With the holidays quickly approaching, companies and HR professionals often face a scramble to figure out corporate gifting. Acknowledging employees through gifting isn’t just a thoughtful thing to do during the holidays, there are several benefits for the company and employee. Sending an employee a holiday gift can boost morale and strengthen relationships. Remember, thoughtful gifts don’t need to be expensive to make an impact. Smaller budget-friendly employee gifts like gift cards can have a big impact when made thoughtful.
Why Corporate Gifting Matters (Even on a Budget)
While it may seem costly to give a corporate gift, the benefits outweigh the initial monetary cost. Sending a corporate gift to employees (or clients and vendors) is a great way to make your company stand out.The right gesture leaves a lasting impression that goes beyond the holidays. Here are a few reasons why you should consider corporate gifting this holiday season:
- Strengthens relationships
- Improves employee connections
- Encourages employee retention
- Increases employee engagement
- Encourages a sense of belonging
- Fosters a healthy company culture
Strategies to Stretch Your Corporate Gifting Budget
Sending a holiday gift doesn’t have to be expensive to make a big impact. Just the act of giving a gift this holiday season will matter, regardless of the price. Choosing the right appreciation gift can show employees they are valued without the business having to overspend. Here are a few tips on how to stretch the gift budget this year so that your employees still feel appreciated, but your ledger doesn’t go in the red.
1. Focus on personalization over price.
A great gift doesn’t have to be expensive to make a big impact. Smaller gifts can still make employees feel valued as long as they are personalized. Adding the employee’s name or monogram, memorable moments that the team shared, or inside jokes that the whole team is in on, those can be impactful inclusions to the gift.
2. Get onboard with bulk buying.
Bulk buying is great because it helps companies save money while still providing quality items for employees. Bulk buying typically means lower cost per gift, which makes gift buying process easier and less time-consuming.
3. Focus on quality over quantity.
While it may seem like a good idea to find cheap gifts that you can get a lot of, finding quality, thoughtful gifts shows employees they are truly valued. Gifts by Kudoboard allows them to choose the gift themself.
4. Let them choose their gift!
Kudoboard takes the guesswork out of picking a gift that feels thoughtful and quality for every team member. You get to choose the price, and they get to choose their gift. A win-win for everyone.
18 Budget-Friendly Holiday Corporate Gift Ideas (or Year Round)
You don’t need a big budget to make employees feel valued, the best corporate gifts are thoughtful, practical, and personal. A gift that shows genuine appreciation without overspending. Here are a few creative, cost-friendly ideas that your company can use during the holidays or year-around. All of these gifts are under $50 without feeling cheap.
- Corporate Gifts by Kudoboard
Kudoboard makes it easy to send gifts that feel personal, not generic. Recipients choose their own gift from a curated selection of 250,000+ top brands, spanning tech, wellness, fashion, art, gourmet treats, and more. Each gift can be delivered with a heartfelt Kudoboard or a digital eCard, featuring personalized messages, photos, or videos from an individual or an entire team. The result: every recipient feels genuinely appreciated while receiving something they actually love. No more guesswork. No more “meh” company swag. Just thoughtful, personalized corporate gifting that builds connection, boosts morale, and fits any budget — all powered by Kudoboard.
2. Koozie Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
People love a useful gift, and a bluetooth speaker is a great gift for practical and everyday use.
3. Customized Mophie Power Bank
Another win for a practical gift that everyone could use is a power bank. This is great because it is versatile and useful for everyone (no matter what kind of phone or portable device they use). You can customize it with the company logo as well!
4. Desk Plant
Plants are great as a budget-friendly option that bring lasting value and a touch of nature. There are plenty of low maintenance options as well, like succulents.
Bonus tip: Pair it with a note or Kudoboard that says “thanks for helping our team (or company) grow!”
5. Restaurant Gift Card
A restaurant gift card to an employee’s favorite restaurant (or a restaurant that is well liked by many) gives the employees the freedom to enjoy a meal of their choice. A restaurant gift card feels thoughtful because it provides both convenience and an experience, rather than just another item on the shelf.
6. Mini Desk Games or Brain Puzzles
Everyone needs a little downtime in the office, so gifting a small desk game (like mini foosball or a basketball hoop) or a brain teaser (like wooden or metal puzzles) would offer some stress relief and a chance for quick enjoyable breaks.
