Best Employee Gift Ideas to Boost Engagement & Recognition

Selecting the perfect gift for employees goes beyond just a token of appreciation—it’s a powerful way to boost morale, foster loyalty, and strengthen workplace relationships. Whether you’re looking for thank you gifts for employees, celebrating milestones, or simply aiming to enhance workplace culture, the right gift can leave a lasting impact. 

But what makes a gift truly meaningful? It should be thoughtful yet professional, striking the right balance between personal and appropriate. While generic office supplies may feel uninspired, positive corporate gifts for employees employees—such as personalized keepsakes, wellness items, or experience-based rewards—can create a sense of value and motivation. 

To simplify your search, we’ve curated a list of the best employee engagement gifts that show appreciation while making employees feel genuinely recognized. No guesswork needed—just thoughtful, well-received gifts that leave a positive impression. 

What are employee engagement gifts? 

Employee engagement gifts are tangible expressions of appreciation given to recognize hard work, dedication, and contributions. Unlike standard holiday bonuses, these gifts aim to forge a deeper connection between employees and the organization. They can range from personalized items to experiential rewards, tailored to individual preferences and achievements. 

For instance, a personalized leather notebook with an employee’s name embossed on it can be a memorable gift for a top performer. Similarly, a weekend getaway as a reward for achieving significant milestones can leave a lasting positive impression. 

Why is employee gifting important? 

Employee gifting acts as a token of appreciation that goes beyond mere material offerings—they’re tools for shaping a better workplace, fostering engagement, and building a positive organizational culture.   

 
According to a Gallup report, 85% of employees aren’t feeling engaged at work. The reasons can be low employee morale, lack of appreciation, not being heard, performance issues, etc. To bring your workforce back on track, corporate gifts for employees come as a helping hand, offering a boost of energy and motivation to perform.   

As per research by PR Newswire, 75% of employees feel valued when their company offers gifts. The study also stated that 78% of employees feel a boost in job satisfaction once meaningful gifts are received from their organization. These stats highlight the important role of gift-giving in fostering appreciation, gratitude, and positive business relationships.  

According to Coresight research report, the United States corporate gifting market will continue to grow at 8.1% CAGR throughout 2024. Another study by Loop Commerce Gifting report states that 54% of companies look to increase their investment in corporate gift giving.   

By knowing these insights, you’ll get an idea of why employee gifting is taking prominence in keeping the workforce engaged.    

Now that we have understood the importance, let’s check out our list of corporate gift ideas for employees. 

10 employee gift ideas to check out in 2025 

Here's a list of best corporate gifts for employees to brighten up their work from the office: 

1. Corporate gift box

A corporate gift box might be perfect for all your employees returning to offices after a long WFH stretch. A 'welcome back' themed gift box tailored to the needs and preferences of each department/team can be an absolute delight. If your employees are still grumpy about returning to the office, then this might be what they need to cheer up!

2. Drinkware

Drinkware never runs out of fashion in corporate offices. Regardless of how many styles or designs you can gift them every year, they can always use a new one! Come to think of it, who would want to carry the same water bottle to work every day? Gift them some options of drinkware ranging in material from stainless steel to plastic, glass and ceramic.

3. Lunch box

While some prefer to travel light and dine at work, others want to bring their full-course meal home. A lunch box is a perfect gift for such employees. Make sure whatever you pick is stylish, has tight lids, plenty of compartments and is made of materials that keep food warm and fresh for a long. For those who prefer the retro style, A 4-steel container lunch box is still in vogue.

4. Portable fan

Many wouldn't want air conditioning around all the time, or some feel sweaty the whole day. A portable desk fan is an excellent employee gift idea in such instances. A tiny USB fan is enough to move the air for one person, and a slightly bigger model can get the breeze across the whole desk.

5. Desktop punching bag

A punching bag is a wonderful gift for that one employee who is always getting stressed out at work! A few jabs now and then at the bag can help calm the nerves and release tension stored up in the muscles.

6. Gadget charging station

Employees often have multiple devices to charge, which can get messy when everyone has their devices plugged into the same board. A good gadget charging station can keep their devices organized and improve their workstation's aesthetics!

