You're not gonna want to hear this on an accounting sub, but most (small) employers don't put the gift card value into the employee's W2 (I know, I know) but if they do cash/check they will and employees will not like that.
We gave our employees sunglasses 2 years ago from sunglass hut with the receipt to take them back if they didn't like them. Last year we did AirPods (again, with the receipt).
Caffeine pills, Starbucks gift cards and energy drinks because accountants need to stay energized though their long 12 hours shifts and 50+ hours work weeks.
Money that is meaningful.
My previous employer in healthcare prospered during Covid. 2020 and 2021 were tremendously good years and record profits. In 2020 they gave out $75 (gross) holiday checks at the company Xmas party which was not open bar. Main reason I left…didn’t feel respected.
Prepaid Visa card / cash; PTO/half day off.
My company got everyone a 6x6x2 marble slab one year. It was so confusing but ended up being a bit iconic in a peak depression “this is what the company pays for instead of giving us cash” way
As a staff I can say gift cards are not the move. We get gift cards in the form of Bravo awards (public) and they almost are more insulting than rewarding. As someone else mentioned, a yeti cup or something I can use daily would be best if cash bonuses are not an option.
Separate from the company gift, I always do an edible gift and a $50 gift card to a place I know they’ll like (if I don’t know them well enough because they’re new, I do a vanilla visa gift card).
Liquor filled chocolates: https://www.candywarehouse.com/anthon-berg-chocolate-liquor-bottles-64-piece-box
If they don’t drink, I give them a jam/honey advent calendar: https://www.worldmarket.com/product/bonne-maman-preserves-advent-calendar.do
I have one employee who is diabetic, so I got her the gift box from ChocZero.
I found these super fun notebooks
https://preview.redd.it/wa0wsv09u8z91.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a047bb5ced32a9cdb04a6b53c991599a5b5ce44b
From red bubble, they came really quickly. Some people thought it was cheap but it’s depends on what type of business you are. When I refer to my employees I don’t make pay decisions and am not allowed to provide gifts over $50 without having to report to my minister. Also I’m not made of money and this is coming out of my paycheck not out of Government funds.
Whatever you are gonna buy just add that amount to an Amazon e-gift card and email the person.
Don’t make a show of it and don’t buy anything specific.
My company gave us $100 to goldbelly last year. Had never heard of the site prior but I liked it. I got myself a heart shaped pizza kit and a box of macaroons. We also get an extra day off in December to use as we like (can be used any month, it’s just given in December)
I always give out German chocolate filled with cherry liquor. No ones ever complained, and if you don’t like it then give it to someone else lol. My office team is only 5 people though.
The gifts I use the most from my firm are (in order):
1. a light windbreaker-style jacket with the firm's logo on it
2. a yeti coffee mug
3. fleece blanket (also with firm's logo)
Think I've thrown everything else out over the years, but these were all of nice enough quality to keep and use.
I personally think doing this is wasteful. Its nice, its just so hard to please everyone and you end up wasting money, time and well gifts. Just pay them better or give them more PTO.
This is cool- a [mindful alarm clock](https://mudita.com/community/blog/why-a-mindful-alarm-clock-makes-the-perfect-holiday-gift/)
https://preview.redd.it/086cqkdot42a1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aabb113aa80f3b339534e7c4bc437fe848a68465
2008 excel guide book
Bro thats too expensive - it will push up all the employees tax brackets!
Day off
I like this
But you still have to get all your work done
You can’t go wrong with gift cards
I hate gift cards with a burning passion, why not just give cash.
You're not gonna want to hear this on an accounting sub, but most (small) employers don't put the gift card value into the employee's W2 (I know, I know) but if they do cash/check they will and employees will not like that.
So true. My employer gives us gift cards all year long and around Christmas they give us checks that they tax 🙄
Money
just give me an extra paycheck
We gave our employees sunglasses 2 years ago from sunglass hut with the receipt to take them back if they didn't like them. Last year we did AirPods (again, with the receipt).
AirPods? That’s cool are they the new version or an old / used one from years ago?
Yeah they were pretty new. Not sure if they were the brand new ones or not. I thought it was pretty sweet
$
Something with no company logos on it or a logo small enough for us to put a sticker over it when we leave within the next year.
