If you're looking for Christmas gifts for employees under $5, Famvibe has compiled dozens of suggestions, ranging from olive oil to home office upgrades. When you purchase through our links, Insider may receive a commission. Explore more. Give thoughtful Christmas gifts to the hardworking employees who keep your business running.
Show your appreciation for your employees' and coworkers' hard work with this thoughtful holiday and beyond gift suggestions. From practical desk accessories to pampering products (and, yes, a few specific work-from-home gift ideas), this list has something for every budget and personality.
1. Bentgo Fresh Lunch Packaging
Upgrade their brown bag lunch with a leak-proof container with compartments to hold their dressings and sauces. They are available in a spectrum of hues, allowing you to give each employee their shade to prevent accidental lunch theft.
2. Keyboard by Logitech MX
Enhance their WFH (or work from anywhere) setup with this mini Bluetooth keyboard, ideal for note-taking or memo-writing on the go (even on their tablet or smartphone).
3. Papier Good Dogs Notepads
With these adorable dog notepads, you can add a splash of color to their desk. They come in a set of three and can be engraved with the name of your colleague.
4. Beach Zen Garden Kit
Brighten their desk and their days with a contemporary interpretation of the zen garden, complete with bright blue sand, sting rays, and lighthouses.
5. Pure Essential Oil Aromatherapy Inhalation Tabs
Help your coworkers relax after a long day (or get energized for the next day) with these aromatherapy tabs, which can be adhered to their mask, chest, or pillow so they can breathe in the scent. Choose fragrances that promise to calm, induce sleep, energize, or improve health.
6. Mug
This popular travel mug will make their morning beverage (coffee or tea) shine a little brighter.
7. Office Dundie Awards
For the person who can quote nearly every episode of The Office, give them their very own Dundie with six interchangeable plates. You decide whether they receive the "Whitest Sneakers Award" or a standard Dundie.
8. Candle of Candy Cane Twist
These ingenious candles do not require holders because they are perfectly twisted to stand on their own. (And they are the ideal Christmas gifts for employees under $5 who have a number of allergies or other issues that make giving food and other typical gifts difficult.)
9. Rainfall-Free Sparkling Water
Want to give a bubbly (but alcohol-free) gift? These flavorful sparkling waters contain ingredients such as ginseng and ashwagandha to enhance concentration and performance (while tasting delicious).
10. Self-Care Gift Box by Tartan Blanket
Gift boxes can be hit or miss, but you have nothing to worry about with this fully customizable option. Scotland-based Tartan Blanket Co. specializes in producing eco-friendly (and incredibly soft) wool scarves and blankets. This holiday-themed gift box features your choice of locally sourced treats, beverages, mini-bouquets, and stoneware mugs, as well as an assortment of incredibly cozy items.
11. 100 Activities for Your Health
This poster should be hung next to each team member's computer to remind them that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is more important than ever. Behind each scratch-off square is a relaxing and stress-relieving activity.
12. Miniature Coffee Plant
Have teammates across the country who work remotely? Instead of a coffee gift card, consider this easy-care coffee plant. The Sill's corporate gifting program makes it incredibly easy to gift everyone at once: they will ship a new home office plant directly to the doorstep of everyone on your list.
13. The Authentic Buddha Board
This intelligent drawing board is the ideal desk accessory for coworkers who need a break from staring at a computer monitor. It comes with a brush and all you need is water to create countless beautiful works of art: whatever you draw simply disappears as the water dries, so the possibilities are infinite.
14. Workplace Desk Pad
This double-sided desk mat is large enough to accommodate a laptop, keyboard, mousepad, phone dock, and other office accessories. The back of this eco-friendly mat is made of natural cork, while the front is made of soft leather that is incredibly simple to clean. It is available in eleven colors and three sizes, and is packaged in a sleek tube that makes it ideal for gifting.
15. Set of Casamigos Cocktails
If your coworkers enjoy a good cocktail hour, this is the perfect christmas gift for employees under $5. The renowned tequila and mezcal brand owned by George Clooney, curated this sophisticated drink inspiration set with three unique flavorful mixers they are guaranteed to have never tried before, as well as two fun salty and sweet rim mixes.
16. Pop Up Note Camera Dispenser
Your coworker will adore this amusing note holder for her desk. With a phony shutter and flash, it dispenses post-it notes instead of Polaroids and enlivens a desk full of mundane office supplies. The camera comes with 45 sheets of Super Sticky Post-Its, but you can purchase refills to ensure they have enough for the rest of the year. In addition, the object is weighted, so it remains in place as she grabs sticky notes before rushing to meetings.
17. Caramel Caravan Brown Chocolate Caramel Pretzels
There is nothing better than a gift consisting of edible items, especially chocolate, caramel, and pretzels. Nonetheless, Caramel Caravan offers a variety of artisanal sweets for those who prefer something else. These sweets offer the best of both worlds: they are made with care and sourced locally, but they are also available for nationwide shipping.
18. Mini Floatie Humidifier
This may be the most creative Christmas gift for employees under $5 we have suggested. This compact, portable, USB-powered humidifier is a brilliant desk accessory that floats effortlessly in a glass of water and emits moisture to compensate for dry winter air in the workspace.
Some individuals prefer audio books (even adults enjoy being read to!). Give a hard-working employee a subscription to Audible. Start them off with a month of listening for $15, or opt for three, six, or 12 months for a higher price.
20. Well Teakwood Consumes
We are all guilty of keeping snacks at our desks. Help your employees or coworkers keep their snacks fresh with this insulated, leak-proof container, which includes a prep bowl that is safe for the dishwasher and facilitates easier snacking. The container's exterior is so attractive that no one will question its prominent placement on the desk.
