Finding the right way to recognize and celebrate the achievements of your team is crucial in today’s workplace.
It’s about more than just saying “thank you”; it’s about offering a token of appreciation that genuinely reflects the individuality and contributions of each team member.
In the quest for the perfect employee recognition gift, the challenge often lies in selecting something that combines quality, personalization, and uniqueness. While traditional gifts have their place, today’s workforce values thoughtful and customized gifts that resonate on a personal level.
This move towards more personalized recognition requires a creative approach and a keen understanding of what makes each team member tick!
In this spirit, we’ve explored a variety of options to help you express your gratitude in a way that’s both meaningful and memorable. From innovative tech gadgets that make daily routines easier to personalized items that warm the heart, the ideal way to show your appreciation is out there.
But first, why should you give out employee recognition gifts?
Why are employee recognition gifts important?
In any organization, success is tied to the people involved — in this case, we’re talking about employees.
Welcoming employees the right way is important. However, recognizing the efforts and achievements of employees is equally crucial. It helps in building the positive workplace culture that every employee wants.
Whether it’s employee recognition gifts for years of service or to celebrate an event, these gifts help reinforce the value of each individual’s contributions to the team. Trust us when we say that they will appreciate it and they will never forget it!
Here’s why they are so crucial:
Boost morale and motivation
A motivated employee is a productive and happy employee!
A well-chosen recognition gift can significantly boost an employee’s morale. It sends a clear message that their hard work is noticed and appreciated, motivating them to maintain or even improve their performance.
Attract and retain talent
In a competitive job market, showcasing a culture of appreciation can be a powerful tool in attracting new talent and retaining existing employees. Recognition gifts can be a part of the narrative that sets a company apart as an employer of choice.
Employees will spread the word — if you show your appreciation, others will take notice fast!
Personalize your appreciation
Beyond the broad strokes of company-wide recognition, personalized gifts cater to the individual, acknowledging their unique contribution and making the recognition even more meaningful.
20 employee recognition gifts from Swag.com
Now that we’re on the same page with employee recognition gifts, why don’t we look at some examples of gifts that your employees will love and cherish?
We’ve even made it easy for you — all of our gifts are separated by category!
Let’s dive into the list.
Apparel
Apparel is always a classic choice for custom employee gifts, but it works.
The trick is to choose high-quality apparel that’s built to last!
Allmade Unisex Triblend T-Shirt
T-shirts make fantastic employee gifts — especially quality options like this Allmade Unisex Triblend!
The Allmade Unisex Tri-Blend T-Shirt emphasizes sustainability and comfort, crafted from a blend of eco-friendly materials. It’s designed for both durability and softness, making it a great choice for those looking to combine style with environmental responsibility. After all, it uses an equivalent of up to 6 plastic water bottles.
Get this stylish tee in eight different colors, add your branding, and you’re good to go. This t-shirt is also available in a women’s cut/fit.
Nike Unisex Club Fleece Pullover Hoodie
We can’t talk apparel without a stylish hoodie.
The Nike Unisex Club Fleece Pullover Hoodie combines classic style with comfort, making it an ideal choice for an employee gift.
It features a soft fleece interior for warmth, a hood for added protection against the elements, and a front pouch pocket for convenience. This hoodie represents a blend of Nike’s athletic heritage and modern versatility, perfect for those who value both performance and fashion.
Throw your logo on one of eight colors for an incredible employee recognition gift!
The North Face Unisex Everyday Insulated Jacket
Take your employee gifting up a notch and really make an impact with this jacket.
The North Face Unisex Everyday Insulated Jacket offers exceptional warmth and style, perfect for everyday wear or outdoor adventures. This jacket features high-quality insulation, ensuring you stay warm in colder conditions, while its sleek design makes it versatile for any occasion.
With its durable construction, it’s designed to withstand the elements, making it a great addition to your winter wardrobe. This jacket is also available in a women’s cut/fit.
