The holidays are right around the corner! And ’tis the season to give a big thank you to all the people who’ve supported your business in 2024. So, before you get caught up in decking the halls and preparing holiday orders, think about gifts for employees and customers that are memorable and professional.
But let’s be real…shopping for your employees and customers can be a bit of a head-scratcher. What can you get them that they’ll not only love, but actually want to use…or, in the case of food and sweets, immediately devour? Get inspired with these X personal (and practical!) gift ideas.
Gifts for employees
1. Kick off the year with a desk calendar.
Get your employees ready and excited for the new year with a personalized desk calendar. Choose a colorful design that adds instant personality to their at-home workspace (whether that’s at home or in the office). Or, if you really want to make your holiday gift personalized, you can customize your calendar with their name and your company logo. It’s an easy way to keep the weeks and goals for 2025 at the front and center of your employee’s attention…no wall space necessary!
2. Give them something delicious.
Is there anything better than a sweet treat to celebrate the holidays? Put in an order for cookies, cupcakes or brownies at a local bakery, then separate and package those goodies for your team. To add a personal touch, try packaging the treats inside a customized coffee mug, complete with your company logo and the employee’s name. Or, wrap them in festive holiday paper complete with a personalized “Happy Holidays” sticker.
3. Surprise your staff with a gift card.
If you want to rest easy knowing that your employees will actually use their holiday gift, you can’t go wrong with a gift card. Whether it’s a gift card to their favorite restaurant, a local spa or a nearby shop, a gift card is sure to make anyone’s day.
4. Upgrade your employees’ WFH setup.
If your employees are spending any (or all) of their time working at home, chances are they could use some supplies for their office space. Put together a gift basket complete with all the branded gear they could need to be productive and effective while working from home – like personalized mouse pads, coffee mugs, water bottles, pens and notebooks. And beyond actual office supplies, include something decorative for their desk space – like a miniature plant, acrylic photo block or cheerful sign.
5. Keep them cozy on cooler days.
Make sure your employees are warm and comfortable on those cold winter days with a fleece jacket. A fleece jacket will keep them cozy all season long, whether they’re packing holiday shipments, tending the coffee bar or jogging in the park. Go the extra mile and add a personal touch by embroidering their name (along with your company logo).
6. Help them get in the holiday spirit.
If your employees celebrate Christmas, give them something they can add to their tree: a custom ornament! Create one with a team photo from a recent outing, or upload a holiday-ified version of your logo so your employees can show off their small business pride. Or, get extra-personal and create a completely custom ornament for each employee…they’re sure to appreciate the extra effort.
Gifts for customers and clients
7. Make holiday shopping easier with a tote bag.
If you’re not sure what gifts to get your clients for the holidays, turn to a trusty tote bag – complete with your logo printed or embroidered on it, of course. A custom tote bag is a great way to give your clients and customers the utility they need whether they’re out shopping for gifts, hitting the grocery store or browsing the farmers market. Plus, because the bag is branded with your logo, it’s a great way to spread the word about your business throughout your area.
8. Update their drinkware.
The holiday season is the perfect opportunity for people to sit back, relax and snuggle by the fire with their favorite hot winter beverage. If you want to warm your customers up this winter, packaged mugs complete with all the add-ons for the perfect warm beverage (like packets of hot chocolate, coffee beans from a local roaster, or a selection of holiday-flavored teas) make great gifts for customers.
VistaPrint Tip
Do your clients prefer colder beverages? Customize a wine glass or beer can glass that they can use all year.
9. Give them some local flavor.
If you’re at a total loss on what to get for client holiday gifts, you can’t go wrong with something edible. But don’t run to the grocery store and spend your budget on big-name, national brands. Instead, explore local stores that offer artisan sweets and savory snacks in original, unexpected flavors. Not only will your clients and customers get a holiday treat that’s sure to tantalize their taste buds, but you also get to celebrate other local businesses and makers.
10. Build a stay-at-home gift basket.
Many customers are still spending more time at home, so why not make that time even more enjoyable? Put together a gift basket with plenty of goodies that will make your customers’ time at home more enjoyable—like puzzles, cookbooks, board games, cards and, if possible, relevant products from your business. Wrap the baskets up in on-brand packaging and drop them off on customer doorsteps. Or, if your customers’ live far away, pop your gift baskets in the mail for a festive holiday delivery.
11. Say ‘thank you’ with a wall calendar.
You really appreciate your customers—and your customers really appreciate you. And a great way to celebrate your mutual appreciation this holiday season? A wall calendar that kicks off the new year with more than just days of the week.
If you want to deliver the perfect calendar to your customers, customize yours with monthly offers, discount codes and even a private sale or two throughout the year. These little perks not only show your customers how much you value their business, but it also keeps your company front and center 365 days a year.
12. Design a set of thank you cards.
The holiday season is a popular time to say “thank you” to friends, families, colleagues and loved ones. And, chances are, picking up a set of thank-you cards is on just about all of your customers’ to-do lists. So, why not take care of this to-do list item for them? Gift your customers a set of custom printed and personalized thank you cards (along with a branded pen, of course!). That way, when they’re ready to send out their holiday and end-of-year thank-yous, they have everything they need.
