How to boost engagement every month with these 45+ ideas for employee gifts

Corporate gifting can be tricky with employee expectations higher than ever when it comes to sustainability and impact, but we are dedicated to sourcing ethical employee gifts for every occasion. From morale boosters and ethical desk drops to tasteful touches for your team’s wellbeing, it’s not just the thought that counts.

Q1 gifting moments: January to March

Veganuary 

Stock up on vegan snacks around the office with Güsto Snacks. They combat food waste by repurposing apples into air-dried snacks with a twist. 

Dry January

More brands are cropping up with alternatives to the nation’s favourite tipples. Some, like Holos Kombucha, offer naturally alcohol-free soft drinks that are made by survivors of human trafficking. While others like Sea Change, have de-alcoholised options for those who still like the taste.

B Corp Month

If you’re a B Corp celebrating in March, the first place to start is by handing out delicious food and drinks. Find a brew that’s just their cup of tea at Tea Rebellion and a sweet treat to match from Summerdown. Just certified and want to mark the moment with an employee keepsake gift? Help them trailblaze with beautifully crafted accessories made from recycled fire hoses from Elvis & Kresse or versatile backpacks from Madlug who donate one bag to a child in care with every purchase.

Employee Appreciation Day 

Save the date for 3rd March. While we’ve got plenty of gifts to say ‘thank you,’ with a branded bar of Tony’s Chocoloney, you can say everything you want by putting a personal message of appreciation on the front.

Food Waste Action Week 

Food Waste Action Week gets us thinking about changing habits in the kitchen. Flawsome Drinks! repurpose food destined for compost into cold-pressed juices. And these innovative breweries transform fresh bread into craft beer: Toast Brewing, Crumbs Brewing and Cotswold Lakes Brew Co. (Now that really might be the best thing since sliced bread.) 

International Women’s Day 

International Women’s Day is on 8th March every year. To support the achievements of women, as this celebration does, choose gifts from female-led brands that support women recovering from domestic violence like eco-soy scented candles from LUX LUZ. Or try natural skincare products from LoveWell who support women recovering from trauma or treats from Grace Chocolates who train female ex-offenders.

Mother’s Day 

Mother’s Day calls for fresh-cut and long-lasting dried bouquets from Strength & Stem, who brighten the lives of women affected by modern slavery.

For new mums, From Babies With Love have got your back with ethically-sourced baby clothes that also help build villages for orphaned children.

But, of course, maternal support is for all-year round. Here are some tips on creating a supportive work culture for the mums in your team.

Q2 gifting moments: April to June 

Easter 

Harry Specters has a range of innovative chocolate flavours alongside vegan selection boxes and Easter eggs that create jobs for people living with autism. 

You’ll also find flavours for every tastebud at cocoa-farmer owned Divine. Their latest dessert range includes lemon cheesecake, bakewell and tiramisu bars. 

Eid al-Fitr 

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramandan. Some corporate gifting ideas for your employees could come from social enterprise Zaytoun who supports the livelihood of Palestinian producers through fair trade. Try their Roasted Chilli Almonds and Za’atar Herb Mix. 

Earth Day 

There are plenty of green-fingered brands to support on Earth Day, like The Glasshouse. With their range of houseplants, you’ll provide support and second chances to female ex-offenders through employment and training. 

Mental Health Awareness Week 

Mental Health Awareness Week  is held every May. It’s a chance to support mental health charities. Scintilla is a small, female-founded wellness brand that offers a range of hand-produced sustainable products like creams, lips balms and DIY self-care kits. They donate 5% of their profits to Mind. 

Pride Month 

Rock Pride Month with Stand4 Socks. Their Pride Rainbow Bamboo Sock donates another pair with every purchase to someone experiencing homelessness. They’re the perfect accessory to pass the Pride Parade outfit check. 

Refugee Week 

Refugee Week has a yearly theme which celebrates the skills and resilience of refugees. NEMI Teas helps you get involved by providing employment to refugees in the UK. Why not try their biodegradable whole leaf tea blends or iconic Spicy Chai Syrup?