Drinkware
Who doesn’t have a use for drinkware?
From water bottles to tumblers to mugs for your coffee-fiend employees, these are all incredible employee gifts that we know you’ll love.
S’well is the gold standard for drinkware — we know your employees will love this one.
The S’well 17 Ounce Water Bottle is renowned for its stylish design and exceptional functionality. It’s crafted to keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours thanks to high-grade stainless steel construction and double-walled insulation.
This bottle is not only perfect for staying hydrated in style but also for contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing single-use plastic consumption. Add a logo for an amazing employee gift!
What coffee lover wouldn’t appreciate a fancy new mug?
The Fellow 12 oz Big Jo Mug is designed for the ultimate coffee experience, featuring a sleek, modern design and double-wall ceramic construction to keep your drink hot and your hands cool.
Its wide base offers stability, while the tapered body ensures the aromas concentrate for a full sensory experience.
Don’t miss out on this one! stylish tee in eight different colors, add your branding, and you’re good to go.
Did you know that S’well makes tumblers too? Your coffee-loving employees will appreciate this one!
The S’well 18 oz Tumbler is designed for both style and practicality, perfect for enjoying your favorite beverages on the go. It maintains the temperature of hot drinks for up to 12 hours and cold drinks for up to 24 hours — all thanks to insulated stainless steel construction.
Tech
Tech is becoming more and more popular as a gift for employee appreciation and recognition.
Not just any tech, though — useful gifts that are high-quality are the key here. Let’s look at a few options.
Who knew a wireless charger could look so classy?
The Walnut Qi Charger combines functionality with natural aesthetics, offering a sleek, wireless charging solution for Qi-enabled devices. Its design features real walnut wood, adding a warm, elegant touch to any setting.
Not just a charger, it’s a statement piece that blends technology with nature, ensuring your devices stay powered in style. Ideal for home or office use, it embodies sophistication and efficiency.
Power banks are a classic addition to an employee gifting package — they’re useful to just about anyone.
The Mophie 5000 mAh Power Bank is a compact, yet powerful device designed to keep your gadgets charged while on the go. Its slim design makes it easy to carry, ensuring that you can stay connected no matter where you are.
With a 5000 mAh capacity, it provides reliable power for smartphones, tablets, and other USB devices, making it an essential accessory for busy, tech-savvy individuals.
Help your employees bring the tunes and the vibes on the go!
The JBL Clip 4 Speaker offers remarkable sound quality in a compact, portable design. Its unique clip feature allows you to attach it to bags, belts, or buckles, making it the perfect companion for outdoor adventures.
With its waterproof and dustproof capabilities, it’s designed to endure all types of environments, ensuring your music never stops, no matter where you are!
From Zoom meetings to the gym, a quality pair of earbuds is essential.
The Skullcandy Evo Earbuds are designed for those who demand high-quality sound on the go. Offering a combination of premium acoustics, innovative technology, and a comfortable fit, these earbuds ensure a superior listening experience.
They are perfect for music-loving employees looking for a seamless blend of style and performance!
Many of us spend a lot of time on Zoom or in video calls these days — why not gift these employees with a useful gadget for video calls?
The Lume Cube Lighting Kit is an essential tool for enhancing your video calls and content creation. Compact and portable, it provides professional-quality lighting, ensuring you look your best in any setting. Its adjustable brightness levels allow for perfect lighting in various environments.
Office
Whether you’re working from home or heading into the office, having an office filled with useful and thoughtful items is key.
Good news: we have incredible office employee gifts that will leave a lasting impression!
To the right employee, a custom journal or notebook can make an excellent gift.
The Moleskine Hard Cover Notebook is designed for writers, planners, and journal enthusiasts who appreciate sleek design and functionality. It’s lightweight, making it perfect for on-the-go notes, reminders, or sketches.
The journal features a hard cover with rounded corners, bookmark, ruled format, and elastic strap closure, catering to personal style and preference!
