What are the best holiday gifts for employees in 2025?

The short answer: gifts that are personal, digital, and easy to send anywhere in the world.

It’s 2025, and employee holiday gifting has officially gone modern. Instead of scrambling for one-size-fits-all presents or over-ordering branded mugs, companies are choosing flexible, digital gifts that let employees pick what they actually want. These gifts save time, simplify logistics, and make appreciation feel authentic—whether your team works in the office, remotely, or across the globe.

Digital holiday gifts are more than convenient; they build real connection. When employees can choose something that fits their lifestyle—like wellness kits, subscriptions, or hobby-based experiences—they feel seen and valued. That’s the true meaning of holiday recognition in 2025.

So grab a mug of hot cocoa (no, not another one for John in Accounting) and explore our guide to holiday gifting for employees in 2025—where thoughtful, digital, and personal gifts make this season’s recognition simple and unforgettable.

1. Holiday eCard and Self-Selected Gift, powered by Kudoboard.

If you’re looking for the best employee holiday gift that’s personal, modern, and impossible to get wrong, meet the Kudoboard eCard with a self-selected gift—the easiest way to celebrate every employee or client at once.

How it works: A leader, manager, peer, or HR team can send a beautifully branded Kudoboard eCard to their entire company or team. But here’s the best part—each recipient gets a personalized holiday experience designed just for them.

The sender can fully customize the eCard with company branding, choose from hundreds of fun animated templates, and add a personalized video, audio, or written message. Every recipient then gets the chance to select their own gift from 250,000 top brands and high-quality products—so every present feels personal, never generic.

No guesswork. No wasted gifts. Just genuine appreciation that scales beautifully across remote, hybrid, and global teams.

Why this holiday gift for employees stands out:

• Personalized at scale: Every recipient gets a unique message and a gift that fits their individual taste.
• Modern and branded: Option to customize your eCard with your company logo, colors, and holiday designs for a cohesive brand experience. Great for employees and clients.
• Choice from 250,000+ top brands: Employees and clients can select high-quality gifts they’ll actually love—ranging from experiences to lifestyle favorites.
• Perfect for remote + global teams: Kudoboard handles digital delivery and global fulfillment, no matter where your team is located.
• Effortless for admins: Send once, celebrate everyone. No shipping spreadsheets, no last-minute chaos.

In 2025, the best holiday gifts are the ones people actually want—and with Kudoboard eCards and self-selected gifts, you can make that happen effortlessly, anywhere in the world.

2. Gift Cards: The Flexible Digital Gift Employees Actually Want

Let’s face it: gift cards sometimes get a bad rap. But hear us out—e-gift cards are one of the most appreciated, useful, and stress-free digital holiday gifts for employees.

The beauty of the electronic gift card for holidays is its versatility. It’s like giving your employee a mini shopping spree but letting them pick out exactly what they want. And isn’t that what everyone secretly prefers? Plus, during the busy holiday season, it’s a quick and easy way to spread holiday cheer without burning through your budget.

Top choices for employee Gift Cards:

• Amazon gift card: Whether your team wants to buy books, tech gadgets, or holiday treats, they’ll find it here.
• Starbucks gift card: Perfect for your coffee-loving crew.
• Local favorite gift card: Support small businesses with gift cards to local shops, restaurants, or even cozy cafes.

The best part? Digital holiday gifts like gift cards are a no-fuss solution. No shipping, no waiting, just instant gratification for your hard-working team.

3. Virtual Wellness Subscriptions: Help Your Team Unwind Over the Holidays

Holidays can be stressful—even more so when you’re juggling year-end reports and a packed calendar of festivities. That’s where virtual wellness subscriptions come in as a digital holiday gift that promotes relaxation, mindfulness, and maybe even some zen in the midst of the holiday chaos.

From meditation apps to virtual fitness classes, wellness subscriptions show your employees that you care about their well-being, not just their productivity. And after a year of hard work, everyone deserves a little bit of self-care, right?

