Gift guide
Christmas gifts for employees, by budget
Christmas gift ideas for employees at $15, $25, $50 and $100 per person: what staff actually keep, logo tips, the gift card tax rule and order-by dates.
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Short answer
Give every employee one useful, well-made gift rather than a bundle of small ones: a tech accessory, a warm apparel layer, brand-name drinkware or a treat, with a small logo or none. Most companies spend $25–$49 per person. Gift cards are well liked but always taxable wages. Don't skip the gift.
On this page
Gift types by use
Each row matches a type of gift to who it suits, with the source for the reason. Survey figures are from a vendor survey.
| Budget | Best for | Gift type | Why it fits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15 per person | Large or seasonal teams | Consumable treat + handwritten note | Food & drink is a top-3 favorite for 30%; "thought, time and effort" makes a gift personal for 38% vs. 12% for a name | Custom Ink survey |
| $25 per person | Everyone | Quality socks or an apparel basic | Apparel used regularly by 43% | Custom Ink survey |
| $25 per person | Phone-heavy teams | Charger or cable kit | Tech used regularly by 53% | Custom Ink survey |
| $50 per person | Commuters, hybrid staff | Brand-name tumbler or bottle | YETI 39% and Stanley 38% most-wanted drinkware brands; drinkware used regularly by 44%, but 20% rank it least favorite (say so) | Custom Ink survey |
| $100 per person | Cold-climate or field teams | Fleece or jacket, small logo | Outerwear is the least-disliked category (net +14); The North Face 44% and Carhartt 31% among wanted brands | Custom Ink survey |
| $100 per person | Tech-forward teams | Earbuds or a speaker | Sony 42%, Bose 39%, JBL 33% wanted brands; 51% say tech feels newest | Custom Ink survey |
Frequently asked questions
What's a good Christmas gift for employees?
One useful, well-made item they'll keep: a tech accessory, an apparel layer, brand-name drinkware or a treat. In Custom Ink's 2026 survey, 55% of employees preferred one premium item over several cheaper ones.
How much should a company spend on Christmas gifts for employees?
In the same survey, 43% of buyers spend $25–$49 per employee, 31% spend $50–$99, 14% spend under $25 and 13% spend $100 or more.
Are Christmas gifts to employees taxable?
Gift cards and cash are always taxable wages under IRS Publication 15-B. Low-value non-cash holiday gifts can be excluded as de minimis benefits. Not tax advice.
Is it OK to skip employee Christmas gifts this year?
It's risky. Getting nothing was the most common least-liked gift answer (23%) in Custom Ink's 2026 survey.
When do employees want their Christmas gift?
81% want it between early December and the holiday break, with early December the favorite (31%). Check our order-by calendar for cutoffs.
Should employee Christmas gifts have the company logo?
Keep it small. 42% of employees prefer subtle logos, 17% want a large logo and 41% don't mind.
Sources
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