Christmas is the time of the year when you make time for your friends, family and colleagues. Light up your virtual workplace with virtual house parties, secret Santa celebrations, virtual dinners and by sending out gifts. Like most things, coming up with a Christmas gift idea for your remote employees can be tricky.
With so many options and ideas, zeroing in on inexpensive and convenient Christmas gifts for your co-workers can be difficult. In this article, we’ve listed the best ideas among the lot. Take a look!
Top 10 Christmas Gift Ideas For Your Remote Co-Workers
1. Digital Gift Card
Think about how convenient it is. Digital gift cards save you from figuring out logistics or even deciding on a specific theme for your gift.
Why is it a good option?
- 100% digital- no transport cost; you can send it by Email.
- Your co-worker has the liberty to redeem it on any occasion they like.
- They also have the freedom of choice- there is flexibility in selecting the gift.
Some great options:
2. Ebooks
If your co-worker is a bookworm, there is nothing better than an ebook that can make them happy. Like gift cards, ebooks are convenient. There is no commotion of logistics and no additional costs. Moreover, the delivery happens in real-time.
Why is it a good option?
- There is no transport cost, and you can send it directly to your co-worker’s account.
- Ebooks are generally inexpensive.
- They’re also highly accessible as they’re available on the internet. You don’t need to go to a bookstore to hunt for it.
Some great options:
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
- Letters from Father Christmas by JRR Tolkein.
- Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Pro-tip: Since ebooks are inexpensive, buying multiple books can be a good idea.
3. Buy Them Lunch/ Dinner
Christmas = Good food.
While your co-worker may be living halfway across the world, you can still buy lunch for them. Like gift cards on Amazon, lunch coupons can be an easy way to show your love. You can also consider local food delivery apps.
Why is it a good option?
- Everyone loves food.
- Food coupons are delivered in real-time and save you the trouble of figuring out logistical problems.
- Food delivery apps like Uber eats have an option of gifting food directly.
Where can you find them?
Depending on where your teammates live, you can check out country-specific websites for coupons or food delivery apps to gift food directly.
4. Scented Candles
A set of scented candles for the holiday season can be a perfect gift for your co-workers. Candles can be a nice gesture to show that you appreciate them. Moreover, candles are all-purpose. They can be used for decorations, for the smell, the warmth and the light.
Why is it a good option?
- Candles can give a personal touch.
- It can uplift moods.
- It can come in handy after a rough day.
Some great options:
5. Pet Care Supplies
If you’ve been having meetings with your co-workers for some time now, you’d also know their cats and dogs. Gifting dog treats, chewy toys, pet furniture, or grooming supplies is a good idea.
Why is it a good option?
Pet parents are protective of their pets. You’d know this if you’ve got a pet too. A sound blanket for your colleague’s dog can be an excellent way to show that you care. Furthermore, pet supplies are personal and can create a great bond.
Some great options:
Pro-tip: Try personalizing the gift by including the pet’s name on the present.
6. Flowers And Houseplants
Like scented candles, flowers and houseplants are essential to uplift the general mood. A home office filled with aesthetically pleasing plants and flowers enhances productivity. A UK-based study has shown that having a plant on your desk can improve productivity by 15%.
Be creative with this one. Try gifting some hydroponic or aeroponic indoor plants. But make sure that the plants and flowers are not common allergens.
Why is it a good option?
- Gardening is cathartic.
- The aesthetics of the home office can influence productivity.
- Plants are a great mood-lifter
Where can you find them?
Websites like heyhorti.com offer plant subscriptions.
Pro tip: Add gardening guides like this one to help your teammates become good plant parents.
7. Custom Bobblehead
If you want to show gratitude to your favorite remote co-worker or a mentor who helped you during your initial days in the company, bobbleheads are the way to go. They add a personal touch. Furthermore, bobbleheads can be placed anywhere. It can be put on the car dashboard, the work table or anywhere else.
Why is it a good option?
- Custom bobbleheads are personal.
- It can be good home office decor.
- It’s a unique Christmas gift!
Where can you find them?
Depending on the place of residence of your co-worker, you can find many companies which deliver custom-made bobbleheads. Here’s one of them: Bobbleheadsme.com.
8. Exercise Equipment and Yoga Mats
While working from home can have benefits, it comes with a fair share of problems. Lack of exercise is one of them. Why not motivate your colleagues by sending in dumbbells or good-quality yoga mats?
