Discover inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees to show your appreciation for their hard work and contributions towards the growth and success of your brand. Explore our list of budget-friendly gifts ranging from personalized desk accessories, to wellness kits and everything in between.
The holiday season is here, and with it comes the challenge of finding the perfect way to show appreciation to your employees without stretching your budget.
However, the key is to strike a balance by choosing affordable gifts that resonate with your team and convey genuine gratitude— besides, a well-thought-out gift within budget is worth more than an expensive but impersonal one.
Here are the best 25 inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees. They’re designed to suit a range of preferences and budget.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Gifting Employee Christmas and New Year Gifts
Every sale or business deal sealed throughout the year took the collective efforts of your dedicated employees.
Here are more benefits of giving your staffs inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employee:
Increases Employee Job Productivity
You inspire your employees to do better when you appreciate their effort through gifts. It also enhances employee’s engagement which leads to increased focus, creativity and performance in achieving organizational goals.
Additionally, when employees see that their efforts are valued. They’re more inclined to go above and beyond in their roles.
Boost Employee Job Satisfaction
Employees feel more valued when employers take out time to appreciate them, and holiday gifts are an excellent way to do so.
Research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) indicates that 69% of employees report higher satisfaction when they receive recognition, such as inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees.
Strengthens Employee Retention and Loyalty
Retention is a growing concern for many businesses, but simple gestures like gifting can make a significant difference. Holiday gifts help build emotional connections that make employees feel loyal to their workspace.
With the cost of replacing employees often exceeding 50-60% of their annual salary, investing in holiday gifts becomes an affordable and strategic retention tool.
Improves Team Bonding
Holiday gifting is a great opportunity to bring the team closer together. When employees feel appreciated as individuals and part of a team, they are more likely to collaborate effectively and enhance workplace unity.
Research shows that employees who feel recognized are 4.6 times more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work.
Encourages Work-Life Balance
Oftentimes, inexpensive Christmas and New year gifts for employees cater for their personal needs, boosting their work-life balance.
For instance, relaxation kits, personalized planners, or family friendly items encourage employees to take time for themselves and their loved ones.
This further improves an employee’s job satisfaction and reduces burnout.
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25 Inexpensive Christmas and New Year Gifts for Employee
Truth be told, employees are strong pillars of every brand and deserve to be appreciated. To get started, explore our list of Inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employee:
1. Desk Plants
Starting price: $7
Best places to buy: Etsy, Home Depot, Amazon
Succulent plants are an inexpensive gift that brightens up any workspace or home. These low-maintenance plants are perfect for employees who might not have a green thumb but still enjoy the beauty and calm that plants bring.
Succulents are trendy and can add a natural, calming vibe to any space.
Not only do they look great, but they also offer health benefits, improving air quality and providing a little touch of nature in an indoor setting.
2. Gift Card
Price range: $3 – $100
Best place to buy: Amazon
Gift cards are great for expressing gratitude as they offer employees convenience of use when needed. Gift your employees special gift cards to retail stores, restaurants, spas, theaters and more.
Who wouldn’t love to stay loyal to a brand that treats them special?
3. Books
Starting Price:$10
Best place to buy: Amazon
Books are a source of inspiration, entertainment, or professional growth opportunities. Books are versatile ranging from motivational books, a bestseller in fiction, or a guide related to their career—you’re sure to find books that suit your employees preferences and interests.
Also, pair a book with a bookmark or a handwritten note to add a festive and personal touch to your gift.
4. Snack Box
Starting Price: $15
Best place to buy: Amazon, Esty
Snack boxes are one of the best inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees that they can enjoy during break. These boxes often include a variety of sections for treats like chips, chocolates, nuts, or even healthy options like granola bars and dried fruits.
5. Fitness Equipment
Starting Price:$10
Best place to buy: Amazon, Target, Walmart
Encourage your employee fitness and health goals by giving them fitness equipment. Consider gifting portable and practical items like resistance bands, yoga mat, mini exercise balls, or desk cycles which promote a healthy work-life balance.
For a more premium touch, fitness tracker subscriptions or virtual workout memberships can also be included to inspire long-term wellness.
6. Online Courses
Starting price: $20
Best place to buy: Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning
Gifting an online course is an effective way to invest in your employee’s personal and professional growth. This includes courses related to your industry, or a new skill like enrolling for public speaking classes which could enhance their work productivity.
These inexpensive Christmass and New Year gifts for employees are perfect for staff who are lifelong learners and are always looking for ways to expand their knowledge.
