27 Thoughtful Christmas Surprise Ideas to Employees and Colleagues in the Workplace

The employees work hard for the company throughout their service tenure. So, their performance must be recognized and rewarded accordingly regularly. Appreciation should be shown as and when deserved. The employer should mull over this point and make it a part of the company culture. 

Winter is a season of festivity and celebrations. December has always been a month of exciting anticipation, curious guesses, and endless Christmas shopping. It's the season of festivities, of celebrations, Lights, joy, cheer, laughter, gaiety, and what have you. 

It's time to share, to give, to spread cheer, and shower happiness in the lives you touch. Here are some ideas to reward and surprise employees this season. 

27 amazing ways to surprise your colleagues on christmas 

Who does not like surprises? Everyone loves to be surprised with gifts on important occasions. You can surprise your colleagues and coworkers at Christmas with unique and memorable gifts. If you are exploring ways to do this, the following are some great Christmas surprise gifts. 

13 highly coveted Christmas gift ideas to surprise colleagues  

Following are the list of christmas surprise ideas for your colleagues.  

1. Send an anonymous thank you message 

Keep them guessing! Send an anonymous message thanking your colleague. This is the best time to let them know how much they have been helpful. A personalized DIY card would add more value than a store-bought one here. 

Pour in your heartfelt thanks and wish them the best with some creative Christmas messages. Maintain anonymity until you finally give a clue. They will be really surprised and glad that you still remember their gesture. An email message will not hold intimacy like a handmade one. So try to be creative and gift a handwritten card to your coworker. 

4. Offer help on a project they are stuck 

Who said gifts have to be something in kind? Your good gesture can be an amazing gift for your coworker. Are you working on the same project where the deadline is approaching? If your colleague is stuck with some part of the work, you can lend a helping hand. 

This will enable timely project completion and also make your teammate happy. There cannot be an any better gift than this before Christmas. Your teammate can enjoy the holiday season happily because of your help. 

5. Bring them their favorite homemade meal 

Good food becomes more enjoyable when shared with close friends. Do you remember any special dish from your lunch that your colleague liked? You must be surprised to find out that this could be the best gift for your coworker. 

Prepare their favorite meal and share it during the break. Your team is sure going to enjoy the moment. Rather than any fancy gifts, these moments remain closer to the heart. They would be overwhelmed by your gift idea. It would be a good time to spend with the team on Christmas eve. 

6. Decorate their desk 

Surprise your coworker by cleaning, organizing, and decorating their desk. Plan this well, so you do not leave any hints for them. Start a little early to the office and get the decoration work done before the colleague arrives. 

It is good to see an organized and decorated desk. Buy them flowers, a new vase, frames with their favorite quote, etc., to make the desk beautiful. You could also gift them a personalized photo frame with pictures taken during team outings. 

7. Share an insightful book you love 

Sharing knowledge is special since it only gets multiplied the more you share. Gift your colleague a book that you love, and think would be appropriate for them too. For example, if you feel your colleague should concentrate more on savings, a book on financial planning can be greatly helpful. 

Think about what would be really useful to your teammate. It should also be as per their liking. Let them know you care with this special Christmas gift. 

8. Gift them subscriptions to OTTs 

Is your colleague a movie buff? Gifting them an OTT subscription would be the best choice, then. Get them a popular subscription plan so that they can enjoy their Christmas vacation watching their favorite shows and movies. 

This is a very thoughtful gift and would be relished by your coworker. There is nothing better than gifting as per the tastes of the recipient. 

9. Give them a spa day out 

Do you think your colleague is all exhausted and needs a break this Christmas? You should consider gifting them a day at the spa. Let them relax with all the massages and therapies there. 

Your colleague will return rejuvenated after Christmas. They would be thanking you for such a wonderful thought. Caring for your colleague and gifting them appropriately finds more value. You could also accompany your colleague and spend the day together at the spa. 

10. Give them vouchers for their favorite movie 

Get your coworker a ticket for the premiere show of their favorite upcoming movie. They would be extremely happy to get this as a Christmas gift. 

Gifts like these have a special value since they are well thought of. If your colleague has been longing to watch a movie at the premiere, this would be the right time to gift them the vouchers. 

11. Buy them a live plant 

Gifting a live plant is a wonderful thought. Plants symbolize growth. You wish them growth by gifting them plants. “As the plant grows, so do you” is the thought conveyed when someone gifts a live plant. 

Gift them plants appropriate to where they live. If they live in an apartment with minimum flow of sunlight, you could go for plants that survive with less sunlight. Indoor plants are also a good idea. 

