Holiday Gifts For Employees: Ideas To Delight Your Team
As the year winds down, the holiday season offers more than gingerbread cookies, Hallmark movies, and twinkling lights. It’s a chance for companies to reflect on their teams’ successes and say thank you. For HR leaders, managers, and executives, holiday gifts for employees are not just something nice to do this season; they are a powerful lever for retention, engagement, and culture.
According to our holiday survey, 74% of employees look forward to receiving a holiday gift from their company, 72% say it makes them feel appreciated, and 71% say that receiving a gift improves their overall perception of their employer. In other words, a holiday gift has a ripple effect that lasts well beyond December.
What makes a holiday gift meaningful? How can companies balance scale, personalization, and budget constraints while sending gifts that everyone will enjoy?
Snappy is here to help break down all the biggest employee holiday gift ideas for 2025, highlight best practices for corporate gifting, and show how thoughtful gifts create lasting employee engagement during the holidays.
Employee Appreciation Through Holiday Gifting
Holiday gifts are more than seasonal perks; they’re a cornerstone of employee appreciation. By recognizing employees during one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year, companies signal that they care about the person, not just the output. That small but intentional gesture builds goodwill and sets the tone for the year ahead.
A thoughtful holiday gift shows gratitude for contributions big and small, while also reinforcing your corporate values.
Why Holiday Gifts For Employees Matter
Recognition Fuels Performance
End-of-year deadlines can drain even the most dedicated employees. A well-timed holiday gift provides more than a moment of delight. It validates a year’s worth of effort and restores motivation.
Retention Driver
Employees who feel recognized during high-visibility moments like the holidays are more likely to stay engaged throughout the new year. In fact, according to our study, 64% of employees are more likely to invest extra time and energy into their work after receiving a holiday gift.
Culture Building
Holiday gifts for staff are a visible expression of your company’s values. It shows that your organization recognizes the whole person, not just their work output, and builds traditions that strengthen community.
When companies approach corporate gifts with intention, they aren’t just rewarding staff, they’re investing in engagement, brand reputation, and long-term success.
Top Holiday Gifting Trends for 2025
Snappy identified 10 key trends that are shaping this year’s most in-demand employee holiday gift ideas.
- Wellness-Forward
Employees want support for their whole selves: mind, body, and spirit. From massage devices and mindfulness apps to cozy self-care kits, these gifts show that you value their well-being inside and outside of the office.
- Offline Creativity & Hobbies
From puzzles and painting kits to baking sets, hobby gifts encourage employees to unplug, recharge, and tap into activities that keep them too busy to doomscroll.
- Fandom & Collectibles
Celebrate employees’ passions with gifts tied to sports, gaming, and pop culture. These fun, personal touches show that you are paying attention to their interests outside of work (even if they root for your rivals!).
- Nostalgia & Retro Revival
Holiday gifting taps into childhood joy. 80s-inspired toys, vintage tech, or classic board games deliver old favorites with a modern twist.
- Gifts for Pets
For pet parents, nothing says appreciation like gifts for their furry friends. Pet beds, gourmet treats, and toys extend recognition beyond the employee to their household.
- Vibrant Home Decor & Seasonal Accents
Holiday candles, accent pillows, and decor brighten homes while reminding employees of your thoughtful gesture every time they see it (and maybe you’ll get to see it on Zoom!).
- Pocket Power
Small but mighty gadgets, including portable chargers, mini projectors, and wireless earbuds, are hybrid work essentials.
- Fitness & Casual Sports
For the active set, gifts like smart water bottles, yoga gear, or pickleball sets encourage play and their competitive spirit.
- Everyday Luxuries
Think artisan coffee, gourmet chocolates, and plush blankets. Small indulgences make employees feel pampered.
- Experiences
Many employees value experiential gifts and memories over material goods. Concert tickets, spa vouchers, and travel experiences are increasingly popular corporate gifts.
Snappy Holiday Collections
To make holiday gifts for employees a slam dunk this year, Snappy bundled the top trends into curated collections.
- Next-Gen Tech Gifts: Smart Goggles, compact power devices, and digital accessories.