7. Personalized Mugs
Starting price: $5
Best place to buy: Amazon, Walmart
Customized mugs are perfect for every employee—whether they enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea, or any other beverage.
These inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees are something they reach out for everyday. Also, by personalizing a mug with their names, brand logo or meaningful quotes, you give your employees something unique to associate your brand with.
8. Adilo Unlimited Plan
Cost: $42 monthly when billed annually (Wistia charges $319 per month)
Best place to buy: Adilo
Adilo is the best ad-free video, podcast and audio hosting platform currently in the market.
It is our #1 recommended inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees which will help streamline their work processes especially when creating business videos. This is an added advantage to your brand’s growth and success.
It comes with a built-in HD recorder on your dashboard that allows you to easily record your videos up to 4K quality, giving your video crystal-clear visuals.
Adilo also features default HLS-protection on all video, video email marketing tools, monetization features, analytics tools and more—this enables your staff to easily create, embed, share and promote video.
9. Desk Clock
Starting price: $10
Best places to buy: Wayfair, IKEA, Amazon
Desk clock is a perfect addition to your employee’s workspace, helping them manage their time effectively. It serves as a reminder for change of activities while also reminding them how you value them.
Besides, desk clocks are decorative gifts perfect for office and home use. When customized with your office logo, would serve as a means of advertisement when used in spaces outside the office.
10. Mini Desk Calendar
Starting price: $5
Best place to buy: Etsy, Target
A mini desk calendar helps employees stay organized while adding decorative elements to their workspace. Calendars come in various themes, such as motivational quotes, scenic views, or customizable designs with employee-specific images or company branding.
11. Customized Notebooks
Starting price: $6
Best places to buy: Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Amazon
Setting goals and targets is one great way to begin a new year. And what better way is there to achieve this rather than writing it down?
Surprise your employees with notebooks which are perfect to jot down ideas, organize tasks and set goals for the new year—both personal and office related goals.
Also, you make your employees feel appreciated and valued when you give them a personalized notebook with their name and company logo.
12. Blue-Light Blocking Glasses
Starting price: $15
Best place to buy: Amazon, Target
Blue-light blocking glasses are essential Christmas and New Year gifts for employees who spend long hours in front of screens. These glasses help reduce eye strain, headaches, and sleep disruption caused by prolonged exposure to blue light
13. Desktop Organizer
Starting cost: $10
Best place to buy: Amazon, IKEA
A desktop organizer is a perfect Christmas and New Year gift for employees as it enhances workflow. This tool helps keep their workspace neat and clutter-free while enhancing productivity and focus.
Shop for a well designed desktop organizer that allows employees to store stationery, documents, and other essentials in a neat and efficient way.
14. Portable Phone Stands
Starting price: $8
Best place to buy: Amazon, Walmart, AliExpress
In today’s tech era, phones are an effective gadget needed for day-to-day activities—from calls, emails, meetings, movies, chat, and more.
No doubt all your employees have a mobile phone and would appreciate a portable phone stand.
This handy gadget is perfect for employees to carry out work activities— virtual meetings, sending emails, making cold calls or simply keeping their phones accessible on the desk.
15. Customized Badge Holder
Starting price:$5
Best place to buy: Etsy, Vistaprint, Amazon
A customized badge holder is a small but impactful gift for staff. Personalizing the holders with employees names, initials, or company logos adds a unique and professional touch. These holders can be used daily making them practical gifts.
However, choose from a variety of materials and designs, such as retractable reels, leather pouches, or lanyards.
16. Stress-Relief Squeeze Balls
Starting price: $4
Best place to buy: Amazon, Oriental Trading, Staples
Your employee’s health and well-being should be your top most priority even as you look forward to further business growth this new year—a healthy employee results in a healthy workflow and brand.
There are days when your staff would have hectic workdays, or feel the pressure of work, stress-relief squeeze balls offer an effective solution to easily unwind. This small object makes it easy for employees to alleviate stress, giving them more reasons to stay committed to your brand.
17. Branded Pen
Starting price: $2
Best places to buy: VistaPrint, Amazon
A pen might seem like a regular office accessory and can be easily gotten. However, a branded pen adds a unique and personalized touch to your brand’s workflow.
It’s perfect for signing deals, taking notes, or simply being part of your employee’s daily workflow. This pen can be used within the office and outside too.
