Holiday gifts for employees can be a great way to maintain or improve your employee culture. During challenging times, you want to make sure you’re keeping your team together and they stay focused on your goals. Gifts, even small ones, can play a big role in that process.
Many leaders know this is a good year to do something but may not be sure how this kind of giving should work. Others may not have a lot of extra cash for holiday gifts for employees or even bonuses.
In the past, leaders may have held a company party or a special meal for their teams. Health concerns over COVID-19 may not make that possible.
Here are some tips for giving holiday gifts to employees:
A Piece of You
This category sees a supervisor thank employees with a personal touch. In the past, this may have included holiday food or beverages that you made. Your special recipes are anticipated and appreciated.
This option may work if you produce the materials using proper safety protocols and wrap them individually. While I am not a medical expert, these tips from the CDC may offer you some good guidance for food safety.
Do communicate any safety protocols you are following to the recipients, so they won’t worry and will be able to make an informed decision about whether they should enjoy your offerings.
The Good Stuff
These gifts are higher ticket items that you may want to give to some of your top performers or executive teams. An example of this is an expensive pen. The quality is obvious.
Keep in mind that if you raise the level of expectation for holiday gifts for employees, you probably will need to sustain it in the future. If you’re not sure if you can, then say something like, “This year has been very challenging and I wanted to do something extra for all of you.”
If money isn’t an issue, maybe you keep retention in mind and give people an annual holiday gift that is a piece of a set. Each year sees a new piece delivered.
Teaching and Advice
Some like to give things like books to employees. Look for titles that will inspire or provide skills for the future. Avoid anything too political.
It can help if you can explain why you chose the title. For some, it’s about saying something like, “Every year I re-read this book and I always learn something new. I hope you benefit from it as well.”
Gift Cards
Gift cards can provide flexibility for employees. They also give people the chance to re-gift the cards, if they’re not a good match.
Do consider whether you want to support a national brand or a local business. For the restaurant down the street from your operations, the gift cards might represent a lifeline.
Charity
Charities can always use money and many will need more funds to meet increased demands for services. Some will appreciate this kind of gift, more than a trinket, as it provides long-lasting change to people in need.
Does your business have a natural alignment to any charities? If not, perhaps employees could choose the recipient.
The Gift of Time
Your team may appreciate time off from work more than any kind of physical gift. Some leaders close their businesses early on the day before major holidays.
If shutting things down isn’t possible, can you reduce staffing and still stay operational? This could see some get out early for some holidays, while others would enjoy the gift of leaving early for later holidays.
Your Words
If there’s no budget for anything, think if you can provide meaningful non-monetary holiday gifts for employees.
A personalized message can be a great way to show appreciation. While email may be faster, you may want to consider a handwritten note.
Have a framework of what you want to say to everyone and then personalize the message to the employee.
Ken Okel Performs Virtual Keynotes Too
