A Guide to Inclusive Holiday Gifting

Hiring a diverse team with different backgrounds and beliefs speaks volumes about your company. A team that spans cultures and demographics will always be lively, interesting, innovative and open to learning as you explore each other’s traditions.

Upholding a commitment to diversity means considering how best to connect with everyone during the holiday season. This guide to inclusive holiday gifting is the perfect starting point. Discover how you can be mindful of your employees’ traditions with this wide range of gift ideas.

The Importance of Inclusive Gifting

Gift-giving as a sign of generosity, respect and appreciation is a practice people of all cultural backgrounds understand and enjoy. We all love giving and receiving thoughtful gifts, especially at significant times like the holiday season. Inclusive gifting builds unity while welcoming differences.

Why is inclusive holiday gifting crucial for diverse companies like yours?

1. Builds unity: Inclusive promotional gifts remind everyone that your company culture values their uniqueness. These gifts represent the overarching vision that unites the diverse team.
2. Fosters empathy: When staff share in the giving and receiving experience, it encourages them to build working relationships based on cooperation and mutual understanding.
3. Motivates staff: When team members feel understood, appreciated and valued, it motivates them to engage and contribute to your company’s success.
4. Drives customer satisfaction: Improving employee well-being is essential to creating a pleasant customer experience. Happier employees bring better attitudes to work, boosting everyone around them.
5. Nurtures inclusivity: A workplace that combines the strengths of a diverse team positions itself for productivity and innovation.

Tips for Being Inclusive During the Holidays

Holidays are a time for togetherness and celebration. Unifying a diverse team over the holidays can take some extra care, but it is extremely rewarding. Explore some ways you can get everyone involved in the holidays at the workplace.

Create an Inclusive Holiday Calendar

Get your group into a celebratory spirit by making an inclusive calendar. You can ask everyone to email you the special days they observe throughout the year and compile them into a huge printed wall calendar. Hang the calendar in a busy common area so everyone knows which days are meaningful to their co-workers.

You can also buy a whiteboard calendar and some colorful dry-erase markers. Invite everyone to take turns filling it out with the days they celebrate.

Incorporate Diverse Decorations

Placing diverse decorations around the building is an easy way to bring joy and festivities into your workplace. Ask everyone to bring in a small item that reflects their holiday celebrations. You can also go all-out by decorating the entrance or reception area with an assortment of trinkets that reflect each team member’s culture.

Consider Dietary Restrictions

Winter holidays come with a string of office parties and celebrations. As with any catered event, check in with your staff to learn their dietary restrictions and to know who does or doesn’t consume alcoholic beverages.

Food offers an opportunity to learn about your co-workers’ traditions. Potluck get-togethers allow everyone to sample favorite holiday foods from various cultures.

Create a Shared Playlist

Nothing unifies people as quickly as good music. Swap the usual Christmas album for a shared playlist that features everyone’s holiday favorites. Of course, it can include some Christmas hits, too!

How to Host an Inclusive Holiday Gift Exchange

Elevate the Secret Santa tradition by hosting an inclusive gift exchange that incorporates multiple traditions. You can stick to the same concept by keeping it anonymous and asking everyone to stay within a specific budget. Follow these easy steps to make inclusive gift-giving a breeze.

• Share gift-giving ideas: Use holiday gift guides to brainstorm fresh ideas.
• Let your team choose gifts: Draw up a list of approved gift ideas and let your team vote for their favorite options.
• Choose practical items: Choosing useful items over niche or trendy products ensures people will be happy with the gifts.
• Avoid strong themes: Be mindful of diverse backgrounds and beliefs by avoiding gifts with strong themes connected to specific observances.
• Customize inclusive corporate gifts: Inclusive gifts may be broad, but you can add a personal touch by customizing inclusive corporate gifts with your branding or logo.
• Follow ethics and policies: Always honor your organization’s values and adhere to the policies and procedures to give appropriate gifts.

20 Best Inclusive Holiday Gifting Ideas for Companies

The best inclusive holiday gifts are practical and timeless. Eliminate specific holiday themes to ensure your entire team receives a present they can enjoy, showing you are mindful of their beliefs and traditions.

Here are 20 ideas to get you started.

