It's late November, you've got a list of 40 names, and the only idea on the table is another round of logo mugs. Employee gifts for Christmas are meant to say thanks, not add to the pile of branded things nobody asked for (we've all got that drawer).
Our fix is an experience voucher. Your people choose something they'll actually enjoy, and you don't have to guess whether the finance lead is a wine person or a white water rafting person. Below you'll find why experiences work as Christmas gifts for staff, ideas sorted by personality, and how to order for a small team or a few hundred.
Why Experience Vouchers Beat Another Logo Mug
They Show You Paid Attention
A generic present says "we ordered in bulk". An experience says "we know you". Pair the wine lover with a tasting and the adventurous one with something involving a harness, or let each person pick for themselves. A short, sincere note of thanks helps it land even better. If you want the longer argument, we've put together 8 reasons to gift staff experiences this Christmas.
Christmas experience gifts
Show more experiences
Kyoto: Small-Group Gion Geisha District Walking Tour
Barcelona's Coastline Helicopter Flight
Best of Niagara Falls Tour: Journey Behind Falls & Boat
They Give People Something to Look Forward To
December is flat out for everyone, and January can feel a bit flat in the other way. A day off the grid won't fix a rough year, but it shows you noticed. For more along these lines, see our employee health and wellbeing gifts.
They Enjoy Full Flexibility
Your employees live in different places, have different tastes and take leave at different times. A Gifting Owl voucher handles that. There are 19,000+ experiences in 100+ countries, the value is whatever you choose, and it's valid for three years. If someone fancies something pricier, they can top up by card. Exchanges are free, and the recipient books live on Gifting Owl, so you don't become the office travel agent.
Delivery is by email, sent straight away or scheduled for the date and time you pick. Handy when it's the 22nd and the list still isn't done. Got people overseas? Have a look at our gifts for international remote staff.
Christmas Gift Experience Ideas for Staff
Not sure who gets what? Here are some ideas by personality. Or skip the guesswork and send a voucher with no experience attached.
For the Thrill-Seekers
- Skydiving: Over in minutes, talked about until next Christmas. Weather can shuffle jump dates, so a flexible recipient is a happy one.
- White water rafting suits a team that likes paddling and shouting in unison. Pack a change of clothes.
- Jet boating. Fast, wet and finished before anyone's hair has a chance to behave.
- Hot air ballooning: Slow, quiet and very early (sunrise flights don't wait for anyone). One for the calm colleague who still wants a view.
- Paragliding is a gentler float, with a pilot doing the hard bit.
For the Foodies and Wine Fans
Plenty more sits in our food and drink experiences, and a few of these double as client gifts.
- Winery tours: A glass in hand while someone else explains the grapes.
- Brewery tours are for the colleague with strong opinions about hops.
- Walking food tours. Eating your way across a neighbourhood counts as exercise (we'll allow it).
- Cooking classes: Hands-on, and you eat the results. Good for a team to book together.
- Fine dining suits clients and senior team members, and tends to be on the pricier side.
- High tea. Tiered stands, tiny sandwiches and the odd glass of bubbles.
Winery Tours gift ideas
Show more experiences
Niagara-on-the-Lake Private Wine Tasting Experience
Napa and Sonoma Group Wine Tour From San Francisco
Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour
For the Ones Who Need a Break
- Spa days: Steam rooms, saunas and, if they choose it, a massage. Everyone in the office knows who needs this one.
- Yoga sessions are a quieter option for people who'd rather stretch than soak.
- Hotel getaways. One or two nights somewhere that isn't home, with someone else making the bed.
For the Drivers and Walkers
- Driving experiences: Sports or luxury cars on open roads or a proper track. Great for the one who talks about cars at lunch.
- Hiking and trekking ranges from a gentle ramble to a proper mountain slog, so choose the level with care.
For the Culture Vultures
- Theatre: A night out with a curtain call at the end. Book a good seat, because sightlines matter.
- Attractions and museums suit the colleague who reads every plaque.
- City tours, history tours and cultural tours are a good fit for people who've lived somewhere for years and never seen it properly.
For Nature and Wildlife Lovers
- Whale watching. Sightings depend on the season and the sea, so tell them to check dates.
- Safaris are a long way to go for a gift, but that's rather the point.
- Diving and snorkelling: Colourful reef, no experience needed for the easier options.
For the Creative Ones
- Photography workshops suit anyone whose phone camera roll is mostly sunsets.
- Art classes: Painting or drawing, no talent required.
- Pottery and other workshops let people come home with something they made, which beats a branded mug.
Secret Santa, Team Parties and Group Gifts
Running a Secret Santa? Set one voucher amount for everyone and let people choose, so nobody gets stuck with an experience that doesn't suit. For a whole team, a group cooking class or brewery tour can be the gift and the party in one. For larger orders, our post on bulk Christmas gift cards for employees goes into the detail.
Corporate Gifting Without the Spreadsheet Drama
For corporate gifting, our corporate page is the place to order. Discounts start from 10% off at 10 vouchers and increase with quantity, and corporate vouchers can carry your company logo (just on the voucher, not on a mug). You can add a personal message, pick a voucher design, and schedule the email for the morning of your team lunch.
Two honest notes. Unused vouchers aren't refundable, so give your staff a nudge to book. Cancellation policies depend on the supplier, and each experience page shows its policy before booking.
What About Clients?
The same approach works for clients and business partners. A tasting, a fine dining voucher or a spa day says thanks without a branded keyring. Choose something with a broad appeal and let them pick the date.
Sorted for This Christmas
Pick a few favourites, add a note of thanks, and let your team choose the rest. Browse Christmas gift ideas, or send a branded corporate gift voucher and let them choose.
Happy gifting!
