10 Tips for choosing the right corporate gifts for your employees

We all love to receive a good gift, as well as the way it makes us feel, so it stands to reason that giving a gift to your employees is the perfect way to say thank you for the valuable work that they do. Corporate gifts act as a great reward and recognition and can shape how your employees feel within the business as well as about it.

In this article, Adele Thomas, owner of Distinctive Confectionery shares her expertise into some of the best ways to choose the perfect corporate gift for your employees to make sure that it has the positive effect that you are looking for.

1. Be personal

Generic gifts might be easy, but that is exactly why they are often not appreciated. They can give the impression that you have not put much thought or effort into the selection of the gift. It can be difficult to know what each employee would like, so going down the personalised route can be the perfect solution.

You could add their name or something significant to them in order to show that you care and are thinking about them, and only them. It will make their gift unique and help to give your employees a greater sense of belonging within the business. You can find some great businesses to personalise your gifts, which could include chocolates and confectionary to really be onto a winner.

2. Performance related gifts

The typical time to give employees gifts is at Christmas, on their birthdays or on a significant work anniversary, but this can become predictable. Therefore, giving gifts for other reasons or when they are least expected, can be better appreciated and have more of an impact.

This is particularly true when they are linked to performance in some way. This could be attached to pre-determined targets, or given as a surprise, which can be a huge boost to morale. Alternatively, you could offer gifts at the end of a big project, or when milestones have been reached. When a gift is unexpected, the impact of it can be much greater.

3. Be budget conscious

You might choose to start giving luxury gifts, but this soon sets a precedent which few budgets are able to keep up with. Instead, make sure that you choose something which will still put a smile on the faces of your employees without breaking the bank every time that you do it, especially if you can see your company growing in the near future.

Draw up a realistic budget that shows you how much you can spend each month or year on corporate gifts and that should help you identify what you can choose from.

4. Be family aware

Your employees might love their jobs, but ultimately, they are probably there in order to support their families, so why not take them into account when choosing your gift? Something which can be used or enjoyed by the whole family is likely to be even more appreciated and shows that you are a family business that thinks about their whole families and not just the individuals.

5. Be gender neutral

Try to steer away from what might be considered to be typically male or female gifts, as this could be problematic. By keeping your gifts gender neutral, you can avoid causing any type of offence.

6. Think about company culture

You need to choose a gift that fits in with the type of company that you run. If the business or is older and traditional, then choosing something young and wacky as a corporate gift might not fit with your brand or culture. On the flip side, a relaxed business with a younger workforce might expect something different.

Also, that look at the industry that you work in and the type of people that this attracts, as certain types of workers will appreciate different things. Whatever you choose, make it memorable and it will have a much more long-lasting effect.

7. Make it edible

Edible corporate gifts are often a favourite, as they can be enjoyed by just about anyone. Not only are they budget friendly, but they can also be shared with other colleagues or family. It is important to be careful with this though, as you should be aware of any dietary requirements your staff might have, such as being lactose intolerant, having a nut allergy or being vegan, as you don’t want to give them something which could offend or harm them.

8. Think play not work

A gift should be something fun and happy, so try and steer away from anything work related. A gift that they can enjoy and fits in with their free time will be more gratefully received and will seem much more personal. It shows that you understand that your employees have a life outside of work and that you want them to enjoy that.

9. Check your policies

Some employment policies will have clauses related to accepting gifts, so you should double check this before you start shopping. You do not want to give a gift that then forces the employee to break company policy in order to accept it.

10. Keep it practical

A gift that has a practical use is likely to be much more well received than something decorative such as an ornament. A gift that has a use will stand a greater chance of actually being used on a regular basis and can serve as a regular reminder of how much they are appreciated at work.

Corporate gifts can help to underpin the success of the business and help to boost staff happiness and show that you recognise the part that they play in this. Whether you choose to gift on a special occasion or at appointment when achievements have been reached, they will be very well received as long as they have been well chosen. Remember, be thoughtful and find a way to show your employees that you care, and you won’t go wrong.