Corporate September 24 2020

Employee Gifts For International and Remote Staff

Employee Gifts For International and Remote Staff

Sourcing the perfect gift for your global workforce is no easy feat. International corporations with remote employees working from home face unique challenges when selecting employee appreciation gifts. Currency requirements, invoicing methods, shipping constraints, and customs regulations turn corporate gifts into logistical nightmares.

If you're tasked with buying gifts for international staff for Christmas, leaving gifts, EOFY, or to say 'thank you', you've landed in the right place. In this article, we'll make corporate gifting simple for you and exciting for your remote workers.

Why Experience Gifts Work Best for International Staff

Traditional corporate gifts like coffee mugs with the company's logo, office supplies, desk accessories, water bottles, or noise canceling headphones often miss the mark for remote employees due to cultural differences and varying home office setups.

Digital gift cards eliminate shipping headaches, border taxes, and delivery delays. They arrive instantly, making employees feel valued regardless of location.

Here's what makes experience gifts the best gifts for your virtual team:

  • People are craving experiences
    After extended periods working from home, remote employees want to create lasting memories beyond their desk and home office.

  • Experiences boost employee morale
    Research confirms experiences create lasting happiness far more than any coffee mug or desk accessory. Fun experiences bring teams closer together.

  • Flexibility is key
    Gifting Owl goes the extra mile with fully exchangeable gift vouchers valid for three years across 110 countries. This helps when you don't know each person's preferences, allowing employees to book when convenient.

  • Sustainable approach
    If your company prioritises sustainability, eco friendly gifts are essential. Digital gift cards create lasting impressions without excess packaging, waste, or the carbon footprint of physical items like water bottles and office supplies.

Sending Corporate Gifts Overseas

At Gifting Owl, we help organisations overcome these barriers by offering globally redeemable experience gift vouchers - a seamless solution for distributed teams. Below are a few key considerations when gifting across borders, and how experience gifts simplify the process.

1. Will the gifts arrive on time?

When shipping physical gifts overseas, delays are almost unavoidable - especially around peak gifting seasons. International postage can take weeks or months, and courier services can become expensive when sending items to multiple destinations.

With Gifting Owl experience gift vouchers, delivery delays disappear entirely. Corporate teams can:

  • Send digital vouchers instantly, no matter where employees live

  • Avoid customs fees, border taxes, and international shipping costs

  • Ensure on-time delivery for Christmas, work anniversaries, end-of-year celebrations, or employee rewards

Because vouchers are delivered electronically and redeemable in over 100 countries, your team receives their gift on the exact day you choose - hassle-free.

2. Are the gifts suitable for the whole team?

Choosing one physical gift that is meaningful, culturally appropriate, and relevant for employees worldwide can be difficult. Cultural norms, local availability, or personal preferences can all complicate the process.

Experience gifts remove this challenge entirely. With Gifting Owl:

  • Employees can choose from thousands of experiences suited to their own interests, location, and cultural preferences

  • No assumptions are made about hobbies, dietary restrictions, or cultural customs

  • Gifts feel personal, considerate, and inclusive - even when given at scale

From food tours and adventure activities to wellness experiences and unique local escapes, each employee can select something that genuinely resonates with them.

3. Do your corporate gifts align with your company values?

More organisations are seeking gifts that reflect their brand values - whether that’s sustainability, wellbeing, innovation, or community connection.

Experience gifts are inherently aligned with many modern corporate values:

  • Sustainable: No shipping, packaging, or waste

  • Wellbeing-focused: Many experiences promote relaxation, mindfulness, health, and work–life balance

  • People-centric: Experiences help employees create memories rather than accumulate things

  • Global and inclusive: A consistent gifting solution for teams in multiple countries

By choosing Gifting Owl, you’re not just giving a gift - you’re demonstrating your company’s commitment to meaningful, sustainable, and culturally sensitive employee recognition.

