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The Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Employees – Awesome Ideas for Every Budget & Occasion

The Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Employees

 updated

 December 17, 2025

Employee appreciation gifts should be practical, personal, and easy to order. Crestline makes it simple with eco-friendly options, low minimums for small teams, premium apparel, and even custom company stores where employees choose their own corporate gifts. Use these curated ideas by budget tier and occasion to keep your gifting program fresh.

Read on to find the best employee gift ideas for 2026 or jump to the section that interests you the most:

Employee Gifts by Budget

Recognize employees at all levels with our top gift ideas for employees on a budget. From part-time and full-time hourly workers to executives and higher management, find the right gifts to fit the needs of your team.

Inexpensive Employee Appreciation Gifts Under $2

Whether you run a small start-up or have hundreds of employees on the payroll, small gifts for employees ensure your brand is part of their daily life, and luckily, there's no reason to break the bank to keep your logo in front of them.

Looking for gift bag ideas for employees between $1 and $2? Combine the Silicone Tech Pocket, the Slim-Lite Keychain and any of our other budget-friendly items to provide office party favors for company events and celebrations.

Inexpensive Employee Appreciation Gifts Under $2
Employee Gifts Under $5

Employee Gifts Under $5

You don't have to spend a lot of money to inspire your team. With inexpensive motivational gifts for employees, you can increase engagement and encourage them to bring their A-game day after day. These gifts won’t get thrown out either since small gift ideas for employees – like affordable custom coffee mugs – can be used over and over for everything from coffee to tea to hot chocolate.

Choose products they will be happy to own like the Lunch-N-Carry Enviro Tote that's an eco-friendly alternative to paper lunch bags or check out more of our personalized gifts under $5.

Employee Gifts Under $10

It's always the right time to show your gratitude to staff members, and our selection of thank you gifts for employees lets you do just that while sticking to your budget. From the Qi Disc Wireless Charging Pad for tech lovers to the Message Bamboo & Slate Cutting Board guaranteed to add flair to any kitchen, these business gifts under $10 are perfect for lighting a spark any time of year.

Employee Gifts Under $10
Employee Gifts Under $15

Employee Gifts Under $15

When your staff exceeds expectations, don't let their hard work go unnoticed. By incorporating unique appreciation gift ideas that recognize those long days and late nights they put in, you will make your team feel like they are part of the family. A treat like the Sweeter Cards Chocolate Greeting Card is perfect for such an occasion or you can recognize their efforts with a bit of sweetness with the Cake in a Mug Gift Set.

Employee Gifts Under $20

Give your team a reason to smile with employee appreciation gift ideas under $20. These fun and creative gifts – like the Decade Of Candy Gift Box that allows you to select candy that represents your brand and era between 1950 and 1990.

Employee Gifts Under $20
Employee Gifts Under $25

Employee Gifts Under $25

There's no better way to bring your staff together than with team gifts for work. Whether that means keeping everyone warm and toasty with a Heathered Fold Up Blanket or helping them relax with the Mini Personal Diffuser, these team-building corporate gifts under $25 will add a sparkle to their day.

Luxury Employee Gifts

Spoil the go-getters and overachievers with drinkwareapparelbagshome items and tech gifts from top retail brands. These fancy office gifts are worth the splurge and will give your employees even more appreciation for the company they work for. The best part is they not only make nice gifts for employees but are also excellent custom executive gifts for those in leadership positions.

Luxury Employee Gifts

Explore more high-end employee appreciation gifts from YETI, Stanley, Moleskine, Columbia, Eddie Bauer, The North Face, Nike, Adidas, Camelbak, Carhartt, Hydro Flask, Ogio, Owala, and Under Armour.


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Team Gift Ideas by Industry

Every industry is different, and the best way to reward your employees is to choose gifts that fit the industry they work in. By shaping your strategy, employees won't feel like they are getting a generic gift and will be appreciative of the company that took the time to recognize them.

Healthcare – Best Appreciation Gifts for Nurses, Doctors & Medical Staff

Thoughtful Gifts for Nurses Week, Hospital Week & All Year

Whether it's words of inspiration or useful gifts that make life easier, finding unique ways to give back to your medical staff goes a long way, and there are plenty of opportunities to do just that. Here are some of the best ways to show your appreciation with thoughtful gift ideas for Nurses' Week, Hospital Week, the holidays, or any time of year.

