16 Gifts For Employees That They’ll Actually Love (AND Use)
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Choosing gifts for you employees, regardless of the occasion, can be a bit of a stumper.
If you go overboard, it may make people uncomfortable. If you grab something last minute without giving it any thought, you might as well give them nothing but a note of thanks. Which is always appreciated, btw. In fact, people would usually rather have a heartfelt thanks over a thoughtless gift anyway. Just sayin’.
So leave the shopping to us! The gang here at L&L knows how to pick a good employee gift. Mainly because as employees, we know what we’d like to get.
Can you believe it? There are actual people who put together these shopping roundups for you! Picking gifts, drinking coffee, writing about them, drinking coffee, formatting the articles so they’re fun for you to read, then grabbing a cup of coffee!
Yep, us staffers have loads of fun putting together gifting lists – the endless mugs of coffee don’t hurt either.
Gifts Your Employees Will Love (No Jelly Of The Month Club Here!)
1. Water Bottle + Speaker
This just makes so much sense. Honestly, how much better can it get than a water bottle that’ll play your music via bluetooth while you’re getting in a workout or picnicking? It’s also perfect for getting enjoying a few tunes while at work. Your employees will appreciate the practicality of this gift, for sure!
Materials: Plastic, Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 9.75″ H x 3″ Diameter, Holds 17 fl. oz.
2. Nesting Food Bowls
These nesting food bowls are absolutely perfect for the daily lunch packer. The outer bowl is thermally insulated to keep meals cold or hot, and the inner prep-bowl is microwave, fridge, and freezer safe.
Close it all up with a leak proof lid, and you’ve got a compact, all-in-one meal prep system. The set comes in a large selection of styles and colors to choose from, and the whole thing is small enough to throw in a medium-sized bag or purse.
3. Mini Speaker
This little bluetooth speaker is portable enough to take everywhere your staff might want to take their tunes. It’ll play for 2 hours on a 30 minute charge, and has a built-in mic for taking calls hands-free.
Maybe the coolest feature of this speaker is that it’s a selfie remote too. All they have to do is open the photos app on their phone and press the button on the bottom of the speaker. They’ll never miss another Instagrammable moment!
4. Monogram Mug
At the risk of sounding dramatic, we think when you’re dealing with a long day at the office, savoring every second of that coffee break is vital for keeping your sanity.
As far as we’re concerned, drinking your brew out of a beautiful mug puts you at least ¼ of the way to coffee break nirvana.
These gorgeous stoneware tiled monogram mugs are just the ticket to making your employee’s coffee or tea experience therapeutic and rejuvenating. Fill them with candies or little treats, and you’ve got a gift everyone will love.
5. Monogrammed Notebook
We often feature notebooks in our gift articles because we really do think they’re a great gift for anyone. Even if your recipient isn’t a journaler, a blank notebook is useful in so many ways.
They can use it as a planner, write down recipes, jot down reminders in it- whatever they use it for, it’s almost always a winner.
These notebooks are particularly pretty in our opinion, and you can customize it with their name in metallic script. They come in 6 lovely colors – perfect for giving to your whole team.
6. Coffee Pour-Over Set
These ceramic coffee drippers are just the thing for the coffee lovers in your office. The ceramic keeps the coffee at just the right temperature while it brews, and the design allows the user to easily make stronger or milder coffee by controlling how quickly the water filters through. Its shape also allows the coffee to “breathe” during the brewing process, accentuating its unique flavor notes. Makes 1-4 cups.
7. Air Plants
Air plants are so easy. It’s nearly impossible to kill them, so even your employees with a black thumb can enjoy them at their desk or at home without worrying about caring for them.
The plant is held gently by adorable, bendy little handmade wooden mini men to add a bit of whimsy. They come with magnets in their little hands and feet so you can pose them on their magnetic stand. They do yoga, handstands, hugs and more – really the only limit is your creativity!
11 ½ inches tall, made from natural pine.
8. Chia Pet
Chia pets always make great gifts and the unicorn is one of our faves.
They’re fun and fanciful! All you have to do is get him wet, stand the mythical creature in its drip tray, spread on the seeds, and wait for the fluffy green coat to sprout. Desktop magic.
9. Book Gift Card
When in doubt, give gift cards! Literally, we can’t think of a single person who doesn’t love to get a gift card, particularly when it’s for somewhere (or something) that’s perfectly suited to their interests or style.
That’s why we suggest a gift card to Barnes & Noble – it’s great for anyone because B&N has something for everyone, even those who aren’t book lovers. Gift this with a heartfelt note of appreciation, and they’ll love it.
10. Large Tote Bag
Much like journals and gift cards, we think tote bags are endlessly useful. The totes from the Oh, Little Rabbit shop at Etsy are especially swoon-worthy. With a massive number of design options, these organic cotton totes will get your employees plenty of compliments at the grocery store, farmers’ market, library, or wherever else they take their roomy tote bag.
11. Candle Set
With 8 exotic scents, you’re sure to find something everyone will love with these gorgeous handmade candles. They come in sets of three, and feature colorful, beautifully-designed tin containers.
Each candle is 3.5 oz, and 2.75″H, 2.75″ diameter.
12. Chocolate
Anyone who doesn’t like fancy chocolates can just drop them off here, because MAN they’re awesome. Especially the Godiva variety.
Each little truffle is like its own present just waiting to be unwrapped! This box has flavors like toasted nut truffle, salted almond, salted caramel, crunchy hazelnut, Aztec spice, dark chocolate, strawberry cream tarte, and many more.
Perfection. Rhymes with confection. Coincidence? Doubtful…
13. Cute Hand Sanitizer Spray + Refill
Hand sanitizer doesn’t have to compromise on style, as Anthropologie proves. Your employees will get lots of compliments on these uniquely-designed sanitizer spray bottles every time they use it. Which, let’s face it, is a lot right now.
The bottle holds over 500 sprays, and the sanitizer is 65% alcohol fortified with glycerin and aloe to keep your hands from cracking and falling off, especially during the winter months! PLus it’s refillable.
14. Flowers
Like chocolates, we happen to think flowers are always a good gift, especially if they’re plantable. Bouqs has great selections all year-round that are perfect for saying ‘thanks’, as well as special occasion bouquets for birthdays, holidays, and other noteworthy moments.
15. Wall Art
With literally hundreds of unique, individually-designed pieces, you’re bound to find something for any employee’s tastes at Minted. We really love the fact that each work of art has been handcrafted and designed by an independent artist, not mass produced from a warehouse somewhere.
You can support an artist and thank your employees – a win/win.
16. Monogrammed Socks
Snuggly socks are always appreciated as a gift, and when you have them embroidered with your employee’s initials, they’re even better! These particular socks come in a set of five pairs, and are fitted for men, but we can’t think of any reason they wouldn’t be just as appropriate for women, too.
Happy Gifting!
As the boss, you’re the captain of the ship. The leader of the crew. The big cheese. One of the responsibilities of a role like that is knowing how to keep everyone happy and motivated.
So take notes about your folks and their tastes, then keep them in mind so when the holidays or birthdays roll around, you’ll be prepared with a thoughtful gift.
That’s where a good journal comes in handy (for your note taking).
And coffee.
See? Told you we know our stuff.
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