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36 Replies Last post: Nov 2, 2008 8:07 AM by IMPORTER390

Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..?

Oct 5, 2008 8:31 AM

iventures 75 posts since
Sep 26, 2008

Picking holiday gifts for employees can be a frustrating task. From small business owners to the director at a large corporation, managers want to pick the best holiday gifts for employees (within a budget, of course).

Of course, each employee has a different idea of what the best holiday gift is, so picking gifts that will make everyone happy may seem impossible.

However, with a little thought and planning, finding the best holiday gifts for employees doesn't have to be so complicated. Visit our profile

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caffeinated 176 posts since
Apr 29, 2008

1. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 6, 2008 10:55 AM

I always thought that cash was king. Is that insensitive of me? It not really the holiday spirit but I found that you're less likely to offend an employee by giving cash because they may not celebrate the same holidays as you, it can be viewed as a year end bonus if they don't practice a religion, and who's going to turn it down really?

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Iwrite 1,101 posts since
Dec 29, 2007

2. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 6, 2008 12:42 PM

in response to: caffeinated

Cash is king except if it is a trip. My wife worked for a travel wholesaler in the 1990's, and they gave out a variety of vacations from 3 night to 7 nights stays. They worked it out with the resorts they represented. There's nothing like 7 days in St. Lucia, all paid. As you can imagine, turnover was low.

I like money as a gift also. It gives a person the freedom to select something they would like. I like your thinking as far as recognizing that others may not celebrate holidays.

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iventures 75 posts since
Sep 26, 2008

3. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 6, 2008 4:34 PM

Money Isn't Everything

If money were the only factor that determined employee satisfaction, running a successful business would be a lot easier. The fact of the matter is, compensation is only one part of motivating a workforce. Personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs and Keirsey tests, can help tell you which factors are most important to your employees, but the bottom line is that everyone reacts positively to recognition and appreciation, and corporate incentive gifts are a perfect way to make that appreciation tangible.

The ideal Corporate Gift Solution Is:

1. Cost effective requiring little or no space to manage
2. Extremely easy to administer in terms of employee handling
3. Vsually appealing (the wow factor)
4. Precisely what your customer - employee wants
5. Coordinated online, saving time and money

Our Ribbon gift albums starts with a collection of 21 gift cards and albums filled with name brand products ranging in value from $25 - $750. Collections are organized by themes targeting a variety of age and interest groups, so there is always something for everyone.

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Iwrite 1,101 posts since
Dec 29, 2007

4. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 6, 2008 5:46 PM

in response to: iventures

True but the results of those tests are talking about overall job satisfaction, not holiday gifts. The last time I checked, there wasn't a study that asked employees about holiday gifts in particular. If there was, I think it would find a shift away from the overall job satisfaction numbers.

A holiday gift is not a part of compensation. I have never seen it listed as such.

I agree an incentive program is important but this thread is titled: "Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..?" To me, holiday gifts are not incentive gifts. Now, giving a holiday gift may result in a more positive view of the company by the employees, but that is extra to me.

Now, something totally different. I have not gone to your website to check out your business because you are selling me too hard. You could have responded to my post without the pitch at the end and I would have more than likely gone to your site. But you are trying too hard for me. This forum is about sharing information, and there is something about having a sales message at the end of each post that pushes me away. It is like the car salesperson who won't stop trying to qualify you, I just want to look at the car but he is in my ear trying to close the sale. Talk to people more and sell less, and you may get a different response. But that is just me. This was a great opportunity for you to share your view on holiday gifts as incentive gifts but instead you're trying to drive home the sale. And look how I responded. Honest communication sells more than factual information.

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iventures 75 posts since
Sep 26, 2008

5. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 7, 2008 9:57 AM

in response to: Iwrite

Well firstly thanks for your generous opinion (surely helpful tip). Secondly I was'nt driving sale specifically to you. My customers are people who feel gifting cash loses the percieved value of the gift. The person/ employee most of times ends up evaluating his worth (based on the cash he/ she recieves). Think of a husband giving $10 to his wife (so that she can choose- cash being the King) v/s flowers worth same amount. What do you think will be more appreciated. Now I just used the flowers as example. That does not mean giving cash is a bad idea (it does give choice if you give a whole lot...like 100s or 1000s of dollars), it just means that if you give a little time to personalize the gift it will be much more appreciated. It tells the reciever that you have given it a little thought.

Again not trying to drive a sell here, but just my views about gifting.