Thoughtful Gifts for Nurses Week, Hospital Week & All Year

Nurses’ Week Gifts

Nurses are always busy and it often feels like they can't catch a break. One of the best ways to help them relieve some stress is with relaxation gift ideas, which is why the Hot & Cold Plush Eye Mask is such a popular item for nurses, but any of these personalized gifts will leave them feeling valued and appreciated.

Nurses’ Week Gifts

General Hospital Staff Gifts

Hospitals are hectic, and employees can find it hard to take a moment for themselves. Why not help them out? Whether it's a Day Trip Lunch Bag to remind them to take their mid-shift break or an Active Life Microfleece Jacket to encourage an active lifestyle outside of work, we carry the gifts your staff needs to get their minds off the job.

General Hospital Staff Gifts

Education – Personalized Gifts for Teachers, Administrators & Staff

Teacher Appreciation Week Gifts

Teachers are the backbone of the education system, and they work hard to shape young minds throughout the school year. That's why it's important for your community to come together to let teachers know how you feel about them, and Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to do that.

Show teachers how much you treasure the value they bring with personalized teacher gifts. Don't forget to customize them with fun sayings and quotes like “There Is No Substitute for You” or “Thanks for Helping Our Children Grow” to really leave an impact.

Are you worried that you don't know what teachers really want? We have a full list of winning gift ideas from teachers themselves to help you out, as well as special picks for Christmas and year-end holidays, and back to school.

Teacher Appreciation Week Gifts

General Education Gifts

Don't overlook the other members of the school who keep everything running so students can have the best experience possible, including administrators, office staff, custodians, and cafeteria workers. Whether it's the Stackable Bento Box with Insulated Carry Case that's great for carrying lunch or the 16 oz Elegant Shine Mug for that morning cup of joe, these staff gifts shine a light on everyone's success.

General Education Gifts

Cool Gifts for Government Workers & First Responders

In times of crisis, first responders put themselves in harm's way to help their community. Return the favor with personalized gifts that say thanks. From promotional items made in the USA for police officers and firefighters to inspirational mugs for EMTs, recognize government workers with some of our most popular first responder gifts.

Cool Gifts for Government Workers & First Responders

Not for Profit Organization Staff Gift Ideas

Your staff and volunteers have been spreading the word of your organization, and you can reward that dedication with tried-and-true nonprofit items that appeal to everyone. Good gifts for employees include the Rhein Bamboo Cutting Board that adds a bit of elegance to any kitchen, the True Colors Cap customized with your organization's logo or any of these other in-demand gift ideas.

Not for Profit Organization Staff Gift Ideas

Banking & Finance Gifts for the Office

Improve focus with company gifts for employees that will motivate them to get the numbers right. Whether you want to power up their devices with the 2-in-1 Mouse Pad and Qi Wireless Charger or help them stayed fueled when they're cranking through reports with the 14 oz Actic Zone® Titan Thermal HP® Copper Mug designed with high-quality material to keep coffee hot, here are some of the top gifts for your financial team.

Banking & Finance Gifts for the Office

Real Estate Gifts for Agents

It's not uncommon to hear about closing gifts for clients, but what about acknowledging your top agents and support staff? They spend all their time closing deals and handling customer problems, and their efforts deserve a little recognition.

Help them do their job to the best of their ability with realtor promotional items they will value like the mophie® Snap+ Mini 5000 mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank that will keep their phone charged through call after call or any of our other popular gifts for realtors and staff members.

Real Estate Gifts for Agents

Up to the Minute Gifts for Work Teams at Tech Companies

From the Screen Saber - Computer Monitor Light Bar to the PopMount 2 Flex PopGrip, we have the top corporate gift ideas for employees who love tech. Not only are these gifts trendy and fun, but they will have your team engaged and ready to innovate. Check out any of our cool new tech gifts for 2026 to inspire your team.

Tech gifts

Team Gifts for the Legal Industry

Running through legal files can be long and tedious. Ensure your team doesn't miss the most important information they need to handle a case. The Pedova™ Writing Pad and Lombardo Pen are excellent for taking detailed notes with ease, but any of our other personalized lawyer gifts will guarantee the attention to detail is always there.

