Nearly half of employees say that their companies are bad gifters, according to our research. So how do you stay out of the Gifting Hall of Shame? Opt instead to give holiday gift cards for employees.
BHN’s Holiday Branded Pay study, which surveyed 1,261 U.S. employees in July 2024, found that 83% would prefer to get a gift card or prepaid reward like Mastercard or Visa as a gift from their employer. Only a quarter actually get that.
Hopefully that statistic easily sells you on giving holiday gift cards for employees, but then you have to worry about doing them right. Here are some more insights from our study to help guide your buying decisions.
READ MORE: Not Planning to Give Staff Appreciation Gifts for the Holiday? You Should
When asked what they would spend a holiday gift card on, the split showed no one overwhelming winner, with groceries, clothing and shoes, household expenses, a night out, self-care and pampering, and fuel all falling within a range of 16 percentage points.
It’s no surprise, then, that holiday gift cards for employees that offer more flexibility for recipients are becoming more desirable. Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents say they like getting Mastercard or Visa prepaid cards, which can be spent on nearly anything, and 40% want multi-brand cards that are good at several different merchants.
Everyone knows that budgets are tight for many companies, and giving holiday gift cards for employees may seem as though it will end up being more expensive than the usual company swag or food baskets. But the value of a gift card doesn’t have to be more than the cost of those gifts to be meaningful. When asked about an appropriate value for a holiday gift card, 52% said $100 or less is enough.
Personalized experiences are important for your customers, so why not your employees? Simply branding the prepaid cards you give to your team with the company logo and colors makes a positive impact, according to 55% of employees. They cite effects such as reinforcing their good feelings toward the company every time they use the card, making them feel more appreciated, and increasing their affinity for their employer.
Our survey results show that as return-to-office mandates continue to spread, those affected are feeling the pinch. Concerns about higher living costs are especially pronounced among employees who are required to work in-person full time, and they’re looking to their employers to give larger holiday gift cards for employees to help offset commuting costs and other related expenses.
If your team members work in the office full time, remember that flexibility is key for those who would rather spend a gift on essentials instead of coffee at Starbucks or a movie out. Also consider giving them a bonus fuel or grocery card to ease the burden of office mandates.
Ready to send holiday gift cards for employees this holiday? Learn how BHN Rewards makes it easy, or just let our rewards specialists show you by requesting a demo today!
Hannah is a reformed journalist who has more than 15 years of experience and now focuses on content marketing for innovative tech companies.
Hannah is a reformed journalist who has more than 15 years of experience and now focuses on content marketing for innovative tech companies.
