Holiday gift ideas for employees: 15 picks for 2026
By Kate Monica●6 min. read●Oct 12, 2026
The holidays are coming up fast, which means it’s time for your HR team to start thinking about employee holiday gifts. The right gift isn’t just a meaningful token of your company’s appreciation: It can also boost job satisfaction and employee engagement.
In our 2023 survey of 1,500 employees across 10 industries, we found that the right gift can boost job satisfaction and engagement for 3 months or more for 75% of employees. Even more noteworthy: for 46% of employees, this boost in job satisfaction lasts a year or more.
On the flip side, many employees reported receiving gifts so thoughtless that they felt worse than they would have if they’d received nothing at all. Thirty percent have received holiday gifts that made them feel markedly unappreciated.
If you’re unsure what your staff will appreciate most, this list of 15 gift ideas will help you bring some holiday cheer in 2026.
Gear for the office or at-home desk
Getting a novel gadget is always fun, particularly if you don’t have to splurge on it yourself. Consider giving employees a gift they can use every day while they work. The gifts listed range from $50-$250, so pick whatever aligns with your holiday gifting budget. And if you want help determining what that budget should be, we’ve got you covered.
Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless noise-cancelling earbuds
Wireless noise-canceling headphones can be a game-changer for anyone working in an open office. They’re also great for those working from home with young children (or inconsiderate roommates). The Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds have an 8-hour battery life that extends to 24 hours with the charging case, and they’re pleasantly lightweight and comfortable. At $250, they’re a good option for businesses that have had a particularly good year.
Peak Design tech pouch
This sleek, space-efficient travel pack stores cables, travel essentials, and delicate tech safely within a 200D recycled nylon canvas shell. Weatherproof, 6x10”, and built to fit snugly in employees’ backpacks or suitcases. And at $50, it’s a luxurious gift that’ll suit most any budget.
Belkin wireless charger
File this gift under things your employees didn’t know they needed, and now can’t live without. This is $40 well spent. This wireless charger is compatible with the latest MagSafe devices including iPhones, Android phones, and AirPods.
Its slim and lightweight design makes it perfect for travel. If you’ve got a little extra room in your budget, pair this gift with the Tech Pack above for a stylish and utilitarian travel-themed gift.
It's an especially great holiday gift idea for employees who are always on the go.
Desk plants
Whether your employees are in the office or working from home, gifting a desk plant is a great way to spruce up their space. According to several studies, greenery can also boost mood, increase productivity, reduce stress, and even improve sleep quality.
Beyond boosting employees’ mood and productivity, plants are also aesthetically pleasing, and many options are low-maintenance. Consider gifting a snake, ZZ, aloe vera, or bamboo plant.
Protip: Avoid low-denomination tech gift cards
If you want to give employees the flexibility to buy their own gadgets, a Best Buy, Apple, or Nintendo gift card is a solid option. But bear in mind that you’ll have to load the cards with a reasonable denomination so employees can purchase something decent. Gifting employees a $20 Apple gift card, for example, will likely elicit eye rolls. Our survey results showed employees feel demotivated and even disrespected by gift cards worth meager amounts, particularly if they’re intended for retailers that largely only offer pricey products.
Self-care & wellness gifts for a stress-free holiday season
A fair number of your employees are probably taking a week off around the end of December for some much-needed R&R. Kickstart their reset with a zen gift designed for comfort, or purpose-built to promote a sense of wellbeing. Pair this gift with a thank-you note encouraging employees to take it easy after a calendar year of hard work.
Bamboo & Jersey Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets are designed to reduce anxiety and stress by essentially enveloping the wearer in a never-ending hug. The throw-sized Bamboo & Jersey weighted blanket is 12 pounds (sounds heavier than it feels) and priced at $198.
Ostrichpillow Heated Neck Wrap
This neck wrap applies gentle pressure and steady warmth to ease shoulder and neck tension. Perfect for employees who spend a third of their day bent over a laptop, or travel for company events like offsites or conferences. It’s a cozier, thinner, temperature-controlled version of the traditional neck pillow, and costs just $49.
L.L Bean Wicked Good Moccasins
Wirecutter named these one of the best pairs of slippers of 2026 based on warmth, support, durability, and price. They come in 7 colors and boast over 15,000 five-star reviews. Great for indoor or outdoor wear, they’re priced around $100.
Walking pad
Walking pads are a great way to help employees get some refreshing exercise, even if they don't have time to head to the gym or squeeze in a run. They're also a great resource for those who live in less-than-walkable neighborhoods, or employees who live in regions where the long, cold winter months leave them stranded indoors.
Even a short walk can improve mood, reduce stress, and boost creativity. And while some walking pads are cost-prohibitive, there are many options available for about $100.
