Why plants make perfect employee Christmas gifts
Christmas is nearly upon us, and while the holiday season might feel a little different this year, the tradition of employee gift giving hasn’t gone anywhere. During this difficult time—with many people still working from home—it’s more important than ever for companies to make sure their team members feel appreciated.
Sadly,almost a third of workers feel undervalued by their employer. This leads to a number of issues: from low morale and productivity losses, to increased workplace conflict and higher turnover. Corporate gifts for employees are a great way to celebrate their contribution and remind them that you care.
Coming up with gift ideas that everyone will love isn’t easy. Luckily we’ve done this for you: plants. Maybe we’re biased (okay, we’re definitely biased), but here’s why plants make the perfect employee Christmas gifts.
Standard Christmas employee gift ideas
(and why to avoid them)
Every year, vast sums of money are spent on unwanted Christmas gifts. These are either donated to charity, given away, or end up in landfills. We’ve put together a list of the top 5 employee gifts to avoid this festive season.
1. Candles: You might think scented candles (simple and inoffensive) are a good idea. Think again—these are one of the most re-gifted items people receive at Christmas. If you want to give employees something they’ll hold on to, forget the candles.
2. Clothing: Gifting a t-shirt or sweater with the company’s logo is a great branding strategy—so long as they get worn. There’s no guarantee your employees will wear company-branded clothing, and it’s wasteful to produce items people don’t want.
3. Food hampers: Everybody loves food, right? While a box of tasty treats makes a great gift, things start to get complicated when trying to cater to different dietary needs. Hampers might not suit every diet, and can contain allergens—nobody wants an allergic reaction for Christmas.
4. Wine: Alcohol is another gift that seems like a safe bet—but not for employees who don’t drink. Increasing numbers of young adults are abstaining from alcohol, and many people are teetotal for religious reasons. It’s better to choose gifts that everyone can enjoy.
5. Mugs: Coffee mugs are a common idea that gets floated when deciding on gifts for employees. We’ve got nothing against a good mug, but this idea is definitely overused. Looking to stand out? Then opt for something fresh.
Green employee gifts for Christmas
Show your team some appreciation with a beautiful, living, sustainable Christmas gift. If you need more convincing, here are five reasons why plants make the perfect employee gifts.
1. Different: Bored of the same old Christmas gift ideas? Green gifting will surprise your colleagues with something different and make your company stand out. Plus, plants are trendy right now. If you’re unsure which variety to give, you could offer a voucher or let employees choose their own plant friend.
2. Long-lasting: Plants are gifts that keep on giving for years to come—as long as they’re cared for. Even for employees without a green thumb, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that are almost impossible to kill: pothos, ZZ plants, succulents, and snake plants are great options.
3. Beneficial: Not only are they beautiful, but being surrounded by plants has a huge number of benefits—from stress relief and improved wellbeing to increased productivity and better air quality. Here’s a list of the best plants for your home office if you want to give a green gift to support one of these areas in particular.
4. Sustainable: Gifting plants to employees is a great option for eco-conscious companies with green values. Plants are eco-friendly Christmas gifts that everyone will love—reducing waste from unwanted gifts, and limiting your environmental impact.
5. Cost-effective: Get more for your money with the gift of plants. These green gifts won’t break the bank and don’t skimp on the joy they bring.
A Calathea Set from the Plant Store is a great green gift for teams.
How Plantclub can help
At Plantclub, we’re committed to making Christmas more sustainable. Through our personalized employee plant stores, companies can provide their team with access to stunning greenery for their home offices. Select which plants to offer as gifts, and allow your employees to order them directly through the online store. Go green this year and give plants—the perfect employee Christmas gifts.
Plantclub.io provides you and your colleagues with the benefits of plants, wherever you work. Rent office plants and transform your space into a green oasis, with flexible monthly membership options to suit your size. Diversify your employee perks with a dedicated company store, where you can give green gifts and your team can buy plants for their home office. Book a time to chat with us today.