Popular wellness subscriptions:

• Headspace: Your employees can relax and unwind with guided meditations, perfect for recharging over the holiday season.
• Embodied Life Therapy: Give your employees the gift of relaxation with Embodied Life Therapy’s guided meditations, perfect for helping them recharge and de-stress during the holiday season..
• Calm: Another favorite, Calm offers mindfulness and relaxation tools for those who need a bit more holiday peace and quiet.
• Peloton Digital: For the fitness enthusiasts on your team, Peloton’s digital membership provides a range of classes from yoga to cardio—all without leaving the living room.

These wellness gifts aren’t just about getting healthier—they’re about boosting morale and making sure your employees feel refreshed and ready to tackle the new year.

4. Streaming Subscriptions: The Gift of Unlimited Entertainment

Who doesn’t love getting cozy with some hot cocoa and binge-watching their favorite shows over the holiday break? A streaming subscription is the perfect digital holiday gift that keeps giving long after the New Year’s Eve ball drops.

From Netflix to Disney+, your employees will have endless entertainment options, whether they’re into blockbuster movies or indie films. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t want an excuse to stay in pajamas all day and watch movies?

Top streaming subscription ideas:

• Netflix: With everything from holiday rom-coms to riveting documentaries, Netflix is a crowd-pleaser.
• Disney+: From Star Wars to Marvel, Disney+ is a hit with fans of all ages.
• Hulu: A great option if you’re looking to add a mix of TV shows, live sports, and holiday specials into the mix.

Not only are streaming subscriptions a great digital holiday gift for employees, but they’re also the perfect way to spread a little holiday joy (and maybe share your own binge-worthy recommendations in the company chat).

5. Virtual Team-Building Experiences: Bringing Holiday Fun to Remote Teams

For remote teams, the holiday season can sometimes feel a little lonely. But that’s where virtual team-building experiences come in, turning holiday gatherings into a fun, engaging experience, no matter where everyone is logging in from.

From virtual escape rooms to holiday-themed trivia, these events bring your team together for some light-hearted fun that doesn’t involve awkward icebreakers or forced small talk. Instead, it’s all about boosting morale, connecting with your coworkers, and—most importantly—having fun. Check out teambuilding.com for various employee team-building experiences.

Ideas for virtual holiday team-building:

• Virtual escape rooms: Work together to solve puzzles and “escape” within a set time limit. It’s a team effort that’s great for collaboration and a bit of competitive spirit.
• Holiday-themed trivia: Test your team’s knowledge of everything from holiday movie quotes to obscure Christmas facts. Plus, you can throw in some company-specific trivia for added fun.
• Virtual happy hour or wine tasting: Send out drink kits ahead of time and enjoy a relaxing, festive happy hour over Zoom.

These virtual experiences make sure your team still gets to enjoy some holiday fun, no matter where in the world they’re working from.

6. Digital Charity Donations: The Gift That Gives Back

The holidays are all about giving, so why not let your gift reflect that? A digital charity donation on behalf of your employees is a thoughtful way to show appreciation while supporting a cause that aligns with your company’s values.

You can choose a charity that supports holiday meals, education, or environmental causes—or let your employees choose a cause that matters to them personally. It’s a feel-good, meaningful gift that benefits more than just your team.

Plus, with so many digital platforms available, you can make the process smooth and seamless.

Popular digital charity platforms:

• GoFundMe: Fundraising for everything from education to medical bills.
• DonorsChoose: Support classroom projects across the U.S., helping teachers and students.
• Charity Navigator: Browse and donate to a variety of vetted charities.

Not only does this digital holiday gift for employees show that your company cares about giving back, but it also allows employees to feel good about making a difference during the holiday season.

7. Audiobook Subscriptions: A Gift for the Bookworms

Got a team of readers who are always talking about the latest book they’re hooked on? An audiobook subscription is the perfect digital holiday gift for employees who love to dive into a good story, but don’t always have the time to sit down with a book.