7. Exercise ball

Your employees can use a few exercise balls in the space to stretch and relax now and then. Some would even want to work sitting on it for a while as it eases the mind and gets the ideas flowing. It's a handy gift for creative people who like to think of their feet or move around when generating ideas.

8. Picture frame

A picture frame would be a nice gift for employees who love having pictures of their family or friends around at their workstation. If they already have one on their desk, they might appreciate the change in the frame for once!

If you're looking to broaden your horizon on employee gift options, why not allow them to choose them? There's nothing more delightful to the stylish peeps in your teams than to receive a fashion and lifestyle gift card to their favorite brand and top up that card so they can redeem the value at the time of purchase. Pick a wide range of gift cards from leading brands only on Plum!

9. Fashionable tote bag

A solid but fashionable tote bag is a useful gift for people who are always carrying stuff around. If you have durability in mind, a canvas bag can last long. It's also easy to get personalized prints, messages or funny quotes on canvas bags that stay for a long.

10. Smartphone UV sanitizer

The health conscious people will know that smartphones are some of the dirtiest objects around. They are seldom wiped clean with a disinfectant and can harbor millions of different bacteria and viruses. UV sanitizers for smartphones use ultraviolet light to kill any microbe they illuminate. Cleansing the phone is as simple as placing it in the device, and it's done in 30 seconds!

11. Utility kit

Utility kits can contain many tools that employees find helpful daily. Did they spill cookie crumbs on their keyboard? No problem. The kit has a brush to clean it up quickly. Do they have a hard time opening a lid? There's a flathead screwdriver in the kit to pry it open. Similarly, utility kits are super helpful with small tasks around the office.

12. Acrylic desktop writing board

Sometimes it is necessary to quickly write down stuff when you're in the middle of a conversation, meeting or call. Post-it or notepads can help, but a small acrylic board can be great for writing down priority messages. You can quickly erase what's not necessary and write down a new message when needed. These boards also leave temporary or priority messages or reminders on the desk.

13. Customized coasters

Wooden or plastic coasters are good employee gifts with company logos for all organization teams. The coasters come in handy to keep the desk clean whenever someone takes a coffee or tea at the desk. They also make for great gifts that your employees can take home!

14. Personalized glass engraving

3-d glass engraving is ultra cool and makes for amazing personalized gifts. You can use these for anything from making personalized gifts, team momento or even engraving a whole picture of the team inside the glass. A personalized glass or crystal engraved gift can delight employees on their birthdays or milestones.

15. Desk raisers

Corporate workstations feature desks that are meant for the average user. If you have an employee who needs his desk raised slightly for ergonomic reasons, then a desk raiser can be a wonderful gift. These platforms can typically accommodate most peripherals on the desktop, such as monitors, speakers or other things. They can raise the height of their work platform by several inches as desired.

16. Succulents

A succulent is a perfect gift for a plant lover who likes to sit by the window where it's greener! Popular succulents such as Echeveria, Haworthia and Jade plant look pleasing on the desktop and are easy to maintain. They bring life to the workplace, and some even introduce a sense of freshness and relaxation.

17. Office essentials kit

If your employees return to the office after a long period of WFH, then a set of office essentials is necessary to keep things going. Essential kits include sticky notes, staplers, scissors, scotch tape, pencils, pens, highlighters, pins, thumbtacks, paper flips, etc. You can make it a little unique by introducing a common theme to the essentials that your employees love.

18. Stress relievers

Stress reliever figurines bring a sense of relaxation and fun to the desk. You can choose something goofy or a figure with a message such as "rock star at work" or "reminder to smile" that can sit on the desk without distraction. Palm-sized plush toys or foam squeezers are also great stress relievers for most people.

19. Mesh desk organizer

A desk organizer made out of metal mesh is aesthetically pleasing and great for holding most, if not all, office essentials. Pick the organizer based on the type of team you are gifting to. Some may need an organizer with many tiny compartments, while others might need a spacious one which holds a few large items.

