A little acknowledgment can go a long way in boosting morale and making employees feel appreciated. Companies that invest in employee recognition are more likely to have engaged and productive team members and increase employee retention. According to a SHRM Globoforce Employee Recognition Survey:
“52.5% of employees want more recognition from their immediate manager.”
There’s no doubt that employee recognition is a powerful tool for motivating team members and improving productivity in the workplace. A simple “thank you” can go a long way towards making someone feel appreciated, and when it’s given in the form of a thoughtful gift, it can mean even more.
When it comes to employee appreciation gifts, the sky’s the limit. But with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of great employee recognition gifts that are sure to please team members and boost morale in the workplace.
If you’re looking for ways to show your team members how much you value their hard work, here are the best employee recognition gifts to give to your staff to shout them out for their contribution to the team.
In a hurry? Check out a few top-rated gifting services for sending employee gifts:
| Goody | 🤔 Let employees choose their gift | Visit Goody |
| Swag.com | 🧢 Send customized swag from 1 to 1,000 items | Visit Swag.com |
| Stadium | 🛍 Set up a custom corporate gift shop | Visit Stadium |
| Snack Boxes | 🍿 Deliver snacks & goodies to their doorstep | Visit Snacks |
| CorporateGift.com | 🛒 An all-in-one corporate gifting platform | Visit CorporateGift |
| 👉 Explore the 2024 Employee Gift Guide here 🎁 |
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Top 12 Employee Recognition Gift Ideas
1) Get them something off their Amazon wishlist
If you’re not sure what to get your staff, one of the safest bets is to buy them something off of their Amazon wishlist. This way, you know that they’ll definitely like what you’ve given them, and it takes the guesswork out of choosing a gift.
Why we love this team recognition gift: This gift idea for professionals is thoughtful and a time-saver at the same time. Plus, it shows that you are willing to listen to your team members by giving them the power to select something off of their wishlist.
You might like: Motivosity
Motivosity is a great platform for managing employee recognition and rewards programs. With Motivosity, you can easily import team members’ Amazon wishlists and send them digital gift cards that they can use to purchase the items they want.
2) Employee Recognition Gift Box
An employee recognition gift box comes complete with a variety of treats and goodies that are sure to boost morale and put a smile on any team member’s face. It includes items like a mug, water bottles, chocolate, cookies, and more – all packaged up in a nice box that’s perfect for giving appreciation.
Why we love this team recognition gift: A personalized gift box full of your employees’ favorite things is an excellent way to show how much you appreciate them. Fill it with their favorite candy, drinkware, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or mousepad for their desk, or anything else that will make them smile.
You might like: Goody
Goody is a gifting platform that offers a unique and thoughtful way to show your team members how much you appreciate them. With Goody, you can select from a huge catalog of gift boxes and care packages for your staff that cover all kinds of interests and preferences.
3) Send a company-wide message (with redeemable points)
Recognizing team members doesn’t always have to be about individual gifts. Sometimes, a company-wide message of appreciation can be just as impactful – especially if it’s accompanied by redeemable points that team members can use whenever they want.
Why we love this team recognition gift: It’s a fun way to encourage team members to keep doing great work, in the hopes of redeeming more points. Redeemable points can be used for a wide variety of recognition gifts — from company swag to gift cards to real-life experiences.
You might like: Bonusly
At Bonusly, employees earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, experiences, and more as part of a fun recognition and rewards system that enriches your company culture.
4) Send them a piece of company swag
Swag is always a hit with team members, and it’s a great way to show your appreciation. If you’ve got company swag lying around, send it their way – they’ll be sure to love it.
Why we love this team recognition gift: Company swag is a great way to promote team morale and unity. It also shows team members that you’re willing to invest in them, and that you want them to represent your company in a positive light.
You might like: SwagMagic
SwagMagic is perfect for finding high-quality company swag. They have a wide variety of items to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that your team will love.
5) Digital Gift Card
A digital gift card gives employees the freedom to choose their recognition gift. With a gift card for employees, they can pick out something that they really want or need, and you don’t have to worry about picking the wrong thing.
Why we love this team recognition gift: Digital gift cards show your team members that you care about their individual preferences and needs. Plus, they’re convenient and easy to use.
You might like: Digital Gift Cards
This platform allows you to send digital gift cards to team members, clients, and customers. With Caroo, you can choose from a variety of gifts and experiences to find that perfect reward!
6) Snack Box
Snack boxes never go out of style! They’ll help keep hunger pangs at bay and put a smile on your coworkers’ faces. Snack Boxes come in all shapes, sizes, and moods, so you’ll always find a snack box perfect for the occasion at your workplace, even if it’s just to reward your team after a job well done.
Why we love this team recognition gift: Snack boxes are often curated selections, which means you can easily find snacks sweet or salty to liven up any team huddle.
You might like: SnackMagic Snack Box by Stadium
This snack box can be customized based on your snack preferences! You can choose from a high catalog of snack options that fit any allergy or diet restrictions so every employee will get their perfect snack box.