21. Blue Bottle Espresso Cold Brew Bottle by Hario
With this cold brew bottle, you can provide the non-morning people in your office with a portable method of obtaining their caffeine fix. They can make fresh cold brew the night before, then remove the filter the following day for a beautiful carafe of high-quality cold brew coffee, minus the coffeehouse price and waste.
22. Candle by Jonathan Adler Champagne Pop
A bottle of champagne or wine is not always an appropriate gift for a direct report; instead, offer a scented candle inspired by champagne. It is a similar concept, but will not send the wrong message or cross the line. This festive fragrance has a 40-hour burn time and is aromas of pink grapefruit, raspberry, French cassis, violet leaves, rose petal, and grape leaf; however, it should not be burned for more than two or three hours at a time. In addition, the metallic vessel is so stylish that it can be repurposed as décor once the candle has burned out.
23. Famously delicious sweets
Milk Bar, the cult-favorite bakery based in New York, delivers its decadent cakes, cookies, and truffles to gift recipients' doorsteps.
24.Daily Planner Designed To Fit Against Their Keyboard
Designed to be keyboard-friendly, this calendar helps people prioritize their week, organize any tasks, and keep tabs on goals or projects. It's made by the same company that makes one of our most-recommended planners. If you think people might enjoy another organization resource in life or at work, this is a good Christmas gift for employees under $5.
Olive oil they've been meaning to try from Brightland
California brand Brightland makes extra virgin olive oil and vinegar that we've found to be full-bodied and sharp. Its recognizable white bottles protect the EVOO from light damage — and also look really nice displayed on a countertop. Find a full review here.
26.Nice Leather Mouse Pad
Sure, something monogrammed with the company name is nice. But a company gift doesn't need to be so explicit either — and sometimes employees may appreciate the versatility of something timeless. This leather mouse pad is functional and stylish, and it comes with a microfiber travel bag. This is also one of the desk accessories Insider Reviews employees swear by.
27.Brownies That Give Back
Not only are these the same brownies Ben & Jerry's uses in its ice cream, but they're made at a B Corp that practices inclusive hiring and connects its employees with resources such as child care, community gardens, and sustainability programs. Plus, they're delicious.
28.Comfortable Seat Cushion For Their Home Office
Why not make their office setup a bit more enjoyable? We love this Purple Seat cushion because it makes sitting down all day significantly more comfortable and helps improve posture while seated. You can read a full review of the Royal Seat Cushion here.
28.Inconspicuous And Stylish Wireless Charger
They probably don't need any more tchotchkes for their workspace. But they'll probably appreciate the inconspicuousness and convenience of this small wireless device that charges their iPhone much faster than a standard power adapter and cable. Senior reporter Amir Ismael swears by this one.
29.Atlas Tea Club Subscription
This subscription sends your giftee single-origin teas from the best tea-growing regions in the world for six months. You can also opt for coffee.
30.Starbucks Gift Cards
Since there are Starbucks all over the country, its gift cards are great if you have employees spread across many locations. Starbucks' corporate sales program also has options that range from physical gift cards, branded gift cards, or digital gift cards delivered directly to your recipient's email.
31. Decadent Chocolate
Our pick for the best chocolates you can gift. Many famous brands offer gift sets that are sure to impress your employees with both the high-quality chocolate and the beautiful packaging.
The chocolate bar library is a great gifting option as it includes nine unique chocolate flavors — including banana coconut, matcha, and raw honey — in a keepsake box.
Many companies also offer a corporate concierge which can help guide you through personalizing your chocolate selection with your company's branding and help coordinate shipping to multiple addresses.
32. UrbanStems Flowers
Valentine's Day and Mother's Day aren't the only occasions where a bouquet of flowers is appropriate. Welcome new employees (and remind current ones) on Christmas holiday, they're appreciated with beautifully arranged flowers from our favorite flower delivery service.
33. Variety of Sugarwish Candies
If your employees prefer sour, sweet, or even chocolate candy, Sugarwish's wide offering of sweets and snacks has them covered. Plus, Sugarwish's corporate gifting program allows businesses to customize candies with branding and logos.
34. Lula's Garden Succulents
A dash of greenery on their desk or in their room will make them happy — make it low-maintenance and nearly impossible to kill, and they'll be even happier. You can learn more about custom gifting at Lula's Garden here.
35.Set Of Spa-Worthy Bath Products
If you're looking to give employees bath and body products they'll actually want to use, Nécessaire offers luxurious products free of toxic ingredients. With three set options, multiple scents, and even a fragrance-free option, you'll surely find something they'll love. To participate in the brand's corporate gifting program, simply fill out this contact form.
36.Iconic Nylon Tote Bags
These waterproof nylon totes hold 50 pounds of stuff, fold down to a fraction of their size to fit in your back pocket, and can be customized with your company name.
37. Custom Face Masks
In our current times, face masks are an incredibly useful gift. Vistaprint, typically known for its customizable business cards, clothing, and more, has added masks to its extensive product lineup. Customize masks for your staff with your company's logo or choose from one of many pre-existing designs. Submit a request for orders of more than 1,000 masks here
38. Customized Pencils
Something to write with can always come in handy, be it for to-do lists, doodling, or anything in between. These custom pencils come in a set of 12, are available in four colors, and the message can be anything from a company name to a fun insider joke with coworkers.
39. Custom Jackets
When it comes to gifting clothing, one size does not fit all. Luckily, L.L.Bean's business gifting site offers a wide range of inclusive sizes, from XS to 3X. Its fitness fleece quarter-zip jacket is available in five colors and can be customized with a logo.
The retailer also has a selection of other customizable products such as beanies, blankets, and duffle bags.
40. Delicious Baked Goods
You can never go wrong with baked goods. With an option to narrow your search by region, Goldbelly's corporate gifting program allows you to send local eats to your employees no matter where they're located.
