The Ultimate Guide to Employee Appreciation Gifts (That Employees Actually Love)

Appreciation is more than a “nice-to-have.” It’s a strategy for culture-building, retention, and morale. And it deserves more than a gift card or a branded water bottle (we love a good bottle, but more on that later).

The truth is, most employees don’t need another mug with the company logo. What they want is to feel seen. Valued. Considered.

That’s where intentional employee appreciation comes in, and it goes far beyond holiday season gift-giving. It’s how you show up for your team, year-round.

Here’s your guide to creating appreciation moments that matter—through values-aligned gifts, shared experiences, and small actions with lasting impact.

Before you pick out a gift or plan an offsite, get clear on the intention behind the gesture.

Are you recognizing someone for their years of service? Celebrating a team win? Boosting morale during a tough quarter? Or simply reinforcing your culture of gratitude?

When the “why” is clear, the “how” becomes more meaningful.

Appreciation done well can:

• Increase employee engagement and retention
• Strengthen company culture and values
• Support employee wellness and connection
• Build trust between teams and leadership
  
  

And yes—appreciation can also reduce burnout. A simple, consistent “we see you” often goes a long way.

The Gifts for Good team on a field trip with SeaTrees to learn about kelp forest restoration 

We love a curated gift set, but not every moment of appreciation needs to come wrapped in recycled tissue paper. Sometimes, the best gift is time together (or time off).

Here are a few impact-first, gift-free ways to show appreciation:

• Team volunteer day: Organize a beach clean-up, serve at a local food bank, or partner with a nonprofit your employees care about. (Bonus points for giving paid time off to volunteer.)
• Purposeful offsite: Take the team out of the office, but keep it aligned with your culture. Think wellness retreats, nature walks, or skill-building workshops hosted by social enterprises.
• Surprise lunch or breakfast: Bring in a local mission-driven vendor (like a B Corp or minority-owned business) for a team meal that also supports your values.
• Mental health days: Let your employees take a day off. No questions asked when they need it. Sometimes the gift is trust.

These experiences signal that appreciation doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to feel real.

Of course, gifts are still powerful when they’re thoughtful, values-driven, and actually useful.

At Gifts for Good, we curate gifts that align with your company’s purpose. Each item supports social or environmental impact (from job creation to plastic waste reduction).

If you’re looking for employee appreciation gifts that are a little less expected, here are a few ideas that haven’t been featured as often, but deserve the spotlight:

Handcrafted Ceramic Mug:

Made by women artisans in Honduras, this mug supports fair-wage employment and adds something beautiful to your morning routine.

Why it works: A daily-use item that feels personal, supports job creation, and looks great on any desk.

Organic Canvas Tote:

A plastic-free staple that makes daily commutes (or weekend errands) more sustainable. Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton.

Why it works: Shows your brand is thinking about lifestyle and long-term utility. Not just logos.

Champ Portable Charger (10K):

Made from recycled materials and packaged in FSC-certified paper, this portable charger supports e-waste recycling efforts.

Why it works: Tech gifts don’t have to come at a cost to the planet. This one supports impact and innovation.

Custom Gift Kit:

Looking to go beyond pre-curated sets? We offer fully customizable kits tailored to your brand, values, and budget.

One example: the kit we created for Snapchat (Snap Inc.) featured a custom scented candle from Light 4 Life, the Smokey Diamond Blanket from NOVICA, and a branded honor card designed specifically for their team.

Why it works: Custom kits let you weave in comfort, purpose, and brand identity—all in one memorable package. Whether it’s for onboarding, appreciation, or culture moments, these kits are designed to reflect what makes your company unique.

Even the most sustainable, beautifully wrapped gift can fall flat if it feels impersonal. Simple touches that make a difference:

• Include a handwritten note or voice message from the team
• Reference a recent win or project in the message
• Offer a few gift options and let the recipient choose

Pro tip: For distributed teams, consider using a gift platform like GIFTforward, which makes it easy to personalize, deliver, and track meaningful gifts. Whether you’re sending to 10 people or 2,000.

Big anniversaries and product launches deserve fanfare, but the little things count, too.Try showing appreciation for:

• First project shipped
• First team presentation
• Helping onboard a new teammate
• Picking up extra work during a crunch week
  
  

Even a small, values-aligned gift or message can create a memory that sticks.

A snapshot of Gifts for Good's impact

Want your appreciation to really resonate? Share the story behind the gift.

When your team knows their gift supported jobs, reforestation, clean water, or mental health programming, it reinforces a sense of purpose (both in the gift and in the work they do).

We make this easy through real-time impact tracking and optional PDF reports you can share in internal newsletters, Slack shoutouts, or company all-hands.

Employee appreciation is all about intentionality. Whether you’re organizing a volunteer day, sending a handwritten note, or curating a gift box that gives back. It’s the thought (and the thoughtfulness) that counts.

And when you align those gestures with your company’s mission, appreciation becomes something bigger. Not just a moment, but a message.

Ready to build an appreciation program your team will actually love? Start exploring gifts and experiences that reflect your purpose and make a real impact.