Employee Gifts: 6 Smart Ideas

Employee gifts express appreciation and are intended to make the recipients genuinely happy. But that's easier said than done, as you need to find something they will like, even if you don't know your colleagues very well on a personal level. At the end of the (work) day, the best employee gifts are those that are truly received with gratitude. You can read our best suggestions and how this type of gift can also benefit you and your company in this article.

What makes a good employee gift?

Employee gifts are presents that employers give to their employees on certain occasions. These can be Christmas gifts, gifts for anniversaries or birthdays, for the birth of a child, or for retirement. Simply giving employees a small token of appreciation without any particular reason can also have a lasting positive effect on the working atmosphere. It's a win-win situation.

Especially in times of skilled labour shortages, employee gifts send a clear message that you value your employees as valuable team members.

Bonus tip: Tax-free gifts for employees

As an employer, you have several options for giving your employees tax-free gifts, as non-cash benefits without a special occasion are tax-exempt up to €50 per month. For occasions such as birthdays or weddings, you can spend around €60 per occasion and person without incurring any tax. For higher amounts, you must pay a flat-rate wage tax of 30%. This is even possible up to a total value of €10,000 per employee per year. It's important to ensure that the benefit in kind is taxed correctly.

Gift idea 1: Ergonomic workplace accessories

Most people spend their workday sitting today. It is therefore hardly surprising that musculoskeletal complaints are among the most common in Germany.[1] [1] Robert Koch Institute: Chronic diseases  If you and your team spend a lot of time sitting at your desk in the office or working from home, equipping the workplace with ergonomic accessories would be a great gift. These gadgets, developed with medical professionals, promote a posture that is beneficial for the muscles and bones and make everyday tasks more comfortable.

This doesn't always have to involve expensive purchases such as new office chairs or height-adjustable desks. Even smaller aids such as ergonomic computer mice and keyboards can help prevent strain and pain in the wrists and muscles. With relatively affordable ergonomic laptop stands that can simply be placed on a regular desk, employees can work standing up as needed.

Because they are essentially work materials, ergonomic tools for your team may sound a bit unsexy at first. However, as general awareness of health and exercise has increased and more and more studies are published every year on how unhealthy prolonged sitting really is for the body, most people will definitely thank you. Health is and always will be the best gift. 

Gift idea 2: Office plants

They can do much more than just provide boring decoration. Plants in the office improve the appearance of the room and add a touch of nature between the laptop and filing cabinet.  They also contribute to a pleasant atmosphere and better air quality. Did you know that large office plants can also act as natural sound absorbers, helping to improve concentration in a noisy environment? Certain plants can also filter pollutants such as formaldehyde from the air, thus having a positive effect on the indoor climate. Thanks to their many great properties, they improve the mood and therefore also the productivity of your team. So the investment pays off for you too!

When it comes to meaningful gifts for employees, low-maintenance varieties are particularly ideal, as they require little attention and can survive without watering over the holidays.

• Plants of the Monstera genus are considered low-maintenance. Their mostly large leaves add a touch of tropical flair.
• The classic spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is also robust and thrives in both bright and shady locations.
• The philodendron adapts easily to different lighting conditions and feels at home even in offices that let in hardly any daylight.
• The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is just as easy to care for. It thrives at room temperatures between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius.
• The pothos (Epipremnum) is a versatile plant that requires little light and is available in various leaf colours. This allows you to add even more variety to the workplace.

Gift idea 3: 6-Minute-Journals for businesses

Mental health at work should be a high priority for every company. An effective way to consciously promote mental health there is the 6-Minute-Principle. This scientifically based method increases your team's resilience, motivation, and loyalty.

One of the valuable tools for practical implementation is the 6-Minute-Success Journal. It combines productivity and mindfulness in a compact format and helps to set clear goals, recognise your own strengths, and document successes, making the workday more effective and fulfilling. With minimal effort (just 6 minutes a day), it strengthens satisfaction and performance in the long term. The classic 6-Minute-Diary is also a wonderful gift. Here, the focus is more on general satisfaction and slightly less on professional success. However, your employees can decide for themselves how they want to use the book. 

Both journals are also available in English for international companies and are great employee gifts with a proven positive effect. They are high-quality, with beautiful linen covers, and are also visually appealing. In addition, with the "6-Minute-Diary for Your Company," you can benefit from special offers such as volume discounts and personalised journals, on which you can even have your company logo embossed. The perfect gift if you want to give gifts to several employees at the same time. The offers for businesses also include workshops on mindfulness, resilience, and stress management.

Gift idea 4: Recycled and sustainable stationery

Plastic and bleached paper in the office are out. With increasing environmental awareness, more and more companies are turning to sustainable alternatives – which benefits nature and the company's ecological footprint. Recycled paper, eco-friendly pens, and biodegradable materials offer an easy way to make the workday greener. Sustainable products are not only suitable as practical employee gifts, but also make a good impression as Christmas gifts for customers.

Certificates such as FSC, Rainforest Alliance, or the Blue Angel help you reliably identify sustainable office supplies. These labels guarantee that the materials come from responsible sources and have as little impact on the environment as possible.

Gift idea 5: Time vouchers

Time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your employees. How about a voucher for an extra day off or the option to arrange working hours more flexibly? A balanced work-life balance has further positive effects that will benefit both you and the company.

Balance increases satisfaction, reduces stress, and leads to greater motivation and productivity in the long term. Time vouchers as gifts for employees are therefore a simple and effective way to express your appreciation meaningfully. They cost you nothing. The "time off" will surely be made up with gratitude and efficiency.

Gift idea 6: Subscriptions to digital learning platforms

Access to a digital learning platform, also known as a Learning Management System (LMS), is an excellent gift for employees that supports both professional development and personal satisfaction. Stagnating for a long time and having no opportunities for further training is frustrating in the long term. Modern platforms enable flexible learning from anywhere at any time, making them ideal for today's work requirements.

Platforms such as Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare offer a wide selection of courses on various topics, including, for example, how to learn effective time management with the Pomodoro Technique. This allows you to tailor the gift to your employees' needs.

A good LMS helps employees expand their skills and motivates them to develop continuously, which in turn promotes the growth of your company.

Just do it: Employee gifts

Employee gifts are much more than just a nice gesture – they strengthen the bond with the company, increase motivation, and promote a positive working atmosphere. By choosing thoughtful, meaningful gifts that ideally also have a sustainable or practical benefit, you show your employees appreciation while investing in a stronger company culture. Whether small tokens such as eco-friendly stationery or bigger surprises – employee gifts have a positive effect on satisfaction and loyalty. So why not just try it? The investment pays off for everyone in the long run.

Sources:

[1] https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Gesundheitsmonitoring/Themen/Chronische_Erkrankungen/Muskel_Skelett_System/Muskel_Skelett_System_node.html