Why is it a good option?
- Sending exercise equipment can act as a motivator for many.
- You can have healthy teammates. Healthy = Increase in productivity.
Some great options:
Pro tip: Once your gift is delivered, ask your co-worker if they’re ready for a team virtual workout session.
9. A Taskmaker Timer
Do you know the Pomodoro technique? It is a time management technique that allows you to take regular breaks between work. Experts say that it significantly increases productivity. Here’s a tool that can assist you with implementing the technique. Why not buy one of them for your co-workers this Christmas?
Why is it a good option?
- It can be an excellent alternative to your phone or laptop timer.
- These timers are specifically designed to follow the Pomodoro technique.
- It enhances productivity.
Some great options:
10. A Permanent Scratch Pad
Most workdays involve jotting down things on sticky notes that we’d see only once. A permanent scratch pad can serve as an eco-friendly alternative to this problem. Additionally, you can reserve your sticky notes for something more substantial.
Why is it a good option?
- Saves paper.
- Everyone writes things they’d never see again- maybe an idea or meeting notes. A scratch pad offers a good alternative.
- A scratch pad can be an excellent alternative to giant whiteboards.
Some great options:
Gift Ideas For Employees On A Budget
1. Savoury Sprinkles
If your coworker fancies baking cookies, gifting them savory sprinkles can be a good idea. We found the Maldon sea salt flakes as an affordable option.
2. Touchscreen Gloves
Using our phones with winter gloves on can be quite a task. Why not give your colleague touchscreen friendly gloves that can help them during chilly December days?
3. Bathtub Caddy Tray
Everybody likes a good bath after a long day’s work. Gifting a bathtub caddy can be a great way to help your colleague de-stress.
4. Tote Bag
A good tote bag can make an errand smooth. The perfect tote bag is the one that is big enough to hold everything and small enough to remain comfortable.
5. Bath Bombs
Bath bombs explode as soon as they hit water, filling the tub with skin-soothing oils and long-lasting scents. In addition to the bathtub caddy, bath bombs can be a good way to help your colleague de-stress.
3 Ways To Celebrate Christmas With Your Remote Team
Christmas is not all about gifts. It is also about celebration and togetherness. Here are some ways you can celebrate the holidays with your remote team.
1. Organize A Secret Santa:
If your team has a tradition of sending gifts to each other, why not add an element of surprise? Secret Santa events can be a great way to know each other and ensure everyone gets their gifts.
What Should I give my team for Christmas?
Here’s a list of things that you could give as secret Santa gifts.
- Warmies slippers- This is a perfect gift to beat the chilly winter weather.
- Wireless charging station- If your co-worker loves trying out new gadgets, a wireless charging station can come in handy.
- Motivational water bottle- If your co-worker keeps forgetting to drink water, you get them a water bottle with timings marked on them.
- Plant Jar- Plants are scientifically proven mood boosters. A jar that can store indoor plants can be a good gift idea.
2. A Virtual House Party
Numerous apps like Gather.town or theonline.town helps you virtually move around and talk to people at the party. The gamified UI makes it exciting and feels like a house party.
3. Organize A Virtual Christmas Dinner
After the house party, you can have a virtual dinner with your colleagues. Cook your favorite Christmas dishes and show them to your remote co-workers.
FAQs
1. What are some virtual gifts for remote employees?
Gifting your colleagues a subscription of an audiobook, or an entertainment service like Netflix and Hulu can be a great way to help them unwind. Digital gift cards and ebooks are some ways you can show appreciation.
Suggestions For Gift Boxes:
- Gourmet boxes
- Self care boxes
- Wellness boxes
- Sweet boxes
2. What is a good small gift to show appreciation?
Choices of a good appreciation gift can vary from person to person. However, here are a few that you can consider; personalized cups, good books and houseplants.
3. What should I give my team for Christmas?
Choosing a gift for an entire team can sometimes be difficult. However, you can show some gratitude by buying everyone digital gifts like gift cards or subscriptions.
Final Thoughts
While gifts can be a great way to show love, personalizing them can add value. Once those gifts are delivered, try organizing a virtual meet-up to discuss your gifts. Unlike a regular meeting, you can turn it into a virtual house party or dinner party. This Christmas, go the extra mile to show gratitude towards your remote work buddies.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🙂
