Gifts for employees working from home
The coronavirus pandemic puts a different spin on holiday giving
The holiday gift-giving season will be here before you know it, or maybe you just want to show your employees appreciation for their hard work during a strange, difficult year.
But what does one get for the worker who’s stuck at home because of the coronavirus?
Gift cards could be hit or miss this year depending on what retailers are close to home and how much the person is going out. Chocolate or snack deliveries might be viewed as the “safe” route here, except not everybody’s tastes are the same. Either way, once those gifts are used, they’re gone forever and often forgotten.
Plus, both of those ideas are so impersonal. This is an opportunity to connect with employees — and there probably haven’t been near enough of those lately.
Here are some corporate gift ideas that not only could most anybody use or appreciate, but will also serve as a constant reminder to employees that you are thinking about them:
Indoor plants and succulents
People who weren’t already accustomed to working from home might be set up in makeshift offices or drab, sparsely decorated rooms where they didn’t previously spend a lot of time. Why not help spruce up the place by providing a little scenery?
A small potted plant such as a succulent, for example, could add some color to a workspace, whether on a nearby table or right on the desk. They’re generally low maintenance, too.
And it’s a fairly easy gift to track down, available locally at most any area florist or by ordering online.
Granted, there are some who initially may not see see the appeal. Whether your employees realize it or not though, studies show the presence of house plants can improve concentration and productivity while simultaneously reducing stress levels and boosting moods.
Charging stations, headphones and other tech
Employees might be used to working from home by now, but that doesn’t mean they’re comfortable — especially couples or families who are sharing equipment.
Tech gifts can seem frivolous and unnecessary, yet there’s no question gadgets can make jobs or even life in general easier. Before long, workers will be wondering how they ever lived without a mousepad than can simultaneously charge a cell phone, or noise canceling headphones that block out their partner’s boss on Zoom meetings or the kids when they’re home from school.
It can be useful tech, such as a headset for conducting business, or it can be for entertainment, like a portable speaker or a Fitbit. Spring for a tablet, and
it could be both. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong.
High-end notebooks, organizers and office supplies
While not the most exciting items, perhaps, anybody who’s jotting down ideas or specs all day, or is simply a very detailoriented person would probably appreciate an upgrade over their store-brand paper goods.
This could be a leather-bound journal, a luxury planner, a professional grade sketch book or top-notch fountain pens or drawing supplies. Items such as this might be able to personalized, too, depending where you order, adding to the thoughtfulness.
Even if your people were already getting by with the basics, there’s almost always use for more.
Food and drink
If you are still inclined to go this route, perhaps it’s worth
thinking a little more outside the box rather than the traditional holiday gift baskets, or gifts cards to the nearest grocery or convenience store chain.
Suppose there was always a fresh pot of coffee on at the office. Take the savings from your java budget and pour it into a nice sampler of a local craft roaster.
Maybe the holiday party is canceled this year. Why not spring for dinner with a special delivery of some frozen steaks. Or, sign up employees to try one of those meal subscription services, like Hello Fresh.
It’s not that food and beverages are a bad gift, and even the usual chocolates probably aren’t going to waste. But if you’re really trying to wow your workers and show some real thought went into it, why not go for something more practical? People appreciate when they receive something they wouldn’t buy for themselves, or even just a night off from having to plan dinner.