1. Water Bottles

Water bottles are practical, daily-use items that are easy to customize as a corporate gift and can last for years. Choosing a sustainable water bottle made from recycled materials adds an extra touch of thoughtfulness and awareness.

Water bottles are especially good for sports clubs, gyms and health care organizations to give as inclusive gifts.

2. Tote Bags

Tote bags are an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags, making them a thoughtful gift for environmentally conscious team members. Choosing a bag you can customize with your company’s logo or the recipient’s initials will make the gift more personal and meaningful. Look for features like sturdy handles, durable materials and plenty of room to carry things like groceries and workout clothes.

3. Fidget Toys

Consider fidget toys to encourage productivity and promote stress relief with your employee holiday gifts.

For example, a push pop bubble square is like having an endless supply of bubble wrap. Employees who like to keep their hands busy while reading, thinking or listening to meetings will love having this toy. An anxiety reliever and boredom defeater all in one, it’s the perfect gift for office workers.

4. Wireless Chargers

Fun and practical gadgets are always an excellent gift option for a tech-loving company. Why not choose an awesome three-in-one wireless charger that lets users charge multiple devices simultaneously?

Any team member would enjoy receiving a charger with added features such as over-current and over-temperature protection for safety and LED lights.

There are also some fantastic ideas for adding custom promotional touches to gadgets. You can always add your logo to the charger or choose a wireless charger that doubles as a picture frame for an added personal touch!

5. Self-Care Sets

Despite the bright lights and vibrant colors of the holiday season, the short, cold days can affect your team’s mental well-being. Support your team by treating them to a self-care or rest and relaxation kit they will surely appreciate.

Self-care kits are especially valuable inclusive year-end gifts, as everyone longs to unwind as the end of the year draws near. You can hand-select items to make kits or choose a comprehensive self-care set with essentials like delicious teas, tea tins, candles, mugs and an adult coloring book perfect for destressing.

6. Unisex T-shirts

A comfortable T-shirt will always be a popular gift choice! Look for shirts made from natural fibers or fibers derived from recycled materials with a snug retail fit.

You can order shirts in various colors to give to employees or match the shirt color to your company logo. T-shirts are fitting gifts for offices, clubs and organizations.

7. Game Sets

It doesn’t get more inclusive than a traditional game set to bring everyone together. Game sets are fun, lighthearted gifts that can match any occasion or holiday. They are perfect for team-building events at the office, and employees can also share them with family members and guests.

A comprehensive game set with popular board games, dice and cards makes a great gift for every board game lover! Keep the spirit of inclusivity by opting for games without a specific holiday theme. Choosing neutral games also means recipients can use them anywhere, anytime.

8. Self-Watering Planter Set

One gift we can all be grateful for is the gift of life. What better way to remind your diverse team of the value of life than by gifting a self-watering planter set with seeds this holiday season?

While we all value the beauty of nature, some have greener thumbs than others. This self-watering ceramic promotional planter set gives everyone the joy of nurturing a plant. Its convenient design automates watering with perfect timing, and the beautiful, simple ceramic container makes a thoughtful gift.

Plus, you can customize this set with your branding to show everybody’s unity within your corporate culture.

9. Notebooks and Pens

A lovely notebook is a practical gift that you can use for virtually anything — at the office, at conferences and for brainstorming or journaling at home.

Promotional notebooks and pens make wonderful gifts to present at inclusive events like year-end diversity conferences or workshops. Choose an eco-friendly notebook incorporating sustainable materials such as cardboard or recycled paper.

10. Wireless Journal Books

An environmentally friendly journal is an exceptional gift if you are part of a company that loves innovation and sustainability.

The Reclaim rPET MagClick Fast Wireless Journal Book provides the best of both worlds — a wireless charging device and a journal made with recycled paper. This journal has added accessories, including a durable cover, charging cable, pen loop and an FSC-certified natural gift box.

11. Coffee Mug and Thermos Set

A coffee mug and thermos set is a jack-of-all-trades for inclusive holiday gifting. These sets make memorable gifts that suit the winter holidays so well — and the items are practical enough to use year-round for any occasion. You can also easily put your logo on the set to match your branding.

Look for heat-resistant sets with quality sleeves, leak-proof caps and sturdy handles.