With services like Audible, your employees can listen to audiobooks during their commute, while cooking holiday meals, or while taking their post-turkey dinner nap.

Top audiobook platforms:

• Audible: The most popular option with thousands of titles, including bestsellers, classics, and exclusive Audible content.
• Scribd: Not only does Scribd offer audiobooks, but it also provides eBooks, magazines, and even sheet music.
• Libro.fm: Support local bookstores with this audiobook subscription, which shares revenue with independent shops.

An audiobook subscription isn’t just a thoughtful gift—it’s an escape into another world, one chapter at a time.

8. MasterClass Subscriptions: Learning From the Best

Want to give a gift that’s a little more inspiring? With a MasterClass subscription, your employees can learn from industry leaders, celebrity chefs, best-selling authors, and more. Whether they’re interested in cooking, business, or the arts, there’s a MasterClass for just about anything.

From Gordon Ramsay teaching cooking to Anna Wintour discussing leadership, MasterClass gives your employees a fun and engaging way to learn new skills, both in and out of the workplace.

Popular MasterClass topics:

• Leadership: With lessons from Anna Wintour and Bob Iger, your team will get top-notch insights into leading with confidence.
• Cooking: Learn to cook from Gordon Ramsay, or try out Dominique Ansel’s pastry-making tips.
• Photography: Annie Leibovitz offers tips for both beginners and pros looking to level up their photography skills.

MasterClass is not just a gift—it’s an opportunity for personal and professional growth, packaged in an entertaining and immersive experience.

9. Personalized Digital Greeting Cards: Send Some Holiday Cheer

Let’s face it—everyone loves a little recognition, especially during the holidays. A personalized digital greeting card can be a heartfelt way to show your employees you’re thinking of them. You can either create a custom card for each team member or use a platform like Kudoboard to design a collective holiday greeting from the entire team. Add some humor, share memories from the past year, and make it special!

Why digital greeting cards are great for the holidays:

• It’s a thoughtful and affordable way to show appreciation.
• Personalizing the card with a special message for each employee can make a huge impact.
• With no physical mail involved, digital cards are eco-friendly and fast.

Pro Tip: Take it to the next level by creating a digital holiday video card! Have each manager or team leader record a short, festive message to their team, and compile the videos on Kudoboard. It’s an easy way to spread cheer across departments and create a feel-good moment for everyone.

10.Custom Digital Avatars or Bitmoji Sets: Make Work Fun

Who doesn’t love a fun, custom avatar that represents them online? For remote teams that live in Slack channels, Zoom calls, and other digital platforms, personalized avatars or Bitmoji sets are a whimsical gift that can bring a little extra joy to everyday work life. You can give employees the gift of a custom-designed avatar (there are plenty of artists on Etsy who specialize in this) or provide them with a Bitmoji kit that they can use in their emails, presentations, or instant messages.

Why digital avatar sets are great for the holidays:

• It’s a lighthearted, creative gift that brings out the fun in remote work.
• Personalized avatars give employees a chance to express their unique personalities.
• It’s perfect for digital workspaces, adding a splash of color to the daily grind.

Host an “avatar reveal” event where everyone on the team shares their custom avatar on a Kudoboard. You can even make it a competition, with categories like “Most Accurate,” “Funniest,” or “Most Creative”!

Spread the Joy with Thoughtful Digital Holiday Gifts for Employees

The holiday season is a perfect time to show your employees how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication. With these creative and thoughtful digital holiday gift ideas, you can deliver something meaningful, convenient, and enjoyable—without the hassle of shipping or wrapping. Whether it’s a fun virtual experience, a practical e-gift card, or a personalized subscription, there’s a perfect option for every team member.

And don’t forget to make the holiday celebration extra special by bringing everyone together on Kudoboard! Whether it’s sharing festive messages, highlighting virtual holiday parties, or capturing memories, Kudoboard is the ultimate way to foster connection and spread holiday cheer across your team. Happy gifting!