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Iwrite 1,101 posts since
Dec 29, 2007

6. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 7, 2008 6:52 PM

in response to: iventures

I see this as an opportunity to discuss this, nothing more. I have seen people who make 6-figures get so excited and thankful for a $100 gift. I think it is all about expectations. I can't count the number of times, I've heard employees complaining because the gift they recieved was not something they liked. I have never heard anyone complain about cash or a gift card. I also noticed that the gifts are never as much as the cash.

The smallest cash gift I have recieved has been $50. The cheapest gift I recieved was a container of snack food and a book(that I really didn't like). The dinner at the Holiday party cost more than that gift, and the employees noticed and talked about it. So much so, that the CEO apologized and gave each employee $50.

Your flower example isn't the same - family members are a different dynamic. No one would ask their wife to fill out an expense report when she comes home from shopping, and expect peace to continue to exist at home.

As much as I believe in rewarding employees, there is a difference between gifts, incentives and bonuses. You are talking about incentives, not gifts. I believe you can give a gift or cash in two of these instances, but never for a bonus.

The question is how do you and your employees view holiday gifts? I have never continued to work for anyone because of a holiday gift or quit over one. It doesn't play into my overall job satisfaction.

I give gifts during the holiday to share with others, not to encourage them to continue to be my friends or employees. The funny part of this discussion is I am more the type of customer you want. I give thanks as often as possible in the form of gifts, money or meals to both employees and customers. I feel it is the way business should be.

Placing "holiday" into the equation changed how I feel about this. I don't know why, but it did.

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intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008

7. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 8, 2008 3:51 AM

Money talks, with of course a trifle gift that says something like: "I work here and I am proud".

The holidays are a time of stress for many with the economy the way it currently is.

If your business is currently successful this is the direct result to everyone within the organization.

Best to make this a good holiday gift giving season if possible, as this will insure another positve year, with grateful employees.

With all of the businesses currently going under, the competition for the best of the best will rise, as well as pay for the best of the best.

If you have the best of the best, you had better keep them.

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intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008

8. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 8, 2008 3:54 AM

in response to: intechspecial

I wanted to expand on the trifle gift.

It could be a t-shirt, executive pen, coffee mug, etc.

If your business is managed correctly, your employees work extremely hard to keep you in business.

Best that you work extremely hard to keep this quality of employees.

Gratitude is best displayed with a company party and a holiday bonus.

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iventures 75 posts since
Sep 26, 2008

9. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 8, 2008 8:58 AM

in response to: Iwrite

Thanks!! You have listed some really great points. I really admire the clarity of your thinking. I noticed how you have seperated incentives from gifts. Obviously we don't recommend snack boxes but our gift collections include popular brand names like adidas®, Sony®, Ghirardelli®, Cuisinart®, and more. Impressive selections of home décor, gourmet foods, electronics, toys, jewelry, recreational gear, etc. We want to target right customer. Any recommendations on how I can do this?

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Iwrite 1,101 posts since
Dec 29, 2007

10. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 8, 2008 10:55 AM

in response to: iventures

It is the message. I got hung up on the words "holiday gift." If you had phrased this "Best gift to show your appreciation and encourage employees," I would have been right there with you.

Cater your message to speak to the emotional part of the business owner, not the rational. Look at Intechspecial's post, it is about gratitude and recognizing employee contribution. I think he gives you a wonderful insight into the message. You already know who you need to be speaking to - owners, HR, office managers.

You understand the power of giving a gift, why not use your product as your promotional piece? Send one shoe and let folks know they will get the second one or the right sized pair when you meet with them. Send the remote control and a picture of the car or the attachment to the electrical device - create interest while proving your point that everyone loves getting a gift.

Who is your ideal customer? Is it a male of a female? What are their concerns about the upcoming holiday season? What motivates them to make a decision? What are the barriers to them placing an order? What do they want from a gift? How important are the employees' feeling in this process?

Answer some of these and see if targeting doesn't get a little easier.

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Howard 82 posts since
Jul 29, 2008

11. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 8, 2008 3:42 PM

What about the good old fashion Holiday party? Is anybody having a company Holiday party this year?

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KPIfix 3 posts since
Mar 25, 2008

12. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 9, 2008 1:15 AM

I've got one word... chocolate (please)

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iventures 75 posts since
Sep 26, 2008

13. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 9, 2008 10:21 AM

Also visit my thread: Holiday Gift Giving: How Your Budget can Survive the Season in Accounting and Budgeting

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soapin 6 posts since
Oct 9, 2008

14. Re: Best Holiday Gifts for Employees..? Oct 9, 2008 11:17 AM

While money is a great thing I think that people appreciate acknowledgement of a hard days work.

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