Updated January 26th, 2024.
Choosing the right employee appreciation gift is both an art and a science.
It’s a science because of the substantial research showing that employee gifts can have a better return than cash bonuses. Thoughtful, personalized gifts can improve productivity by as much as 25%, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Yet it’s an art because your gift needs to show gratitude, thoughtfulness and care. So many employee appreciation gifts are cookie-cutter, tacky and “corporate” – think plastic-wrapped gift baskets you’d never give to a real friend. While affordability is important (especially if you’re gifting your entire company), employee appreciation gifts that feel cheap might have the opposite of their intended effect.
What makes the perfect employee appreciation gift?
Memorable employee appreciation gifts can run the gamut, from surprise snacks that everyone receives to one-off luxury gifts for a cherished employee’s work anniversary.
Yet when you’re shopping for employee appreciation gifts, you can’t go wrong by following these basic guidelines:
- Cool brands, not generic ones: “Buying generic” is OK at the pharmacy, but not for your employee appreciation gifts. When employees get gifts from obscure wholesale manufacturers they’ve never heard of, they think one thing: cheap. Instead, choose trendy brands your employees would shop from in their personal lives.
- Shop companies whose values you support: For many socially conscious employees, it’s painful to see management push corporate gifting dollars to huge conglomerates. Instead, use your gifting budget on brands with values you support, like BIPOC, female, or LGBTQ founded companies, small businesses, or firms focused on sustainability or social impact.
- Use the five senses to create a sense of connection: It may sound New Age-y, but when employees all share the same physical gift, it can build a sense of connection that overcomes the isolation of remote work. Give gifts that let employees share a common experience, whether it’s the fragrance of a candle, the feel of a sherpa blanket, the plant on their deskscape, or simply the taste of some delicious coffee.
- Let employees swap gifts: No matter how thoughtful your gift is, there is never a one-size-fits-all choice that every employee will love. Between dietary restrictions, gift preferences, and allergies, there are plenty of legitimate reasons employees won’t want what you’re giving them. That’s why, when you send a gift on Goody for Business, employees can swap out gifts if they prefer. (About 50% of employees swap gifts when given the option.)
- Avoid gift cards: Gift cards – while better than nothing – are never going to feel particularly thoughtful or personalized. They’re also more likely to be considered taxable by the IRS.
30 unique gifts for employee appreciation
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1. Send the Employee Gift of Choice
Goody's most popular gift. Set a price and let your employee choose any gift they want from Goody's entire catalog.
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2. Single Bag of Coffee from Devoción
What is it: The coffee aficionados on your team will treasure the gift of the freshest coffee imaginable. Hand selected in Colombia and roasted in Brooklyn, these beans go from origin to cup in as little as 10 days.
Why employees love it: Freshest. Coffee. Ever. Need we say more?
Brand values: Sustainable, BIPOC-owned, Social Impact Driven
Price: $15
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3. Gratitude Candle 7.5oz from Homesick Candles
What is it: Team members will be touched by this trendy candle from Homesick.
Why employees love it: Fresh notes of lemongrass and gardenia reflect your fondest appreciation.
Brand Values: Sustainable
Price: $25
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4. Monogrammed Leather Mousepad from Northwind
What is it: The perfect leather mousepad for their home office set up.
Why employees love it: The personalized touch added to their work space with the thoughtful monogram detail.
Brand Values: Female Founded, Sustainable
Customizable: Monogram
Price: $23
5. Lula’s Garden Bliss Garden
What is it: Brighten up their desk with the Bliss Garden from Lula’s featuring a fresh succulent sourced from a family-owned nursery and packed in a beautiful planter gift box. A gift that keeps on giving, each succulent garden sold provides six months of safe water for one person in the developing world through a partnership with water.org.
Why employees love it: Having plants in your workspace has been shown to increase attention span, improve creativity, lower stress and stabilize mood.
Brand Values: Female Founded, Social Impact Driven, Sustainable
Price: $34
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6. Half Dozen Cookies from Cravory Cookies
What is it: A perfect mix of Cravory's best selling cookies!
Why employees love it: Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Price: $25
7. Gift Any Book
What is it: Keep your employees engaged through continuous learning and gift any book, with hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from.
Why employees love it: They’ll appreciate the investment in fostering their personal and professional development.
Price: $15+
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8. Bottle Swig Top, 34oz LARQ
What is it: Upgrade their water bottle with this bottle from LARQ, the perfect companion for keeping healthy hydration all day long.
