If you think company holiday gifts are just tradition, think again. A remarkable 93.9% of employees feel more appreciated when they receive company gifts.
But most businesses get it wrong: while 57% crave personalization and choice, nearly 20% have never been offered options beyond bulk HR orders. Companies winning the talent war understand that strategic gifting creates meaningful touchpoints demonstrating genuine employee value.
Key Findings
- A remarkable 93.9% agree that company holiday gifts make them feel more appreciated.
- 54.6% of employees feel MORE appreciated when given choice in holiday gifts.
- 33.1% see holiday gifts as ESSENTIAL for showing employee appreciation.
- 57.0% want some level of personalization in company gifts.
- Nearly half (49.5%) say holiday gifts significantly or moderately impact their overall job satisfaction.
- An impressive 78.2% say thoughtful gifts positively impact their morale and feelings of company loyalty.
- 62.9% expect gifts worth $50 or more to feel meaningful and not “cheap”.
- 45.6% say quality and personalization are equally important in company gifts.
Nearly All Employees Feel More Appreciated With Gifts
A remarkable 93.9% agree that company holiday gifts make them feel more appreciated, with 43.8% STRONGLY agreeing. This near-universal positive response contradicts assumptions that employees might view corporate gifts as unnecessary.
Overwhelming Majority Feel More Appreciated With Choice
54.6% of employees feel MORE appreciated when given choice in holiday gifts, while only 2.8% find choice impersonal or lazy. This challenges traditional corporate gifting approaches where leadership selects gifts unilaterally.
One-Third View Gifts as Essential, Not Optional
33.1% see holiday gifts as ESSENTIAL for showing employee appreciation, while 26.2% would prefer that money be spent on salary and benefits instead. This reveals a fundamental divide in employee expectations.
Personalization Is Crucial for Most Employees
57.0% want some level of personalization in company gifts, with 22.0% saying personalization is VERY important. This suggests generic, one-size-fits-all approaches miss the mark for the majority of workers.
Gifts Significantly Impact Job Satisfaction
Nearly half (49.5%) say holiday gifts significantly or moderately impact their overall job satisfaction, with 23.1% believing gifts significantly reflect how much they’re valued as employees. This elevates corporate gifting from a nice gesture to a retention strategy.
Thoughtful Gifts Boost Morale and Company Loyalty
An impressive 78.2% say thoughtful gifts positively impact their morale and feelings of company loyalty, with 38.7% reporting a SIGNIFICANT positive impact. This demonstrates the measurable business value of well-executed corporate gifting.
Employees Expect Substantial Value to Avoid ‘Cheap’ Perception
62.9% expect gifts worth $50 or more to feel meaningful and not “cheap,” with 23.1% believing $100+ is the minimum threshold. This sets a clear benchmark for corporate gift budgets.
Quality and Personalization Viewed as Equally Important
45.6% say quality and personalization are equally important in company gifts, though when forced to choose, 35.5% prioritize quality over the 18.9% who prioritize personalization.
Summary
The data is clear: holiday gifts aren’t optional anymore. With 78% of employees saying thoughtful gifts boost company loyalty and one-third viewing them as essential for appreciation, corporate gifting has become a make-or-break moment for employee relationships. Get it right with choice and personalization, or risk losing talent to competitors who understand what employees actually want.
At Ready Set Gift, we believe the holidays are more than just a season. They’re an opportunity to create moments of connection that last long after the wrapping paper is gone. With thousands of high-quality, customizable gifts and custom online gift shops, we help companies transform holiday giving into a powerful expression of gratitude, loyalty, and brand culture. This year, don’t just give a gift, give an experience that shows your employees how much they truly matter.
Methodology
To understand how employees perceive their company’s holiday gift-giving practices, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults who currently work full-time or part-time for companies with 10 or more employees. Participants answered a series of questions about the quality, personalization, and delivery methods of workplace holiday gifts—from traditional employer selected items to modern approaches like gift catalogs or cash alternatives. The survey explored how different gifting strategies affect employee appreciation, morale, and overall job satisfaction. Responses were analyzed by demographics, company size, and job type to identify trends and differences across the workforce.
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