20. Desk vacuum cleaner

A dust vacuum cleaner can be a surprisingly useful and slick toy for your employees to quickly clean up dust, food crumbs or small bits of paper. Some of these models can also clean up the dust from the keyboard and find uses in other office areas we have yet to think of!

21. Sand timer

A small sand timer can be a quirky gift for the team's diligent workers. These timers, made of hourglass and fine sand, can give you a time range of 5-10 minutes. They also make for an excellent desk décor for all teams and encourage those who lose track of time to stay in the moment.

12 Gift ideas for work-from-home employees 

The work-from-home culture is here to stay. At some point, you will always have employees who are better off working from home. Here are some employee gift ideas for such members of the team: 

1. Memory foam footrest

We must appreciate the importance of good posture when working at a new workstation. Soon we begin to feel the pull in the lower back and the tightness in the joints that comes with bad posture. Memory foam for the foot can correct posture and make it less troublesome in the long run.

2. Aromatic candles

A home aromatherapy kit is one of the best ways to show your employees that you care. Aromatic candles of different scents can set the mood for work bright and early in the morning or bring the atmosphere down to a soothing level at the end of the day.

3. Cable/cord organizer

Employees who work from home often have to work with several gadgets, and their power cords can become a mess eventually. A handy cable organizer can keep the cords separate, so they know which ones not to pull and maintain order. This little device also ensures their home workstation has a smooth look.

4. Lap desk

This would be a great gift for all the nerds who prefer to work long hours with their laptops on their laps. The lap desk allows them to comfortably sit on their couch while the computer stays within reach. They will have plenty of room for their phone, mouse, tablet and even a coffee tray!

5. Multiple outlet wall charger

Switchboards in the house mostly have one or two power outlets at the tops. Connecting a power adapter is impossible when multiple devices are at your workstation. A Multiple outlet wall charger is designed to take on several devices such as phones, tablets, power banks and anything else your employee might need to charge.

6. Desktop whiteboard

A desktop whiteboard is a WFH essential item needed to quickly take down notes or write reminders for the work day. It's also good for quickly drawing figures while explaining ideas on a video call. Whether it's the office or the home, a whiteboard is an essential item.

7. Ring light for video calls

The right lighting gives a different vibe to the visual appeal of a call during a video meeting with colleagues or clients. A normal lamp can be too intense, cast shadows or be strenuous on the eyes. A soft ring light can illuminate the person without overwhelming the user or the call.

8. Desk organizer

The workstation can often fall into chaos, especially when people are working from home or have kids. To maintain order and keep things neatly organized, having a desk organizer is good to have all your essentials in one place. Knowing where things are can speed up work and maintain a sense of orderliness.

9. Waterproof desk mat

A waterproof desk mat also falls under the must-have category when working from home. People tend to snack at their desks or drink coffee while working long hours, and the occasional spill is inevitable. It could leave a neat desk stained and smelling off. A good mat can also offer a solid grip on smooth desk boards and keep things from slipping while working.

10. USB night light

Employees working from home often prefer to put in more hours at night. A soft light that consumes low power, such as a USB night light, is ideal for keeping things illuminated enough not to strain their eyes. Whether they plug it into a charger, their power banks or their laptops, these lights are sure to make things easier for them in the dark, especially after everyone else goes to sleep.

11. Moon lamp night light

Everybody loves the moon! There's something relaxing about looking at the soft, yellow-white glow of the full moon that soothes the atmosphere. And what's cooler than that moonlighting in your house? That is precisely what this night lamp does. The lamp is a scale model of the moon with accurately detailed features of its mares, craters, ridges and canyons. The 3-d model sits wherever they choose and lights up the room with a soft glow.

12. Virtual fitness class eGift

The daily commute to the office is a form of exercise that keeps employees fit. However, it's easy to slack when they start working from home and ignore physical activity. As an employer, it's up to you to ensure that your people are healthy! Offering a virtual fitness class eGift from Plum is a compelling way to motivate your employees to get up and burn some calories.

Apart from these gifts, consider adding employee engagement gifts for your employees as well. But before we share the list, here’s what these engagement gifts mean. 

