More Than Holiday Cheer: The Year-Round Benefits Of Employee Gifts

Learn why even small gifts can have an outsized impact on how your employees feel about the company, their work, and you!

Tom Dixon
Learn why even small gifts can have an outsized impact on how your employees feel about the company, their work, and you!

More Than Holiday Cheer: The Year-Round Benefits Of Employee Gifts

Stocking stuffers for your team are almost a given during the holidays. But the simple act of giving in a business context is an investment in your employees and business that pays off no matter the season.

When executed well, a corporate gifting program has a meaningful impact on your bottom line. From nurturing relationships to boosting morale, here’s how the art of thoughtful gifting translates into tangible returns.

Boost Morale

In a quirk of psychology, we naturally want to give something back when we receive a gift. Researchers have found even a water bottle is enough to trigger this principle of reciprocity.

In 2018, researchers set up a reciprocity study with 100 clinicians. The researchers gave one group of clinicians a gift based on performance. The other group received an unconditional gift.

The results? The group that received the unconditional gift improved their performance by 20 percent.

Forge Deeper Bonds

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Corporate gifts show employees you value their contributions. Make people feel valued, and they’re more likely to feel good about their relationship with you. 

An improved relationship was among the top three advantages of corporate gifting, according to a Coresight Research survey of 300 corporate buyers.

In a world where remote work has become more prevalent, and physical distance between teams is commonplace, a thoughtfully chosen gift can bridge gaps, create warmth, and build a shared corporate culture.

This culture of giving and gratitude contributes to a more cohesive, cooperative work environment, ultimately driving the company's success from the inside out.

Ignite Employee Advocacy

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At the heart of every thriving organization is its people—employees who are not just part of the workflow, but are the pulse of the brand's identity. When your people resonate with the company's ethos, they become its most authentic and persuasive advocates. 

The simple act of giving a thoughtful gift to an employee can ignite this advocacy because it makes them feel appreciated. Their workplace satisfaction translates into enthusiastic conversations with friends, family, and social networks. 

This kind of endorsement fosters a positive public image and can help attract like-minded prospects and future employees who are drawn to a company that cares. It's a cycle of goodwill that starts with the recognition of an individual's contribution and spirals outward to create a community of brand advocates, all from a simple, sincere gesture of appreciation.

Cultivate Loyalty

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Don’t get us wrong; the paycheck still matters. But today, most employees are looking for more from their workplace. They want a culture that shares their values, and they want to feel appreciated.

Corporate gifting is a thoughtful way to recognize employees. It shows their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. 

A gift has more impact than just a small bonus attached to their pay stub. They may not even notice that small amount on their direct deposit.

A gift, on the other hand, feels special. In his New York Times bestseller Influence, Robert Cialdini shared a story about a woman who stayed in her job for years simply because of the small birthday gift her boss gave her each year.

Research finds the same results as Cialdini’s tale. In a 2023 survey of 1,500 working Americans, corporate gifting company Snappy found two out of three working Americans told corporate gifting company Snappy that a birthday gift makes them feel more satisfied with their job. Four in five said employee gifts improve morale in the workplace. And three in four said those gifts help with retention.

Kick Off Your Employee Gifting Program This Holiday Season

Your corporate employee gifting program should be far more than just a seasonal tradition, or a nice-to-have. If wielded with thought and care, gifting can be a strategic tool with year-round benefits.

Want a better way to give gifts to your team? Chat with ours today!

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