8 Best Gifts for Virtual Employees
Working from home presents business owners with new challenges. Whether it’s your first remote holiday season or it’s the norm for you, you might be thinking about what to give your work-from-home staff this year. That in itself can pose a conundrum. What to give when you can’t give them their gifts in person?
No worrying is needed. The virtual world presents countless opportunities to delight your employees, whether you’re treating them to some company swag, like customized pens and notebooks, or surprising them with some useful technology accessories. That’s the keyword: useful. Always make sure that what you give has some value to your employees’ lives. It’s customary to give something related to the job, but you don’t have to do this if you know your employees especially well. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.
A Stress-Less Kit
You may not be able to serve as their in-person sounding board, but there’s no doubt your hard-working employees will appreciate a gift that helps them decompress each day. The best thing about this type of gift is that you can make it virtual or send them a care package if you prefer. For a digital version, purchase them a subscription to a meditation app and send a copy or two of a popular motivational book. You can send an electronic gift card to a chain restaurant or coffee shop so they can treat themselves. They deserve it.
A Set of Desk Essentials
When they work from home, they probably need to purchase all of their own office supplies. Help them start the new year in an organized fashion by surprising them with a collection of everything they might need at home. For example, a notepad, pens, some pre-printed envelopes, and company office labels may all be useful to your team. Consider sending it in a logo business bag, they can use whenever they head out to work at a coffee shop or other public space.
An Easy-Care Houseplant
Studies show that plants have the ability to lift spirits and make any day a little brighter. Little touches like houseplants can make a big difference in livening up their workspace for employees who work from home. A plant will dress up their desk, breathe new life to their windowsill, or add an interesting focal point to their bookshelf. To be safe, select something that doesn’t require too much time or effort to sustain, like a succulent. They’re stylish and look great on any surface—and because their fleshy stems are filled with water, they barely need any care at all.
A Tea or Coffee Break
Whether it’s tea or coffee that they love, they deserve to take a break and relax with a hot cup. Why not treat them to some caffeine? Purchase a few custom ceramic mugs, then personalize each package with their preferred tea or coffee. Not sure what they really love? Try giving them a variety pack instead. As a special finishing touch, plan a virtual coffee break with your team—not to talk shop but to unwind and celebrate in the digital realm before you all break for the holidays.
A Few Tech Essentials
Most modern-day employees require some technology essentials. Items like wireless charging docks, screen protectors, earbuds, cord organizing kits, charging cables, and headphones all make fantastic gifts for the employees who put so much energy into making your company a success year-round. Why not reward them with a few of these must-haves? They’ll be grateful for the thought, and you can be certain that they’ll find a good use for everything year-round.
A High-Quality Bag
Just because they work from home doesn’t mean they don’t venture out from time to time. Some people work better in public spaces, whether it’s a nearby café or a coworking spot. Whatever the situation, they’ll need a fantastic bag to keep everything they need for the job handy, like their laptop or tablet, other tech essentials, notepads, and office basics. A handsome work backpack is a thoughtful gift that shows you’re thinking about their needs and are greatly appreciative for all that they do.
A Selection of Snacks
Alongside their caffeine of choice, snacks are the fuel many remote workers need to stay focused. Have fun choosing from a variety of items, like holiday-themed cookies or chocolates in a decorative tin if you want to keep things festive. You can also find snack subscription boxes packed with different kinds of treats that range from sweet to spicy to savory. This is usually the safest bet if you aren’t sure what they would specifically like.
A Comfortable Team Jacket
Celebrate the important role they play in your professional success by thanking them with a uniform jacket. Featuring your logo, it helps set them apart in a crowd and helps them feel like a big part of the team. It’s a great way to treat everyone at the end of a busy year full of challenges and successes.
No matter what you choose to give, you can bet your employees will be grateful for the time and effort you put into gifting items that are useful and valuable to them. Learn more about the importance of giving in our latest e-book, The Ultimate Corporate Gifting Guide.