World Oceans Day 

World Oceans Day spotlights the need for healthy seas. Do your bit with a stylish multi-purpose water bottle from Ocean Bottle who collect ocean-bound plastic and send it for recycling into new products. Or try branded reusable coffee cups from Circular & Co who design lifestyle products made from waste materials, or low sugar hard seltzers from Arrowtown Drinks who help to fund ocean-bound plastic collection. 

Father’s Day 

For fathers into football, there’s Alive & Kicking. This social enterprise produces hand-stitched footballs that create employment opportunities for people in Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. They also help children get into football and spread health awareness in Africa through sport. 

Q3 gifting moments: July to September 

New Joiners 

The best way to welcome new joiners? Swag. But not just any kind. Try employee gifts that leave a lasting impression. Try sustainable stationary from VENT For Change and support children’s education projects across the globe while you do it. Looking for something a little larger? Speak to us about creating your own employee onboarding boxes like Wagestream did.

Global Goals Week 

Got team goals? On Global Goals Week, support a social enterprise that’s got them too. Miss Macaroon helps unemployed and disadvantaged young people get work experience and learn essential catering skills. Yummy. 

International Day of Charity 

Do more on International Day of Charity without doing much at all. For something unique, Laura Barnes illustrates colourful homewares and gives 10% of profits to planet and people-protecting charities.

AGood Company has a whole host of sustainable merch, plus donates 100 litres of safe water for every brandable meadow grass pen they sell through their partnership with charity: water. 

Fairtrade Fortnight 

Fairtrade Fortnight is a yearly opportunity to campaign for, you guessed it, fairer trade. Support social enterprises doing just that like coffee and chocolate seller Equal Exchange, sustainable homewares brand Karakorum and bean-to-bar brand Chocolate and Love.

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is Jewish new year and is celebrated with traditions like apples dipped in honey. Mama Buci honey is a great idea for corporate gifting during this religious festival. It also supports Zambian beekeepers and their communities.

Q4 gifting moments: October to December

Black History Month 

Black History Month falls every year in October and focuses on the achievements of Black people and important historical events within the community. Choose ethical employee gifts from Black- and family-owned Earth to Earth Organics who create handmade vegan skincare and plant a tree with every order. 

RAISE creates healthy plant-based treats that support Magic Breakfast who provide nutritious breakfasts to hungry kids in need. 

International Coffee Day 

Good things are brewing on 1st October with International Coffee Day. Stock up on some no-nonsense coffee from Redemption Roasters who equip people will skills to prevent reoffending or New Ground Coffee who provide training and employment for ex-offenders.

World Homeless Day 

On 10th October we support the prevention of homelessness. Sweeten the deal with House of Cinn, a Black-owned cinnamon bun brand that connects rough sleepers to support. 

And wash their buns down with Change Please coffee. 100% of profits go back to the Change Please Foundation. 

Social Enterprise Day 

On Social Enterprise Day (21st November), you’re spoiled for choice. Try two of our faves: bamboo socks from Leiho which donates 5% of monthly revenue to projects for socially and economically disadvantaged people. Or canned craft beers from Tap Social Movement which helps end the cycle of reoffending for ex-offenders and victims of crime.

Diwali 

Diwali is the 5-day Hindu festival of light. Dalit Good Co. sells beautifully crafted terracotta candles to help you celebrate but also improves the lives of the Dalit community in India.

National Tree Week 

National Tree Week in the UK marks the start of the winter tree planting season. And Sapling Spirits helps. They plant one tree with every bottle of their climate-positive British-born vodka. Another one to try is organic craft chocolate from Ocelot who provide fair wages to farmers at twice fair trade price, give them education and plant trees to generate the forests where their cocoa is grown.

Christmas 

At Christmas, more intentional gifting is the way to go. Start off with a bang from Kaneo’s Reusable Crackers which donate 10% of sales to The Salvation Army. And for something that’ll keep everyone happy, take your pick from our range of hampers.

Can’t decide? Sign up for our Team Gifting Platform and let your team choose from your curated gift range. Keep morale high and boost yours too with personalised impact reports to support your year-round gifting campaigns.