12. Donate to a charity in their name 

Has your coworker ever expressed intentions to contribute to charity? You could take this as an opportunity and donate on behalf of the coworker. There cannot be a better gift since you have done something the colleague values a lot. 

You could request the organization to send a wish to your colleague’s email on Christmas. It would be a cherished memory for your colleagues. 

13. Give up something highly coveted 

Sharing your prized possession is a great way to impress your colleagues this Christmas. Most people think of getting gifts from stores. Giving up something for the sake of gifting your friend is not something people usually explore. This is a different way to give surprise gifts to your colleague. You are creating a lifelong memory by sharing this gift that carries more value. 

14 Amazing surprise and delight ideas for employees on Christmas & New Year 

Following are a few options for creative christmas and new year surprise ideas. 

14. Performance rewards 

Appreciating and rewarding employees for good performance is essential as it motivates them to do better, boosts their morale and retains loyalty. The employees realize the company's effort to show appreciation for their performance, which helps them retain talent. Companies should start rewards programs to achieve targets and give incentives to their employees as per their performance. This festive season is a perfect time for employers to cheer up their employees and reward them. 

Performance Rewards with Empuls 
Appreciating and rewarding employees for good performance is essential, as it motivates them, boosts morale, and increases loyalty. 

With Empuls, organizations can take recognition to the next level by enabling instant, meaningful, and customizable rewards. 

🔹 Employees can receive personal messages and e-cards in their inbox. 
🔹 They get a link to redeem points from a vast gift catalog. 
🔹 They can choose a gift that’s meaningful to them. 
🔹 The selected gift is delivered instantly (digital) or to their doorstep (physical). 

Empuls ensures that every reward is personalized and impactful, making employees feel valued and celebrated during the holiday season. 

15. Unexpected new year bonus 

A large number of employers provide year-end bonuses to their employees. The employees expect this to come their way, and they immensely appreciate it. Most of the employees prefer monetary rewards over other incentives. This generosity by the company to the employees indirectly benefits the company, as it helps retain the employees. This incentive is a perfect gift during the Christmas season as the employees can use this gift to brighten up their festivities. 

Unexpected New Year Bonus with Empuls 

Year-end bonuses are one of the most anticipated gifts for employees. But rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, why not make it personalized and flexible? 

With Empuls Rewards, you can: 
✔ Instantly distribute monetary bonuses in the form of digital reward points. 
✔ Allow employees to redeem bonuses from thousands of gift options. 
✔ Ensure instant delivery – no delays, no hassle, just a seamless experience. 

This digital-first approach gives employees the freedom to choose their preferred reward, making the bonus even more meaningful. 

16. Raffle off door prizes 

Organizing a raffle is a sure-shot way to delight your employees. It is up to you to decide whether it should be one big prize or various small items. One big prize might invite disappointment for all others but the winner. On the other hand, several smaller items to be won will certainly spread joy and cheer. 

A coffee mug, a branded pen set, an artifact, a set of woollen caps and gloves, and others are perfect to gifts surprise and delight the receiver. These small tokens of appreciation will reflect how much you care for and value your employees. 

17. Flexible work schedules 

It will be a very thoughtful move if you provide your employees with some free time for themselves. It is up to them to utilize this according to their need. Although monetary rewards mean a lot to employees, flexible work schedules will also be appreciated. 

Allowing top performers to create their work schedules will enable them to reduce stress and increase job satisfaction. The company, too, will gain productivity through better performance. 

18. Recognize for going the extra mile 

Employees who strive hard to achieve targets and contribute significantly to the company's productivity should be recognized and appreciated for their efforts. This gesture will show them they are essential to the company and encourage them to strive harder. Appreciation can be shown in the form of perks and allowances/ benefits. 

19. Health & wellness packages 

You can convey your employees that you care for their well-being by allowing them to self-care and relax. They can be given gift cards for massage spas and wellness retreats. You can also provide subscriptions to fitness apps, online yoga classes, meditation, and others. 

Health vouchers are another option that can be gifted to employees. Arrangements can be made for yoga or meditation sessions in the office too. The office Canteen too should serve healthy snacks to the employees. Giving your employees gifts that will help them better care of themselves is very thoughtful. Gifting health and wellness packages during the festive season is a good idea as the employees will return to the office fresh and rejuvenated. 