- Future of Fitness & Casual Sports: Gear for wellness-forward employees.
- Pet Lovers Collection: Gifts that celebrate furry companions.
- Seasonal Kitchen & Food: Gourmet Kits, cookware, and holiday-themed treats.
- Winter Gear & Apparel: Coats, gloves, and cozy seasonal items.
- Viral Beauty & Fashion Accessories: On-trend products for self-expression.
Best Practices for Corporate Gifting in 2025
To maximize the impact of holiday gifts for employees, follow these best practices for corporate gifting:
- Plan Early with Confidence: Skip the stresses of year-end logistics. Snappy handles global delivery to 174+ countries.
- Make it Personal: Snappy’s signature digital unwrapping experience turns every gift into a moment of delight, plus you can add custom notes and branding.
- Offer Choice: Say goodbye to one-size-fits-all all gifting. With more than 250,000 business gifts, Snappy gives your employees the chance to choose the gift they want.
By pairing these best practices for corporate gift giving with Snappy’s platform, companies can scale employee appreciation programs that feel personal and joyful, without adding operational complexity.
Driving Employee Engagement During the Holidays
The holiday season can be a double-edged sword for engagement. On one hand. Employees are energized by the celebrations and the promise of time off. On the other hand, Q4 deadlines, personal obligations, and an overloaded calendar can leave them stretched thin. That’s why employee engagement during the holidays requires intentionality.
One common pitfall is over-scheduling work events. While team lunches, holiday parties, and year-end meetings all have their place, too many meetings can feel more like an obligation than a fun reward. Instead of piling on more commitments, balance the calendar with thoughtful gestures that are centered around employee appreciation, without adding stress.
This is where gifting shines. Sending holiday gifts for employees, before the office party sets a positive tone and instantly lifts morale. It gives employees a shared experience to talk about when they gather, creating natural conversation starters and building connections. If your organization doesn’t have an annual office party, gifting gives everyone a reason to celebrate on their own terms while still feeling connected to the company.
The ROI of Holiday Gifts for Employees
According to Snappy’s holiday survey, the impact of meaningful holiday gifts for staff goes well beyond warm feelings. 63% of employees say their job satisfaction improves after receiving a holiday gift, and for more than a third, the uplift lasts three to six months. In other words, gifting in December can carry engagement well into Q1, an important period where many companies see energy dip and turnover spike.
Retention is another area where gifting has a lasting impact. 54% of employees say they are more likely to stay at a company that consistently shows appreciation through corporate gifts. That’s a powerful reminder that gifts are not just tokens, but signals: they show employees they are valued, and that their loyalty is important to celebrate. Given the high cost of recruiting and onboarding, even a modest reduction in turnover delivers significant ROI.
Gifting also drives employer brand power. 66% of employees who receive a holiday gift would be more willing to recommend their organization as a great place to work. This kind of word-of-mouth is invaluable.
Of course, there are downsides to bad gifts. 44% of employees say they feel unappreciated when they receive a poorly chosen gift. Snappy solves this problem by letting your employees pick something they genuinely want from curated collections. This ensures that every gift delivers the intended message: we appreciate you.
The takeaway? Holiday gifts are a proven driver of employee appreciation, employee engagement during the holidays, and long-term retention. When companies invest in meaningful employee holiday gift ideas that balance personalization and scale, the returns are felt in culture, performance, and business success well into the year ahead.
Bring on the Holidays
Holiday gifts for employees are not just about spreading holiday cheer. They’re about building stronger, more connected workplaces. Thoughtful gifting reinforces your culture, boosts morale, and strengthens retention, while also creating memorable moments of employee appreciation that last long after December ends.
With Snappy, it’s easy to take the stress out of holiday gifting while keeping the impact high. From curated collections and digital unwrapping to global delivery and a wide variety of curated gift options, Snappy ensures every employee feels recognized, valued, and celebrated.
The best part? Holiday gifts in the workplace don’t just make the holiday brighter; they set everyone up for success in the year ahead.
Gifting That Delivers Real Business Results