Engagement isn’t the only factor, that you should tick. As the saying goes, "a little gratitude goes a long way." And that's especially true when it comes to showing appreciation to employees. Whether it's for a job well done, hitting a sales goal, or simply being a reliable team player, acknowledging the hard work of your staff can go a long way in boosting morale and creating a positive work culture. 

But sometimes saying "thank you" just doesn't feel like enough. That's where thank you gifts come in. A thoughtful and personalized gift can show your employees that you not only recognize their hard work but also care about them as individuals. 

17 Thank you gifts for employees to appreciate and recognize them 

Here are 17 thoughtful thank you gifts for employees to appreciate them on this appreciation day. 

1. A box of thank-you strawberries dipped in chocolate 

Select this package containing a dozen succulent, fresh strawberries coated in rich semisweet chocolate. They arrive in a personalized "Thank you" present package to show your employee how much you value them. 

2. A sincere thank you 

This present collection comes with a dozen freshly baked cookies and strawberries that have been covered in semisweet chocolate and white chocolate and packaged in a unique "Thank you" box. It also includes a cheerful "Thank you" inflatable as an added expression of gratitude. 

3. Thank you, gift box, 

This package is filled with goodies to spoil your best employee. It includes the ideal coffee cup, peppermint lip balm, a pair of hair ties, a Grace and Stella under-eye mask, a thank-you note, and a canvas bag customized with your employee's name in gold. 

4. Best team ever shirt 

This custom t-shirt lets everyone know that your team always comes in number one. Made with super soft and cozy cotton, it comes in our choice of 15 bright colors and 11 different font colors. 

5. Necklace 

Not only is a great employee difficult to come by, but it's also difficult to forget them. This gorgeous pendant, available in sterling silver, rose gold vermeil, or gold vermeil, shows how unique and precious your employee is. 

6. Artisan cookies 

Choose this box filled with elegant artisan biscotti for your favorite employee. It includes four of the company’s most popular flavors, including chocolate chip, cherry almond, cappuccino, and coconut. 

7. Stainless steel mug 

Show your gratitude with this stainless-steel mug that will make your employees feel appreciated every time they drink their coffee. It has BPA-free double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps drinks cold for nine hours or hot for three hours. 

8. Variety Pack of Global Flavors 

Appreciate your employees with this versatile flavor pack from around the world. It includes Chilean Margarita Rub, Mediterranean Rub, Jerk Rub, BBQ Rub, Steak Seasoning and Masala Rub. 

9. Great spa gift 

Pamper your employee with a spa gift package that can be used at home. It includes a stainless steel "Thank You for Being Amazing" container, two all-natural soaps, a bath bomb, a super moisturizing silk cream, and a thank you card. 

10. Gift box full of gratitude 

Nothing says "thank you" like a gift full of delicious treats. Includes a microwave popper with silicone bowl and plastic lid, a bottle of yellow popcorn, delicious cheddar seasoning, and a toffee and sea salt milk chocolate truffle bar. 

11. Soup Sample 

This set contains soup mixes made with 100% organic ingredients that your staff can use to make delicious plant-based soups. It comes in three delicious flavors: Green Lentil, Velvety Black Bean and Hearty Red Bean Chili. 

12. Glass aromatic coffee and chocolate 

This pleasant taste experience is the perfect gift for your employee. It comes with four artisan coffees and four delicious chocolate bars that are meant to be paired together. It even comes with an optional personal note. 

13. 100% silk scarf 

Choose this gorgeous 100% silk scarf to add style to any outfit. It has a luxurious look and feel and features a print of Van Gogh's Almond Blossom painting. 

14. Organic kitchen herb gardening 

Give your employee a bunch of kitchen herbs to grow on the windowsill. Includes three bags of seeds (basil, chives and oregano), three biodegradable pots, biodegradable coasters, bamboo plant markers, two bags of organic potting soil and a glass bottle. 

15. Personal phone box 

Choose a phone box for your employee that is made just for him. You can choose your own color combinations, fun prints and fonts to design a unique case that perfectly matches your employee's style. 

