Gifting for a Team That's Never in the Same Room: Guide to Gifting Remote Workers
Remote work became the default for many businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the situation has changed, flexible work arrangements have remained in place across many Singaporean companies.
Research suggests the country has a remote work participation rate of 23%, the highest in the world. Singaporean workers work from home for an average of 2.8 days a week. Again, the highest average globally. The success of this flexibility is primarily attributed to a mature digital infrastructure and supportive hybrid policies.
But as work becomes more flexible, employee gifting has changed too.
Your team could be split between the office, home, and their favorite coffee shop. So, the same branded tote bag for everyone doesn't really work anymore.
This guide covers when to gift, what to gift, and how to select items that your employees will actually use, regardless of their work location.
When Should You Send Gifts to Remote and Hybrid Employees?
The Best Remote Team Gifts for Virtual Meetings
Desk Gifts Employees Will Use Everyday
Comfortable Branded Apparel for Remote and Hybrid Teams
Food and Wellness Gifts for Remote Employees
Bags and Accessories for Work on the Go
Fun Desk Gifts That Make Remote Work More Enjoyable
What Makes a Great Remote Employee Gift?
FAQs
When Should You Send Gifts to Remote and Hybrid Employees?
Knowing what to gift is important. But so is knowing when to gift. Here are some situations that call for a gift:
1. Onboarding
For office employees, a first day naturally comes with small moments that make them feel welcome, from meeting the team to settling into their workspace.
Remote hires don't get those experiences. A well-designed welcome package helps bridge that gap by making them feel welcomed from day one.
2. Festive Occasions
Singapore has a multicultural calendar. CNY, Hari Raya, Deepavali, and Christmas - each festival has its unique traditions and significance for different people in your team. This gives you a good opportunity to build an annual gifting calendar.
Instead of gifting on just one holiday, you get several occasions to celebrate with your employees, no matter where they're working from that day.
3. Year-End Holidays
Year-end gifts have become a tradition in many companies, and for good reason. It's the perfect time to thank employees for what they put in over the past twelve months, or to mark the milestones your team hit along the way.
The gift itself doesn't need to be big. Even something small can make people feel noticed.
4. Appreciation Gifts
Gifts don't always need a reason on the calendar. Sometimes, the most meaningful ones are given right after an employee has worked especially hard or done something worth recognizing.
These 'just because' gifts keep your employees motivated. They also show them that you see and appreciate their hard work, even though you don't meet in person daily.
5. Work Anniversaries and Milestones
Work anniversaries and other big achievements deserve their own recognition. Whether it's a first anniversary or a big project launch, these moments matter more to employees than most companies realize.
72% of employees say a work anniversary gift would make them more likely to stick around at their company. That number matters even more for remote and hybrid teams, since milestones like these can slip by unnoticed when nobody's walking past your desk to say congratulations. A gift at the right time tells employees someone's actually keeping track, and that their contribution hasn't gone unseen.
The Best Remote Team Gifts for Virtual Meetings
DRemote and hybrid employees often spend hours in virtual meetings. That's why video call accessories make practical gifts they'll get plenty of use out of. Here are a few ideas:
1. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
From barking dogs to construction outside the window, home environments can often get noisy. Noise-cancelling headphones can help employees focus despite that distraction. They also improve audio quality during meetings, ensuring clear sound on both ends. Plus, they work even for employees who prefer working from cafes or coworking spaces too.
"Relax" Isn't a Plan. This Is One. Source: TheGuardian
2. Webcam Privacy Covers
A webcam cover gives employees more control over their privacy between meetings. It is also easy to customize with subtle branding so that you can add a small marketing touch too. You can choose from a sliding webcam cover, a magnetic webcam cover, or a laptop camera shutter.
Provides the choice of privacy without constantly having to set the settings. Source: Gumtoo
3. Video Call Desk Accessories
A professional meeting setup doesn't require a complete home office makeover. A branded desk nameplate, a foldable laptop stand, a monitor riser, a clip-on webcam light, or an adjustable phone stand can do most of the work.
A good work set up doesn’t require a whole new makeover of behind the scenes action. Source: Amazon
4. Virtual Meeting Essentials
One accessory rarely covers everything, so a themed kit tends to work better. A wireless mouse, cable organizer, USB-C hub, screen cleaning kit, compact keyboard, and blue-light glasses make a solid combination to build one around.
