Tis the season to be gifty!

[Note: Last updated December 2021]

As the year is winding down, we all want to show our appreciation for our teams. Gifts are lovely, but don’t forget that a nice holiday gift, party or branded gear doesn’t make up for the rest of the year– employees want to be compensated fairly and enjoy their work and no present will make up for that!

A gift exchange can be a fun and festive way to get everyone involved. We use Draw Names to select our Brilliant Buddy and get ideas using the built-in wishlist feature, ship gifts directly to each person’s house and open our gifts together on Zoom. To encourage participation, Brilliant Ink reimburses the cost of the gifts so everyone is able to join in the holiday fun!

If you’re looking for some other ways to show your team some love, we’ve got 12 ideas for you:

Treat yo' self!

2021 was another challenging year– treat your team to some pampering and wellness:

• This box from Knack Shops has everything you need to unwind.  
• If well-being hasn’t been a priority this year, this bucket list poster from Uncommon Goods could be good motivation to make 2022 the year of wellness.
• And when in doubt, a spa gift card from Spa Finder is always a welcome gift.

For your Foodies

Everyone loves food! Sending snacks or a gift card for some yummy treats is almost as good as enjoying a meal together.

• For the food connoisseur, Goldbelly ships regional specialties anywhere in the US (Chicago deep dish pizza, Nashville Hot Chicken or New York Bagels anyone?!)
• Sugar Wish allows the recipient to select their favorite candy (or loads of other sweet/savory treats!)
• There are many options for snack delivery– it’s truly the gift that keeps on giving! We love Yumday: they curate the best new snacks from women and BIPOC makers and leaders.

For the Voracious Readers

We have a team full of bookworms so a something to read is always a good idea:

• Mr. Editorial has a curated bookshop that contains everything an IC pro could want, ranging from writing guides to leadership books to workplace fiction.
• We’re huge fans of anything by Adam Grant and Brene Brown, and they also have an excellent list of recommended reading.  
• For our most recent Brilliant Book Club, we read The Wake Up by Michelle Chan and HIGHLY recommend for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of DEI.  

For those Plant Parents

We have lots of plant lovers on our team so you can’t go wrong with something green.  

• The Sill ships plants nationwide for all levels of gardener– from the greenest thumb to the person who always kills their plants (guilty!)  
• For the gift that keeps on giving, Horti for a monthly plant delivery!
• Etsy has all the plants accessories you could need– pots, pruning shears and plant-lover shirts and mugs.

keep creating meaning in the moments

Remember, employees value feeling recognized and appreciated so don't miss an opportunity to celebrate their good work. Best of luck with your holiday shopping, and cheers to a wonderful new year!

For more bite-sized brilliance, subscribe to our monthly employee experience newsletter, the Inkwell. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest too!