Why Employee Appreciation Gifts Matter in 2025

Imagine you could wave a magic wand and make your team more engaged, less likely to burn out, and less likely to leave their jobs. Would you take the opportunity?

Of course you would! And it turns out you don’t need magic to make it happen—you just need to show your employees appreciation. A 2024 Gallup and Workhuman survey found that all three of those things happen when workers feel recognized. 

So, how do you show appreciation at work? There are a lot of ways to up your game, but one of the easiest is giving personalized gifts during the holidays. Employee appreciation gifts matter for multiple reasons, including these five data-backed benefits they bring. 

1. Gifts Scratch the Appreciation Itch

Holiday gifts are a great way to show your team you’re grateful for their hard work. In a 2025 survey of 800 employees, VistaPrint found that 89% of male employees and 86% of female employees feel more appreciated after receiving a gift. That shows just how important these small tokens can be when it comes to scratching the appreciation itch!

2. Gifts Enhance Productivity

It might sound crazy that something as simple as a gift could make your team more productive, but it’s true. When Propeller Insights asked, 65% of workers said they would put more effort into their work if they felt recognized and appreciated by their managers (a key benefit of gifts). On the flipside, 42% of respondents to Snappy’s 2025 Workforce Study said they’re “less productive when they don’t feel appreciated.”

For an added productivity boost, consider buying holiday gifts that feature fresh fruit, like the Fruit Lovers Gift. Sustained energy and focus are key to productivity, and according to dietitians, eating fruit regularly can help with both!  Even the act of taking snack breaks can deliver a productivity spike.

3. Gifts Boost Company Loyalty

A 2023 survey from Snappy and its partner Propeller Insights found 78% of employees feel more satisfied with their jobs after getting holiday gifts. The positive feelings a gift creates can even have a “halo effect” that improves an employee’s impression of the company long after the gift is unwrapped. For 35% of respondents, that halo effect lasts 3-6 months. 

Pretty amazing, right? The halo effect can enhance the other benefits of gifting, and might even help make your team more receptive to company policies like required days in the office.

4. Gifts Improve Team Cohesion

Employee appreciation gifts work on a smaller level, too. On top of boosting company loyalty, they make workers feel like they’re part of a group effort. In VistaPrint’s survey, 67% of employees reported feeling more valued as part of the team after getting gifts. 

5. Gifts Increase Retention

No surprise here—when employees feel appreciated and loyal to their company, they’re more likely to stay. The opposite is true, too! Propeller Insights asked workers how they would feel if they didn’t get a holiday gift from their company, and 31% said it would “nudge them toward exploring new job opportunities.” Retention may be a bigger concern than you realize: Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report found that 50% of workers in the US and Canada are actively seeking new jobs. 

Tips for Successful Gift Shopping

With all of these numbers in mind, you can see why employee appreciation gifts matter so much! But as you shop, it’s important to keep in mind that not all gifts are equally effective. Here are a few tips we gathered from the employee surveys linked above. 

• Personalized, thoughtful gifts are the most impactful
• Most employees prefer “conscious” gifts—including picks that support small businesses, come from minority-owned businesses, and/or are eco-friendly 
• Food and snacks are Gen Z workers’ favorite gift type

Check Employee Gifting Off Your List with The FruitGuys

The FruitGuys is a great place to start shopping for thoughtful, conscious, and delicious gifts. Our gift boxes are filled with farm-fresh fruit (regionally and seasonally sourced whenever possible) and snacks from brands that care about people and the planet. 

Plus, every box gives back, and you can make each one personal with a free gift message! Shop our gifts today to bring holiday cheer to your office and your community.  

FAQs

1. Why do employee appreciation gifts matter?

Gifts help employees feel seen and appreciated, which can help with productivity, job satisfaction, company loyalty, retention, team cohesion, and more.

2. What are good employee appreciation gifts? 

Good employee appreciation gifts are heartfelt, sourced with care, and personalized for the giftee. You can learn more about the dos and don’ts of employee gifts in this Employee Appreciation Day blog post. 

3. Are employee appreciation gifts tax-deductible? 

Yes, in some circumstances! Our blog “Are Employee Appreciation Gifts Tax Deductible?” has all of the details.

4. Where can I buy employee appreciation gifts? 

The FruitGuys is a great option: We deliver employee appreciation gifts to offices and homes nationwide, and you can shop our selection online. Based on employee preferences, you can also look into local, minority-owned, and eco-friendly businesses.