7) Gift for their desk
A nice desk accessory or piece of decor is a great employee appreciation gift idea that they can use every day, and it will help to make their workspace more pleasant and inviting.
Why we love this team recognition gift: By gifting your team members items that they can use at their desks, you’re not only showing them that you care about their work lives, but also that you want to make their lives easier. And the best part is, these gifts don’t have to break the bank.
You might like: You Are So Incredibly Awesome Gift Box
You Are So Incredibly Awesome Gift Box is a gift set that is full of fun and thoughtful items that your employees will love. It includes a fresh succulent, delicious chocolate chip cookies, scented candle and more.
8) Set up a lifestyle spending account
A lifestyle spending account is an exciting way to provide recurring awards on a weekly basis while giving your employees the power of choice. Employees can use the rewards for purchases they need. This can range from small pick-me-up perks like an afternoon coffee or sweet treat to bigger work purchases like new office equipment or professional development courses.
Why we love this team recognition gift: Setting up your employee with a lifestyle account gives them the freedom to choose how they want to use their recurring allowance. At the same time, admins will have complete control to create custom programs and curate approved expenses.
You might like: Awardco
Here is a quote from a past customer, “I love all the features and incentives my company can create, as well as the rewards themselves actually make you want to work harder to obtain those points. My favorite reward is the Visa PrePaid gift card, deff is nice stacking points for a while and being able to use them for anything.”
9) Celebrate a special occasion
If there’s an employee’s birthday or work anniversary coming up, celebrate it in a big way. Send them a special gift, throw them a party, or just make sure to acknowledge the occasion in some way. They’ll appreciate it.
Why we love this team recognition gift: Celebrating a special occasion shows that you care about your team members as individuals, not just employees. It’s a small gesture that can go a long way in making them feel appreciated and valued.
You might like: Nectar
Nectar is an employee recognition and rewards platform that allows you to give your staff and colleagues digital bonuses that they can use to celebrate special occasions. It promotes a positive and fun work environment, and your team will love being able to choose their own rewards.
10) Gift them some vino
Wine is always a popular choice for employee recognition gifts, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a luxurious gift that employees are sure to appreciate, and it’s something that they can enjoy after a long day at work.
Why we love this team recognition gift: Wine is a classic gift for a reason. It’s elegant, thoughtful, and sure to be valued by recipients. Plus, it’s a gift that they can share with others or enjoy on their own.
You might like: In Good Taste
In Good Taste is a wine company that delivers hand-selected bottles of wine to employees’ and coworkers’ doorsteps. With In Good Taste, team members can try new wines from all over the world and learn about different varietals and regions.
11) Create a custom cartoon painting
A custom cartoon painting is a fun and unique way to show employees and colleagues that they’re recognized. It’s a gift that they’ll remember, and it’s something that they can display in their office or workspace.
Why we love this team recognition gift: This team recognition gift idea is creative and perfect to show team members that you’re thinking about them, and that you want to give them something personal and special.
You might like: Turned Yellow
Turned Yellow is a company that creates custom cartoon paintings of individuals. They take into account each person’s personality and interests to create a one-of-a-kind painting that they’re sure to love.
12) Shout them out with a celebrity video
If you want to go above and beyond for your team members and step away from usual corporate gifts, why not send your employees a celebrity video? With a personalized video from a celebrity, they’ll feel like true VIPs and it’s sure to make them smile.
Why we love this team recognition gift: This team recognition gift idea is a memorable staff appreciation gift. Plus, it shows your team that you’re willing to go the extra mile for them.
You might like: Cameo
Cameo is an online service that allows you to book personalized videos from celebrities. With Cameo, you scan choose from a variety of popular celebrities to have a special message delivered to your employees.
Employee Recognition Gift Companies
1) Bonusly
Bonusly is an employee recognition and rewards platform that helps team members feel appreciated and motivated at work. Bonusly’s points-based system makes it easy to give and receive bonuses, and team members can redeem their points for rewards of their choice.
“Bonusly has been a GAME CHANGER. It’s quickly become an essential part of our success in working remote and creating more visibility around small wins!” – Lindsey Kampmeier, VP of People & Culture at Ordermark
▶︎ Notable features:
- Centralized company incentives and awards
- Turnkey HRIS and single sign-on integrations
- Custom HRIS integrations
▶︎ Learn more: Bonusly
2) Goody
Goody is an all-in-one game-changer platform for business gifting. It has many unique and appealing features, such as the ability to send a gift without a recipient’s address! The receiver simply shares shipping info when they accept your gift. Goody has proven to be extremely popular with a customer base of companies like Google, Facebook, Stripe, and DropBox on its roll.
“Goody made our client holiday gift distribution beyond easy. We were freed from the burden of collecting personal addresses and could spend more of our energy on connecting. What was once a multi-month project is now accomplished in just a few weeks. The time and energy saved were a game-changer.”
▶︎ Notable features:
- No need for an address. The recipient provides the shipping address when they accept the gift
- Recipients can swap gifts
- Send international gifts and gift cards to over 140 countries
▶︎ Learn more: Goody
3) WorkTango
WorkTango is the first all-in-one employee recognition and experience platform. With WorkTango, employees can give and receive acknowledgment in real time, access personalized development resources, celebrate team milestones, and discover company values. They can also learn about their colleagues through social profiles and team member spotlights. In addition to traditional recognition programs, Kazoo provides opportunities for team members to connect with one another and build relationships.