You can as well give your employee many pens to extend your appreciation to their family and loved ones—a subtle way of promoting your brand.
18. Portable Power Bank
Starting price: $7
Best place to buy: Belkin, Best Buy, Amazon
This portable charger ensures your staff stays connected and productive on-the-go, eliminating worries about drained batteries. Besides, a customized power bank with your company’s logo adds a personal touch, making it a memorable keepsake.
These inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees ensure their devices stay charged during travel, meetings, or long hours—it helps bring your brand to mind whenever in use.
19. Gift Box
Starting price: $29
Best places to buy: eBay, Amazon
Gift baskets are an all-in-one package of delight, allowing you to curate a collection of goodies that your employees will love. From gourmet snacks and chocolates to bath products or even tech gadgets, gift baskets can be fully customized to suit your employee’s tastes.
20. Inspirational Quotes Cards
Starting price: $8
Best place to buy: Esty, Amazon
Your employee’s would be needing truck loads of motivation to keep moving towards their goals when the going gets tough in the coming months.
Hence, be a part of their motivation source by gifting them inspirational quote cards. This gift offers daily motivation and encouragement, which positively influences your emploee’s mindset and productivity.
21. Smart Water Bottle
Starting price: $15
Best places to buy: HidrateSpark, Target, Amazon
Encourage healthier habits with a smart water bottle that tracks hydration. This innovative gift not only shows you care about your employee’s well-being but also stands out as a unique and functional choice for everyday use—they are easy to carry along, maintain and use.
22. Mouse Pad
Starting price: $5
Best places to buy: Zazzle, Vistaprint, Alibaba, Amazon
A customized mouse pad is one of those simple yet inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees that adds a personal touch to your brand’s workspace. It’s practical for everyday use and boosts your staff work productivity. This will in turn lead to your brand growth and success.
23. Mini Back Massager
Starting price: $15
Best place to buy: Amazon, eBay, Target
After a long day of meetings, travel, or work, a mini back massager is a perfect way to help your emploee relax and de-stress. This portable and easy to use gadget offers relief for tense muscles while promoting relaxation—it’s small enough to be easily packed in a bag or kept at their desk.
24. Card Games
Starting price: $10
Best place to buy: Walmart, Amazon
Card games are excellent gifts that promote socialization, teamwork, and stress relief. Consider gifting popular card games like poker sets, play nine, or monopoly. They are portable, easy to learn, and encourage relaxation.
Also, card games are creative and engaging gift ideas perfect for work in team-building and at home for personal fun.
25. Holiday-Themed Socks
Starting price: $5
Best place to buy: Target, Amazon
Holiday-themed socks are cozy, cheerful gifts that bring warmth and festive vibes. With patterns ranging from snowflakes and reindeer to holiday lights, these socks add a playful touch to winter wardrobes. For a fun wish, package them in holiday-themed boxes or stockings.
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FAQS
Is it better to give individual gifts or team gifts to employees?
Individual gifts feel more personal and appreciated, but team gifts can foster collaboration and unity. Hence, choose based on your goals and budget.
How much should I spend on employee gifts?
Spending within $20-$50 per employee is reasonable. However, feel free to adjust based on your company’s financial capacity and the gifts’ significance.
Are holiday-themed gifts a good idea?
Yes, holiday-themed gifts are great as long as they’re inclusive and aligned with your employee’s beliefs and preferences. However, opt for neutral items such as festive treats, candles, or holiday decor that don’t favor specific beliefs. The goal is to create joy while staying mindful of varying traditions and cultural sensitivities.
What are some unique inexpensive gifts for remote employees?
For remote employees, unique, and inexpensive gifts can include digital gift cards, branded desk items, or subscriptions to wellness or streaming services.
When should I give holiday gifts to employees?
Holiday gifts should be distributed early to mid-December, or early January to align with the festive spirit and give employees time to enjoy them during the season. This timing also helps avoid the rush of last minute gifting.
Final Thoughts on Inexpensive Christmas and New Year Gifts for Employee
All employees down to the least role all contribute significantly to the success and growth of a brand. Hence, deserves to be appreciated and recognized for their hard work and support throughout the year.
Perhaps you’re that employer who desires to express gratitude to your special staff, our above inexpensive Christmas and New Year gifts for employees are what you need to get started.
Besides, when an employee feels valued, their productivity increases which result in positive business growth.
In essence, gifting your employee’s during the festive season is a win-win business growth strategy—it gets them in the right frame of mind for more success this new year.
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