Keeping your team motivated and focused can be a difficult task for any company.
Even at companies with great office culture and happy employees, keeping everyone on-task and in good spirits can feel like a full-time job at your full-time job.
One great way to help encourage your team to work hard is by giving them a motivational gift!
According to Forbes, a stunning “96% of employees believe showing empathy is an important way to advance employee retention.” This leads to direct results, as, according to Forbes, “highly engaged teams show 21% greater profitability.”
That means keeping your team motivated and cared for will only pay dividends for the success and health of your business.
Read on for the top ten best motivational gifts for employees that encourage teams to work hard and excel this year!
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10 Best Inspirational Employee Gifts That Will Motivate Teams
1) Choose Your Gift
Goody takes a unique approach to employee empowerment by offering them the freedom to select their own gifts from a wide variety. This choice ensures that each employee receives something that truly reflects their individual preferences and interests.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: Employee appreciation day
💰 Price: Contact Goody for pricing details
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: This personalized method of appreciation transcends the typical, generic reward system, fostering a sense of genuine value and personal recognition among employees.
✅ Where to find this: Choose Your Gift
2) SmushPack Backpack
The SmushPack is a great motivational gift for employees who love the great outdoors, wellness challenges, and travel. Its convenience and practicality make it an essential item for every journey. This incredibly lightweight and breathable pack can easily be stored in a carry-on, ensuring your team members are ready to embark on their adventures as soon as they arrive at their destination.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: Kicking off an employee wellness challenge
💰 Price: $48.3
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: The SmushPack’s 16L capacity is perfect for day trips, outdoor excursions, or fitness challenges, providing enough space for essentials while maintaining comfort and ease of movement. Its ability to fold up into a compact, lightweight zippered pouch highlights its versatility and appeal to those who appreciate minimalist and efficient travel gear.
✅ Where to find this: SmushPack Backpack
3) Branded Snack Box
Branded Snack Boxes are an innovative and delightful way to motivate and boost morale in the workplace.
These carefully curated boxes, adorned with the company’s branding, are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a symbol of the organization’s appreciation for its team’s hard work and dedication. Filled with a variety of delicious and healthy snack options, they cater to all tastes and preferences, making employees feel valued and cared for.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: Employee milestone
💰 Price: Request custom pricing here
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: Receiving a Branded Snack Box can be a pleasant surprise for employees, breaking the monotony of the workday and boosting morale. It’s a tangible reminder that their well-being and satisfaction are a priority for the company. This small gesture can significantly uplift spirits, foster a positive work environment, and ultimately lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
✅ Where to find this: Branded Snack Box
4) JBL Clip 3 Speaker
Bring the beat to your employee’s free time with the portable JBL Clip 4 Speaker. This gift can be for anyone at your company, from HR to the sales team. With great audio fidelity that fits right in your pocket or can clip onto your keychain, your employee can bring their music with them on weekend adventures or after-work trips to the park.
You can also upload your own design, making this a fully customizable piece of company swag, allowing your team to rep the company logo while bumping their favorite tunes.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: Welcoming them to the team
💰 Price: $108.25
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: A little music during time off will help your team keep the rhythm and stay motivated when they’re back in the office.
✅ Where to find this: JBL Clip 3 Speaker
5) You’ve Got This Mug
If you want to send a thoughtful gift and a motivational quote all at the same time, look no further: the You’ve Got This Mug is a cute motivational gift with a great encouraging message. With soft pink coloring and gold lettering, this charming mug will give your team member a motivating message every time they take a sip: You’ve got this!
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: Moving into a new office
💰 Price: $18
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: A high-quality mug emblazoned with words of encouragement, this employee recognition gift will get your team motivated and show that you’re invested in their success.
✅ Where to find this: You Got This Mug
6) Calypso Chargers
Keep your whole team juiced up and ready to work with Calypso Chargers. Simple, well-designed, and extremely useful, these device chargers are QI-enabled wireless chargers for phones, headphones, and other electronic devices. Perfect for the cubicle, home office, or weekend cabin, your employee will stay charged with this gift.
Also, these tech gifts are customizable—you’ll be able to add your company’s logo to the center of the charger, promoting your brand and allowing your team to show off their company pride on their desk.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: General appreciation for hard work
💰 Price: $46 to $60
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: A practical gift with a personalized touch, the Calypso Charger will keep your team charged and ready to go.
✅ Where to find this: Calypso Chargers
7) Choose-Your-Own Gift Card
There’s one person in the world who knows what your employee wants most—and that’s your employee! Let your team member choose their reward with this choose-your-own gift card. This hassle-free corporate gifting idea will be delivered straight to their email inbox and be immediately ready for use, taking all possible difficulties out of the gifting process for both you and your employee.
This gift card can be used with a long list of great vendors, including shopping options like Amazon and Nordstrom, and food options like Chipotle and DoorDash. Add a note to personalize this gift and explain why you’re sending this motivational office gift.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: Employee milestone
💰 Price: That’s up to you! Take a tour of the catalog to set up your gift card order.
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: With this motivational gift, your employee will get exactly what they want, whether that means a nice meal or a new pair of shoes. This will bring them back to the office in a great mood and with a positive view of the company.
