The Employee Holiday Gift Guide: 12 Gifts Employees Actually Want (and a Few They Definitely Don't)

“I can’t wait to unwrap this company-branded desk calendar.”

Said nobody, ever.

The same goes for a stress ball.

The holidays are one of the biggest opportunities companies have to show employees they're genuinely appreciated. But it's also surprisingly easy to miss the mark. In Custom Ink’s 2025 survey of 1,051 employees, 38% ranked office products, one of the most common workplace gifts, among those they’d least like to receive.Custom Ink’s 2025 survey of 1,051 employees, 38% ranked office products, one of the most common workplace gifts, among those they’d least like to receive.Or an insulated tumbler.Or a branded pen.
Or a USB drive with the logo on it.
Or a fleece vest.

That's a pretty expensive way to send the wrong message.

The good news? Getting employee gifting right doesn't require an unlimited budget. It requires one thing without a price tag: thoughtfulness.

When employees receive a gift they actually want, the impact goes far beyond the holidays. In Custom Ink’s 2025 Employee Holiday Gift Survey, 77% of employees said receiving a gift they wanted would make them more likely to stay with their employer, and 68% said it would make them feel more positive about the company. Sendoso’s own research points the same way: in our global gifting survey, 83% of recipients said a corporate gift made them feel closer to the company that sent it.

In other words, the best employee appreciation gifts don't just create a memorable moment — they strengthen culture, improve morale, and remind people they're valued.

So what should companies actually send this year?

The top 12 employee gifts people actually want

1. Let Them Choose (Because Nobody Knows Them Better Than ...Them)

Employees want choices. Full stop.

Assuming everyone wants the same thing is one of the biggest holiday gifting mistakes.

When Quantum Metric let employees choose their own rewards from a Sendoso-powered swag store, 96% of the company redeemed their rewards. When people are given options, many choose something they'd never splurge on for themselves, while others pick something practical they've been meaning to buy.

Some even choose experiences instead of physical gifts.

That's what makes choice so powerful. It naturally solves challenges like:

• Dietary restrictions
• Clothing sizes
• Different hobbies and interests
• Cultural preferences
• Remote and global teams

And ... employees who simply don't need another coffee mug.

Giving employees the freedom to choose doesn't make the gift feel less personal — it makes it feel more thoughtful.

Gift idea: Offer a curated collection of premium products, experiences, and gift cards so every employee can pick something they'll genuinely enjoy.

Because let's face it, the best surprise isn't wondering what you'll get. It's knowing you'll actually love it.

Speaking of choice ...

2. Premium Gift Cards (Yes, They're Still One of the Best Employee Gifts)

Some people hear "gift card" and think it feels impersonal.

Employees disagree.

Gift cards are one of the most-redeemed options on the Sendoso Marketplace, leading employee holiday sends in 2025 because they combine flexibility with instant usefulness. Whether someone wants to tackle holiday shopping, upgrade their home office, or finally buy the gadget sitting in their online cart, they get to decide.

Sends from the Sendoso marketplace tell the same story. Amazon is usually the most-redeemed gift card on corporate gifting platforms, with Target, Walmart, and prepaid Visa cards close behind.

For employers, gift cards are also one of the simplest ways to accommodate large, distributed teams without worrying about inventory, sizing, or shipping fragile products.

One important note for HR teams: the IRS generally treats gift cards as taxable wages, even if the amount is relatively small. That's because they're treated as cash equivalents rather than de minimis gifts like a holiday turkey or small branded item. It's an easy detail to overlook — but one worth planning for before your gifting program launches.

Creative employee gifting idea: Instead of sending a single retailer, offer employees a multi-brand choice so they can shop where they actually want.

After all, flexibility never goes out of style.

Speaking of making life easier ...

3. Dinner Is on Us: Food Delivery Credits

There are gifts people enjoy. Then there are gifts people use immediately.

Food delivery falls squarely into the second category.

During the busiest weeks of the year, one less meal to cook can feel surprisingly luxurious. Whether it's ordering sushi after a long day, treating the family to pizza night, or grabbing lunch between meetings, food delivery credits give employees something many people secretly want more than another gadget:

Time back.

Food delivery cards are one of the most-redeemed categories on gifting platforms. Unlike physical gifts, food delivery is immediate. Employees don't have to assemble it, charge it, or find shelf space for it.

They just order.

Creative employee gifting idea: Pair a food delivery credit with a note encouraging employees to skip cooking for one night and spend that extra time doing whatever helps them recharge.

Sometimes appreciation tastes like tacos.

Now, if you're looking for something employees will use all winter long ...

4. Premium Outerwear They'll Actually Wear

Branded apparel has a reputation.

Sometimes it's deserved.

A stiff polo with a giant company logo isn't exactly weekend wardrobe material.

But premium outerwear? That's a different story.

In an employee holiday survey, outerwear received the fewest votes as the "worst" holiday gift (Custom Ink), making it one of the safest physical gifts employers can choose. Employees also clearly preferred trusted brands, with names like Nike, The North Face, Patagonia, and Carhartt leading wish lists. An impressive 77% said they'd value a gift more if it came from a premium brand.