Protip: Skip basic, utilitarian items
Sending employees a gift centered on a theme of wellness, comfort, or convenience is a nice thought. But avoid employee holiday gifts that are too utilitarian, to the point that they’re common, everyday items most people already own.
In our survey, a number of employees reported receiving household items like screwdrivers and umbrellas as holiday gifts. They didn’t go over well. If you’re buying gifts with wellness or comfort in mind, avoid bed sheets or pillowcases, artisan soaps, or candles. Most people own or can easily purchase these items on their own.
Subscription services
If you’re going to opt to gift employees a subscription box, tread carefully. In our survey, we found the vast majority of employees don’t want everyday food items like jellies or nuts. If you’re going to go with a subscription box, opt for something luxurious.
Pick a crowd-pleasing essential, or choose a box with a high-end theme likely to impress and delight. Before pulling out the expense card, it’s best to survey employees and allow them to pick from a few different options..
Sorate monthly matcha box
As far as subscription boxes go, the Sorate Monthly Box is a solid choice. Especially if you’re going with a wellness or self-care theme for gifts this year. This $35 monthly gift gives recipients an assortment of hand-selected teas, including Gyokuro Superior and Genmaicha Matcha.
Obviously, it’s ideal for tea enthusiasts, but it’s also a fun experiment for those interested in expanding their palate.
Grill Masters Club
For the grilling enthusiasts at your office, consider a Grill Masters Club subscription. Each month's selections are carefully curated by professional pitmasters. Give employees healthy samples of barbecue sauce and rub combos each month.
This subscription box is great for adventurous eaters and curious cooks alike.
Book of the month club
For the team of avid readers, the Books Are Magic Book Club curates hidden gems across fiction, essays and memoirs, poetry, and romance and sends them right to employees’ doorsteps. Another benefit: it's a great opportunity to start up an office book club.
Online learning subscriptions
Give the gift of continual learning with an online learning subscription for employees looking to develop new skills.
At only $120 for a year's worth of courses, classes, and bite-sized lessons, MasterClass gives employees the chance to become better cooks, leaders, artists, and much more.
With thousands of courses to pick from, this makes a great option for any employee, regardless of their specific interests and hobbies.
Protip: Don’t send artisan jams and jellies
In our survey, many respondents specifically called out artisan jams and jellies as being among their least favorite gifts.
“Our boss had recently let us know that we weren’t going to receive end-of-year bonuses, and then he gave everyone an impersonal package of three jams and jellies,” wrote one respondent. “This was literally what Chevy Chase’s character went through in 'National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.' I was embarrassed for my boss being so out of touch.”
While fancy food items might seem like a good Christmas gift idea for employees, most prefer tailored gifts.
Personalized gifts
Personalized gifts can be a nice gesture for managers buying for small teams. Things Remembered lets businesses brand hundreds of gift options, from shot glasses to phone chargers, with employees' names and initials.
While personalizing gifts is a nice gesture, it's not totally necessary. In our holiday gifting survey, we found 75% of employees don't care whether a gift is personalized or not. However, half of respondents said a personalized note from their boss would be appreciated.
Additional paid time off
Our survey found that the second-most popular holiday gift behind money is additional paid time off. This gift beat out wine tastings, team dinners, and other experiences. A consistent thread across survey responses was the freedom of choice. Employees want to decide for themselves how they spend their time and money.
There are two ways to gift a day off: You can pick a specific date to announce a company-wide holiday, or you give employees a floating PTO day to take whenever they want.
It’s a pleasant surprise that gives employees the flexibility to spend their free time on whatever makes them happiest. While scheduling a company event may seem like a more personal and festive reward, many employees in our survey reported that it can feel like yet another obligation during an already jam-packed holiday season.
Virtual rewards
While the above employee holiday gifts are all great options, our survey respondents made it abundantly clear they’d prefer to receive money as a holiday gift. A whopping 65% stated their ideal holiday gift is money, either in the form of a Visa prepaid card, money added to their paycheck, or a virtual reward they can redeem however they want.
You can pair a digital reward with a small physical gift like a mall box of chocolates or a holiday-themed card.
Wrapping up
A thoughtful holiday gift can build goodwill with employees and even improve performance. The key lesson? Give something your staff will appreciate. Physical gifts, when they align with your team’s interests and needs, can be a good option. If you have a large team or don’t have time to identify what each person wants most, digital gift cards and payouts are a great alternative.
Tremendous makes it easy to send gifts to employees around the world. Each person gets to pick what they want from a catalog your team curates. With over 2,500 gift cards, monetary option, and donations to choose from, there’s something for everyone. And you can customize your message and branding with your company logo and colors for a personal touch.
