New Survey Reveals What Gifts Employees Really Want for the Holidays

With the holiday clock ticking, business managers are quickly trying to figure out the best holiday gifts to get their employees.

The stakes can feel huge. After all, good gifts go a long way towards building loyalty and retention, with more than three-quarters of employees saying it makes them more likely to stay with their company. 

At Custom Ink, we know gifts that build connection mean everything. That’s one of the takeaways from our new 2025 Custom Ink Employee Holiday Gift Survey, which reveals what employees really want for their company gift (and what they definitely do not).

Shop Holiday Gifts for Employees

We dug through the survey findings of over 1,000 employees and 350 employers to bring you the most wished-for items, plus simple upgrades you can make to leave a lasting impression. 

(Also be sure to check out our survey results and guide to the best client holiday gifts!)

6 Most Favorite Gift Categories, Ranked*

	Gift Cards: 55% Gift cards come out on top, but at a cost. They’re easy, utilitarian, and employees can pick out what they want. The downside? Gift cards are considered taxable income, even when doled out as a holiday gift. They can also feel transactional. Because they’re one-and-done, they don’t leave a lasting impression or create team connections. Tip: Make it meaningful by gifting cards in a personalized phone wallet.
	Tech Gifts: 42% Electronics like wireless chargers, noise-canceling headphones, or portable speakers came in a close second — and for good reason. They show you are paying attention to how your team actually works and lives. The right tech gift says “we see you,” whether it’s upgrading their WFH setup or making their daily commute more enjoyable.
	Apparel: 30% Apparel, such as shirts, hoodies, and hats, tied for third place with food & drink gifts. Clothing makes a perfect employee gift, because employees love it, and it gives warm, cozy, winter vibes. Plus, by customizing cool apparel like this Nike Swoosh hoodie with a company logo, you build team pride that lasts beyond the holiday season.
	Food & Drink: 30% Nothing brings people together quite like good food, especially during the holidays. Gourmet treats passed around the office, hot cocoa kits for cozy team moments, or artisan snacks employees can bring home to share with family can all create those warm, memorable moments that make the season special.
	Outerwear: 22% It makes sense that outerwear, like vests, jackets, and fleece, came in 4th. There’s something special about giving warmth during the coldest months. Quality outerwear can be part of an employee’s daily routine, whether they’re braving winter commutes or enjoying outdoor adventures on the weekend. Plus, when it’s branded just right, it turns every wear into a proud moment of belonging.
	Health & Wellness: 20% Health & wellness gifts send a powerful message: We want to help you thrive. From fitness accessories like yoga mats to massage guns and air diffusers, these gifts show you care about your team’s well-being beyond work hours.

Here’s How Much Companies Actually Spend on Holiday Gifts

With bottom lines and end-of-year reporting to consider, managers may not always be able to shell out as much as they’d like on holiday gifts. 

We asked businesses to lay out for us just how much they allot to end-of-year giving. Here’s an eye-opening glimpse of what employers said they budget per employee:

Follow These Dos and Don’ts of Gift-Gifting, Say Employees

With a weighted average of $63.66 per employee, how can managers make sure employees get what they want? 

Use this list of gifting dos and don’ts, collected from our survey, to help make the most of your holiday gift budget and win big with employees. 

	Do: Personalize Your Gifts Make it more meaningful and memorable by customizing it. 81% say they value a gift more when it includes their name, a message, or another personal touch, like this JBL Go 4 Speaker.
	Don’t: Make It Overly Promotional  While everyone loves company swag, minimal and understated logos are the way to go. Only 23% said they would want large, prominent corporate branding on their holiday gift. These laser engraved recycled headphones by TerraTone get it just right.
	Don’t: Buy No-Name Brands Choose a premium, well-known brand to earn points with your team. Our Custom Ink survey found that 76% of employees valued a gift more when it came from a trusted, high-quality brand.
	Do: Choose From These Top 10 Brands Not sure which brands hold the biggest cachet? These 10 were mentioned most often in our survey by employees: Nike: 61% Sony: 48% The North Face: 47% Bose: 43% JBL: 40% Yeti: 39%  Stanley: 35%  Carhartt: 28%  Coleman: 26% Patagonia: 25%

Regardless of what gifts your company gives, keep in mind that personalization can go a long way in turning a ho-hum gift into an especially thoughtful one. And that, in turn, will help employees feel appreciated, motivated, and happier at work overall, not just during the season, but into the new year as well.

Shop Holiday Gifts for Employees

*All percentages rounded to the closest full number

Below is a visualization of the data in charts:

Shop Holiday Gifts for Employees