that, no, they don’t need another personalised tote. But, yes, they would love a massage voucher to take their stress away! 

Set a savvy budget

Sure, it’d be great if we could all be like Spanx founder Sara Blakely and gift employees first-class tickets anywhere in the world. We can all dream right!? 

You probably have a much tighter budget, though. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean you can’t have max impact. 

Set a budget that’s in line with what your organization can afford, and think about longevity. Smaller gifts over time will consistently show employees that you care.

There are also plenty of cheap employee appreciation gifts that are meaningful and well-received – like a handwritten note, coffee voucher or cute office plant. 

It’s all about timing 

When should you time gifts? Think about when employees will hope for gifts from you – like around the holidays or employee appreciation day – and make sure to deliver at those times. 

It’s also fun to catch your team off guard with a spontaneous gift – such as when they’ve just aced a project – to help them feel appreciated before they even expect it.

15 unique employee appreciation gift ideas

Enough planning; now for some inspo. We’ve rounded up 15 unique employee appreciation gift ideas to help you celebrate your teams like never before. Let’s go!  
 

1. Food to your door  

There’s nothing like coming home after a long day and not having to cook. But with food delivery being an expensive option, it can be a luxury for your team. 

A food delivery voucher like UberEats gives your employees the chance to enjoy treat night without the cost. 
 

2. Personalized gift card 

Why not give a gift that every employee will actually be happy to receive? Believe it or not, a gift card can still feel meaningful and special.

By adding a heartfelt message on a greeting card to send along with your gift card, you can level-up your gift to become both personal and practical. And if the words are meaningful and authentic, they’ll count just as much as a physical gift. 

Want to show your team some gratitude? Make it memorable with GroupTogether - the easiest way to send eGift Cards in bulk. Send to 1-1000 recipients, add your company logo and include a personalised greeting card - all done in a few minutes. Loved by office managers and culture champions alike. See how it works. 
 

3. Coffee break on the house 

Whether you’re an espresso drinker, oat latte fan or prefer an iced matcha, pretty much everyone loves a coffee break. 

A voucher for a local coffee shop is a simple and crowd-pleasing way to say “we appreciate you” without the need for a big budget. 
 

4. Upgrade that home setup 

With more of us working from home these days, there’s a much greater need for a good office setup. One that doesn't kill your back (kinda essential tbh) and one that looks good in your home too. 

Give your team a better home office space with an upgrade. Whether that’s sending them an ergonomic wireless mouse, a split screen for their neck health or, if the budget allows, a comfy office chair they’ll actually want to sit in. 
 

5. Make it cute with an office plant 

While we’re at it, why not bring some life to your team’s desks by sending them a bright bunch of flowers or a lush indoor plant?  

Flowers and plants can also make especially thoughtful gifts around difficult times such as bereavements, illness or stress leave – showing your teammates you care about them when things get tough. 
 

6. Give the gift of chill 

Even the best jobs in the world come with some stress. And let’s be real: even if your job isn’t, life can be inherently stressful. Chances are, your crew will always be down for something relaxing and stress-relieving. 

Boost employee wellness with vouchers for a spa, massage, or yoga class – letting them know you truly care about their wellbeing. 
 

7. Stationery that doesn’t suck 

Okay, stationery can sound like a super boring gift. But hear us out! The right notebook – say a leatherbound one with crisp pages, a fountain pen with a velvet nib or embossers with wax seals can be stupidly satisfying to use.   

You can even make stationery more special by doing custom engraving, too. 
 

8. Get thoughtful with custom engraving 

Speaking of engraving, whether you decide to get your team swish passport holders, a set of whiskey tumblers or handcrafted wooden coasters, customization can turn a gift from “meh” to “too cute!” 

Having your employees’ names printed on their gifts is a simple way to show that you’re willing to go the extra mile to make them feel special. 
 

9. Extra time off

Yep, you read that right! 

Appreciation gifts don’t need to be physical or cost anything. Sometimes, what your employees would really like is some time to do the things they love. 

Whether that’s getting a day off to enjoy the sunshine, extra time with family and friends or an afternoon to chill in bed and recharge. Paid leave is a major perk and a simple way to show employees you care. 
 

10. Wine anyone? 

If it’s right for your team, a handpicked bottle of cab sav, a refreshing rosé or even a cocktail-making kit can be real crowd pleasers. 

Just make sure you offer a non-alcoholic option too, as chances are, there are likely at least a few non-drinkers in your office. 
 

11. Keep it flexible with vouchers 

Have a diverse team? Not sure what would satisfy everyone? A voucher with endless options means they can spend on something they truly love. 

Think vouchers for Amazon, Target, GrubHub & more – to give maximum flexibility to your team. 
 

12. Go meaningful with handwritten notes 

It’s not always the big ticket items that hold the most meaning. A handwritten note from your boss calling out your hard work can be even more memorable – and boost those feelings of appreciation. 

Whether you add handwritten notes to your gifts or have them as gifts in themselves, they’re likely to land with a positive note. 
 

13. Shout a team outing 

Another day, another dollar. Ammiright? The office can get pretty boring when you’re clocking in and out. Eventually, it can start feeling like Groundhog Day. And we all know that feeling. 

To mix things up, offer your employees an afternoon of fun. This will help them get out of the office and bring a fresh perspective.  

That could be a scavenger hunt with spot prizes, go-kart racing, paintballing, kayaking or an escape room. Ideally, get your team to vote on the outing to ensure it’s something they genuinely want to do. After all, no one likes forced fun.  
 

14. Tickets to a local event 

Everyone in your office basketball fans? Or perhaps they enjoy opera? Or are always talking about the latest movies. 

Gifting tickets to local events or activities can help your employees enjoy meaningful activities outside the office without having to spend a dime.

Hot tip: keep it flexible and let your team choose the event or activity that’s going to be the most fun for them to attend.
 

15. Go crazy on office snacks 

Who doesn’t love snacks? I mean, they just make life better. Those boring kitchen biscuits can step aside. Why not create a well-stocked office cart with snacks your team will love? Then bring the snack cart out every Friday for a little boost to the week. 

Do one better and ask everyone to vote on specific snacks they’d like included. 

Thoughtful gifts have a lasting impact 

No one likes to feel overlooked – especially if they’re putting in the hard yards and getting results. Employee appreciation is the golden standard. It helps everyone on the team feel as though they’re noticed and recognised for the hard work they do. 

A little gift – whether it’s a voucher, time off, engraved whisky glass or a gift card – can really make a difference. 

Boost morale. Improve productivity. Increase loyalty and retention And, just generally promote happiness in your company. Who doesn't want that!? 

Keen to boost morale and show some genuine appreciation? GroupTogether makes it simple to show your team they’re appreciated with a heartfelt card and a meaningful gift – all created in just a few minutes. It’s an easy way to say “you matter” and back it up – helping to keep your star players around. Get started with GroupTogether.

Meet the experts

Ali + Julie

Co-Founders, GroupTogether.

Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!