Discover Great Gift Ideas for Every Personality

Finding great gift ideas becomes simple when you match the gift to the person. We've organised these suggestions by personality type, making corporate gifting easy for your international staff. This gift guide helps you select thoughtful presents that create fun memories whilst showing genuine appreciation.

1. Stress-Free Gift Vouchers

The corporate gift that works every time.

Running short on time? Our flexible gift vouchers make excellent corporate gifting solutions for international staff. These practical gifts work perfectly as Christmas gifts, birthday presents, or appreciation tokens throughout the year.

Gift cards are valid for three years, redeemable across 110 countries, and fully exchangeable. Remote workers choose from thousands of experiences at their own pace. This flexibility means even when you don't know availability, you give thoughtful gifts making them feel valued.

Gift cards eliminate concerns about unsuitable items. Instead, employees select experiences matching their interests, whether adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration. They're budget picks that don't compromise on quality, allowing you to spend wisely whilst creating lasting impressions.

2. Gifts for the Thrill Seeker

Give them an excuse to chase adrenaline beyond their usual routines.

Remote workers craving excitement will love adrenaline experiences that get hearts racing. These make excellent Christmas gifts or birthday surprises for adventurous employees working from home who crave thrills all day long.

Skydiving - Skydiving offers ultimate thrills creating unforgettable memories.

Bungee Jumping & Ziplining - These deliver excitement for staff who love pushing boundaries.

White Water Rafting - Perfect for those who love exercise, fun, and pure exhilaration.

Abseiling & Rock Climbing - perfect for team building whilst exploring beautiful landscapes.

Jet Boating - High-speed water action for employees who crave speed and adrenaline.

3. Perfect Gifts for Foodies and Culinary Enthusiasts

Remote workers who appreciate food will adore culinary experiences celebrating diverse cultures. These make thoughtful Christmas gifts or appreciation presents that satisfy palates whilst creating fun moments for the entire team.

Authentic Culinary Experiences - Foodies love these encounters with private cooking classes in local homes.

Walking Food Tours - Amazing aromas guide your remote employees through vibrant neighbourhoods and hidden food gems worldwide.

Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tours - Wine connoisseurs enjoy exploring vineyards and food and wine pairing experiences.

Brewery Tours - Perfect for craft beer enthusiasts on your team.

Fine Dining - Gourmet meals at top restaurants suit employees celebrating milestones with loved ones.

4. Wellness Gifts for the Relaxation Seeker

Sometimes the most thoughtful gift is permission to slow down.

Remote employees working long days at their desk deserve quality relaxation time showing appreciation for hard work. These presents help staff unwind after demanding periods, boosting employee morale far better than any desk accessory.

Spa Packages - For those who love luxury enjoy being pampered whilst improving wellbeing.

Massage Experiences - This gift gives them permission to pause and restore, creating a sense of calm that carries into work life.

Yoga Retreats - Perfect for remote workers seeking mindfulness and stress relief.

5. Adventure Gifts for Nature Lovers

Get them outdoors and away from their home office.

Remote employees loving nature appreciate experiences connecting them with the outdoors. These make excellent Christmas gifts for nature enthusiasts who feel most alive in beautiful landscapes.

Kayaking Adventures - There's nothing quite like discovering nature's beautiful landscapes whilst paddling scenic waters.

Diving & Snorkelling - For those who live for the ocean and can't resist water, these aquatic adventures deliver pure excitement.

Safari Experiences - Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Whale Watching - A mesmerising encounter with ocean's gentle giants.

6. Premium Gifts for the Luxury Lover

Remote workers enjoying premium experiences love sophisticated gift ideas that create lasting impressions. These make impressive Christmas gifts for valued team members who deserve something extraordinary.

Hot Air Ballooning - Hot air ballooning creates pure magic, offering breathtaking aerial views perfect for special occasions.

Helicopter Tours - Spectacular flying experiences showcase cities from unique perspectives.

7. Cultural Gifts for the Culture Enthusiast

Remote employees loving culture appreciate experiences that create fun learning opportunities. These presents resonate far more deeply than typical gift sets or office supplies.