The lesson isn't just to buy a jacket; It's to buy one employees would proudly wear even if your logo wasn't on it.

When companies choose subtle embroidery over oversized branding, outerwear becomes something people genuinely reach for all season.

Creative employee gifting idea: Offer employees a choice of premium jackets, quarter-zips, or fleeces with tasteful personalization instead of oversized logos.

Because the goal isn't creating walking billboards; It's creating favorite jackets.

And while we're talking about premium products ...

5. Tech They'll Actually Be Excited to Unbox

Few gifts create holiday excitement quite like opening a new piece of tech.

Good tech.

Employees rank electronics among their most desired gift categories (Custom Ink), with recognizable brands like Sony, Bose, and JBL topping wish lists. On the Sendoso Marketplace, trends also show products like AirPods and smart wearables continuing to perform well as premium employee gifts.

There's an important lesson hiding here.

A smaller gift from a trusted brand almost always creates a stronger impression than a larger generic gadget.

People remember quality. Nobody remembers the off-brand Bluetooth speaker that stopped pairing by February.

If your budget allows, investing in premium tech can create a lasting reminder of employee appreciation long after the holiday decorations come down.

Creative employee gifting idea: Consider compact premium tech like wireless earbuds, portable speakers, or smart accessories instead of novelty electronics that quickly collect dust.

Which brings us to one of corporate gifting's most controversial categories ...

6. Premium Drinkware (Yes ... But Make It Worth Keeping)

Let's acknowledge the elephant — or perhaps the tumbler — in the room.

Most employees already own a water bottle,

probably several.

That's exactly why generic drinkware often misses the mark.

Premium drinkware, however, tells a different story.

When employees were surveyed on which brands they'd want, Yeti and Stanley were the only drinkware names on the list, and gifting trends continue to show personalized premium drinkware performing well. The difference isn't just the logo on the cup — it's that these are brands people already know, trust, and would happily buy for themselves.

Personalization also goes a long way.

Adding an employee's name with subtle engraving instantly turns a practical item into something that feels intentionally selected, not mass-ordered.

Creative employee gifting idea: Choose a premium insulated tumbler with tasteful personalization rather than a generic cup covered in company branding.

It's the difference between "Here's another promotional item” and "This one's mine."

7. Gourmet Treats That Turn Into a Team Event

Gourmet food shows up on so many "best employee gifts" lists for a reason: people actually enjoy it.

Unlike apparel, you don't have to guess sizes.
Unlike tech, it requires no setup.
And unlike another branded notebook, cookies tend to disappear for all the right reasons.

Food and drink rank among employees' favorite gift categories (Custom Ink), and real purchasing behavior tells the same story. Gourmet treats are consistently among the most-sent holiday gifts on the Sendoso Marketplace.

The best part? Great food creates moments.

Maybe an employee shares cookies with their family after work. Maybe a remote team opens their treat boxes together during a virtual holiday celebration. Maybe the office collectively raids the snack table five minutes after delivery.

Whatever the scenario, food feels less like another corporate gift and more like an experience.

Creative employee gifting idea: Send artisan cookies, gourmet snack boxes, or locally sourced treats employees can enjoy — or share if they're feeling generous.

Sweet transitions deserve sweet gifts, which brings us to one of the simplest crowd-pleasers.

8. Coffee (or Tea) That Brightens More Than One Morning

Some gifts create one memorable moment.

Coffee (or tea) creates dozens.

Whether someone starts every morning with a latte, fuels afternoon meetings with tea, or has a standing Friday café tradition, beverage gifts become part of an employee's daily routine instead of sitting unopened in a closet.

That's likely why Starbucks remains one of the most popular employee gifting choices, alongside brands like Dunkin' and Costa within Sendoso.

For employers, it's also an easy gift to personalize.

Know someone who loves matcha? Great.
Obsessed with espresso? Covered.
Tea enthusiast? There's something for them, too.

Creative employee gifting idea: Pair a coffee or tea gift card with a handwritten note encouraging employees to treat themselves during the busiest season of the year.

It's a small gesture that keeps showing up every morning.

Now let's leave the coffee shop and head somewhere a little cozier.

9. Cozy Comforts That Feel Like a Holiday Hug

Not every gift has to be flashy.

Sometimes the best employee appreciation gifts are simply the ones that help people sloooooooow doooooooowwwwwn.

Think plush blankets. Soft loungewear. Cozy socks. Candles. Winter care packages.

While "cozy" doesn't have the same survey-backed statistics as some other categories on this list, gifts like blankets, loungewear, and candles were among the fastest-growing categories of holiday sends on the Sendoso Marketplace last season.

The holidays can be hectic. A thoughtfully curated comfort gift encourages employees to take a breath, curl up on the couch, and actually enjoy a little downtime.

Creative employee gifting idea: Build a "cozy night in" package with a blanket, candle, gourmet hot chocolate, popcorn, and a personalized note.

Sometimes appreciation looks less like productivity and more like permission to binge-watch a favorite show.

10. Wellness Gifts That Say, "Take Care of You."

Employee wellness isn't just a January conversation anymore.

It's become a year-round priority.

