3 Tips for Giving High-Impact Employee Gifts

In today’s world, employers need to understand that expressing gratitude towards their employees is so much more than just a nice gesture – it’s an investment in morale, loyalty, and productivity. Creating a positive workplace culture that supports the growth, comfort, and happiness of employees is easier said than done. But when you focus on building it, the benefits to yourself, your business, and your employees are incredible.

However overwhelming it may seem, improving morale doesn’t have to be a daunting task. It often begins with simple, small gestures and actions, like giving the right branded gifts! Research from the PPAI shows that unrelated to their pay or work schedule, thoughtful gifts are preferred by employees over planned social outings, recognition on social media, educational conferences, and career discussions as a way for managers or supervisors to show them that they are valued. This is great information for managers and employers, but one question remains: what constitutes a ‘thoughtful gift’? Here are our thoughts on the matter:

1. Personalize, personalize, personalize

This one is important. Find a way to make your gift feel personal and meaningful to each and every one of your employees, no matter how big or small your company is! One size does not fit all when it comes to employee gifts, and if your team perceives themselves to be receiving a cold, cookie-cutter handout that took little thought or effort, they’re going to feel less like a valued and recognized team member, and more like an afterthought or an obligation.

Now, we’re not suggesting that you create a completely different and uniquely constructed gift for every single one of your employees. That would be both expensive and impractical. Rather, look for ways that you can heighten the personal value of employee gifts with the way you give them, the reasons you give them, or subtle aspects of the gifts that reflect something unique about that person. This might look like a hand-written card or perhaps a branded item customized with their title or department name. Another great idea is to personally gift a branded product, gift bundle, or other goodie to your valued employees in face-to-face meetings, or in specific recognition of a job well done on an important project.

2. Align with Company Values and Culture

Building a strong workplace culture means fostering a sense of identity and belonging within an organization, and that involves identifying common goals and values. The most engaged employees often personally identify with the work that they do and the company that they work for. Whatever your company believes in, whatever unites you as a team and as an organization, your branded gifts need to reflect those values and that culture. Practically, this means if you’re an innovation-focused company, your employee gifts might reflect efficiency, convenience, modern technology, and so on. Reinforcing company values consistently and often is necessary to develop a strong positive culture.

3. Focus on Quality and Utility

Forget about the biggest trends of the moment –you know your people. Give them something practical and long-lasting. What kind of gifts are they likely to use? What will they find helpful or that will genuinely improve their lives in some way? Branded gifts should always serve a purpose beyond mere decoration. They should also be of high quality– not only to convey a sense of value but also to withstand the wear and tear of regular use over a long time.

At Mapleleaf Promotions, we’re here to help you create truly impactful branded gifts to boost employee morale and help you get one step closer to achieving your ideal corporate culture. Check out our site to browse hundreds of customizable products to get you started, and contact us if you need any help along the way!