Theatre & Live Performances - Perfect for workers who enjoy live performances and storytelling.

Cultural Tours - These tour experiences help remote employees connect with communities whilst learning local traditions.

City Tours - Great for exploring architecture and history.

8. Driving Gifts for Car Enthusiasts

Get them something that truly gets their heart racing this year.

Car enthusiasts love driving experiences featuring powerful vehicles. These make excellent Christmas gifts for vehicle lovers, offering fun that extends well beyond any material present.

V8 Racing Experiences - It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime gifts that absolutely amazes petrol heads.

Off-Road Adventures - Perfect for employees who love feeling wind in their hair whilst tackling rugged terrain.

How to Organise Corporate Gifts for Your Global Employees

We help organise and deliver corporate gifts to your international workforce seamlessly. Gifting Owl's comprehensive range offers memorable ways to reward employees, fostering stronger connections across your team.

Our business model focuses on making corporate gifting simple, helpful, and impactful for companies worldwide.

At Gifting Owl, We Offer Corporate Customers:

  • Bulk Orders Made Simple
    One order covers all office and employee locations. Our bulk orders system simplifies corporate gifting for international staff, whether planning Christmas gifts, appreciation presents, or rewards for special occasions.

  • Digital Gift Delivery
    Digital gift cards arrive at your requested date and time. Remote workers receive presents instantly without shipping delays. Recipients access experiences from their phone, making redemption convenient.

  • Customisable Gift Vouchers
    Add the company's logo and branding to create personalized gifts. Your brand appears on every gift card, strengthening brand recognition amongst clients and customers who may hear about your thoughtful gifting approach. These custom options help your business stand out whilst showcasing the company's branding and values.

  • Global Reach
    Fully exchangeable experiences across 110 countries. Staff worldwide find gift ideas suited to their interests, avoiding the one-size-fits-all problem of traditional gift sets.

  • Extended Validity
    Three-year validity accommodates busy schedules throughout different holidays, helping employees stay connected to the gift long after receiving it.

  • Memorable Alternative
    Experience gifts stand out by creating genuine moments rather than adding clutter to desks. These thoughtful gifts create surprise and delight, fostering gratitude whilst making employees feel valued.

Simple Ordering Process

Gift cards are easy ways to show employee appreciation. Choose the dollar amount you want to spend and employees book fun experiences anywhere worldwide. This budget pick approach offers premium experiences at controlled costs.

Alternatively, select specific experiences for each person with full exchange flexibility. Whether for team building, Christmas celebrations, or year-round gratitude, we've got gift options for every budget.

Additional Gift Ideas Worth Considering

Beyond Special Occasions: Year-Round Employee Appreciation

Employee appreciation gifts aren't just for Christmas or holidays. Experience gift cards make wonderful presents for appreciation and recognition, leaving and retirement, anniversaries, or congratulations milestones.

These thoughtful presents suit all ages and interests, including employees with kids or family commitments who appreciate flexible scheduling. From birthday celebrations to team achievements, experience gifts provide flexible solutions that resonate deeply.

Whether you spend modestly or generously, experience gifts deliver impact that traditional presents cannot match. They create fun moments that strengthen bonds whilst showcasing your brand commitment to employee wellbeing.

Make Your Global Team Feel Valued with the Best Gifts

Shopping for corporate gifts becomes simple when you focus on creating moments that stick.

From thrilling adventures to spa retreats, we offer the best gifts for all budgets. Finding great gift ideas for international staff requires thinking about unforgettable experiences remote employees genuinely enjoy.

Whether planning bulk orders for Christmas, rewarding hard work, or showing appreciation year-round, experience gifts deliver meaningful impact. Your business benefits from stronger employee morale whilst clients and customers notice when businesses invest in employee happiness.

Email our corporate gifting gurus at [email protected] for personalised help rewarding your employees for all their hard work.

Happy Gifting!

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