It’s 2024 and it’s that time of year again—holiday music blasting from every speaker, mistletoe hanging awkwardly in the office, and the annual stress of finding the perfect gift for your employees. But what if we told you that this year, the gift-giving could be way easier—and digital?
Welcome to the era of digital holiday gifts for employees. No more running around shopping malls or agonizing over whether John from Accounting already has a personalized coffee mug (he does). With digital gifts, you can show employee appreciation, make it personal, and still save time. Plus, they work whether your team is in-office, working from home or spread across the globe.
Grab your eggnog, cozy up, and let’s dive into the ultimate guide to digital holiday gifts for employees. And yes, they’ll love these—trust us.
1. Kudoboard: The Group Gift That’s Thoughtful and Collaborative
If you’re looking for a gift that screams “thoughtful” without being a logistical nightmare, then Kudoboard is the digital solution. Imagine a collaborative, digital card where everyone on the team can post messages, photos, videos, animated gifs or even audio messages. It’s a modern, tech-savvy version of passing a card around the office—but with way more personality and flair.
Why this digital holiday gift for employees is great:
- Personalized messages: Your employees can write from the heart, post holiday memes, or share their favorite moments from the year.
- Customizable themes: Deck the Kudoboard halls with holiday-themed templates—because no one says no to a bit of sparkle.
- Remote-friendly: Whether your team is logging in from across town or the other side of the world, Kudoboard ensures they feel connected.
It’s the ultimate way to say “thank you” with heart and humor—without having to dig through a pile of holiday cards at the drugstore.
2. Gift Ecards: The Flexible Digital Gift Employees Actually Want
Let’s face it: gift cards sometimes get a bad rap. But hear us out—e-gift cards are one of the most appreciated, useful, and stress-free digital holiday gifts for employees.
The beauty of the e-gift card is its versatility. It’s like giving your employee a mini shopping spree but letting them pick out exactly what they want. And isn’t that what everyone secretly prefers? Plus, during the busy holiday season, it’s a quick and easy way to spread holiday cheer without burning through your budget.
Top choices for employee gift ecards:
- Amazon ecard: Whether your team wants to buy books, tech gadgets, or holiday treats, they’ll find it here.
- Starbucks ecard: Perfect for your coffee-loving crew.
- Local favorite ecard: Support small businesses with gift cards to local shops, restaurants, or even cozy cafes.
The best part? Digital holiday gifts like ecards are a no-fuss solution. No shipping, no waiting, just instant gratification for your hard-working team.
3. Virtual Wellness Subscriptions: Help Your Team Unwind Over the Holidays
Holidays can be stressful—even more so when you’re juggling year-end reports and a packed calendar of festivities. That’s where virtual wellness subscriptions come in as a digital holiday gift that promotes relaxation, mindfulness, and maybe even some zen in the midst of the holiday chaos.
From meditation apps to virtual fitness classes, wellness subscriptions show your employees that you care about their well-being, not just their productivity. And after a year of hard work, everyone deserves a little bit of self-care, right?
Popular wellness subscriptions:
- Headspace: Your employees can relax and unwind with guided meditations, perfect for recharging over the holiday season.
- Embodied Life Therapy: Give your employees the gift of relaxation with Embodied Life Therapy’s guided meditations, perfect for helping them recharge and de-stress during the holiday season..
- Calm: Another favorite, Calm offers mindfulness and relaxation tools for those who need a bit more holiday peace and quiet.
- Peloton Digital: For the fitness enthusiasts on your team, Peloton’s digital membership provides a range of classes from yoga to cardio—all without leaving the living room.
These wellness gifts aren’t just about getting healthier—they’re about boosting morale and making sure your employees feel refreshed and ready to tackle the new year.
4. Streaming Subscriptions: The Gift of Unlimited Entertainment
Who doesn’t love getting cozy with some hot cocoa and binge-watching their favorite shows over the holiday break? A streaming subscription is the perfect digital holiday gift that keeps giving long after the New Year’s Eve ball drops.
From Netflix to Disney+, your employees will have endless entertainment options, whether they’re into blockbuster movies or indie films. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t want an excuse to stay in pajamas all day and watch movies?
Top streaming subscription ideas:
- Netflix: With everything from holiday rom-coms to riveting documentaries, Netflix is a crowd-pleaser.
- Disney+: From Star Wars to Marvel, Disney+ is a hit with fans of all ages.
- Hulu: A great option if you’re looking to add a mix of TV shows, live sports, and holiday specials into the mix.
Not only are streaming subscriptions a great digital holiday gift for employees, but they’re also the perfect way to spread a little holiday joy (and maybe share your own binge-worthy recommendations in the company chat).
5. Virtual Team-Building Experiences: Bringing Holiday Fun to Remote Teams
For remote teams, the holiday season can sometimes feel a little lonely. But that’s where virtual team-building experiences come in, turning holiday gatherings into a fun, engaging experience, no matter where everyone is logging in from.
From virtual escape rooms to holiday-themed trivia, these events bring your team together for some light-hearted fun that doesn’t involve awkward icebreakers or forced small talk. Instead, it’s all about boosting morale, connecting with your coworkers, and—most importantly—having fun. Check out teambuilding.com for various employee team-building experiences.
Ideas for virtual holiday team-building:
- Virtual escape rooms: Work together to solve puzzles and “escape” within a set time limit. It’s a team effort that’s great for collaboration and a bit of competitive spirit.