Desk cable organisers can be a real life saver when remote workers spend majority of their time at their desk. Source: Gumtoo
Desk Gifts Employees Will Use Everyday
Looking for something small and practical that gets used every day? A simple desk gift can do the job. Here are some items to consider:
1. Productivity Stationery
Notes from a meeting, a quick to-do list, next week's plan - stationery ends up handling all of it. Sticky note sets, to-do notepads, branded pens, memo pads, premium notebooks, and daily planners are all worth considering here.
Stationaries especially daily journal that dots down their plans is a huge add-on. Source: 7mm
2. Desk Organizers
A cluttered desk can be distracting and minimize productivity, especially when employees are working from a compact home office. Desk organizers can help keep things in order. For example, cable organizers, pen stands, headphone stands, and desk trays.
Desk organisers with all the essentials tucked away keeps the mind and space clean- which is essential for desk workers. Source: WoodGeekStore
3. Phone and Tech Accessories
A dead phone battery or a charger you can't find - these small annoyances add up over a workday. A wireless charger, a MagSafe charging stand, a power bank, or a mobile stand solves most of them without much effort.
A desk cannot be complete without a phone stand especialy one with charges. Source: Etsy
4. Ergonomic Desk Upgrades
Long work days should not mean compromising on comfort. Gift items like a wrist rest, footrest, seat cushion, standing desk converter, or ergonomic mouse pad to help employees build a more comfortable setup.
Desk workers roughly spend 8 hours minimum on a desk- that gifts any with a rough back. Don’t let that be the norm for your workers. Source: LuxorWorkspace
Comfortable Branded Apparel for Remote and Hybrid Teams
Most people think of branded apparel as the gift no one actually wears. And, frankly, it's true for the most part. But with the right approach, you can gift branded apparel that employees genuinely reach for. Here's how:
1. Hoodies and Sweatshirts
These are especially useful for employees working in air-conditioned offices. They also tend to feel more premium than a standard branded T-shirt. Plus, you have multiple types to choose from - pullover hoodies, zip-up hoodies, quarter-zip sweatshirts, and fleece jackets.
Hoodies are still number 1 merch employees love keeping for a reason. Source: Gumtoo
2. Apparel Collaborations
Want to make your branded apparel feel more special? Partner with a local artist or designer. Instead of looking like another company giveaway, a hoodie or cap becomes something employees are happy to wear outside of work.
Food and Wellness Gifts for Remote Employees
Food and wellness gifts seem more personal than office supplies. Here are some good options:
1. Coffee and Tea Gift Sets
Most remote employees build their day around small breaks. Coffee or tea are usually part of that. So, coffee and tea sets make a perfect gift. Consider specialty coffee beans, ground coffee, brewing kits, mug warmers, tea sampler boxes, or a branded mug with a coaster.
Every worker- remote or not-always starts their day with a cup of tea or coffee. Take down your workers’ preference and gift them something they start their day with. Source: KimsDuet
2. Healthy Snack Boxes
Snacks help employees stay energized through long work stretches. They can reach for them during a quick mid-afternoon break. Consider mixed nuts and dried fruits, granola and trail mix, protein snack boxes, gourmet popcorn, and energy bars.
Snack boxes are quickly becoming a trend among corporate gifting. Source: EatBook
3. Wellness and Self-Care Kits
Not every gift needs to be work-related. Wellness kits are a great way to acknowledge that employees have a life outside of work too and to support their wellbeing. Some examples include yoga mats, entertainment service subscriptions, mini massage tools, fitness memberships, and under-desk ellipticals.
Pocket-sized relief for a shoulder that's been hunched since 9am. Source: Xiaomi Massage Gun
4. Shared Treats for the Whole Family
Remote employees don't receive gifts at a desk in the office. Instead, they receive them at their doorstep, often with family members around. Gourmet cookie boxes, festive hampers, chocolate assortments, and movie night snack boxes turn that moment into something the whole household gets to enjoy.
A workplace cares enough to gift their remote worker’s number one suporters- their family. Source: HoneyKidAsia
Bags and Accessories for Work on the Go
Hybrid employees don't work from a fixed spot. As such, their gear needs to keep up, whether they're at the office or a coffee shop. Here are some practical gifts to consider:
1. Laptop Sleeves and Protective Cases
Company-issued devices can take a toll when they travel back and forth. Gifting employees a good laptop sleeve or case can protect against this. It is also ideal to include in an onboarding kit. Plus, you have different options to choose from - waterproof laptop sleeves, padded laptop sleeves, tablet sleeves, and document sleeves.
