Choosing the Perfect Employee’s Gift

­Gift-giving to one’s employees is a common practice in everyday office life. It has been shown to boost employees’ morale, provide incentives for them to keep up the good work, and demonstrate the gift-giver’s appreciation for what they do. There are numerous opportunities to give corporate gifts all around the year – New Year, anniversaries, birthdays, or even when you just feel like celebrating a breakthrough.

However, gift-giving to employees can also pose a difficult challenge. An employer should definitely keep their professional employer-employee relationship in mind when picking out a gift, but on the other hand, what kind of items are professional enough to give while remaining useful and practical to the recipient? As experts of corporate gifts in Singapore, we have put together a list of what you should consider when choosing the perfect gift for your employees.

Set a Budget

Setting a clear budget not only helps to narrow down your options, but also avoids sending the wrong message to your employees. While you definitely would not want to give something low-budget, it may also not be a good idea to present something too expensive or lavish, as this could represent a conflict of interest and may make for an awkward situation later on. In some cases, your recipients may even feel obliged to pay you back with a similar-valued gift. It is probably better to show your appreciation through putting thought into the gift, rather than money, in most situations.

Consider Office Etiquette

Even if you are extremely close to your employees, it is important to take office etiquette into account. A general rule of thumb is never to give something you would not normally want to see in an office setting. Your recipient may have a great sense of humour, but what kind of message would you be sending with a baudy or suggestive gift? If you know your employees well, try looking for something that you know they will enjoy or use. When in doubt, always go for the safer option and keep it strictly professional.

Personalise It

It may be tempting to simply order a generic item in bulk and give the same thing to everyone at the workplace – after all, it is the surest way to get the gifting over and done with. However, we know these situations all too well, where everyone around you gets the exact same item as you, as a half-hearted employee appreciation gift. If you really want the gift to be memorable, it would be great to personalise an item for every one of your recipients.

It may be tempting to simply order a generic item in bulk and give the same thing to everyone at the workplace – after all, it is the surest way to get the gifting over and done with. However, we know these situations all too well, where everyone around you gets the exact same item as you, as a half-hearted employee appreciation gift. If you really want the gift to be memorable, it would be great to personalise an item for every one of your recipients.

Choose Something Shareable

Many corporate gifts are for only one person – a portable charger, a mousepad, or a piece of apparel, to name a few. What about allowing your gift recipient to share the joy of their reward with their co-workers, friends and family? It is definitely possible to keep your gift simple while giving your employees the opportunity to spread their happiness to their loved ones. Some ideas for shareable gifts include edible items such as snack boxes and chocolates, a pair of tickets, a family voucher, matching sets of cutlery and more. By giving a shareable gift, you can bring your employees even more than just material things – the joy of appreciating your gift with their friends and family. In fact, research has shown that people are happier when giving things to others instead of just receiving them. It also demonstrates that you take the time to consider your employees’ personal lives in addition to their work contributions. This sends the affirming message that you see your employees as unique individuals with their own lives and commitments, rather than just gears in a system.

Having trouble finding a memorable gift that is reasonable in price, practical and also sends a good message to your employees? We are here to assist you with the selection process. Boasting one of the largest selections of customised gifts in Singapore, we are sure to have you spoilt for choice. Shop our wide variety of corporate office gifts and prepare a pleasant and meaningful surprise for your valued employees!