The holidays are one of the best times of year to show appreciation—and one of the hardest to plan well. From sourcing items and managing logistics to shipping delays and personalization challenges, employee gifting can quickly go from thoughtful to overwhelming. That’s where a little planning, the right platform, and some curated gift inspiration go a long way.
5 Tips for Planning a Holiday Gifting Program That Actually Works
Before you dive into products, start by getting your strategy in place. Here’s what we recommend to make the process smoother and more impactful:
1. Start earlier than you think
Inventory runs tight in Q4—especially for in-demand items like apparel, kits, or brand-name goods. Starting now gives you time to approve samples, place orders, and avoid holiday shipping chaos.
2. Segment your audience
Not every employee needs the same gift. Consider tiering gifts by tenure, department, or region—or offering different gift options based on preference or role.
3. Make it personal (without the headache)
Branded items can still feel personal when the details are thoughtful. Include custom messages, let employees choose colors or sizes, or add personalized packaging for a little extra impact.
4. Offer choice through redemption
Avail’s platform lets you set up digital gift redemption experiences—so employees can pick what they want from a curated selection. No guesswork. No sizing errors. No duplicate water bottles.
5. Don’t forget the message
A short note, video, or company-wide message that ties the gift back to your company’s values makes the moment feel more intentional.
Top 2025 Employee Gift Picks
We pulled a few of the most popular gift categories and top picks from this year’s holiday catalog. All are brandable, available through Avail, and gift-ready.
Winter Layers & Cozy Apparel
- Thermal crews, quarter-zips, and heavyweight hoodies
- Sherpa jackets, fleece pullovers, and layering pieces
Work from Home Upgrades
- Branded Ember mugs and Fellow coffee gear
- Desktop organizers, wireless chargers, and soft-touch notebooks
Holiday Treat Kits
- Curated snack boxes with sweet and savory options
- Hot cocoa sets, popcorn tins, and themed holiday bundles
Premium Accessories
- Leather tech pouches, crossbody slings, and Dopp kits
- Branded YETI drinkware and Stanley tumblers in seasonal colors
Sustainable Swag
- Eco-friendly journals, reusable totes, and recycled material bags
- Brands like tentree, Slowtide, and Allmade leading the way
Experiential Gifts
- Home spa kits, charcuterie boards, and DIY cocktail/mocktail sets
- Kits that can be customized and delivered in bulk or on demand
Why Use a Platform for Holiday Gifting?
Manual gift-giving at scale is hard. Avail makes it easier by giving HR and People Ops teams:
- One place to manage gifting, swag, and fulfillment
- A built-in system for employee gift selection via redemption
- Visibility into spend, inventory, and delivery status
- A stress-free way to make the holidays feel more thoughtful—without creating more work
TLDR
Start your holiday gifting plans now, not later. Thoughtful doesn’t have to mean complicated—and employees remember when it’s done right. Whether you’re sending a curated kit or letting employees pick their own gift, the key is being intentional early.
Need help pulling it all together?
Let’s talk swag—we’ll help you plan, source, and deliver your best holiday campaign yet.
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