- Holiday-themed trivia: Test your team’s knowledge of everything from holiday movie quotes to obscure Christmas facts. Plus, you can throw in some company-specific trivia for added fun.
- Virtual happy hour or wine tasting: Send out drink kits ahead of time and enjoy a relaxing, festive happy hour over Zoom.
These virtual experiences make sure your team still gets to enjoy some holiday fun, no matter where in the world they’re working from.
6. Digital Charity Donations: The Gift That Gives Back
The holidays are all about giving, so why not let your gift reflect that? A digital charity donation on behalf of your employees is a thoughtful way to show appreciation while supporting a cause that aligns with your company’s values.
You can choose a charity that supports holiday meals, education, or environmental causes—or let your employees choose a cause that matters to them personally. It’s a feel-good, meaningful gift that benefits more than just your team.
Plus, with so many digital platforms available, you can make the process smooth and seamless.
Popular digital charity platforms:
- GoFundMe: Fundraising for everything from education to medical bills.
- DonorsChoose: Support classroom projects across the U.S., helping teachers and students.
- Charity Navigator: Browse and donate to a variety of vetted charities.
Not only does this digital holiday gift for employees show that your company cares about giving back, but it also allows employees to feel good about making a difference during the holiday season.
7. Audiobook Subscriptions: A Gift for the Bookworms
Got a team of readers who are always talking about the latest book they’re hooked on? An audiobook subscription is the perfect digital holiday gift for employees who love to dive into a good story, but don’t always have the time to sit down with a book.
With services like Audible, your employees can listen to audiobooks during their commute, while cooking holiday meals, or while taking their post-turkey dinner nap.
Top audiobook platforms:
- Audible: The most popular option with thousands of titles, including bestsellers, classics, and exclusive Audible content.
- Scribd: Not only does Scribd offer audiobooks, but it also provides eBooks, magazines, and even sheet music.
- Libro.fm: Support local bookstores with this audiobook subscription, which shares revenue with independent shops.
An audiobook subscription isn’t just a thoughtful gift—it’s an escape into another world, one chapter at a time.
8. MasterClass Subscriptions: Learning From the Best
Want to give a gift that’s a little more inspiring? With a MasterClass subscription, your employees can learn from industry leaders, celebrity chefs, best-selling authors, and more. Whether they’re interested in cooking, business, or the arts, there’s a MasterClass for just about anything.
From Gordon Ramsay teaching cooking to Anna Wintour discussing leadership, MasterClass gives your employees a fun and engaging way to learn new skills, both in and out of the workplace.
Popular MasterClass topics:
- Leadership: With lessons from Anna Wintour and Bob Iger, your team will get top-notch insights into leading with confidence.
- Cooking: Learn to cook from Gordon Ramsay, or try out Dominique Ansel’s pastry-making tips.
- Photography: Annie Leibovitz offers tips for both beginners and pros looking to level up their photography skills.
MasterClass is not just a gift—it’s an opportunity for personal and professional growth, packaged in an entertaining and immersive experience.
9. Personalized Digital Greeting Cards: Send Some Holiday Cheer
Let’s face it—everyone loves a little recognition, especially during the holidays. A personalized digital greeting card can be a heartfelt way to show your employees you’re thinking of them. You can either create a custom card for each team member or use a platform like Kudoboard to design a collective holiday greeting from the entire team. Add some humor, share memories from the past year, and make it special!
Why digital greeting cards are great for the holidays:
- It’s a thoughtful and affordable way to show appreciation.
- Personalizing the card with a special message for each employee can make a huge impact.
- With no physical mail involved, digital cards are eco-friendly and fast.
Pro Tip: Take it to the next level by creating a digital holiday video card! Have each manager or team leader record a short, festive message to their team, and compile the videos on Kudoboard. It’s an easy way to spread cheer across departments and create a feel-good moment for everyone.
10.Custom Digital Avatars or Bitmoji Sets: Make Work Fun
Who doesn’t love a fun, custom avatar that represents them online? For remote teams that live in Slack channels, Zoom calls, and other digital platforms, personalized avatars or Bitmoji sets are a whimsical gift that can bring a little extra joy to everyday work life. You can give employees the gift of a custom-designed avatar (there are plenty of artists on Etsy who specialize in this) or provide them with a Bitmoji kit that they can use in their emails, presentations, or instant messages.
Why digital avatar sets are great for the holidays:
- It’s a lighthearted, creative gift that brings out the fun in remote work.
- Personalized avatars give employees a chance to express their unique personalities.
- It’s perfect for digital workspaces, adding a splash of color to the daily grind.
Host an “avatar reveal” event where everyone on the team shares their custom avatar on a Kudoboard. You can even make it a competition, with categories like “Most Accurate,” “Funniest,” or “Most Creative”!
Spread the Joy with Thoughtful Digital Holiday Gifts for Employees
The holiday season is a perfect time to show your employees how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication. With these creative and thoughtful digital holiday gift ideas, you can deliver something meaningful, convenient, and enjoyable—without the hassle of shipping or wrapping. Whether it’s a fun virtual experience, a practical e-gift card, or a personalized subscription, there’s a perfect option for every team member.
And don’t forget to make the holiday celebration extra special by bringing everyone together on Kudoboard! Whether it’s sharing festive messages, highlighting virtual holiday parties, or capturing memories, Kudoboard is the ultimate way to foster connection and spread holiday cheer across your team. Happy gifting!
