The 10 Best Gifts for Employees Under $50

As the giving season approaches, organizational leaders find themselves looking for ways to show appreciation and give something meaningful to their employees and the other people their business depends on. Each year, it’s a struggle to go through the options, finding something that can be appreciated by someone, and probably at some point wondering if you’ll need to purchase a different gift for each employee. 

The good news is that you’re not alone in your quest. And you don’t have to spend a small fortune to find something meaningful that people will appreciate. The important thing is that you put some thought into it and don’t keep handing out the same stale, informal promotional gifts that you’ve had sitting in a closet for a decade. 

To help you get some ideas, here are 10 of the best employee gifts you’ll find under $50, including something for everyone on your list. 

10. Holiday snack gift sets

Who doesn’t love snacks? And with so many different options out there today for holiday-specific and curated food and treat sets, you can surely find something for everyone in the office, even if they all have different tastes. Plus, a lot of these fall in the $25 to $40 range, so they’re more than affordable enough for your holiday budget. 

9. Mini cocktails

If you want to give the gift of relaxation, consider treating your team to a mini cocktail gift set. You can find tons of different options out there today, just as with all the food options, and you can even customize sets or include custom cards to show your appreciation or share a message. 

8. Coffee gift cards

Who doesn’t love coffee? Ok, there are some people, but for the most part, it’s what keeps businesses going. Get your team a gift card for their favorite coffee shop, whether it’s Starbucks, Dunkin’, or even just a local coffee house. You can usually find cards in any amount from $5 to $50 or more, so you’ll be able to spend accordingly. 

7. Amazon gift cards

Why not give your team the gift of buying themselves something nice, or something they’ve been eyeballing for their home office? Amazon gift cards are available digitally and come in amounts ranging from $5 to as high as $500 or more. You can choose different amounts for employees of different statuses or tenures, or just give everyone the same amount to keep it simple. In any case, no one will be disappointed with this gift. 

6. Curated gift boxes

Curated boxes are all the rage these days. And since you can find them in just about every style and type, you can count on them being a great option for corporate gifts, no matter who you’re shopping for. You can choose kitschy office gift boxes or even a curated whisky box, decanter sets or martini glasses, and just about anything else that you could imagine. Take a look and see what’s out there and you’ll surely find something to suit someone on your list. 

5. “They choose” gift cards

This is a great way to reach a lot of people with a single gift card. These cards allow people to shop at more than a dozen stores, online or in person and can be given in amounts ranging from $5 on up. These cards are also available for restaurants, which means you can guarantee that you’ll find something everyone loves because you’re also giving the gift of choice. 

4. Portable power packs 

In today’s always-on world, portable power solutions are a great gift idea. You can even get them promotionally branded with your company information or have them personalized with people’s names and titles. You can find packs that include portable batteries, extra charging cords, and other power supplies to ensure that people never run out of power on the go. Plus, they’re usually affordable, with plenty in the $15 to $20 price range. 

3. Customized coffee mugs or water bottles 

People need beverage containers. They’re going to buy them anyway. Why not give them as a gift and customize them to create a unique token of your appreciation? Whether you choose coffee mugs or water bottles, you’ll find plenty of options out there today that you can customize with people’s names, funny sayings, your business name and information, or anything else that you want. Get creative and give gives that will get people’s attention and gratitude. 

2. Coffee gift sets

Again, we always recommend coffee gifts. People love trying new flavors and brands, getting expensive coffees that they wouldn’t buy themselves, and getting gifts that provide a new way to enjoy their favorite pick-me-up. You can find sets that include ground coffee or fresh beans, and that come with a mug, a travel mug, or any combination of coffee mugs and other accessories. You can also find them in tons of brands and flavors, which means that there is going to be something for everyone. 

1. Time 

That’s right—the number one gift you can give your employees, according to them, is time. Close for the holidays, give them paid time off, and encourage them to enjoy time with family and friends. Invest in solutions that will ensure that your business is covered even when your people aren’t in the office. 

Perhaps the best gift is a partnership with Smith.ai to alleviate all that phone time 

A partnership with Smith.ai could be the perfect gift for your employees, and your business as a whole. Instead of spending countless hours answering and returning calls, you can partner with us and let our virtual receptionists do all the work. While you’re off living life and enjoying the holidays, we’ll be available for 24/7 answering and so much more than just taking messages. 

We can also assist you with lead intake, appointment scheduling, outbound sales support and outreach campaigns, and even live website chat. Plus, we’ll help you craft the perfect strategy to manage it all. To learn more, schedule a consultation or reach out to hello@smith.ai. 

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