The best Christmas gift ideas for employees start with what your team would welcome. Choose a useful item, an experience, a voucher or a Tree Gift because it suits the recipient, then add a personal thank-you. You can offer a small choice without turning the process into a complicated catalogue.
For a gift that combines a message with tree planting, explore employee Tree Gifts. Use the comparison below to decide whether a digital Gift Story, a physical Tree Kit or another format fits your team.
Key Takeaways
- Ask about preferences before placing a large order.
- Compare gifts by suitability, full cost and delivery needs.
- Keep physical growing kits distinct from digital gifts that support planting in Tanzania.
- Include remote staff and people away from work in the plan.
Christmas gift ideas for employees: compare the options
- A useful physical gift: a notebook, desk item or other product the person wants. Check suitability, quality and whether they already have something similar.
- A food gift: a treat for someone who would enjoy it. Ask about preferences, check ingredient information and arrange delivery around storage needs.
- A voucher: a choice for recipients who prefer selecting something themselves. Check where it can be used, expiry terms and any restrictions.
- An experience: a class, outing or activity matched to the person. Confirm accessibility, location and scheduling before buying.
- A physical Tree Kit: a grow-your-own gift for someone who wants to plant and care for a tree. Check the instructions and available growing space.
- A digital Gift Story: a personal digital message with trees planted in Tanzania. It avoids a physical parcel and can suit a distributed team.
- A contribution to a chosen cause: ask which cause the recipient values and explain the contribution accurately.
There is no need to declare one category best for everyone. A practical voucher can be thoughtful when it is what the person wants. A growing gift can be a good fit for someone who enjoys plants. Let the recipient’s interests guide the choice.
How to shortlist without guessing
Start with three questions: would you prefer a physical gift, a digital gift or an experience; which available option would you choose; and is there anything the organiser should know about receiving it? Include a comfortable way to decline.
Our employee gift questionnaire gives you a fuller template. Keep only the questions that affect the options you can actually provide. Explain who sees the responses and how you will use them.
After responses arrive, count each selection and check what remains unresolved. Do not silently treat a non-response as a preference. Send a short reminder or use the default approach you explained at the start.
Plan the full cost of employee Christmas gifts
Ask finance for an approved total before comparing product prices. Include personalisation, packaging, delivery, applicable charges and any administrative costs. Confirm payroll treatment for the specific gift rather than relying on a general online threshold.
Use this planning formula: gift quantities multiplied by their quoted unit costs, plus confirmed additional charges, equals the proposed total. Keep an agreed allowance for changes separate and explain what it may cover.
Here is an illustrative headcount exercise, not a supplier offer: a team of 60 chooses 30 physical gifts, 20 digital gifts and 10 vouchers. Request the actual cost for each group and add the relevant delivery and setup charges. Do not multiply the cheapest headline price by 60 and assume it covers every format.
If budget approval is part of year-end planning, our year-end employee gift guide provides a more detailed worksheet. Spend only what is approved and useful.
Physical Tree Kits and digital Gift Stories
A physical Tree Kit contains seeds and growing materials for the recipient to plant. It gives them something to care for themselves. Confirm the product, growing guidance and fulfilment arrangements for your destinations.
A digital Gift Story includes your message and tree planting in Tanzania. The recipient receives the digital story, while planting takes place through the programme in Tanzania. They are different experiences, so make the choice clear in your invitation.
For custom logo-branded kits, see branded Tree Kits. If you want a digital message, explore Gift Stories. Ask for current pricing and timing for the format and quantity you need.
When explaining a planting contribution, use specific supporting information. ForestNation’s impact methodology describes the basis and limitations behind its reporting. Do not assume tree planting establishes that another product’s emissions have been balanced.
Christmas gifts for remote and hybrid employees
Give remote staff the same consideration as colleagues in the office. Ask whether they prefer a parcel, office collection or a digital option. Confirm where someone can receive a physical gift and avoid sending it while they are away.
For digital delivery, check the recipient details, preferred timing and a contact route for problems. Sending digitally removes parcel logistics, but emails can still fail to arrive or go unread. Plan how you will handle those exceptions.
Check the list for staff on leave, new starters and different shifts according to your organisation’s agreed approach. One owner should reconcile the final recipient count with the order.
Pair the gift with a personal message
Ask the direct manager to name something they appreciated. A short, accurate note is enough: “Thank you for helping the team prepare for the launch. Your clear handover notes made the last week much easier. We appreciated the care you put into it.”
For a physical kit, you might add, “We hope you enjoy growing this tree.” For a digital Gift Story, explain that tree planting has been arranged in Tanzania. Use completed-planting language only when it matches the actual status.
See our Christmas messages to employees for examples. Keep any promise of leave, bonuses or future support consistent with what your organisation has agreed.
Your final ordering checklist
- Recipient choices counted and unresolved responses followed up.
- Budget approved using the full quoted cost.
- Physical sample or digital proof checked.
- Names and messages reviewed by the relevant managers.
- Addresses, collection arrangements and digital contact details confirmed.
- Supplier timing matched to when employees can receive the gift.
- One person assigned to delivery issues and changes.
Keep a record of what people chose and any delivery problems so the next round is easier. Ask whether the gift was welcome without expecting a public post or testimonial in return.
When a Tree Gift fits your team, see employee appreciation gifts and share the headcount, format and target date. For a whole-company seasonal plan, see corporate Christmas gifts.
Research and References
- ForestNation employee gifting options, product information.
- ForestNation impact methodology, reporting basis and limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you get employees for Christmas?
Choose an option they would welcome, such as a useful item, voucher, experience or Tree Gift, and include a specific personal thank-you.
What gifts do employees like most?
Preferences differ. Ask your team about the choices you can offer rather than assuming one format or price level will suit everyone.
What are five practical employee Christmas gift categories?
Consider useful physical gifts, food gifts, vouchers, experiences and Tree Gifts. Check the recipient’s preferences and delivery needs before deciding.
How do you give Christmas gifts to remote employees?
Offer a format they can receive comfortably. Confirm the address for a physical gift or the contact details for a digital gift, and plan how to resolve delivery problems.