Team Gifts for the Legal Industry

If your industry isn’t listed above, we still probably have a collection just for you! Check out Employee Appreciation Days & Weeks & Gift Ideas by Industry to find curated gift ideas for not only each sector, but many specific job roles from Administrative Assistants, Librarians, Housekeeping, and Bus Drivers to CRNA’s and more!


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Company Gift Ideas by Occasion

From New Year’s to Christmas, every year is filled with a plethora of opportunities to spread positivity and show appreciation for employees. Not only can you celebrate appreciation holidays by industry, but you can also inspire your team with season-specific gifts for the spring, summer, fall and winter. Browse our curated gifts collections for occasions throughout the year.

If you want to thank your employees during an industry or job title specific appreciation occasion, find your event and all the inspo you need here.

Work Gift Ideas by Theme

Tune your gifts in with specific themes to ensure they leave the biggest impact possible. Have employees who work from home? We have remote kits that are perfect for home offices. Want to inspire your team to reach their fitness goals? Our branded fitness equipment is great for any setting. However you decide to structure your appreciation strategy, these work gift ideas will help.

Employee Gifting FAQ’s

Corporate gifting is a way to create a meaningful connection with employees through gifts, including corporate swag, customized snacks, company apparel and more!
You don't have to break the bank to reward employees with gifts. Instead, make the gift fit the occasion. You don't need to spend as much on gifts for the entire office on holidays as you would for an individual employee's anniversary or retirement.
When you think about what to give as a corporate gift, it can be helpful to choose gifts that are useful and won't be thrown out or end up in the back of the closet. In addition, it can be helpful if you take into account causes that are important to them like the environment, clean water or support for veterans.
Supply us with a list of names and addresses, and Crestline will send them for you through our drop shipping services. Have questions? Contact us at 1-866-488-4975 or chat online with one of our Promotional Products Experts for help.
If you plan to purchase staff gifts for Christmas or any other event in 2023, you may be asking “Can I write off gifts for employees?” The answer is yes, staff gifts are tax deductible — up to $25 per person for a full tax year.
Cash gifts of any amount are considered wages and are subject to all taxes and withholdings.
Corporate gifts provide encouragement to employees and show a sense of appreciation. In return, employees are more likely to have a higher level of morale, stay engaged and remain with companies longer. As a bonus, when your staff use gifts with your corporate logo, they spread the word about your company.
In general, Christmas gifts for employees range from $15-$100. You may want to splurge for executives or smaller teams, while larger employers will have to take their entire staff into account. The important part is that you leave an impact employees will remember.
Yes! We offer kitting services that allow you to create customized gift sets fit for any occasion. Chat in online with one of our Promotional Products Experts or contact us at 1-866-488-4975 and a rep will help you set up your custom gift box..
Crestline can help you build your own custom online company store, and we do it for free! Contact us at 1-866-488-4975 or chat in with one of our reps for help.
According to Quickbooks: When you give an employee a gift that's not considered compensation, it should be recorded as “employee incentives.” If the gift is taxable compensation, put it under salary, wages or bonuses.
Crestline is your expert source for all your corporate gifting needs. We offer a range of promotional gifts to fit any occasion.

If you didn’t find what you wanted from this page, call 1-866-488-4975 or chat in and we will find you what you need.

References

McRae, E. (2023, Jan. 18). Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from,
https://hbr.org/2023/01/9-trends-that-will-shape-work-in-2023-and-beyond

Boitnott, J. (2022, Feb. 7). Entrepreneur. Retrieved from,
https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/5-reasons-why-you-should-give-gifts-to-employees-any-time/414645

Nursing World. Retrieved from,
https://www.nursingworld.org/education-events/national-nurses-week/history/

PTO Today. (2023, June 16). Retrieved from,
https://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/1407-teacher-appreciation-week-2024-resources

The CE Shop. Retrieved from,
https://www.theceshop.com/agent-essentials/real-estate-agent-encyclopedia/real-estate-closing-gifts

Siocon, G. 11 Welcome Gifts for New Employees You Should Consider. Retrieved from,
https://www.aihr.com/blog/welcome-gifts-for-new-employees/