✅ Where to find this: Choose-your-own gift card
8) Mindful + Calm Care Package
Let your employees focus on their wellbeing with this excellent care package all about mindfulness, wellness, and self-care. The Mindful + Calm Care Package contains plenty of great items for body and mind renewal.
This gift can be used to kickstart your office wellness plan, which will only create a healthier and stronger office culture. Plus, the corporate gifting company Caroo makes sending the gift easy, giving you some peace of mind too.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: Celebrating the end of a big project
💰 Price: $69
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: By letting your employee take time to focus on their own wellbeing, they’ll return to work rejuvenated and motivated.
✅ Where to find this: Mindful + Calm Care Package
9) Thank You Chocolate
Combine a thoughtful note with a delicious treat with the Thank You Chocolate gift. This employee recognition idea includes a nice thank you card and a yummy sea salt caramel dark chocolate bar. They’ll get to have a special dessert to munch on, which will only taste sweeter when paired with their positive office accomplishment.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: Celebrating a job well done
💰 Price: $23
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: By combining employee recognition and a scrumptious reward, your employee will be motivated to tackle the next office challenge.
✅ Where to find this: Thank You Chocolate
10) Inspirational Desk Calendar
Keep your team feeling inspired with this thoughtful wellness gift—an inspirational desk calendar that has a new quote for every day of the year. With a fresh motivational quote to start each new day at the office (plus some extra quotes they missed over the weekend to help them get through Monday), your employee will be reminded of their self-worth.
Since this great gift came from you, they’ll get a daily reminder of how much the company cares about their wellbeing and place on the team.
⭐️ Inspire your employees by sending this gift for: The start of the fiscal quarter
💰 Price: $24
❤️ How this gift helps to motivate employees: With this calendar, your employee can keep track of the week while receiving a daily dose of positivity.
✅ Where to find this: Inspirational Desk Calendar
Tips on Sending Employee Motivational Gifts
Sending motivational gifts to employees is a great way to boost morale and show appreciation. Here are some tips to make the most of this gesture:
✅ Personalize the Gifts
Tailor gifts to reflect the individual’s interests, hobbies, or needs. Personalization shows that you pay attention to who they are beyond their work roles.
✅ Consider Practicality
Choose gifts that are practical and useful. This ensures that the gifts are appreciated and used, rather than being set aside and forgotten.
✅ Keep It Inclusive
Ensure that gifts are appropriate and inclusive, respecting the cultural, dietary, and personal preferences of each employee.
✅ Timing is Key
Align the giving of gifts with significant milestones, achievements, or challenging periods. This reinforces the message that their efforts are noticed and valued.
✅ Quality Matters
Opt for quality over quantity. A well-made, thoughtful gift can have a greater impact than something more extravagant but less useful or meaningful.
✅ Include a Personal Note
Accompany the gift with a handwritten note or message expressing your appreciation. This adds a personal touch and makes the gesture more heartfelt.
✅ Stay Within Budget
Set a budget and stick to it. It’s the thought and effort behind the gift that counts, not the price tag.
✅ Respect Privacy
Be mindful of privacy and boundaries. Avoid anything too personal that might make the employee feel uncomfortable.
✅ Sustainable Options
Consider eco-friendly gifts that align with sustainable practices. This not only shows care for your employees but also for the environment.
✅ Make It an Experience
Sometimes, the best gifts are experiences, like a day off, a lunch out, or a team-building activity. These can create lasting memories and a deeper sense of team cohesion.
People Also Ask These Questions About Motivational Gifts For Employees
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about motivational gifts for employees.
Q: What are some unique motivational gifts to get my employees?
- A: For a unique motivational gift for your employees, consider sending your employee an inspirational desk calendar, a wellness-centric spa day kit, or a branded speaker.
Q: How much should I spend on motivational gifts for teams?
- A: You should spend as much on motivational gifts for your team as you’re comfortable with. Gifting is an important way to motivate and appreciate employees and should not be ignored. However, choosing a thoughtful, meaningful gift is more powerful than choosing an expensive, impersonal present.
Q: What are some inexpensive motivational gifts for employees?
- A: There are plenty of options for inexpensive motivational gifts for employees that will still be meaningful. Consider purchasing some smaller snack care packages, a charming mug, or a gift card with a lower cash value. For more ideas, check out this list of motivational gift ideas.
Q: How do I choose inspirational gifts for coworkers?
- A: You can choose inspirational gifts for coworkers based on your office culture and your coworkers’ interests. If you’ve got a socially-minded office, send them an Amplify snack box that donates with each purchase. Or, for an office of sweet tooths, send a delicious treat bag full of goodies.
Q: How much does it cost to send bulk inspirational gifts to teams?
- A: The cost of sending bulk inspirational gifts to your team depends on the gift you want to send and how many team members you have. You could be spending a few hundred dollars or thousands of dollars, depending on the scale. However, there are several top-rated corporate gifting companies out there that make sending these very easy.
Q: How do I know if my motivational gift idea for my team was successful?
- A: You’ll know your motivational gift idea for your team was successful if you see an improvement in your office culture, including a greater sense of communication and office appreciation. A boost in morale or productivity are signs of a successful motivational gift initiative.