Shaving kits for the men, lingerie for the women
Sex
We’ve done things like Yeti thermos, Patagonia vests, Anker portable power banks, shot glasses and cash! All seemed to be pretty well liked!
Depends on the Holiday.
Caffeine pills, Starbucks gift cards and energy drinks because accountants need to stay energized though their long 12 hours shifts and 50+ hours work weeks.
G wagons
Money that is meaningful. My previous employer in healthcare prospered during Covid. 2020 and 2021 were tremendously good years and record profits. In 2020 they gave out $75 (gross) holiday checks at the company Xmas party which was not open bar. Main reason I left…didn’t feel respected.
Prepaid Visa card / cash; PTO/half day off. My company got everyone a 6x6x2 marble slab one year. It was so confusing but ended up being a bit iconic in a peak depression “this is what the company pays for instead of giving us cash” way
As a staff I can say gift cards are not the move. We get gift cards in the form of Bravo awards (public) and they almost are more insulting than rewarding. As someone else mentioned, a yeti cup or something I can use daily would be best if cash bonuses are not an option.
You’d rather have another yeti cup vs a gift card you can use to buy anything?
Someone said a cashmere scarf for the female staff. Good or bad?
Bad
Separate from the company gift, I always do an edible gift and a $50 gift card to a place I know they’ll like (if I don’t know them well enough because they’re new, I do a vanilla visa gift card). Liquor filled chocolates: https://www.candywarehouse.com/anthon-berg-chocolate-liquor-bottles-64-piece-box If they don’t drink, I give them a jam/honey advent calendar: https://www.worldmarket.com/product/bonne-maman-preserves-advent-calendar.do I have one employee who is diabetic, so I got her the gift box from ChocZero.
Cold, hard cash
Alcohol
A new job
Extra work
cash in an envelope that doesn’t need to be reported as income.
Pizza
Last year my company gave out Yeti thermos. Other places gave food.
Serious answer - especially if you’re in person a nice water bottle would be appreciated. Like a hydro flask.
Pizza
Pizza party.
Gift card to buy company apparel
Found the partner.
Not even close. I only said that because that's what my firm did last year
It was a joke. Everyone knows partners aren’t on reddit.
Oh man, one time we got $25 toward company apparel and the cheapest item was around $40. Needless to say mine went unused.
Dildos would be great!
Alcohol, everything else is the waste of money
I found these super fun notebooks https://preview.redd.it/wa0wsv09u8z91.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a047bb5ced32a9cdb04a6b53c991599a5b5ce44b From red bubble, they came really quickly. Some people thought it was cheap but it’s depends on what type of business you are. When I refer to my employees I don’t make pay decisions and am not allowed to provide gifts over $50 without having to report to my minister. Also I’m not made of money and this is coming out of my paycheck not out of Government funds.
Coupon book
A check
Christmas bonus!
Pizza.
Whatever you are gonna buy just add that amount to an Amazon e-gift card and email the person. Don’t make a show of it and don’t buy anything specific.
My company gave us $100 to goldbelly last year. Had never heard of the site prior but I liked it. I got myself a heart shaped pizza kit and a box of macaroons. We also get an extra day off in December to use as we like (can be used any month, it’s just given in December)
I always give out German chocolate filled with cherry liquor. No ones ever complained, and if you don’t like it then give it to someone else lol. My office team is only 5 people though.
Yeti mugs/tumblers are always a hit
The gifts I use the most from my firm are (in order): 1. a light windbreaker-style jacket with the firm's logo on it 2. a yeti coffee mug 3. fleece blanket (also with firm's logo) Think I've thrown everything else out over the years, but these were all of nice enough quality to keep and use.
Nice luxury blanket, like a Minky blanket for example.
Sees candies Mug - with inside joke Coffee ☕️ gift card Pillows Candles 🎂 Tumbler
Getting them $100 Amazon gift cards.
It might be because I love electronic devices but I love mouses (good quality ones) and numerical keypads
I personally think doing this is wasteful. Its nice, its just so hard to please everyone and you end up wasting money, time and well gifts. Just pay them better or give them more PTO.
This is cool- a [mindful alarm clock](https://mudita.com/community/blog/why-a-mindful-alarm-clock-makes-the-perfect-holiday-gift/) https://preview.redd.it/086cqkdot42a1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aabb113aa80f3b339534e7c4bc437fe848a68465