18 of the Worst Holiday Gifts to Give Employees (& Better Ways to Show Appreciation)

It’s the thought that counts, right? Doesn’t seem like too much thought was put into these real-life holiday gifts employers gave their people.

We compiled a list from several websites of some cringeworthy gifts employers gave their staffers. There are some doozies here:

• A book on how to be better at your job
• Season tickets to the CEO’s son’s little league
• A doomsday prep pack
• A sack of potatoes
• The boss’s framed family photo
• Melted chocolate coins
• Old stale cookies
• Deli meat
• A seat belt cutter
• A quail from a boss’s hunting trip
• One free movie ticket, 50% off a second one
• A pair of socks
• A fanny pack
• A tourniquet
• A coupon for a McDonald’s apple pie
• Budget cut announcements
• A can of soda, and
• A single banana.

This is hardly the first list of this kind. Nor will it likely be the last. Fortunately, your company probably hasn’t shown its appreciation in any of these ways.

Most Employees Would Appreciate Something

Even if you don’t give bad holiday gifts, most employees hope you give them something. About 75% hope their employers show some appreciation with a gift during the holiday season, according to a Snappy survey.

Of course, you don’t want anyone breaking the bank by overspending on employee gifts. Why not get a little more creative with the gifts you bestow on your staffers?

Get Creative With Holiday Gifts

Here are some holiday gift ideas that show you appreciate employees, are practical and won’t fall under the “worst holiday gifts ever” category:

• A corporate “yearbook.” One company had staffers share their favorite recipes, holiday stories, anecdotes and photos from their departments. Then it compiled them into a yearbook to give to all employees. I created a very personal present.
• Travel coffee mugs and water bottles. Everyone could afford to go a little greener. Gifts like this let them do that. But spring for a decent quality product here, so employees won’t hesitate to bring their mug to 7-Eleven or Tim Horton’s every day on their commute in.
• Subscriptions. They don’t cost much, but it’s a gift that keeps on giving all year round (and with so many subscriptions being electronic these days, all you need is an email address). Whether it’s this or the more heavily leaned-upon gift card option, the key is personalization. A one-size-fits-all subscription or card to the same place doesn’t show people you understand or appreciate their personalities. You want to get individual supervisors involved in this so they can suggest ideas that mesh with staffers’ interests.
• Time. No not that kind of time – we’re not suggesting you gift folks with an extra day off (though some of your peers do that). But there’s another, less financially taxing option. One employer gifted its people with a personal assistant, to help with 30 task requests. The price tag? A reasonable $40. And at this time of year, who couldn’t use a few tasks taken off their plates? Might be the most appreciated gift yet.