How to Figure Out What Gifts Your Employees Actually Want
May 11, 2026
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Educational
Introduction
The best mid-year gift isn’t the most expensive one; it’s the one that makes any employee feel like you actually know them personally. (And maybe you do!)
The halfway point of the year is super powerful. The beginning-of-year vibes have calmed down, summer fun is in sight, and your team is busting their asses. A thoughtful and carefully selected mid-year gift can be the nudge that reminds your team why they show up every day.
Generic gifts and merch can send an unintended message to your team. It makes them feel like you thought about them at the last minute, in a rush to get this box checked off the to-do list. Personalized and well-chosen gifts send the right message: that we see you. So before you quickly order a bunch of random items that feel careless, here is how to figure out what your employees will actually appreciate and love.
Start by Listening
The most reliable date you can ever collect is straight from your team. It lives in Slack messages, 1:1s, and casual conversations. The trick is figuring out the way to capture that data.
Ask managers to keep a running note of gift ideas, so that whenever they hear something they think is relevant, they can add it. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy; it can be a text thread or even a note in your phone.
That context will save you so much time and stress.
Four More Ways to Gather Gifting Data
Run a short and sweet survey
A quick 3-5-questionnaire goes a long way toward collecting data on what your employees want. Ask about preferences over wishes. Also, remember to keep it anonymous, as that might help encourage honesty with your team.
Some questions you could ask are:
“ Do you prefer experiences or products?
“Are you more of a homebody or an outdoorsman?”
Segment your employees into gifting groups/categories.
You most likely already have natural segments within your team, such as remote vs. in-office, parents vs. non-parents, early career vs. senior leaders. Gifting with a few segments in mind will make your gifts more relevant without having to delve too deeply into each employee.
Let your employees choose!
Offer a selection of items that are thoughtfully curated and let your team choose what they want to take home. You get to maintain quality control, and your employees will take something that means something to them.
What to Avoid
Overly Branded Gear
Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE a good logo! But when your logo takes over the piece, it makes it feel like your team only wants to wear it during work hours. If you create something subtle and timeless, your gift will live with them in their everyday lives.
Gifts That Create Some Kind of Obligation
Anything that requires your team to use their personal time in a company-adjacent way is not a gift.
One Size Assumptions
Keep in mind things that may affect the way your gifts are received. For example, don’t give a wine set to a team that includes non-drinkers, or food to people with allergy restrictions. Nothing is worse than a gift that cannot be used.
The Goal: Make it Personal
Here is the truth about employee gifting at scale: you’re never going to get it perfectly right, but you can sure get it damn close. The goal is to demonstrate that you tried and that someone on the leadership team spent real thought and time on what should be given.
When your employees can feel your intention behind a gift, they feel like they are part of a team.
So send off a survey, talk with your employees, and/or even offer a few curated options. Be sure to include a note that means something. This gift is the vehicle, and the message is the destination.
Conclusion
Ready to start building a mid-year gifting project that your team will never forget? Contact us today!
