Every autumn, HR teams face the same question: what do you give a workforce of different ages, diets, tastes and, increasingly, countries? A gift that delights one person can be ignored by the next, and the more people you buy for, the less likely a single product is to fit. 

Below, we assess the pros and cons of some popular options. 

Christmas hamper 

The hamper is the traditional choice, with its share of pros and cons. In person, it is often more exciting than a gift card, simply because the products are right in front of you. But recipients have to take what they’re given, even if they have allergies or dietary restrictions, or simply dislike what’s inside. For employers, coordinating storage and distribution is hard, especially with remote workers. 

Grocery certificates 

A popular compromise. Employers don’t have to worry about cold storage — and with online certificates, there’s no storage at all, which makes them well suited to remote teams. Employees choose their own products based on their preferences and diet. 

Christmas stockings 

A stocking filled with small gifts — pens, chocolate, a tech gadget such as a good charger — is festive and adds an element of surprise. Assembling it takes time, which is a con for the giver but can be a pro for the employee: the effort shows care. As with hampers, food items can run into allergies and dietary restrictions. 

Gift cards 

Gift cards are not ludic or fun, but they are practical. Employees choose what they want, and employers don’t need to store or assemble anything. You can pick a bookshop voucher, for example, or anything that connects with your company’s values and mission. 

Branded items 

Branded items can support employer branding efforts. Whenever employees wear or use them, they promote your employer brand. 

Branded tumblers 

Not everyone will use a tumbler regularly, and it carries little holiday feel. Pair it with something more festive or save it for other occasions during the year. 

Branded T-shirts and caps 

The main problem is sizing. Expect a spreadsheet of measurements, a round of exchanges, or both. 

Branded backpack 

A backpack avoids the sizing problem and is useful for commuting, travel, or the gym, so it is more likely to be used regularly than a tumbler. The trade-offs: it is pricier than most branded items, and not everyone wants another backpack. 

If you choose a sustainable model, such as one made from recycled materials, check the supplier’s claims, since “sustainable” is often used loosely. 

A bottle of wine 

Wine is a festive choice, and it lands well with many teams. The main drawback is that not everyone drinks, whether for religious or personal reasons (e.g., pregnancy, medication, or a history of alcohol use disorder). If you go this route, offer a non-alcoholic alternative. 

Shipping alcohol to remote staff can be restricted or complicated, so wine may not be the best option for a remote team. 

Hard cash 

Money never goes out of style. For inspiration on presentation, look to the red envelope tradition of Lunar New Year in Chinese culture, where the ritual matters as much as the money. By tradition, the giver chooses a nice envelope and new, crisp banknotes. 

One con: cash is treated as salary in many countries and taxed accordingly, so check the rules first. 

Charity donation 

A charity donation in the employee’s name works well as an extra, but as the only gift it may disappoint. Even employees who care about the cause may still want something for themselves. 

Experiences 

A voucher for a spa experience lets employees choose when to relax after a hard year of work. 

You can also turn the experience into a team-building occasion — an escape room or a cooking class, for example. If part or all of your team is remote, this becomes more complex. Gathering a remote team in person at least once a year is worth considering; if that isn’t possible, online escape rooms and cooking classes are an alternative. 

Extra time off 

Extra time off has a lower cash cost, which makes it a meaningful option on a tight budget. The con: it carries a productivity cost. 

Before you decide: three tips 

Mix and match 

You can mix and match two or more gift types. For example, a charity donation alongside a personal gift, or a branded tumbler (or mug, or T-shirt) paired with a gift card. 

Check the rules before you buy 

Tax and legal treatment of gifts varies by country. For employers with staff in several countries, that can decide which option is viable. 

Be realistic 

No gift pleases everyone, so the realistic aim is a gift that few people dislike and most can adapt to their own lives. 

Plan early 

The best holiday gifting programs are planned early. That’s when suppliers have stock and flexibility — and better prices as a likely consequence. Early planning also leaves time to ship to remote employees and to check local rules on gifts. 

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