7. Snack Gift Box
Consumables are great for gifting and there are many options at the $50 price point (or under). Many people prefer consumables over gifts that will not get used, and snack gift boxes are a great way to encourage healthy choices.
8. Bluetooth Headphones
Practical gift employees will actually use, and there are many options that are under $50 and are still quality.
9. Wireless Charger
Everyone loves a wireless charger because it helps prevent the clutter of cords and its another practical gift that anyone could use.
10. Car Wash Gift Card
Getting a local car wash gift card is a great way to “spoil” employees without breaking the bank. Everyone loves a clean car, and not having to worry about paying at the car wash for a few visits would be helpful.
11. Bamboo Cutting Board Set
Cutting boards are a necessary kitchen tool that everyone needs. Many are trying to get rid of plastic cutting boards, so gifting employees a stylish and eco-friendly bamboo set would be perfect.
12. Nice Water Bottle
Everyone needs a good water bottle, and there are a lot of options for companies to use. With a $50 budget, you can easily make a decent water bottle the perfect gift (maybe pair it with a gift card to a fun coffee/drink shop).
13. Movie Night Basket
Everyone loves a good movie, and having a snack or treat basket is a great way to level up the at-home movie experience.
14. Digital Picture Frame
The perfect gift for sentimental employees- a digital frame lets them relive their favorite memories without the hassle of printing. It’s a thoughtful, modern way to showcase photos and keep special moments close.
15. Fancy Olive Oils Gift Basket
For the at home chefs, sending a gift box with nice olive oils is a fun and unique gift that many people can use to add a touch of luxury to each meal.
16. Lego Bouquet
Flowers are fun to receive, but the joy quickly wilts as the flowers die on the person’s desk or counter. A lego bouquet is a unique gift that can brighten up someone’s desk year round.
17. TileMate
I am always losing my phone or keys (or wallet), so having a way to find them has been very helpful and probably one of my most used gadgets. TileMates range from around $25-$28 per unit when bulk buying.
18. Thermapop
I received this as an employee gift and it has easily become my most used kitchen item. A digital cooking thermometer is the perfect gift for employees because it is practical, small, and useful in the kitchen.
Adding the Personal Touch
Adding a personal touch to each gift makes the budget gift feel premium. Whether you opt for a business gift like a power bank, or a more creative option like a Lego Bouquet, adding a note can transform it to a memorable keepsake. To achieve the ultimate corporate gift, while still on a budget, adding personalization is the key. Here are a few tips to help make the gift have a big impact:
1. Add a note highlighting the employee’s accomplishments or milestones. This could highlight how long the employee has been working at the company.
2. Monogram the gift. Adding the employees’ initials or names to a totebag, waterbottle, or notebook instantly transforms a simple item into something memorable.
3. Include a company photo. A small framed photo from a team event or holiday party can make the gift feel more heartfelt and highlights the relationships they’ve built within the company.
4. Deliver in person. While this is harder for large companies, smaller companies can pull off presenting the gift face-to-face. You could also recognize someone remotely with a short video message to replicate the same sense of connection.
Tools & Platforms to Simplify Corporate Gifting
The holidays are hectic enough without having to also manage corporate gift ideas. The good news is there are plenty of tools that make it easier for companies to personalize and deliver meaningful gifts without adding extra stress (or blowing the budget). That’s where Kudoboard comes in.
Kudoboard is an easy way to create heartfelt messages, personalized with GIFs, videos, and photos. Whether you are gifting from one person to another, or from the whole company to one team or person, Kudoboard has you covered. Instead of a simple (and boring) note from HR or leadership, employees can feel appreciated through eCards that are meant just for them. It is a cost-effective way to turn simple recognition into a keepsake, and it is perfect for the holidays or year around occasions (like birthdays and anniversaries). Remember that it’s all about personalization. Pretty much all employees would prefer a personalized eCard over a form-printed physical card.
Kudoboard also makes it easy to automate employee milestones like anniversaries and birthdays. This prevents anyone getting lost in the quarter 4 shuffle.
Elevate Your Corporate Gifting Today
Whether you need an appreciation gift during the year, or are looking for holiday corporate gifts, remember it doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. By choosing thoughtful appreciation gifts, companies can show that they value their employees without spending a ton of money. Whether you are looking for a practical business gift, a fun desk accessory, or unique corporate gifts that feel personal, the right employee gift can leave a lasting impression and improve the employee experience. Don’t forget to personalize your corporate gift with a Kudoboard or eCard to really make an impact!
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