Why employees love it: Stanley, who?
Brand Values: Sustainable, AAPI Founded, Social Impact Driven, BIPOC Founded
Price: $50
9. Extra Strong Cold Brew on Tap from Wandering Bear
What is it: They’ll be fueled up with the good stuff with this Extra Strong Cold Brew from Wandering Bear. Coffee shop quality cold brew at the push of a button, packaged in a box designed to fit any fridge and that will keep their brew fresh long after opening.
Why employees love it: Extra strong fuel to keep them focused for a productive day of work.
Brand Values: Certified Organic, Social Impact Driven, Sustainable, Vegan
Price: $45
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10. MagGo Battery with Stand for Apple iPhone
What is it: Enhance their charging experience with the simplicity of magnetic technology.
Why employees love it: Never see them run on 0% battery again.
Price: $50
11. Dohm Classic Natural Sound Machine from Yogasleep
What is it: Loved by generations since 1962, the Dohm Classic features a signature fan-based natural white noise 2 speed options for adjustable tone and volume creates a personalized sound environment, helping to mask noise for better sleep.
Why employees love it: Sleep and productivity go hand in hand. Improve sleeping patterns with this thoughtful gift.
Price: $50
12. Mini Zac-Pack from Zac's Sweet Shop
What is it: The Mini Zac-Pac is the perfect party pack for one, maybe two... It comes with 3 Oreo Truffles, 3 Cake Batter Truffles, 2 Oreos, 2 Chocolate Chip Cookies, 2 Salted Caramel Pretzels, and 2 M&M Pretzels.
Why employees love it: The perfect 3PM slump pick-me-up.
Brand Values: BIPOC Founded, LBGTQ+ Founded
Price: $32
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13. Tea Strainer + Resting Cup from Firebelly Tea
What is it: A neat tea strainer perfect for making that warm cup of chai tea every morning.
Why employees love it: The laser-perforated strainer sits inside any mug in your kitchen for steeping your loose leaf tea.
Brand Values: Certified Organic, Sustainable
Price: $20
14. PackLite Max 2-in-1 Phone Charger & Lantern from LuminAID
What is it: Great for tech enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, this 2-in-1 Phone Charger & Lantern from LuminAID is the perfect all-in-one device to charge their phone, light up a campsite, or stock in an emergency kit. Reminding your team you have their back throughout it all!
Why employees love it: The perfect all-in-one device.
Brand Values: Social Impact Driven, Female Founded, Hispanic Founded
Price: $50
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15. Y2 New Generation Foot Massager form Miko
What is it: Featuring Petrissage Max Technology, various massage modes, target heat, and effortless wireless control, the Y2 foot massager is truly top of the line.
Why employees love it: Help your employees say goodbye to foot pain in the heels, bottom of their foot, and ankle pain.
Price: $149
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16. 24 FT Gym Flooring Exercise Mats from Inspire Fitness
What is it: Comprising 6 seamlessly interlocking gym flooring pieces accompanied by 10 borders, this set boasts shock-absorbing qualities and effortless assembly for their convenience.
Why employees love it: Provide them with everything need to enhance their home gym set up.
Price: $50
17. Oversized Rib Knit Throw from Parachute Home
What is it: An everyday staple piece, this easy oversized throw is made for movie nights, afternoon naps and mornings on the patio. Knit from natural Turkish cotton in a cozy rib pattern, it’s like a sweater for your bed or sofa.
Why employees love it: Plush and warm, it will be their new cherished movie night accessory.
Brand Values: Social Impact Driven, Sustainable, Female Founded
Price: $100
18. Weekender Fold-Up Bag from Paravel
What is it: The Weekender Fold-Up Bag from Paravel is a roomy, feather-light duffle when they need it that folds into a tablet-sized pouch when they don’t. Bonus points that it’s made from 22 upcycled plastic water bottles!
Why employees love it: Equip them to travel with ease. A lightweight duffle that folds into a tablet-sized pouch to easily store.
Brand Values: Social Impact Driven, Sustainable
Customizable: Monogram
Price: $80
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19. Branded Stagg Pour-Over Kettle from Fellow
What is it: Whether they prefer coffee or tea, this Stagg Pour-Over Kettle will kick their morning routine up a notch. They’ll adore the beautiful functional design, intuitive steady pour and built-in brew-range thermometer so the temperature is just the way they like it, every time.
Why employees love it: The pour-over, perfected.
