One of the most effective ways to express gratitude to a talented employee is through corporate recognition. This has proved to have a direct positive impact on performance and morale in the workplace.
In this article, we’ll explore the latest trends in employee recognition and highlight some of the most popular appreciation gifts of 2025.
If you’re looking for fresh ideas on how to improve employee morale, this article is for you.
We’ve also put together a comprehensive list of unique gifting ideas that will surely leave a lasting impression on your employees.
Let’s get into it!
Employee Gifting and the Art of Recognition
The question of how to boost morale at work can be approached from many different angles. Ultimately, it is about sowing the seeds that will grow a workplace culture built on the back of proactive leadership, meaningful recognition, and open communication.
And this can all be packed into one neat and robust recognition program.
Employee gifts and rewards are the ultimate demonstration of corporate gratefulness. It is a year-round commitment aimed at fostering a strong connection with company values. Studies show that employees who identify with the corporate culture where they work are more engaged. Recent research has also demonstrated that engagement has a direct impact on business performance.
Each member of your team is unique in terms of talents and strengths, which makes every contribution they make distinctive in its own right. This is why personalized recognition strategies are so important. According to the Harvard Business Review, something as small as a personalized note of appreciation can be enough to keep an employee motivated.
In other words, there’s no need to break the bank with your appreciation strategy.
The Connection Between Morale and Engagement
Drawing from decades of employee engagement research, Gallup has been able to show through numerous studies that engaged employees produce better business outcomes – in good times and bad.
On the other hand, unengaged employees can chip away at productivity, innovation, and a company’s bottom line.
According to Forbes, engaged employees performing in the context of a strong workplace culture is the secret sauce for business success. And there are some hardcore statistics to go with that statement.
For example, highly engaged teams show a 21% increase in profitability compared to unengaged employees. Engagement also boosts retention. In fact, there’s a 59% lower turnover among highly engaged employees!
And here’s the biggest number of all:
It’s estimated that disengaged employees cost up to $8.8 trillion per year according to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace Report.
8 Employee Gifting Ideas in 2025
According to recent reports, the corporate gifting market is expected to grow to a total of $312 billion by 2025. Creating a company culture where appreciation is the driver for innovation and productivity has landed high on the corporate agenda. However, the key to mastering the art of recognition is to choose gifts that are meaningful, personalized, and relevant to the individual employee.
With all that in mind, here’s a list of memorable employee morale booster ideas that can make a difference.
1. Personalized Technology
In a world dominated by technology, tech gadgets are king! Consider giving your high-achievers customized technology that helps them be more productive. This can be anything from wireless chargers to external keyboards, smart notebooks or a high-resolution monitor that improves the quality of visuals on the screen.
2. Professional Development Opportunities
Offering professional development opportunities as corporate rewards is a clear win-win. It demonstrates company commitment to a culture of continuous learning, while proofing its workforce for the future with valuable skills.
3. Office Upgrades
Sitting at a desk for hours on end can take a toll on a person’s physical health. Poor posture, muscle tension, and fatigue are often the result of sedentary behavior.
So how about showing your care for the health of your team with ergonomic office furniture? These provide an array of health benefits and help prevent future pain.
Here are a few examples:
A desk riser
Ergonomic chairs
Ergonomic keyboards
Adjustable soft glow lighting
4. A Wellness Card
If you’re concerned about your employees’ wellness at work, then a fitness card or a gym membership can offer a ton of advantages!
But since different employees have different preferences when it comes to working out, a smart solution is to get them a wellness gift card. That way they can choose the kind of exercise they’re most comfortable with.
If instead, you want to give them a moment’s relaxation after an intensive project period, how about a day at the spa? Offer a few hours of effortless pampering and they’ll return to work with more energy and enthusiasm than before.
5. Stress-free Greenery
Buying plants as appreciation gifts is a great idea since they’re usually affordable and don’t require a whole lot of maintenance. Plants look good in an office setting but are also known for their stress-reducing qualities. Plus, they freshen up the air in the room.
Get your employees a set of succulents from a local florist, a gorgeous begonia, an exotic flytrap plant, or even a mini Japanese Zen garden. Whatever greenery you choose to go for, your team members will surely appreciate the chance to relax with their new green friend.
6. A Memorable Experience
What can possibly be more memorable than a ticket to a spectacular show or a personal trip on the company dime? Whether it’s tickets to a big sporting event or a concert, a weekend trip to a nice resort, or a relaxing spa day, this is a great way to show appreciation to the whole team.
There’s long-lasting power in shared experiences that help boost team camaraderie.
7. A Charity Donation
If you have employees who care about making the world a better place, then a charitable donation on their behalf can be an excellent appreciation gift. Always make sure to ask first what your employee’s favorite charity is.
It’s important that the donation is made to an organization that reflects their priorities and concerns.
8. Extra Time Off
Wondering how to increase employee morale without money? Offer some extra time off. This is a popular perk among most employees. The chance to take a day or two off to relax with the kids or take a trip somewhere, who wouldn’t appreciate that?
Extra vacation days or a Friday off for work well done is a simple but highly effective way to reward your employees with what they love the most: quality time! Guaranteed they’ll turn up on Monday reenergized and happier than when they clocked out.
Employee Gifts that Go a Long Way
Like any gift, the best appreciation gift is one that has had some thought behind it. Employee recognition is a fundamental part of keeping morale high. Rewarding your employees with gifts that feel personal and unique is an effective way of showing appreciation.
As research from the Harvard Business Review shows, just a little recognition can give a powerful morale boost. It doesn’t have to be expensive or grand. Showing regular appreciation is much more important to keep employees motivated.
Make every milestone a celebration and create a work culture of appreciation where everyone feels valued!
About GoGift
GoGift, a leading global provider of gift card solutions, specializes in offering innovative and versatile gift card services to over 15.000 corporate clients worldwide. With a commitment to simplifying the gift-giving process, GoGift provides a broad range of gift card options from numerous popular brands, catering to a diverse array of tastes and preferences. Their services are designed to enhance the gifting experience, making it more convenient, personal, and enjoyable for both the giver and the recipient.
For more detailed information about GoGift, please visit their official website: https://www.global.gogift.com/