That's why self-care gifts keep gaining popularity. They're thoughtful, inclusive, and easy to scale across diverse teams without worrying about clothing sizes or dietary restrictions.

Spa kits, relaxation boxes, aromatherapy, mindfulness journals, skincare, and wellness essentials encourage employees to carve out time for themselves — a gift that's surprisingly easy to overlook during the holiday rush.

The best wellness gifts don't imply employees need to "fix" themselves; they simply acknowledge that everyone deserves a chance to recharge.

Creative employee gifting idea: Curate a relaxation kit with premium self-care products and a message encouraging employees to unplug over the holidays.

Because appreciation isn't always loud.

Sometimes it's simply saying, "We hope you take a little time for yourself."

Ready for something even more memorable?

11. Experiences They'll Remember Long After the Holidays

Physical gifts are great, but memories tend to last even longer.

When employees receive a recipient-choice gift through Sendoso, many choose an experience over a physical item.

That could mean:

• Concert tickets
• Cooking classes
• Wine or mocktail tastings
• Spa days
• Local adventures
• Virtual workshops
• Family-friendly activities

Experiences create stories.

They're the gifts employees talk about months later because they happened—not because they sat on a shelf.

For companies with geographically distributed teams, experience vouchers also let employees choose something meaningful, wherever they live.

Creative employee gifting idea: Offer employees a curated experience marketplace so everyone can pick something that fits their interests and schedule.

Because the best gifts aren't always things, sometimes they're memories waiting to happen.

Which leads to perhaps the most meaningful option of all.

12. The Gift of Giving Back

Not every employee wants another item.

Some would rather make an impact.

In an Ipsos poll for the nonprofit GlobalGiving UK, nearly half (49%) of employees whose workplace funds holiday activities said they’d like some of that budget to go to a charity of their choice, rising to 57% among employees ages 16–34.

That's a powerful reminder that appreciation doesn't always have to arrive in a box.

Giving employees the choice to support a cause they care about adds another layer of personalization while reinforcing company values in a way that feels authentic—not performative.

The important word here is choice.

Some employees will happily unwrap cookies, while others would rather support their local animal shelter.

Both are expressions of appreciation.

Creative employee gifting idea: Let employees choose between receiving a gift, selecting another option, or donating the value to a nonprofit they care about.

After all, generosity is even more meaningful when it's personal.

A few gifts employees would happily leave off their wish list

Sometimes knowing what not to send is just as valuable.

The least-desired employee gifts included:

• Stationery like calendars and paper goods
• Office supplies such as notebooks, pens, and desk accessories
• Plants, which employees noted often arrive damaged — or don't survive long after delivery

Employees also shared some unforgettable holiday gifting disappointments, including:

• Toilet cleaner
• Pantyhose
• A $2 scratch-off ticket
• A plastic cup
• Stale gummy bears
• An expired gift card
• A dead plant
• A company calendar

The takeaway isn't that notebooks or plants are inherently bad gifts; they're simply better suited for onboarding or employee milestones than the holiday season.

December calls for something that feels a little more celebratory.

Two simple ways to make any gift more meaningful

The gift itself matters.

But how you give it matters just as much

1. Personalize It: 82% of employees say they'd value a gift more if it were personalized (Custom Ink)

That doesn't necessarily mean engraving every item.

It can be as simple as:

• Offering employees a choice
• Adding their name
• Selecting something based on their interests
• Tailoring gifts by region or team

Personalization tells employees, "This wasn't pulled off a shelf for just anyone."

2. Never Skip the Note: This might be the highest ROI advice in the entire guide.

Gallup’s research shows the most meaningful recognition is personal and individualized, and it can be as simple as a handwritten note. In a study that followed more than 3,400 employees, those who received high-quality recognition were 45% less likely to have left their jobs two years later.

The note costs almost nothing, yet it's often the part employees remember most.

A gift says, "We appreciate you; a personalized message explains why.

One more gift employees never turn Down: time

If your holiday plans allow it, consider pairing your gift with something even more valuable: A little breathing room.

Whether it's an early office closure, an extra afternoon off, or a surprise PTO day before the holidays, giving employees more time with the people they love can amplify your gifting program's impact.

The key word is pairing.

A little extra time doesn't replace a thoughtful holiday gift — it complements it.

Together, they send a powerful message:

"Your work matters, and so does your time."

Great employee gifts aren't about spending more. They're about showing you care.

The best employee gifts don't have to be extravagant.

They simply have to feel intentional.

Whether it's a premium jacket they'll wear every weekend, a dinner they didn't have to cook, a concert they'll never forget, or the freedom to choose something uniquely theirs, thoughtful employee gifting is about making people feel seen — not just checked off a list.

When employees feel genuinely appreciated, everybody wins. Morale gets a boost. Culture grows stronger. And people remember how your company made them feel long after the wrapping paper is gone.

That's why the most successful employee gifting programs don't focus on finding one perfect gift for everyone. They focus on creating memorable experiences that feel personal, meaningful, and effortless from start to finish.

With the right strategy — and the right gifting platform — it's easier than ever to deliver employee appreciation gifts your team will actually look forward to opening.

And that's exactly what the holidays should be about.