Brand Values: Social Impact Driven, Sustainable
Customizable: Branded Logo
Price: $100+
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20. Classic Pickleball Paddle from On Holiday
What is it: On Holiday paddles are perfect for an impromptu pickleball game with friends or a spontaneous day in the sun! Your recipient will be able to pick from a variety of eye catching colors for the durable fiberglass surface on the composite paddle head. Each paddle includes an embroidered canvas case with leather detailing.
Why employees love it: Pickleball will be their favorite new hobby.
Price: $75
21. Catch:1 Essentials, Belgian Linen from Courant
What is it: Courant shows us that wireless charging can be both beautiful and convenient. Their Catch:1 Essentials charges one devices without any drawbacks of dead zones, it’s weighted so it stays put and is wrapped in designer-quality Belgian Linen.
Why employees love it: A two for one! Stay connected with this chic charger
Brand Values: BIPOC Founded, Sustainable
Price: $44
22. 10oz Mug from Ember
What is it: For the coffee or tea drinker who sips all day long, this mug from Ember uses patented temperature control technology so they can set the precise temperature of their beverage and enjoy it from the first swig to the last drop. Solving the universal problem for coffee and tea drinkers in an elegant and technology-driven way.
Why employees love it: While in and out of meetings throughout the day their coffee will stay at the perfect temperature.
Price: $130
23. The Essential Capsule from Brightland
What is it: For the foodies on your team, gift The Essential Capsule from Brightland. Featuring four of Brightland’s family-farm to table Olive Oils and Vinegars, lovingly made in California and sure to delight culinary experts and novice chefs alike.
Why employees love it: An essential cooking item that will be a staple in any kitchen.
Brand Values: BIPOC Founded, Female Founded, Vegan, Gluten Free, Sustainable
Price: $118
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24. Blendjet
What is it: BlendJet is a portable blender so you can make anything you want, anywhere in the world, from a mountaintop to your kitchen countertop.
Why employees love it: Whip up smoothies in between zoom meetings.
Price: $50
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25. Branded Unisex Color Blast T-Shirt
What is it: With this new Color Blast T-Shirt, your team will proudly rep your company logo while staying fashionable.
Why employees love it: An essential basic for everyday wear.
Customizable: Brand Logo
Price: $30
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26. Branded Stanley 40oz Quench Tumbler
What is it: Constructed of recycled stainless steel for sustainable sipping, the Stanley 40 Oz. Quencher Tumbler offers maximum hydration with fewer refills.
Why employees love it: A must have accessory for SS24"
Customizable: Brand Logo with a 50 Unit Minimum
Price: $80+
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27. Ballpoint Pen from Swarovski
What is it: A feat of innovation, this bold and playful design catches the light with a multitude of dazzling flatback crystals inspired by jewelry techniques and is stamped with the Swarovski logo.
Why employees love it: The chicest pen you've ever used
Price: $80
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28. Chocolate Covered Pretzel Best Sellers Gift Box from Fatty Sundays
What is it: Say hello to an incredible collection of only the most popular, drool-worthy Fatty Sundays gourmet chocolate pretzels! This collection consists of four iconic flavors including Toffee, Rainbow Sprinkles, Salted Caramel and Birthday Cake.
Why employees love it: You can't go wrong with Fatty Sundays' Employee Appreciation Gift Set!
Price: $25
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29. Soundcore by Anker P25i True Wireless In-Ear Headphones
What is it: Anker is known for producing audio devices that offer high-quality sound. The P25i headphones deliver crisp, clear audio, making them ideal for music, podcasts, movies, and more.
Why employees love it: These make the daily commute a little less painful
Price: $35
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30. Nodpod Silk
What is it: Nodpod's award winning strap-free design equally distributes the power of deep-touch pressure across key pressure points to help calm overactive minds, soothe headaches and help you sink into deep restful sleep.
Why employees love it: Employees will catch more Zzz's with this luxurious eye mask
Price: $67
Why use Goody for employee appreciation gifts?
When it comes to unique employee appreciation gifts, Goody is a game changer. To send a gift, all you need to know is your recipient’s email or phone number. The gift recipient provides their shipping info when they accept your gift. Best of all, they can swap your gift for another option if they prefer. Our curated gift collection includes hundreds of on-trend brands that employees will love.
With Goody, you can send one gift or hundreds in minutes, and track gift statuses and thank-you notes, all in one place. You can even sync Goody with your HR system, and automatically send employee appreciation gifts for milestones like work anniversaries or birthdays.
It’s free to sign up, and you even get a $20 gift credit when you join.
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