Incentive Options
Incentive Options
This holiday season is the perfect time to show employees your appreciation with an unexpected gift.
Avoid common errors and make sure to maximize your employee holiday gifts.
Download the Holiday Giving Checklist for important employee gift giving considerations.
When planning holiday gifts for employees, a thoughtful approach goes a long way in showing genuine appreciation and encouraging a positive work environment.
Showing gratitude and recognizing employee contributions with memorable gifts can boost morale, increase a sense of engagement by employees and increase job satisfaction.
It’s may seem like a small gesture but holiday gifts can significantly contribute to a positive and productive work environment and pay dividends long after the New Year.
TruCentive automates reward delivery. Easy to use tools make it easy to create memorable corporate holiday gifts and provides tools to create delightful and personalized experiences for recipients.
Flexible Rewards: Gift cards empower employees to choose incentives that are meaningful to them.
Recipient Choice: Allow recipients to select from curated gift options that suit their preferences.
Variety of Options: Access thousands of gift card options, including merchant gift cards, funds delivery, and prepaid cards.
Theme-Based Choices: Offer themed selections, like tech (e.g., Apple, BestBuy) or food (e.g., Coffee, Pizza, Doordash).
Customizable Designs: Create personalized messages and visually appealing rewards with advanced editing tools.
Engaging Delivery: Design memorable emails and SMS messages using templates or custom designs, ready in minutes.
Learn how to maximize value with
merchandise this holiday season.
It takes just a few minutes to create and send an award, gift, or incentive notification to one individual or to thousands.
Easily create stunning messages that leave a lasting, positive impression.
You can start from scratch, or use one of the many pre-designed templates and you’re ready to start your incentive delivery in minutes.
You get complete control over the design of each message.
Browse our Send-Ready project catalog. Add your recipients. Your logo is seamlessly integrated into your project.
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Wasting time: Make the process of receiving and redeeming the gift easy. Efficiency and convenience are key factors in successful corporate gift giving. It is essential to avoid wasting time and prioritize ease of use for recipients.
Wrong gifts: Avoid anything that is too personal. Gifts that are inappropriate or offensive can have a detrimental impact on relationships and company reputation. Avoid items that may be considered controversial, politically charged, or offensive to specific groups.
Misalignment with Company Culture: Gifts should reflect the identity and mission of the organization. Failing to consider the company’s culture can dilute the impact of the gifts and miss an opportunity to strengthen the organizational identity. Avoid problems by allowing choice.
Poor Timing or Delivery: Sending gifts late or at inconvenient times may diminish their significance and fail to convey the intended appreciation. Additionally, ensure the gifts are presented in a thoughtful and respectful manner, considering individual preferences for public or private recognition.
No lasting memory value: Some gifts that have no lasting memory value. Gifts that are quickly forgotten or have little practical use may fail to make a meaningful impact. To avoid this, choose gifts that are thoughtful, unique, and memorable.
Genuine employee recognition is essential for creating a positive and engaged workplace
Insincere recognition and empty or self-serving gestures can harm morale.
Phony recognition can be seen as empty, leading employees to feel undervalued.
To truly motivate and retain talent, companies should focus on consistent, personalized acknowledgment that feels meaningful.
Recognition can include regular praise tied to specific achievements, career development opportunities, or personalized incentives, like curated gifts or extra time off.
Authentic recognition fosters team trust, loyalty, and satisfaction, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization.
Appropriateness: Avoid items that are too personal (e.g., clothing, fragrance).
Fairness and Budget Consistency: Stick to a clear, consistent budget and avoid perceptions of favoritism.
Inclusivity: Choose gifts that appeal to a diverse range of employees. Avoid anything that could be sensitive.
Personalization and Appreciation: Personalize notifications. A heartfelt message can often mean as much as the gift itself.
Usefulness and Practicality: Opt for gifts that employees are likely to use and enjoy, such as quality office supplies, snacks, or versatile gift cards.
Timing: Distribute awards in early December, so employees can enjoy them before or during the holidays.
Remote Workers: Remote employees should be included. Ensure gifts can be easily delivered to them, such as virtual options like online gift cards.
Employee Choice: Offer employees a choice between a few gift options to ensure they receive something they genuinely appreciate.
Here are eight specific tips on taking a thoughtful approach to employee holiday gifts and to showing genuine appreciation and creating a positive work environment.
Combining merchandise and gift card options for employee holiday gifts is a fantastic way to cater to a wide range of preferences and personalities within a diverse workforce. Offering a mix of merchandise, alongside versatile gift cards gives employees the freedom to choose what truly resonates with them. While some may appreciate tangible gifts they can use or wear, others may prefer the flexibility of a gift card, allowing them to pick something personal or indulge in their favorite brands or experiences. This balanced approach ensures that everyone, regardless of their interests, feels valued and appreciated, making the holiday season more inclusive and enjoyable for all.
When planning for corporate employee gift giving, there are several alternative approaches you can consider to ensure an engaging and thoughtful experience.
Remember to consider the company culture, budget, and the preferences of your employees when choosing an alternative gift-giving approach. It’s always a good idea to gather feedback and involve employees in the decision-making process to ensure their satisfaction and engagement.
Here are a just a few ideas:
Instead of selecting gifts on behalf of employees, provide them with a gift budget or gift card that allows them to choose their own presents. This approach empowers employees to select something they truly desire, enhancing satisfaction and reducing the chance of receiving unwanted gifts.
Instead of individual gifts, consider giving gifts to teams or departments. This encourages collaboration and camaraderie among employees. You can choose gifts that can be shared and enjoyed collectively, such as board games, team-building activities, or group experiences.
Instead of traditional gifts, give employees the opportunity to select a charity of their choice and make a donation on their behalf. This approach promotes a sense of purpose and allows employees to contribute to causes they care about.
The strategic goal of holiday giving is enhancing employee engagement and appreciation.
Aligning gifts with company culture, as well as offering creative and thoughtful gifts, can foster a positive work environment that builds employee satisfaction and loyalty.
A well-defined gift-giving protocol makes sure that fairness exists.
A well-crafted gift program has the power to inspire, motivate, and strengthen the relationship between employees and the organization, one that helps build a thriving and engaged workforce.
For the 2024 holiday season, de minimis employee gifts can still be used to offer tax-free benefits, provided they meet IRS guidelines. According to the IRS, a de minimis benefit is one that is “so small as to make accounting for it unreasonable or impractical” (IRC Section 132). Non-cash gifts such as holiday merchandise (e.g., branded apparel, mugs, or snacks) often qualify under this rule, as long as their value is relatively low and given infrequently. The IRS does not specify a strict dollar amount, but gifts valued over $100 typically do not qualify as de minimis. IRS INVESTOPEDIA.
According to IRS Publication 15-B (Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits), cash or cash-equivalent gifts like gift cards are not considered de minimis and are subject to tax reporting. IRS
. Non-cash gifts that fall under the de minimis threshold, however, can remain tax-free as long as they are occasional and small in value. INVESTOPEDIA
These benefits offer companies a great way to recognize employees without additional tax burdens during the holiday season. For more specific guidance, consult IRS guidelines or tax professionals.
The information provided by TruCentive, including all content on our website, communications, and materials, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, or financial advice. You should consult with your own tax, legal, and financial advisors regarding your particular situation. TruCentive makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and disclaims any liability for any actions taken based on it. Always refer to applicable tax and legal regulations or seek professional advice to ensure compliance with the law.
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