16. Crock pot lunch 

With this handy Crock Pot, your employee will keep their lunch hot throughout the day. It has a 20-ounce capacity, a warming base to help keep food warm, and a handy handle. 

17. Urban naturals cucumber sea salt reed diffuser sets 

This diffuser set is designed to make your home or office smell amazing. This blend contains clean, refreshing cucumber, and sea salt to lift your spirits. 

Take employee gifting to the digital level with Empuls 

Empuls provides a seamless and automated way for organizations to implement employee gifting programs, ensuring meaningful and engaging recognition experiences. 

For employees: A personalized and rewarding experience 

Empuls enhances job satisfaction by allowing employees to receive and redeem gifts in a hassle-free manner: 

• Receive personalized messages and e-cards – Employees get recognition directly in their inbox, making them feel valued. 
• Access a diverse gift catalog – A redemption link enables employees to choose from a vast selection of gifts. 
• Select the perfect gift – Employees can pick rewards that align with their needs and preferences. 
• Enjoy instant or home-delivered gifts – Whether digital or physical, rewards are delivered conveniently. 

For employers: An effortless gifting process 

Empuls streamlines employee gifting with automation and customization: 

• Automate gifting for various occasions – Employers can schedule gifts for birthdays, work anniversaries, or other milestones. 
• Personalize the gifting experience – Messages and e-cards add a meaningful touch. 
• Assign redeemable points – Employees can use their points to select gifts, with shipping included. 
• Enable a seamless workflow – The automated system ensures smooth execution without manual intervention. 

A diverse reward marketplace 

Empuls offers a rich selection of gifting options, ensuring employees receive rewards they truly appreciate: 

• Amazon Store – Access to 300k+ fashion, electronics, and lifestyle products. 
• Gift Cards – Over 1M brand gift cards for ultimate flexibility. 
• Custom Swag – Company-branded merchandise to boost team spirit. 
• Experiential Rewards – Unique experiences to create lasting memories. 
• Prepaid Cards – Options like PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard for maximum convenience. 
• Charity Donations – Employees can choose to give back to causes they care about. 

By leveraging Empuls, organizations can cultivate a culture of appreciation, boost job satisfaction, and ensure that every employee receives a gift that resonates with them. 

Best practices to choose the right gift items for employees  

Following best practices when choosing gift items for employees is important to drive employee satisfaction and motivation. This section will highlight things to remember when choosing a gift. 

1. Learn employee preferences 

Getting clarity on employee preferences is critical in choosing the best gift. For this, try conducting surveys or informal discussions, helping you gather insights into what types of company gifts for employees are appreciated. This approach creates the impression that employers value their staff’s opinion. 

2. Personalization 

Personalization is key to providing a better gifting experience. From a simple handwritten note to engraving the employee’s name on the gift, these initiatives create an engaging workplace environment. Moreover, personalization strengthens employee-employer relationships in the long term. 

3. Consider the occasion 

Offering gift items for employees at the right time and occasion enhances the impact of gifting, making them a more memorable and cherishing experience for the staff. These occasions include work anniversaries, holidays, and personal and professional milestones. 

4. Offer choices 

Employee satisfaction gets a boost by letting your staff choose gifts which they prefer. This could be via a platform to pick and choose from various options. 

5. Keep it professional 

Gift items for employees need to be appropriate for the workplace. Choose company gifts for employees that are professional and at the same time useful as well. Look for gifts that help maintain a respectful work environment. 

Conclusion   

Gifts for employees can have a significant impact on company culture. Corporate gifting helps strengthen bonds, boost morale, foster a culture of recognition, enhance team dynamics, and promote a sense of belonging among employees.  

Thoughtful, personalized and unique corporate gifts for employees make them feel valued and appreciated, leading to increased job satisfaction, motivation, and commitment to the organization. When employees see their peers being recognized for their contributions, it inspires them to strive for excellence and contribute to the company's success.   

If you are looking for a robust employee gifting solution, Empuls will guide you throughout the process. Get in touch for more information. 

FAQs 

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you know more.