12. Tumbler Gift Sets

Everyone loves a stylish tumbler, and it’s even better if it’s part of a tumbler gift set with a belt bag! Tumblers are sophisticated gifts that offer practicality in all situations.

Quality stainless steel tumblers have spill-resistant lids that are helpful for busy people on the go. They keep hot and cold beverages at the perfect temperature for hours. Plus, tumblers offer an excellent branding opportunity for companies.

13. Knit Scarves

Nothing is better than staying snug and warm during the holidays — and feeling stylish while you do so. Gift your team a soft and comfortable knit scarf with an anti-pill design.

14. Bento Box and Utensils

Treat your employees to a bento box with utensils for a unique gift they will love!

Bento boxes are beautiful and practical for daily use at work and home. Protect your team’s wellness with a BPA-free and microwave-safe bento box. Add your branding to this inclusive gift to make it stand out even more.

15. Embroidered Custom Blankets

Whatever holiday traditions your staff members celebrate, everybody needs to stay warm. Chenille embroidered blankets will keep everyone snug through the winter months.

These blankets have a soft, luxurious feel that everyone will appreciate. They come in various custom colors, and you can add with your company branding to give them a distinctive touch.

16. Spa Kits

The holidays, self-care and relaxation go hand in hand. Treat your staff to a luxurious and rustic custom spa kit to show how much you value them.

Include natural essentials such as sponges, scrubbers and pumice stones. Spa kits are ideal gift options for cosmetic industries and beauty brands. Plus, you can use the packaging for an unforgettable branding opportunity.

17. Umbrellas

The best inclusive holiday gifts are practical for everyone all year long. Custom umbrellas make a useful holiday gift that your team will appreciate.

Choose a folding auto-open umbrella with a complementary sleeve for convenient shelter from the rain, wind or sun. This model is large enough for sharing or individual use. It also features an ergonomic handle and a weather app that warns the user of rain in advance.

Pick from a range of solid and dual-color options and add your branded design to celebrate your diverse team’s shared corporate identity.

18. White Noise Machine and Speaker

The holidays are for relaxing, and a white noise machine and speaker will help your team do just that.

White noise machines are a unique take on self-care and make excellent gifts for groups that love gadgets. Choose a machine and speaker with various soothing sounds, good playtime and added features like Bluetooth® and LED lights.

You can also opt for a dynamic wireless speaker without the white noise machine if that suits your branding better.

19. Backpack

You can never go wrong gifting your team a customized backpack that they can use for work, school and leisure activities. Backpacks are always useful and versatile, making them one of the best inclusive presents.

20. Monthly Planners

A monthly planner is another one of those quintessential customizable company gifts — and for good reason. Monthly planners are useful and personal. Your recipients can use them to highlight unforgettable dates and organize their schedules.

Planners are truly inclusive gifts for any occasion. Look for a planner with a nice finish that you can customize with your company branding. Also, consider added features like a one-year planning calendar.

Recipients will use them throughout the following year, reminding them of your gift-giving holiday celebration.

Shop Inclusive Holiday Ideas From ePromos

The winter holidays allow you to show your employees that their special traditions matter to you. Inclusive gift-giving involves catering to a broad group of people, but you can still be personable and creative with presents to make everyone feel like they belong. Use promotional gifts to spread holiday cheer to your whole team.

At ePromos, we offer a vast selection of quality promotional gifts and items for all people and all occasions. Browse tech, health and safety, kitchen and apparel gifts from our extensive online store. Our collection of holiday favorites is as diverse and inclusive as your team.

Contact our brand consultants with questions about our speedy rush service for quick orders and start shopping for gifts today!

Shop Inclusive Holiday Ideas From ePromos

The winter holidays give you the opportunity to show your employees that their special traditions are also important to you. Inclusive gift-giving involves catering to a broad group of people, but you can still be personable and creative with presents to make everyone feel like they belong. A great way to do this is by using promotional gifts to spread holiday cheer to your whole team.

At ePromos, we offer a vast selection of quality promotional gifts and items for all people and all occasions. Browse tech, health and safety, kitchen and apparel gifts from our extensive online store. Our collection of holiday favorites is as diverse and inclusive as your team. Contact our brand consultants with questions about our speedy rush service for last-minute services or orders, and start shopping for gifts today!

Updated 08/19/2024