The holidays are fast approaching and as an employer you may be wondering, “What is an appropriate gift for my employee?” “How much should I spend?” “Do I spend more on my personal assistant than I do for the line worker?” or “Are the gifts tax deductible?”
To make the gift-giving season less stressful, here are a few thoughts on items that your employees will appreciate:
- Personalized gifts: These gifts show you put in additional thought and effort and can range from a key fob, a monogrammed pen and pencil set, a business cardholder, personalized golf balls or tees, or money clip. The gift does not need to be extravagant.
- Food, gift baskets, or alcohol: If you know an employee has a weakness for fine chocolates, teas, or loves microbrew beer, order a gift basket to feed that appetite. Do you have an employee that spends his or her time reading on lunch breaks? Put together a gift basket of books, gift cards, and even a book light or neck pillow.
- A gift card or gift certificate: Gift cards can be purchased in various amounts and from various retailers. If there is a new restaurant in town, purchase a gift certificate for a dinner for two. Present the gift card or certificate with another small ticket item that relates to the certificate or card. Present a certificate for a pampering day at a local spa or certificates to a hair salon that the employee frequents.
Avoid presenting your employee with a company “logo’d” gift item. A gift, whether it is during the holidays or another special occasion, should not be work-related. Also, ask your accounting professional whether the gift you give during the holidays is tax deductible and if there is a price limit on those gifts in order to be tax deductible.
For employees that receive the gifts, do not forget to write a thank you note. Even though you see your employer on a daily basis, a hand written thank you note mailed to his or her home will be a gesture long remembered.