What Employees Actually Want for Employee Appreciation Day (And What to Avoid)

Employee Appreciation Day is the perfect chance to make people feel genuinely valued. But let’s be real: appreciation gifts can land in two very different ways.

• “This is awesome—I’m going to use this all the time.”

• “Oh… a mug. Again.”

The difference usually isn’t budget. It’s fit. Employees don’t want random stuff. They want appreciation that respects their preferences, their lifestyles, and the fact that they’re not all the same person.

Below is a clear breakdown of what employees truly value, what to avoid, and why choice-based swag and gift cards consistently beat generic gifts.

What employees actually want (simple, but surprisingly easy to miss)

1) Choice, because “one perfect gift” doesn’t exist

Every workplace has a mix of styles, sizes, climates, hobbies, and daily routines. That’s exactly why the best appreciation gifts don’t rely on guessing.

Choice-based gifting flips the script. Instead of sending the same item to everyone and hoping for the best, you let employees select what they’ll actually enjoy.

What “choice” can look like:

• A curated employee store with approved items people can pick from

• A points-based setup where employees choose within a set budget

• Gift cards that let employees decide what’s most useful to them

Choice feels thoughtful because it quietly says: “We trust you to pick what you want.”

2) Practical value, because useful is always in style

Employees love gifts that blend seamlessly into real life—items that get used weekly (or daily), not shoved into a drawer.

Great examples:

• Comfortable, high-quality apparel employees would actually choose

• Durable drinkware that feels premium

• Backpacks, totes, or travel gear that hold up

• Tech accessories that solve everyday annoyances

• Gift cards that cover something genuinely helpful

Practical doesn’t mean boring. It means the gift has staying power.

3) Relevance, even if it’s subtle

The fastest way to make a gift feel impersonal is to send something that clearly doesn’t match someone’s world.

A few common mismatches:

• Heavy sweatshirts for teams in warm climates

• Desk items for teams that rarely sit at desks

• Food gifts that don’t account for dietary needs or preferences

The larger and more diverse your team is, the more important relevance becomes. That’s another reason choice works so well—it scales personalization without the awkwardness.

4) A moment that feels human, not transactional

Even a great gift can fall flat if it arrives without context. The best appreciation feels like a real moment, not a checkbox.

Simple ways to level it up:

• Add a short message that explains why you’re celebrating employees

• Share a few real examples of impact (specific beats generic every time)

• Tie the gift into a team moment, whether virtual or in-person

A little intention goes a long way.

What to avoid on Employee Appreciation Day (and why it backfires)

1) Low-quality branded items that feel like leftovers

Flimsy pens, scratchy tees, thin totes—employees can spot “bulk promo” instantly. These gifts don’t feel like appreciation. They feel like inventory cleanup.

What to avoid:

• Anything disposable or cheaply made

• Items that exist mostly to show a logo

If you’re putting your brand on it, it should be something people actually want to use.

2) One-size-fits-all apparel

Apparel can be a home run. But only if it fits and matches the employee’s style.

Size guessing is awkward, and receiving something that doesn’t fit turns a “thank you” into an extra task. Not exactly the vibe you’re going for.

What to avoid:

• Picking one style for everyone

• Limited sizes that force uncomfortable exchanges

3) Generic snack boxes

Food gifts sound easy—until you remember allergies, dietary restrictions, preferences, and people who just don’t want another sweet box on their counter.

What to avoid:

• Food as the default option unless it’s customizable or choice-based

4) Novelty desk gadgets and clutter

Cute desk gadgets often become clutter fast. Employees don’t want more things to manage. They want fewer.

What to avoid:

• Items that don’t solve a real problem

• “Funny” gifts that aren’t actually useful

5) Gifts that accidentally celebrate burnout

Messaging matters. If a gift reinforces hustle culture, it can send the wrong signal.

What to avoid:

• Anything framed as “thanks for always being slammed”

• Gifts that imply employees are valued mainly for overworking

Appreciation should recognize impact and effort, not glorify exhaustion.

Why choice-based swag and gift cards outperform generic gifts

Choice-based swag: personal and on-brand, without the risk

Branded gifts are powerful when they’re high-quality and genuinely wanted. The challenge is that tastes vary. That’s where choice-based swag wins.

Employees get something that fits their life. Your brand gets represented in a way that feels natural—because employees picked it.

Gift cards: flexible, practical, universally appreciated

Not everyone wants the same kind of “treat.” Some people want apparel. Others want dinner with family, a weekend activity, or help covering everyday expenses.

Gift cards work because they:

• remove guesswork

• fit any lifestyle

• feel immediately valuable

And when you pair them with a thoughtful message, they feel even more meaningful.

Employee Appreciation Day gift ideas employees genuinely like

If you want options that tend to perform well across teams, start here:

• A choice-based employee swag store where employees pick what they want

• Premium branded apparel selected by the employee

• Gift cards with flexible redemption options

• High-quality drinkware that feels premium

• Work-from-anywhere upgrades like bags and tech accessories

The common thread is clear: quality plus usefulness plus choice.

How Merchloop helps you nail Employee Appreciation Day gifting

If you want to avoid the classic pitfalls—wrong sizes, unused items, wasted budget—Merchloop makes it easy to build a gifting experience employees actually enjoy.

With choice-based swag, employees can select what they want from a curated assortment of branded items. That keeps the experience on-brand while still feeling personal. You can also include gift cards, giving employees the flexibility to choose what’s most useful to them right now.

The result: more excitement, fewer leftovers, and a stronger culture signal that says, “We appreciate you, and we put thought into this.”

Final takeaway: the best appreciation gifts feel intentional

Employee Appreciation Day gifting works best when it doesn’t rely on guessing. Prioritize:

• choice

• quality

• usefulness

• a thoughtful message

Because the best gift isn’t the fanciest one. It’s the one employees are genuinely happy to receive—and actually want to keep.