Top 6 Practical Gifts to Give to Coworkers and Employees
As the year comes to an end, the Holiday season begins. This season, known as the season of giving, is a wonderful way to spread some cheer in the office by giving gifts. Many offices try to minimize the expense of having to purchase gifts for everyone through Secret Santa programs and other rules such as limiting a gifts cost. Many gifts are cute novelty items that are inexpensive and have provide a short period of joy to the person receiving the gift; however, there are other gift options available. Instead of spending time and money on trinket gifts, why don’t you give something that will be useful in the office for years to come?
A new tee shirt or a pair of fuzzy socks are common gifts but are not particularly useful long term. In today’s modern business, work technology and trends are very prevalent. So why not give a gift that will allow someone to maximize their office usefulness? These items can be large such as a new desk chair or file cabinet or small like flash drives or a new keyboard or mouse. Below is a list of some office gifts that anyone would be happy to have.
1- Desk
People spend a lot of time at their desks working during the year. A new desk will be the highest priced item on this list but also the most useful. Does your office setup meet the yearly needs of your employees? There are many assorted styles of office desk; sit stand, private office desks, collaborative desks, and portable desks. Do your coworkers have the desk that best fits their needs? If not, considering new desking options would be a great gift that can raise office productivity. The inflated cost does scare people away from making this purchase, but as the year ends, a new desk gift can also be used as a tax write off for your company.
2-Office Chair
Are you and your coworkers happy with the current seating arrangement in the office? The answer is likely no for a large amount of people and this can be fixed with ease. Office chairs can cost over $1000 but they do not have to. There are a large number of excellent seating options at great prices. Giving a chair does not seem like fun; however, it is an extremely useful gift that can be appreciated by many. So, when you start shopping for great holiday gifts, consider a seating upgrade.
3-Upgrades to the Break or Lunch Room
Every office has some sort of break or lunch room area. These areas can be small closet like areas with a microwave and refrigerator or large rooms with tables and chairs for people to sit, eat and enjoy their breaks. Upgrading what’s in these areas can be done at a reasonable price and will improve employee morale and productivity. These upgrades can be simple items like a new coffee/espresso maker or larger items such as a couch or reclining chair. The other benefit to buying break room gifts is it allows you to consolidate your gifts to your employees and coworkers by purchasing something that they will all use and enjoy.
4-Upgrades to Technology
One of the most overlooked office expenses every year is upgrades to technology. These can be big upgrades such as new computers, or smaller upgrades such as a new keyboard or mouse. These upgrades not only make great gifts but are extremely practical. Using an outdated computer can significantly slow down office productivity. In addition, smaller items do wear out with time and do need to be replaced. The holiday season gives you the perfect chance to make someone happy and increase productivity at the same time by simply upgrading someone’s technology.
5-Simple Entry Way Upgrades
During the winter does your office have enough spots for everyone coats, boots, and umbrellas? If not, a simple and generally inexpensive upgrade to your entrance way can go a long way. Adding another coat rack can usually be done with ease. You can put an end to everyone shoving their coats into a small area and adding a simple boot storage rack can also free up space for more cold weather shoes. These simple upgrades can be accomplished easily and can be shared by everyone.
6-Office Party Instead of Gifts
Another great way to avoid the hassle of coordinating a gift giving event is to have a fun holiday party instead. This party can be at the office or even a fun venue. By having an event instead of giving gifts, you facilitate team building and increase morale without having to go shopping. Everyone can get together and relax and you can save a lot of time by skipping checkout lines at the local store or mall.
Thanksgiving to Christmas is the season of giving. Whether you give gifts to everyone or large gifts meant to be for the group, one thing remains constant, winning at holiday gift giving goes a long way to a happy office all year long. If you found this article of interest, please share on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.