Budget guide · Under $25
What are good employee gifts under $25?
Employee gift ideas under $25, plus under-$10 and under-$5 picks for big teams: what employees keep, how to avoid cheap-looking gifts, and tax notes.
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Short answer
Under $25, put the whole budget into one useful item employees will keep, such as a tech accessory, a quality apparel basic or a treat they'd buy themselves, and skip office supplies. Under $10, pair a small consumable with a handwritten note. Low-value non-cash gifts can be tax-free; gift cards are always taxable wages.
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.
| Best for | Gift type | Why it fits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teams that live on their phones | Tech accessory (charger/cable) | Tech has the highest regular use, 53% | Custom Ink survey |
| Everyone, any climate | Quality apparel basic (e.g., socks) with no or small logo | Apparel 43% regular use; 42% prefer subtle logo | Custom Ink survey |
| Office teams | Consumable treat for the desk | Food & drink: top-3 favorite for 30% | Custom Ink survey |
| Big all-staff thank-yous | Small consumable + handwritten note | "Thought, time and effort" 38% vs name 12% | Custom Ink survey |
Check your budget per person
Plan it per person: the budget and headcount calculator turns a headcount and a total into a per-person budget and the gifts that fit.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good employee gift under $25?
One useful item they'll keep: a tech accessory, a quality apparel basic, or a treat. Custom Ink's 2026 survey found 55% of employees prefer one premium item to several cheaper ones.
What can I give employees for under $10?
A small consumable or personal-care item paired with a handwritten note. Employees in the same survey said thought and effort make a gift personal more than a printed name.
Are small gifts to employees taxable?
Low-value non-cash holiday gifts can be excluded as de minimis benefits under IRS Publication 15-B. Gift cards and cash are always taxable, however small. Not tax advice.
How many companies spend under $25 per employee?
14% of buyers in Custom Ink's 2026 survey; the most common range is $25–$49 (43%).
Should I put our logo on a $25 gift?
Keep it small. 42% of employees prefer subtle logo placement, and 22% of least-liked gift answers were cheap, generic or branded items.
Sources
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