One of the highest expenses that a business can incur is employee churn. It is said that it can cost between 6 and 9 months of an employees salary to replace them.
If you have a star employee, then the opportunity cost can be even higher!
You want to constantly show your employees that you appreciate them to increase their retention, have a healthy work culture, and increase profitability.
One of the ways we show that we appreciate our employees is through a gifting campaign.
Now, if you think a gifting campaign is expensive, think about how much 6 to 9 months of an employee’s salary can cost.
The 7 Key Ingredients to a Great Gift
We’ve spent several years running gifting campaigns for new employees and clients alike. We’ve distilled a successful gift into seven key ingredients.
Practical
If you give your employee an anniversary gift that they aren’t going to use, are they really going to feel appreciated? You don’t want it to feel like something the HR department checked off as a thing to do.
A great gift is one that is going to be used at least 3-5 times per week.
Personalized
If you’re giving everyone the same generic Amazon gift card, then your sentiment is going to get lost in a sea of sameness.
A personalized gift will show your employees that you truly value their contribution to the business.
Best in Class
You do not want to compromise on quality in any way. Our test for best-in-class is this: Will your employee’s grandkids be able to use the gift you’ve given them?
Luxury
The best gifts are those that your employee will really want but probably won’t buy for themselves. For instance, I once received a virtual cooking class gift. I’d never buy this for myself, but my wife and I had a blast attending the class and learning how to cook new foods.
Handwritten Notes
Add an extra touch of personalization with a handwritten note telling your employee exactly what you mean to them.
Include Inner Circle
Chances are you’ve asked your star employees to work nights and weekends. If you’re taking time away from their family, then a great employee gift will include the inner circle.
Continuity
Try to create a theme or pattern with your gifts. In this way, you can make sure that the customers are looking forward to getting your gift. Multiple gifts can snowball an emotional impact on your employees.
Here are 7 Employee Anniversary Gift Ideas
Cork Pops
Everyone of your employees are going to have a bottle of wine in their house. Even if they don’t drink wine.
They’re going ot want to make sure that they have something to serve their friends when they come over.
But opening a bottle of wine can suck. Espeically if you don’t have practice doing it. And it could be embarrassing if the cork gets stuck in the bottle. Been there done that.
Needless to say, a cork pop would be an amazing gift even for someone who doesn’t drink wine (and for someone who does).
And it’ll give me the chance to “sell” my place of work to my friends who might be interested in looking for a new gig.
Virtual Events
If you’re looking to “wow” a new employee, then you can’t go wrong with buying them a virtual experience for them and their significant other.
People will always be able to think back fondly on the experiences they’ve shared with their family and friends. Once again, your employees will sing your praises as they tell their friends and family about the amazing experience that you provided for them.
There are numerous companies that offer virtual experiences that can blow your team’s socks off. Everything from appreciation dinners to zoom trivia and more. Contact us 1 on one for recommendations.
Cutlery
One of our favorite gifts to give a beautifully designed cutlery set. After you’ve gotten to know your employee for a year or so, you’ll be able to engrave an incredibly personalized note on the knives to let them know how much you mean to them.
A cutlery set is extremely practical. Your employee will use it every single time that they prepare a meal. Which is at least 2-3 times per day.
An added benefit is that your employee’s spouse will also use the cutlery set every day and think fondly of you as well.
Then when you ask your employee to work the occasional late-night, their spouse will be much more understanding.
Varidesk
After an employee has been sitting at a desk working hard for a year, why not reward him with something he or she will really enjoy?
A brand new Varidesk that will allow them the option to sit or stand at work – depending on their desire.
With the push of a button, your employee will have a desk that goes from a sitting position to a standing position in no time.
Refresh Glass
Refresh Glass is one-of-a-kind household glassware made from recycled bottles. You can engrave each piece of glass to personalize it with your employee’s last name.
It’s highly personalized, has a killer origin story, can be used daily, and shows that you actually put some thought into your gift.
The best part about Refresh Glass is that there can be a continuity theme. For the first anniversary, you can give them a decanter. For the second anniversary, you can buy a glass set.
And after a while you’ll be able to stock their entire kitchen with Refresh Glass products.
Aura Frames
How about giving your employee the gift of their most precious memories? An Aura Frame will sync up to a camera and display pictures in real time.
While your employee is at work, they’ll think fondly of you as their memories scroll through their Aura Frame.
You will no doubt win the hearts and minds of your team members… and it’s a practical gift you can give EVERYONE who joins your firm.
Luggage
Luggage is one of our favorite gifts to give. Especially if your employees do some traveling.
There are a few advantages:
First, a beautifully designed luggage set lasts forever. Your employee’s grandkids are going to be fighting over who will be using it decades from now.
Second, you can make it very personal. You can engrave a kind message on the luggage to let them know how much your relationship means to them.
And finally, there is the opportunity for some continuity.
You can get them the small carry-on bag on their first anniversary. Then for their 2 year anniversary, you can get them the under-seat bag.
And then on their three year anniversary, you can get them the check-in bag to complete the set.
One of the best gifts you can give to your employees is a new set of luggage they can take on their work trips AND on vacation too.
Glassybaby
If you’re looking to gift your employees something that will be the center of dinner conversation and have them speak fondly of you then look no further than Glassybaby glassware.
Once again, this is one of those gifts that will not only be loved by your employee, it will also be loved by their spouse as well.
Here’s what John Hall, had this to say about GlassBaby
“I was given a Glassybaby votive from the company’s founder after we met at an event and she said she wanted to work with my company. My wife fell in love with the product and constantly mentions it to me. I’m a believer in the “Happy wife, happy life” principle, and when my wife is happy, I have warm feelings about the person who gave her that gift. I’ve worked with the founder on different projects since, and I can’t see myself ever not advocating for Glassybaby.”
If you’re looking for a gift to send to your employees, then contact us to set up a free consultation. We’ll make sure that your employees feel appreciated, respected, and stay loyal to you for the long term.
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