Generosity is a gift that keeps on giving. By that, we mean that being generous to your employees benefits the giver as much as the recipient. In the case of employee appreciation gifts, it’s not only the team leaders who experience the reciprocal feelings. It can have a lasting effect on your business.
Yet if there is one gift category that often embodies the worst aspects of corporate gifting — tacky, generic, impersonal, and cheap — it’s gift boxes. At some point in their professional lives, most people will receive at least one bad gift box from a company or vendor — full of five things they don’t want instead of one thing they do.
This is backed up by real data. According to HR Daily Advisor, 37% of surveyed employees said they’ve felt underappreciated by their employer based on the gifts they’ve received. The majority (62%) of respondents reported receiving gift cards, with generic gift boxes a close second at 27%.
However, gift boxes don’t have to be generic. They can be delightful! It all depends on which one you choose. Gift boxes can absolutely be welcome surprises — as long as they are filled with unique, high-quality products.
This is where Goody comes in: There are no run-of-the-mill options or tacky gifts that end up in the landfill within a week’s time. We curate high-quality corporate gift boxes that you could even send to a friend.
Here are ten ideas for employee gift boxes that are unique, memorable, and affordable — but never cheap or tacky.
The 10 Best Gift Ideas for an Employee Gift Box
The Customized Option
The ideas below are for pre-made gift boxes that come with pre-set packaging and contents. However, if you’re looking for something more custom branded, like custom swag boxes or onboarding kits, we can help with that too! Book some time with our team to plan a one-of-a-kind box or explore our custom-branded gift guide.
1. Popcorn & Movie Night
Netflix and HBO Max let us watch movies right from home. But we can’t match the experience of getting snacks and popcorn and sitting before the silver screen — that is, unless we open up this Popcorn and Movie Night Box from Knack.
The box starts off with “Eat What You Watch,” a cookbook featuring recipes from popular movies. That’s paired with a bottle of Utah-grown corn kernels and a delicious white cheddar seasoning for the best movie night yet. They can even turn movie night into a game night with Cinephile, a card game for film geeks.
2. The Luminous Capsule by Brightland
Vinegar and olive oil are tried-and-true ways to spruce up a dish, but sometimes, you don’t need that much to get a stunning end result. The Luminous Capsule from Brightland is a thoughtful gift that gives your employee a little bit of everything.
This box offers a delicious, fruit-forward champagne vinegar, PARASOL, and the carefully sourced 100% extra virgin olive oil, AWAKE. The last member of the trio is the California Orange Honey Blossom, a 100% raw, unfiltered honey from Central California family-run farms. To craft this citrus-centric honey, third and fourth-generation beekeepers provide their bees with access to the finest single-estate orange groves.
3. 5PM Happy Hour Kit by Craftmix
Who needs to go to a bar to enjoy happy hour? This Happy Hour Box from Craftmix will reward your employees for their hard work.
The box comes with a cocktail kit to make your employees feel like they’re behind their personal bar. Your recipient can use the three Craftmix Packets and two cans of bubbly water to whip up a custom refresher. Since at-home mixologists can choose whether or not to add alcohol, this kit is perfect for those who might prefer a mocktail, too.
After a long day, giftees can choose between Blood Orange Mai Tai, Strawberry Mule, or Mango Margarita. The high-quality blue stainless steel shot glass and matching stainless steel straw complete the set.
4. Self Care Spa Bundle by Valleybrink Road
Your employees work hard to keep the business running as it should. Remind them that they deserve a day off now and then with a Self Care Spa Bundle from Valleybrink Road.
This bundle is loaded with everything except the spa itself. A Le Feu de L’eau Patchouli & Amber Votive Candle, Daughter of the Land Rejuvenating Bath Soak, Wild Yonder Rose Face Mask, Bodha Aromatherapy Eye Pillow, and a Handmade Dried Flower Bundle all combined will reward your team for their hard work.
5. The Tea Break Box by Tasty Ribbon
There are few problems that a cup of hot tea can’t fix: This Tea Break box from Tasty Ribbon is an amazing self-care business gift that makes a lasting impression.
Tasty Ribbon is famous for its carefully curated gift boxes, and this tea kit is no exception. It features a caffeine-free herbal tea paired with a tea infuser and Organic Acacia Honey to make their next tea break a bit sweeter. The box also comes with a charming wooden honey dipper, perfect for a leisurely afternoon tea that lasts long after the tea and honey are gone.
6. Sweet Thanks Box by Knack
Employee gift ideas don’t need to wait for holidays or special occasions. Sometimes, you just want to show your workers gratitude. Consider this Sweets Box from Knack.
Say thank you in style with a trio of scrumptious chocolate bars wrapped in elegant white and gold. You can also add a message to a thank you note exclusive to Knack so that you can turn this into a highly personalized gift.
Combine all that with a candle that is hand-poured and blended by refugee women in Burma, and you can feel good about this gift before, during, and after giving it away.
7. Pottery Kit by Sculpd
Looking for a unique gift? This Pottery Kit from Sculpd is wonderful for employees with a creative flair.
This kit has everything they need to create their very own masterpieces: enough clay for two people, a step-by-step beginner pottery guide, carving tools, waterproof paint, two paintbrushes, and a smoothing sponge. It’s like an art class right at home.
8. Pasta Master by Tasty Ribbon
If you want to give something memorable and delicious, this pasta box from Tasty Ribbon is the way to go.
This box will let your co-workers be the chef in their very own kitchen with all the ingredients they need to whip up the ultimate pomodoro dish. The box arrives with the finest imported pasta, D.O.P.. extra virgin olive oil, aged parmigiano cheese, and tomato and basil sauce. It even comes with a jar of fresh basil to garnish the plate with some greens.
9. Ciccetti Cheese Board by Boarderie
Charcuterie boards aren’t only for picnics. This cheese board is an incredible appreciation gift.
This Ciccetti Cheese Board from Boarderie features hand-selected artisan cheeses, charcuterie options, dried fruits, nuts, and crackers. With this recipient’s choice option, the recipient can choose between an All Cheese option or a Cheese & Charcuterie option. Either choice serves three to four, and it’s fully arranged and ready to serve on the beautiful acacia wood board.
This is perfect for the worker who loves to entertain others. This does all the hard work for them, letting them host a party with ease.
10. The Cabin Cozy Box by Knack
One of the best things about the weather getting colder is that we can snuggle up next to the fireplace with a nice, warm blanket. The Cabin Cozy Box from Knack has what your employee needs to make any winter night unforgettable.
A soft acrylic blanket with rich cocoa brown, golden camel, black, and ivory colors is the perfect cozy addition that pairs with the unscented soy wax candle wrapped in birch bark.
Even if they’re not in a cabin, your employee will feel like they’re in the middle of the woods. Top it off with a 4” x 4” picture frame so your team can keep a photo of their loved ones nearby.
Think Inside the Box
Gift baskets are like giving many gifts in one, and Goody makes it easier than ever to send them to your team. You don’t need to collect your employee’s info: just provide an email, and we’ll handle the rest. (When you give gifts on Goody, your recipients themselves provide their own shipping information.)
Or, if your employee doesn't love their gift, they can swap it out for a lower or equally-priced item (which about 50% of people do!).
Either way, you can rest assured your team always gets something they want. Make a lasting impression with corporate gift baskets for your workers today by signing up for a free account on Goody.
Sources:
The Science of Generosity | Berkeley
The Hidden Health Benefits of Tea | Penn Medicine
The Surprising Importance of Employer Gifts | HR Daily Advisor
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