10 Employee Gift Ideas (Including Remote & Zero Cost Options!)
How are you thanking your employees this year??
You got the customer gifts handled (whew) and you realized…oh crap, what about my team!?!?
We got you.
Distributed team?
Got you.
Working on a tight budget?
Still got you.
As we learned from customer gifts, it’s not the money that matters. Creativity, thoughtfulness, and personal touches make the most memorable gifts.
For the busy startup leaders, here’s 10 ideas for employee gifts and celebrations (including low cost and remote friendly options) this holiday season!
10 Fun and Memorable Employee Gift Ideas
1. Hoodies or pullovers
(remote friendly)
Everyone loves cozy winter wear.
We’ve ordered these, these, and these with rave reviews from the team.
Get something high quality, even brand name (like North Face). It won’t be much more in the grand scheme of things but makes a huge difference in how often it’s worn!
2. Yeti or Miir drinking vessels
(remote friendly)
Mug, water bottle, large cup with lid. Lots of options!
Special touch: fill with candy, office snacks, coffee, gift cards, or other swag.
3. Draw-a-name gift exchange aka “Secret Santa”
(remote friendly)
Company provides $25/person.
DrawNames.com makes it super easy to administer.
Everyone gets a personalized gift and it’s fun to guess your gift-giver!
4. Ask the trendiest and/or most team-oriented person
They know what your team will like or have unique, industry-specific ideas.
BONUS: they will probably love to help you plan!
5. Team outing
Fancy dinner, escape room, rafting trip, cooking class, sporting event, lawn games/bar games tournament, just to name a few…
-OR- gift a larger team offsite or retreat for the new year (planned by Zinnia, of course!)
6. Unexpected time off
(budget + remote friendly)
Cancel meetings, close the office early for a day.
It *must* be a surprise. Last minute meeting cancelations make people happier than if they didn’t have a meeting at that time anyway. Our brains are weird!
Even if you have unlimited vacation, there’s something about a boss saying, “Stop working today.” Hits different.
7. Handwritten thank you note
(budget + remote friendly)
Make it personal. Mention specific qualities, experiences, or standout projects that the team member contributed.
Fun team photo from the year? Include it or make it the card cover.
8. Paper Plate awards
(budget + remote friendly)
Example superlatives: “Most likely to…” or “Best XYZ”
I got two “Pundies” (Pardot version of Dundies) over the years:
Pollyanna Award for Office Gladness
Asks Best (or was it “Most” 🤔) Questions
Another fun one: the “Ted DiBiase Award” aka wrestling’s “Million Dollar Man” given to the sales rep (Go KG!) with $1M+ ARR closed.
Keep it fun AND kind.
9. Off-site potluck
(budget friendly)
At your house or another not-the-office location. There’s something special when someone opens their home to the team.
Everyone brings a dish. Can be around a theme (or not).
Variation: gingerbread house party. Bring candy!
Make time to give shoutouts or share the best memories from the year.
10. Personalized gift cards
(remote friendly)
Short on time? Give each team member a gift card with significance — related to a hobby, favorite hangout, date night locale, clothing brand, store, celebrity, etc.
It’s personal but can be emailed 😅
Need ideas? See person from recommendation #4!
BONUS IDEA!!!! ➡️ CEO’s Favorite Things
A twist on Oprah’s classic “Favorite Things” — the CEO picks their favorite things to gift to the team with a big reveal! (h/t Angela Ferrante)
What has been your favorite gift given or received? Other fun or creative suggestions?