Gift Ideas, Rewards, and Performance Incentives

 

It’s always wise to consider ideas for simple seasonal thank you gifts for employees. No need for extravagance, but — let’s be honest — a little present when it’s not a holiday or birthday provides a pick-me-up for most people. As part of your employee appreciation efforts, do you ever give a small gift for a job well done? Here are some seasonal ideas for applicable fall gifts that just may make someone’s day a little brighter.
(more…)

Organizations spend a lot of time, money and effort each year researching, buying, hand-delivering and sending gifts to employees, clients, and other important stakeholders. Therefore, making it easy, effective and affordable is key…especially to small businesses that want to give but also need to watch their budget.

When choosing a corporate gift company, it is important to consider the following factors:

(more…)

 

The practice of corporate gifting has a long and storied history. In fact, it can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who would give gifts to their employees and clients as a way of showing appreciation and goodwill. In the early days of corporate America, gift-giving was largely limited to high-level executives and clients. However, as businesses grew and competition increased, the practice of corporate gifting began to spread to all levels of the workforce.

Today, corporate gifting is used by businesses of all sizes to build relationships, show appreciation, and motivate employees.

(more…)

 

As we prepare for the season of giving, many people struggle with what to give, what to spend, or where to even begin. We have been in the gift-giving business for a long time, and let us tell you, groceries are the ultimate gift.

Here are 5 Reasons Groceries are the Ultimate Gift

Everyone eats.

There is truly no other gift as universal as food. Whether it’s a celebratory meal or simply milk and veggies, everyone needs food to survive and thrive! You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t want a little extra food in the fridge or pantry. With a gThankYou grocery gift certificate, it’s completely possible to bring a smile to every single recipient.

Simplicity rules.

Sometimes the process of selecting gifts can overwhelm even the most seasoned shoppers. It’s even more complicated when purchasing gifts for entire organizations! Simple, straightforward gifts like a voucher for groceries embody the beauty of simplicity. Practicality never goes out of style. (more…)

Even for the most capable givers, it can be a challenge to find employee gifts for the holidays. Or rather, it’s challenging to find gifts your employees will actually enjoy and use. Too often, employers give gifts as if they’re checking a box: Here’s a golf shirt emblazoned with the company logo, hope it fits! (And sorry if you don’t play golf or it’s not at all your style.)
The end result is that workers can feel more annoyed by a gift than if they hadn’t received anything — like, Yeesh, now I have to lug this home because I don’t want the boss to see it in my office trash. Obviously, that’s not an optimal outcome, especially not when at least one recent report says employers spend an average of almost $80 per employee on holiday gifts.
What type of gifts do employees like?
Well, while we can’t guarantee you’ll find the perfect present for everyone on your team, we can offer a few critical tips and suggestions for employee gifts for the holidays.

Tip 1: Money Isn’t Everything

Don’t let that $80 figure upset you. Not only are you not obligated to spend so much, the value of a gift to the recipient also doesn’t necessarily correlate with its cost. As an expert quoted in an HR Dive discussion of good employee gifts for the holidays says, “The best holiday gifts aren’t necessarily the most expensive, but show an understanding of the recipient.” (more…)

 

Today’s headlines are full of crazy statistics about the workplace, with headlines like The Great Discontent ringing in our ears. Leaders are worried about retention rates, hiring, and assessing culture. While we understand the stress that accompanies these concerns, there is a bright light. This is an excellent opportunity! Let’s discuss what employees REALLY want for the holidays – your heartfelt appreciation for their hard work and loyalty.

This is the time to build a culture of gratitude. Thank those employees who have stuck through the hard times. Attract new talent by offering a culture that understands their needs. Build peer-to-peer and top-down communication channels and recognition that makes people feel valued.

As we dive right into the holiday season, gThankYou is here to help you share your appreciation. Personalized, heartfelt appreciation is in demand and, together, we can deliver.

(more…)

 

‘Tis the season for festive spirits and holiday gift-giving! Wrap your holiday employee gifts in gratitude and watch as spirits rise and kindness become contagious in your workplace. At gThankYou, we are believers that the season isn’t simply about buying gifts and checking off a to-do item. It is the spirit of gratitude – thanking others for the role they play in your life or business. Sincerely, authentically and from the heart.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
– Melody Beattie

A well-designed, personalized gift with a heartfelt note of appreciation does add that special touch. It’s both meaningful and memorable making the recipient feel special and truly valued. Let’s face it, these days we all crave sincere appreciation.

(more…)

 

Nothing says “Thank You” like the gift of a Thanksgiving turkey. And now is the perfect time to give thanks!

November is National Gratitude Month. The month leading up to Thanksgiving is perfectly fitting for us all to embrace the act of gratitude. There are many ways to express our appreciation for those in our lives. After the last year and a half, we especially appreciate being acknowledged and valued.
(more…)

gThankYou makes workplace Thanksgiving turkey gift-giving easy, convenient and affordable – regardless the size of your organization!

Turkey and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou are redeemable at major grocery chains anywhere in the U.S. for any brand, preparation and size of turkey (or ham). Recipients choose where they want to shop and the perfect turkey centerpiece of their Thanksgiving meal.
(more…)

Employers across all industries are facing major decisions about their policies for vaccinations. If it’s important or required that your employees get the vaccine, we have the perfect incentive – grocery gift certificates! Good for any combination of food-only products, redeemable at grocery stores nationally.

At gThankYou, we work closely with organizations to ensure they have the right tools to engage and reward employees. Decades of experience have shown us that food is met with gratitude and is an excellent driver of positive action.

