It’s that time of year again when businesses are scrambling to find the right gift or bonus for their employees. This may seem trivial, but it’s actually important if you want to retain talent—a recent study found that benefits are what keep 63% of employees in their current role. Another study found that 75% of employees become satisfied because of holiday gifts. This is because benefits and gifts show them that you appreciate them.
Now, you have to ask: what benefits do you offer them? Explore some of the best gifts and benefits to give your employees this holiday season.
1. Company Outings and Retreats
Company outings and retreats are a great gift for employees in the holiday season because they provide a chance for employees to get to know one another better in a fun and relaxed setting. They also give employees a chance to learn more about the company and its culture. Outings and retreats can also help boost employee morale and team spirit, allowing them to develop stronger relationships and enabling them to work better together when they come back to the office.
When it comes to company outings and retreats, it’s important to get input from employees about what they would like to do. A survey can be a great way to get this information. Employees can choose from a variety of destinations, activities, and restaurants. This allows the company to plan an outing or retreat that is sure to please everyone. However, you should down the choices before the survey helps keep things organized and makes it easier for the company to plan everything. It’ll also allow you to keep costs under control since you will probably only present choices that fit within your budget. You will also need to do a lot of planning because you must have a plan from beginning to end— from the moment you meet up to board your bus or plane, up to the moment you make the journey back.
During the company outing, you can do various activities like team-building events and competitions. You can have talent shows, dinners, and even a Secret Santa event or gift exchange event. It would also be better to schedule this on the last workdays before your company temporarily shuts down for the holidays. After all, some employees may still see this as part of their job responsibilities, and they may not appreciate it if it consumes the only days off they have for the year, which they may have wanted to spend with their family. At the very least, offer them the choice of opting out if they really want to spend their days off someplace else.
2. Vacation and Travel Vouchers
If you are not willing to dedicate a lot of time or effort to a huge event like an outing (or if your employees would prefer to have more control over their own time), you can give them travel vouchers. This can save you much more money than an outing since you do not have to spend on facilities, food, and even days off—your employees can just use the vouchers on their own personal time. This option also saves you the hassle of having to plan for the logistics and activities involved in such a huge event. The biggest benefit is that you are giving your employees a chance to visit beautiful places while still letting them have control over their itinerary and schedule.
3. Self-Care Vouchers or Sessions
Everyone needs self-care. All your employees probably pamper themselves from time to time in order to relieve stress and motivate themselves to keep going. Ask around which is the most popular, or do a survey. If you have many employees who like visiting a salon for a blow out or to get their hair done, or if many of them like going to a spa for a massage, a facial, or some chiropractic care, then these are the holiday gifts you can give them.
Once you have an idea of what most of your employees want, ask spas and other similar places if they are willing to offer you a discount for a huge number of sessions. If some of your employees prefer other places, you can also provide the option of just having the costs reimbursed; however, you should set clear rules about this, such as price limits and programs you will reimburse them for.
All of these services can be a great way for employees to relax and rejuvenate during the holiday season. They can also help employees return to work feeling refreshed and motivated. Plus, they can help employees stay healthy during the busy holiday season.
4. Dates and Family Dinners
Just like the previous one, you can distribute vouchers or gift cards for restaurants to your employees as your way of thanking them over the holidays. This is also a much more affordable option compared to the previous ones. This also gives them more options to choose from, as gift cards can be redeemed in a bunch of places. Apart from that, offering your employees this option allows their families to directly benefit from your holiday gift.
As an alternative, you can just let employees reimburse the costs of their meal up to a certain amount. However, you can save a bit of money by getting vouchers or gift cards. Before you pay for these, make sure to ask how many of your employees would prefer a reimbursement. That way, you can set an amount limit and save a bit of money. Any surplus gift cards or vouchers can be given away at a raffle or competition, too!
5. Cash Gifts or Gift Cards
Last but not the least, you can simply give your employees cash or gift cards. This way, you give them more control over what they will get. Many employees use holiday bonuses to buy themselves or their loved ones nice things for the holidays, so gift cards work, too. Statistics show that 65% of employees prefer this option, preferably in the $50-$100 range!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these are some of the best benefits you can give your employees over the holidays. They will appreciate any of these options, and they will definitely help to motivate them through the holiday season. Do you have any other ideas for holiday gifts and incentives? Share your ideas in the comments!
