Gift Smarter: What Data Says Your Employees Actually Want This Holiday

Curated gifts that connect and celebrate

As experts in employee recognition and engagement, we know what matters most when it comes to corporate gifting.

The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to thank your team for their contributions, but the best gifts for employees in 2025 are those that feel personal, and authentic.

💡 Let’s explore top holiday gifting ideas for companies—based on real rewards redemption data—and how you can motivate your workforce with a personalized gifting experience this year.

What does my team actually want?

Our analysis of thousands of rewards redemptions across industries like financial services, manufacturing, distribution, and business services reveals three top categories for corporate holiday gifting:

How can you make gifting personal and meaningful?

1. Curated gifting catalogs

Choice really matters. A landmark Incentive Research Foundation study found that 99% of over 400 surveyed participants had unique gifting and recognition preferences. This underscores the importance of offering a curated catalog with diverse options. By empowering your employees to choose rewards that truly resonate with them, you foster a sense of meaningful connection and make the experience more memorable.

2. Engage employees through personalized communication

Expressing thanks is always essential, but a standard, mass-produced “thank you” message may no longer be enough. As we noted in our blog post about Gen Z in the Workplace, younger generations challenge traditional recognition expectations and care more deeply about being individually acknowledged. Make your gifting strategy more personal by pairing it with authentic, timely communications from leadership or managers who understand their unique contributions.

Consider integrating gifting into your annual holiday event, where an organizational leader can recognize each team’s impact. Alternatively, use personalized video or written outreach to highlight individual achievements. Remember to tailor your approach to account for different generations and ensure remote employees also feel included. A curated catalog paired with effective communications is a dynamic duo of holiday gifting for companies looking to boost engagement.

Ready to elevate your holiday gifting strategy?

Meet Desiree' Odom

As Next Level’s Global eCommerce and Customer Satisfaction Manager, Desiree’ is an expert in holiday gifting trends! She leads a dynamic Rewards team dedicated to delivering outstanding results. With her forward-thinking approach, Desiree’ ensures our Rewards Marketplace has inspiring options and helps organizations design personalized catalogs that resonate with every audience. Connect with us today to discover how rewards can create an unforgettable gifting experience that delights recipients and drives meaningful engagement.

Let's chat.