This last year and a half have been extremely challenging for us all. However, now we are starting to regain some normalcy and gratitude towards our employees is more important than ever. While we are asking people to come back to work (or even if they were essential all along), there are a variety of ways to show thanks and even incentivize behavior.
(more…)

Holiday gift-giving is a joyous time to spread gratitude. It brings people together (even remotely) and delivers a pick-me-up during challenging times. The COVID-19 Pandemic has rocked many boats, but let’s look at the positive: increased employee engagement! To embrace this uptick, let’s also explore employee appreciation and keeping morale high by giving employees what they REALLY need or want this holiday season.

COVID-19: Good for workplace engagement 

Understanding the importance of employee engagement has always been important to organizations; especially those that care about employee satisfaction, retention, and a variety of other factors that support a great workforce. With the COVID-19 pandemic, employee engagement has been absolutely critical as companies have needed to heavily rely on essential workers and revamp organizational structures. Remote workforces require extra effort to keep engagement levels high, and recent research indicates that this is indeed happening.
(more…)

One of our favorite moments is when we unveil the new Enclosure Cards for Christmas and the winter holidays. It’s our own little version of the traditional tree-lighting. ?

This season, we have some exciting new designs to help you offer a meaningful “thank you” to your hardworking team members.

Write a Note of Appreciation

What do employees want most for the holidays? Your appreciation and thanks for their efforts, loyalty and contributions.
(more…)

By Cheryl Baker, Co-Founder and Director of Social Capital, Give and Take, Inc.

When you hear the term “contagion,” what image comes to mind? Disease. Panic in mass crowds. Viral social media trends. Perhaps this time of year, you think of the flu. 

Scientists have found that within groups, thoughts and moods can be just as contagious as physical diseases or behaviors. In a phenomenon called emotional contagion, researchers have observed that “individuals tend to express and feel emotions that are similar to those of others,” seeming to “catch” the feelings of those around them. 

While the word “contagion” often carries a negative connotation, research on the benefits of emotional contagion has shown that this ripple effect may be a secret workplace weapon for productivity and engagement. If you have a culture of generosity and appreciation, you’ve likely seen this in action.

Not sure if you have a generous workplace? (more…)

Delight Employees This Holiday Season

Research backs up what successful organizations have known all along – that appreciating employees day-in and day-out feeds productivity, retains employees and transforms workplace culture.

In other words, as Duke University behavioral economist Dan Ariely says, “recognition drives engagement and engagement drives productivity.”

Gifts are a tangible way to express your appreciation for each employee’s contribution to your organization. It may seem like a simple gesture, but expressing genuine appreciation matters more to recipients than you may think.

Consider this: among workers who feel valued, 88% feel engaged and 93% say their motivated to do their best. (American Psychological Association).
(more…)

Hanukka just ended and it’s not long until employees start taking off for the Christmas holiday and business winds down for the year.
There’s still time to choose a thoughtful holiday gift that will show employees how much you appreciate them.

Last-Minute Gift Ideas Employees Will Love

Here are five affordable employee gift ideas that are convenient enough to arrange at the last minute. Don’t forget to share your gifts with gratitude – the most meaningful gift of appreciation is free!

• A group gift.
  If your time is short, consider a group outing, an upgrade to the break room, or a holiday luncheon or party (if you’re not already planning one).

• Productivity apps or tools.
  Digital apps can be delivered instantly, with no physical orders or trips to the store. Poll your employees on which app will save them time or make them even better at their jobs.

• Subscriptions.
  No longer just for magazines, subscriptions exist nowadays for everything from streaming entertainment to socks. Subscriptions can be ordered easily online.

• Gift certificates for turkey or ham.
  The workplace gift of a turkey or ham is a beloved tradition of gratitude that stretches back decades. Gift certificates eliminate the logistical difficulties of storing and distributing frozen turkeys or hams, and they give your employees the flexibility to choose the sizes and preparations they want.

(more…)

Do an internet search for “choosing the right employee holiday gifts” and you’ll find story after story about bosses who made the wrong choice.
Usually these anecdotes of bad holiday gifts include branded clothing in the wrong size or something too personal or potentially inappropriate, like perfume or alcohol.
It’s easy to get disheartened and opt for what seems like the easy choice: cash.
But, as Inc. columnist Rebecca Hinds writes, “gifts of cash have little more impact than lumps of coal.”
It’s not that your holiday cash bonus won’t be appreciated — it will — but nothing can replace a thoughtful, meaningful token of gratitude that you’ve chosen for employees to enjoy.
What makes a great employee gift is the gratitude you share with it. (more…)

gThankYou’s new, updated Ultimate Employee Gift-Giving Guide has fresh case studies, more resources and the latest research in HR management – the perfect resource for planning holiday employee gift-giving and recognition efforts for the new year.
Download it FREE today!
Originally released in 2013, our popular Gift-Giving Guide has been updated with new insights to fit the rapidly changing landscape of employee rewards and recognition.
Our Ultimate Employee Gift-Giving Guide isn’t called “ultimate” for nothing! It has practical tips for choosing and sharing employee gifts, but it also includes in-depth tutorials in creating an overall workplace culture of appreciation. (more…)

When it comes to meaningful holiday employee gifts, a study released this month found gift certificates and food are the popular choices in the workplace for 2017.
Employee gifts in general are on the uptick as a retention strategy in a tight labor market, according to the nationwide ASI Corporate Gift Giving Study.
Customization and personalization also “continue to be major factors in gift choices,” the study found.
Employees want practical gifts they can use, like food and gift cards, and appreciate a gift that has a personalized message.
gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude for popular food items, like a Thanksgiving turkey or holiday ham, come with free customizable, personalized Enclosure Cards in dozens of designs, as well as free cookbooks.
gThankYou Gift Certificates are redeemable at virtually all major groceries nationwide, adding to their convenience and practicality. (more…)