“By partnering with WorkTango, we can now see in real-time the great work our team is doing on a day-to-day basis” – Cindy Clark, President & CEO at Emmaus Homes
▶︎ Notable features:
- Employee Experience Programs
- Continuous performance management
- Employee surveys
▶︎ Learn more: WorkTango
4) AwardCo
With AwardCo, you can create custom recognition programs, set up automated awards and nominations, and measure the success of your employee recognition efforts. You can also use AwardCo to manage employee points and redemptions, and access valuable insights about your team’s performance.
“AwardCo is not only a fantastic recognition solution but a fantastic technology solution that also provides recognition. AwardCo has given us a level of confidence we didn’t have before.” – Annasuela Fritz, HR Projects and Recognition Manager
▶︎ Notable features:
- Integration with Amazon Business
- Automated birthday recognitions
- Data analysis and management
▶︎ Learn more: AwardCo
5) Motivosity
Motivosity offers digital rewards of all kinds that can be redeemed instantly and spent online or in-store. With Motivosity, you can send rewards to employees anywhere in the world with just a few clicks. And because Motivosity is integrated with numerous global brands, your team will always find a reward that they love.
“Motivosity is an amazing way for team members to recognize each other and say ‘thank you’ for great work. It increases the thankfulness of our team members and boosts morale.” – Chris H., Health Catalyst
▶︎ Notable features:
- Custom awards and badges
- Peer-to-peer recognition functions
- Employee rewards
▶︎ Learn more: Motivosity
6) Caroo
Looking for a unique gift set for employee appreciation day? Caroo is a unique gifting company that offers a variety of thoughtful and meaningful gifts for employees. With Caroo, you can choose from a range of pre-made gift boxes or create your own custom box. From nutritious and delicious snacks to swag items, each care package from Caroo promotes employee wellness and wellbeing.
“Caroo has budget-friendly options that allowed me to pick what I could afford for my team and a platform that lets my team pick their delivery address. Excellent and very responsive!” – Christine M.,Director at Ascend Learning
▶︎ Notable features:
- One-to-many gifting
- Company branding and swag
- Custom cards
▶︎ Learn more: Caroo
7) Nectar
Nectar is an employee recognition and reward software that helps colleagues show appreciation while engaging with each other daily. It has a wide range of features such as social recognition, team leaderboards, custom awards, etc. It also allows managers to give feedback and recognition in real time.
“Nectar has been wonderful. I’ve been with my company for many years and this is the BEST recognition program we’ve ever had. It’s such an easy way to recognize peers who have gone above and beyond.” – Amy C, Operations Support at Software Solutions Unlimited
▶︎ Notable features:
- Seamless integration with other software
- Customizable Branding
- Real-time analytics
▶︎ Learn more: Nectar
People Also Ask These Questions About Employee Recognition Gifts
Q: What are recognition gifts for employees?
- A: Recognition gifts for employees are tokens of appreciation or thank you gifts given to employees to show that you care about their hard work or service.
Q: What are the benefits of sending an employee recognition gift?
- A: There are many benefits to sending an employee recognition gift. For starters, it shows employees that you value their efforts, dedication, and years of service. It can also help boost morale and team spirit, and can even lead to increased productivity. Additionally, employee recognition gifts are a great way to show gratitude for a job well done or to celebrate a job well done.
Q: What are some good employee recognition gifts?
- A: Some good employee recognition gifts are days off, gift certificates, tangible items like custom-made cups, tote bags, t-shirts, or pens with the company logo, or even simply a heartfelt thank you note. Ultimately, it’s important to choose something that you feel will be meaningful to your employees and that they will appreciate.
Q: How do I choose the best employee recognition gift?
- A: There are many factors to consider when choosing the best employee recognition gift. The most important factor is to choose a unique gift that will be appreciated and enjoyed by the recipient. Other factors to consider are the budget, the type of gift, and the occasion. The best gift will be one that is within budget and is appropriate for the occasion. When choosing a gift, it’s important to take into account the recipient’s interests and hobbies. A good rule of thumb is to choose a gift that is personal and memorable. Some popular gifts for employees include electronics, gourmet food baskets, desk accessories, keychains, gift cards, tickets to events or shows, spa treatments, and anything that says “We appreciate you”.
Q: How much does it cost to send a recognition gift to my team?
- A: The cost of sending a recognition gift to your team varies depending on the type and size of the gift, as well as the shipping method you choose. Prices might range from $10 to $50 or even more. Therefore, it’s important to consider your budget and the type of gift you want to send before making any decisions.
Q: Can I send team recognition gifts to multiple employees?
- A: Yes, you can send team recognition gifts to multiple employees. There are a few different ways to do this, depending on your budget and the number of employees you want to gift. One option is to purchase bulk care packages, gift baskets, or gift cards from a company that specializes in bulk gifting.