Who says employee recognition gifts can’t be silly and unique?
The Cinema Box elevates the concept of personalized décor, blending the charm of vintage cinema signage with modern customization. This innovative lightbox not only illuminates your space but also invites you to creatively express yourself through interchangeable letters and symbols.
Whether it’s setting the mood, broadcasting daily affirmations, or simply adding a playful touch to gatherings, the Cinema Box transforms any environment into a more engaging and personalized setting.
We’ve all let our desks get out of hand — this charging desk organizer can help.
The Charging Desk Organizer isn’t just about keeping your workspace organized, though — it’s a modern solution that seamlessly integrates technology with convenience. By offering dedicated compartments for your stationery and built-in wireless charging for your devices, it caters to the needs of the contemporary professional.
This desk accessory ensures that your work area remains clutter-free while keeping your essential gadgets powered up and within reach, embodying a perfect blend of functionality and design.
Save desk space with a practical charging mousepad!
The Wireless Charging Mouse Pad is a sleek, innovative desk accessory that marries the practicality of a smooth, responsive mouse pad with the cutting-edge convenience of wireless charging technology. It ensures your workspace stays neat and cable-free while keeping your devices powered up and ready to go.
This mouse pad is the epitome of efficiency, designed for the multitasking professional who values both form and function in their work environment.
Bags
A top-notch bag always makes a great employee appreciation gift — you could even use it as a gift bag for other amazing items!
The North Face Laptop Backpack
The North Face always comes in clutch with quality apparel — like this incredible backpack.
The North Face Laptop Backpack is designed for durability and functionality, perfect for professionals and adventurers alike. It features a protective laptop compartment, spacious storage for essentials, and comfortable straps for easy carrying.
This backpack is ideal for those who need a reliable bag for daily use or travel, combining The North Face’s renowned quality with modern convenience.
Port Authority Medium Duffel Bag
Duffels are always a useful employee gift — especially high-quality duffel bags.
The Port Authority Medium Duffel is a versatile and durable bag designed for everyday use or short trips. It offers ample storage space, with several compartments for organizing your belongings, and features sturdy handles and a shoulder strap for easy carrying.
This duffel combines functionality with a classic design, making it a reliable choice for travel, gym, or weekend getaways.
Wellness
For your health-nut employees, why not look at some wellness gifts?
Employee wellness is important — and these gifts can show that you care.
If you really want to be memorable, we’ve got the perfect employee recognition gift.
The Theragun Mini offers powerful muscle treatment in a compact size, making it ideal for relief on the go. Despite its small size, it delivers Theragun’s renowned deep muscle massage technology. It’s designed for convenience without compromising on performance, providing users with the ability to manage muscle soreness and enhance recovery anywhere.
This portable device is a testament to innovative design, blending the therapeutic benefits of deep tissue massage with the flexibility of portable use.
You can always have an extra custom beach towel!
The Traveler’s Beach Towel is designed for ease of use and portability, making it the perfect companion for your beach, pool, or outdoor adventures. It combines quick-drying fabric with a compact design, ensuring you can easily pack and carry it wherever you go.
This towel is not just practical but also stylish, available in various designs to suit your personal style.
We know your fitness-obsessed employees will love a custom yoga mat!
The Yune Custom Yoga Mat is tailored to enhance your yoga practice, offering superior grip, cushioning, and durability. Its customizable feature allows you to add a personal touch, making your yoga experience uniquely yours. This mat is designed with the yogi in mind, providing the perfect balance of support and comfort for any pose.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner, this yoga mat is an excellent choice for anyone looking to deepen their practice with a touch of personalization.
Find more incredible employee recognition gifts from Swag.com
While we stand behind these 20 items for employee recognition, we have even more where those came from.
Check out our collection of swag — we have tech, apparel, drinkware, and everything else you need for employee recognition gifts.
Shop our collection today!
