When you want to give a gift to an employee, many managers turn to the classic, go-to items. Things like coffee shop gift cards and baskets full of treats are always nice, but sometimes that’s the problem — they’re just nice. They don’t stand out as especially thoughtful, personal, or specific.
In a manager-to-employee relationship, you may not necessarily have the opportunity (or the need) to get to know each other’s interests, on a personal level — and that’s okay. You have a professional relationship, meaning you don’t need to give each employee a heartfelt piece of jewelry you spent hours picking out; but you don’t have to hand them a basic gift card, either.
You can show your outstanding employees how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication, by personalizing a special item just for them. What better way to thank your employees for a job well done than with a personalized gift?
Start by checking out this list, featuring some of our favorite personalized gift ideas.
1. Travel Bags
For a personalized gift that “packs” a punch, consider a travel bag that employees can take on business trips. Not only does it provide convenience, but with your logo on the front, it gives your employees a chance to sport their company pride and commitment.
For employees who don’t travel for the company, this can still be a great thank-you gift they can reuse over and over again for hauling materials to meetings and presentations, or for personal travel.
If you’re looking for something a bit more dramatic — for that all-star employee who deserves special recognition — consider the Werks Traveler 22 Inch Dual Caster. It’s a lightweight carry-on, perfect for an upper-level executive, or anyone who loves to travel.
2. Battery Pack
If you want to really spark your employees’ interests and make them feel appreciated, consider a personalized battery pack. This practical gift allows your employees to stay charged up while they’re on-the-go — whether they’re traveling, staying late at the office, or just out and about.
Our Charge-It-Up UL Listed Power Bank features a 5 volt, .8 amp output — perfect for charging mp3 players, smartphones, and other devices to stay connected with both work and entertainment. It’s a particularly great gift if you have a BYOD (bring-your-own-device) policy, since employees’ devices see a lot of heavy use.
3. USB Flash Drive
A USB flash drive is a personalized gift that says thank you, while offering a practical application at work. This must-have business accessory promotes workplace productivity and makes a lasting impression with your employees. It’s a great choice for people in marketing departments, or executives who do a lot of presentations and need a simple solution for storing and transporting documents.
4. Bluetooth Speaker
For something fun and useful with a bit of a shock factor, consider gifting our Seneca Bluetooth Wooden Speaker. Providing up to three hours of music (on max volume) on a single charge, and a Bluetooth range of up to 10 meters, this one is sure to blow your employees away. Plus, it comes with a micro USB charging cable and a 3.5mm auxiliary cable. This speaker is sure to appeal to everyone on your staff, with tons of potential uses, and a classy appearance — what better way to give back to your outstanding employees?
5. Plaque
If you want to give something personalized to one specific employee, rather than gifts you can buy in bulk, consider gifting your hard-working employees award plaques. These awards recognize dedicated and passionate individuals in a way they can display with pride for years to come. They’re perfect for any type of achievement, from work anniversaries to sales records.
Our Black Pearl Plaque Award stands out with personalized etched messages, and an easel back with ring hanger — so your colleague or employee can proudly display their award on their desk or the wall.
6. Desk Clock With Engraved Nameplate
Whether for a gift or award, this personalized gift is a clear winner when you need something that says you appreciate an employee’s time at your company. It’s an ideal gift for work anniversaries, retiring employees, or top-performing workers.
With our Cornell Clock, you can add your own personalized nameplate to customize it for the employee, the occasion, and your company. This gift combines practicality with a high-quality appeal that employees can display in their office, or at their home.
With these ideas in mind, you should have a good starting point for employee appreciation gifts, whether you’re looking for gifts you can buy in bulk, or special products you can personalize for each individual. If you need help brainstorming personalized gift ideas for employees, feel free to contact us for more suggestions — gift giving is one of our specialties!
