As hard as it is for employees to get gifts for their boss, the opposite is often just as difficult. It is very difficult for an employer to give good gifts to their employees without appearing to play favorites. Early on the boss must decide if gifts are to be given if they will be all the same irregardless of how long an employee has been with the company or based on how long an employee has been with the company, but once the standard has been set, it should be maintained year to year.

Employers should pay attention to make sure that even if people all get the same gift, that the gifts be personalized somewhat.

Most of these suggestions are written with Christmas in mind, although several would work for other occasions.

1.  Cozy Throw Blankets

In the winter peoples homes tend to be cooler and people often enjoy having a cozy throw blanket for their sofa. In a smaller business where employers get to know their employees they can pick blankets with motifs according to a persons likes, dogs for the dog lover, horses for the horse lover, motorcycles for the guy who loves bikes.

2.  Electronics

Digital cameras are the way to go, and while it might seem like very one has one, this is not always the case. Blu-Ray players are another great idea, but also throw in a blu-ray disc or two for their enjoyment.

3.  Trip to the Spa

This is a good gift but many people assume its one for women only. In truth men also enjoy getting pampered. Be sure to include a day off (ideally with pay) for the employee to enjoy their trip to the spa. They will feel relaxed and be more productive after a refreshing day off.

4.  Laptop Computer Cases

If your employees have laptops, provide them with computer cases for carrying their computers back and forth in style. Individualize by picking colors your employee likes to wear.

5.  A Self-Assembled Gift Basket

Yes, you can go out and buy these ready made, but those are impersonal and say “I don't know much about you so I went out and grabbed this quick.”. Think of bathroom items like fancy soaps. Put in a coffee mug with something special to that person, as we did with the cozy throw blankets, a mug with dogs on it for the dog lover, horses for the horse lover... and so on. Put in some of their favorite snack foods too.

6.  Gift Certificates

Some people find these horrid and tacky, but an employer who has taken the time to get to know their employee might find that giving gift certificates to peoples favorite shopping spots is the perfect thing. They should be given with some smaller token item such as a coffee mug or book.

7.  Christmas Items

Assuming that the reason for giving gifts is for a Christmas party, one thing worth considering is giving the employees Christmas décor items. Stay away from giving nativity sets unless you know the employee really well, something like Snowmen tend to work best as they are fun for winter, and less specific to Christmas only.

8.  Unique Items from Local Craft Sales

Sometimes you will find unique gift items at local craft sales. If you have several employees to buy for, and are buying several items from one vendor, let that vendor know your company name to show that your business has supported them.

9.  A Live Christmas Tree

This is a gift that is only suitable if you know the person receiving it has a yard where they can plant the tree following Christmas (in the spring). Put some ornaments on the tree that the employee can have for years to come.

10.  A Company Jacket

Some people find gifts purchased from the company, or that are advertising for the company, not to be genuine gifts, as such a jacket with the company logo may not be viewed with the same appreciation as a Blu-ray player. Giving these gifts needs to be done with tact and the quality of the Jacket must make it a worthy gift, not just that you want people to walk around with a jacket advertising for them. Similar thought must go into gifts when they are being selected from the business itself (as when the business is a retail store). Don't just unload old junk on employees in effort to give them gifts.

To Read about Gifts Employees can give their Employer, Click Here.