Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2020 and has since been updated to reflect the latest research plus the best promotional gifts.
Do you appreciate your staff? And more importantly, do they feel it? Employee recognition can have huge payoffs for your business. Studies show morale, productivity and performance improve when managers show appreciation for their team. And one of the best ways to demonstrate that appreciation is by sharing the best promotional gifts with your staff.
It’s true! 81% of employees say they feel appreciated when they receive a gift from their employer. And 69% say they would work harder if they felt their contributions were noticed by management.
If you’re looking for ways to show staff how important they are to your business, we have some of the best promotional gift ideas to demonstrate your attitude of gratitude.
Promotional gift ideas for holiday fun all year long
Sharing a holiday gift with your employees is a great way to celebrate their contribution to your company’s success. And while many people think of the holidays as those that happen between Thanksgiving and the New Year, there are several other well-known and obscure holidays throughout the year that provide opportunities to share the love with employees.
- Independence Day: Organize a staff lunch or picnic and give everyone an Arctic Zone® 30-Can Ultimate Sport Cooler.
- Valentine’s Day: Tell staff they’re the heart of your organization with a Jade Crystal Ornament – Heart or Chocolate Heart Box with Confection.
- Winter Solstice: Share warm fuzzies on the official first day of winter with a Micro Mink Sherpa Blanket or Keep Warm Buddy Set.
- Fun at Work Day (January 26): Give them a basket of entertaining gifts, like a Sun Fun Flyer, Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book & Pencils and Traveler Dominos in Wood Box—or any other combination of fun toys and gifts.
Staff appreciation gifts for anniversaries
Employee anniversaries present a great opportunity to provide individual recognition along with a staff appreciation gift that speaks to their hobbies and interests. Callaway® Warbird Golf Balls are an appropriate gift for someone who spends their time on the back nine, while the Crossland® Camp Chair is a fitting choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
No matter which gift you share, the best gifts come with a personal note. A handwritten note is more likely to be viewed as authentic, genuine and memorable than messages sent through other mediums.
Record your words of appreciation on A Big Thank You Greeting Card to make a big impression.
Welcome new staff to the team with the best promotional gift ideas
An employee’s first day of work is the perfect time to give them a warm welcome while gearing them up for their new position.
A Silk Touch Performance Sport Polo will help them fit in with the team from day one. Take new hires on a tour that includes the breakroom where they can get a Yowie® Vacuum Travel Tumbler for their coffee, water or other favorite beverage. And provide a Mini Journal with Pen, Flags & Sticky Notes so they can keep track of everything they’re going to learn in the coming weeks.
For employees who will be spending a lot of time on the road, these promotional gift ideas will make every trip a breeze. An RFID Laptop Backpack helps keep their computer and other gear in reach on every train and plane, while a Nomad Duffel will get them ready to hit the road. And an easy-to-pack The North Face® Insulated Jacket is a staff appreciation gift that ensures they’re prepared for any weather as they travel from coast to coast.
Staff appreciation gifts for meeting goals
Employee goals vary from perfecting a new procedure to smashing a sales record—and all of them are worth celebrating. Congratulate your staff on wins large and small with gifts ranging from a Nitro Wireless Speaker to a Koozie® Rowdy Fanny Pack Kooler.
The best promotional gifts keep on giving
Every time you show employees the love, you’re rewarding your business too. Choose the best promotional gifts to recognize a job well done. Whether you give a shirt, blanket or bag, showing employee appreciation goes a long way.