20. Offer perks and discounts 

The company should offer perks and discounts to its employees in the form of the following: 

• Health insurance 
• Dental and vision insurance 
• Life insurance 
• Flexible working hours 
• Remote work options 
• Professional development 
• Paid vacations 
• Wellness programs 
• Paid sick leave 
• Learning stipends 
• Discounts on company services/ products 

Exclusive perks & corporate discounts with Empuls 

Your employees work hard year-round, and a little extra savings can go a long way in showing appreciation. 

Empuls Perks unlocks: 
✔ Discounts ranging from 5% to 50% on 6,000+ local & international brands. 
✔ Exclusive corporate offers on electronics, wellness, and insurance. 
✔ The ability to gift discounted vouchers to friends and family. 

Why employees love it: 

• More savings on everyday purchases 
• Cashback offers & lifestyle benefits 
• A seamless experience with instant access 

This Christmas, let Empuls help you give more than just gifts—give meaningful perks that make a difference. 

21. Professional development program 

Providing your employees with the resources to learn skills that will further their career is the best gift you can give. It will enhance their skills and increase their career opportunities. This investment in their future by the company will be well-spent, and it will not only improve the employees' prospects but also help the company achieve more excellent dimensions. 

You can enroll your promising employees in online courses, allow them to attend conferences, offer course fee reimbursements, and arrange cross-training with co-workers to hone their skills. 

22. Opportunity to learn from an expert 

Professional development is a continuous process. This festive season delight your promising employees with opportunities for formal and informal professional development, giving them job satisfaction and benefiting the company through higher productivity. The activities include industry and company experts lectures, internal mentorships, and various online programs. 

23. Build an employee appreciation wall 

Wall space in the office should be dedicated to expressing appreciation or gratitude. This Christmas, decorate your office and the gratitude wall in a combination of red and white. The employees can express their gratitude to each other on this wall. The wall can also be used to welcome newcomers. This wall space is meant to publicly express gratitude, thankfulness, and other positive feelings. This is a wonderful idea to maintain a workplace throbbing with happiness and understanding. 

24. Meal from their favourite restaurant 

It is an excellent idea to arrange a new year party for the office employees. Ordering food from their favourite restaurants/ fast-food joints will surely delight them. This gesture of the management will be appreciated immensely by the employees. Celebration is all about having a good time together, enjoying and relishing every moment. It is easier for the employees to communicate with the employer away from the workspace in an informal atmosphere. It will be a wonderful start to a new beginning and the new year. 

25. Send them on a mystery trip 

Besides the Christmas festivities providing employees a relaxing holiday trip is a good idea to retain talent and keep your workers happy. Sending your employees on a mystery trip this holiday is a novel way to motivate them. This can be a local tour of the town or some destination. This will also be a team engagement experience for the employees. They will be delighted, proving to be a memorable experience. 

26. Onsite amenities 

The employer should provide workspace amenities to the employees so that they can perform efficiently. The workspace should be a place for collaboration, connection, and general well-being. This festive season use the holiday period to make small improvements around the office to show your employees that you care for their comfort and safety. This effort made by you will be appreciated throughout the year. 

27. Award for improvement 

According to estimates, 80% of employees perform better when appreciated. A company should always, as a rule, adopt the process of recognition, appreciation, and reward. All achievements, momentous or small, should be appreciated and rewarded. 

27. Personalized gifts 

As we all know, each achievement deserves appreciation and reward. Celebrations too are accompanied by presents. Gifting your employees thoughtful and personalized items during the festive season is valuable. 

Over a period, while interacting with your employees, you come to know about their preferences and interests. This can be used to show your employees that you care. You can send them an appropriate personalized gift. The size or the value of the gift does not matter. It is the thoughtfulness and gesture that counts. 

Getting exactly what one prefers and wants is a beautiful feeling. The message that you care about will certainly reach and be appreciated. Their toil brings prosperity/ cheer to your business, and your appreciation will light up their hearts. 

Every employee is unique, so why should their gifts be the same?  

With Empuls, you can personalize the gifting experience by offering: 

• A wide range of gift options, including experiences, gadgets, and wellness products. 
• Instant redemption through an easy-to-use rewards platform. 
• Home delivery for physical gifts, making gifting hassle-free. 

Let your employees choose what they truly want this Christmas! 

Key takeaways 

Gifts strengthen the bond between you and your coworkers. Think differently and explore unique gifts that can make their day special. Gifts need not be extravagant; but something meaningful, which adds to their life. Thoughtful gifts convey that you appreciate their care for you and are mindful of their interests. 

The above-mentioned list answers your question about how to surprise your colleague? with some incredible ideas. Go ahead and surprise your colleagues this Christmas with the moments they will remember forever! 

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