Laptop sleeves are the protection for company laptops that travel around with a remote worker. Source: Gumtoo
2. Travel Accessories
Employees juggling different work locations usually end up carrying more than a laptop bag can handle. Cable organizers, tech organizer bags, luggage tags, passport holders, and packing cubes make that easier to manage.
Travel friendly phone sleeves are a popular choice for keeping their valuables safe. Source: Gumtoo
3. Work-From-Anywhere Essentials
A thoughtful gift doesn't always have to be something employees unwrap. Coffee shop gift cards and coworking space vouchers offer a welcome change of pace, especially for remote employees. Round it out with a transportation gift card, a portable laptop stand, a reusable travel mug, or a compact umbrella.
Travel-friendly mugs for their scenic workspace is a gift you can consider. Source: Gumtoo
Fun Desk Gifts That Make Remote Work More Enjoyable
Not every gift needs a serious purpose. Here are some gift ideas to make their workday a little more fun.
1. Desk Games and Puzzles
These games encourage employees to move away from the screen for a few minutes and reset. For example, mini arcade games, wooden puzzles, mini basketball hoops, and magnetic chess or tic-tac-toe sets.
Having a break away from the screen is a great way to destress for remote workers. Source: Gumtoo
2. Conversation-Starting Gadgets
What about gifts that catch employees off guard? These also tend to stick in their memory the longest. Think an office ambience sound button, a pixel art display, or a mini desktop vacuum.
Remote workers are known for snacking and eating their lunch directly at their desk- maybe making a mess- gifting them a mini vaccum would be perfect. Source: Muselect
3. Stress-Relief Gifts
Some workdays are more packed than others. For such days, consider gifts that let employees take a short mental break. Stress balls, fidget cubes, fidget spinners, and desk sand art are some options worth considering.
These desk toys are not just a mini reminder to take a break but helps with finger dexterity for remote workers whose fingers can get cramped from constantly using keyboards. Source: Cubelelo
What Makes a Great Remote Employee Gift?
There's no shortage of gift options out there, which is exactly the problem. Here are a few factors to keep in mind before you start shopping.
Prioritize Everyday Usefulness
Employees don't remember gifts for how they looked on day one. They remember the ones they kept reaching for weeks later. If it fits naturally into someone's routine, it earns its place far longer than something that just looks nice sitting on a shelf.
Match the Gift to the Occasion
Select different gifts for different occasions. For example, onboarding kits should help new hires settle in. Appreciation gifts can lean more personal or premium. Festive and year-end gifts can be more celebratory and family-friendly.
Brand Subtly
Employees will be more likely to use a gift with tasteful branding than one covered in logos. So, focus on quality products they would want to use even outside of work.
Offer Choice Where Possible
A gift that's perfect for one employee might not suit another. If possible, let employees choose from a curated collection instead of giving everyone the same fixed item.
Create a Complete Gifting Experience
The gift itself is only part of it. Packaging, a handwritten note, a personalized message, these small touches shape how the whole thing feels when it's opened.
Here’s What To Do Next
The way people work has changed. Your gifting strategy should keep up with that shift. Sending the same branded merchandise to an entire office made sense once. But it doesn't reflect how or where people actually work anymore.
A new hire settling in, a milestone worth celebrating, a year wrapping up - whatever the occasion, a gift that's practical and thoughtful holds up better than a generic one. It gets used, and it gets remembered.
Looking to build a gifting strategy that fits your team? Gumtoo makes it easy to find the right gifts for every occasion, wherever your employees work from.
FAQs
1. What makes a good gift for remote employees?
A good gift is one that fits into an employee's everyday routine. It should also match the occasion, whether that's onboarding, a festive holiday, or a work anniversary.
2. When should companies send gifts to remote and hybrid employees?
There's no single right time. Onboarding is one obvious moment, and so are festive occasions like CNY or Christmas. Year-end is another common one, along with work anniversaries and big milestones. You don't even need a set occasion. Sometimes a gift just to say thanks works just as well.
3. How can companies personalize gifts for remote teams?
You can personalize gifts for remote teams in simple ways like including a handwritten note or a personalized message. You can also let them choose from a few curated options.
4. Should remote employee gifts be branded?
They can be, but keep the branding light. A small, tasteful logo doesn't get in the way, while a gift plastered with a company name usually ends up unused. Pick something good enough that employees would want it even without the logo.
5. What are some budget-friendly gift ideas for remote employees?
Some budget-friendly gift ideas for remote employees include productivity stationery, desk organizers, stress-relief items such as stress balls or fidget cubes, or small desk games and puzzles. These are practical, low-cost, and still get used often.
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