11 Awesome Gifts for the Remote Employee
Remote work and hybrid work has been booming since 2020, and it isn’t going away.
If you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you or someone you know has a fully remote job or only needs to go into an office a couple of times a week. For most employees, this has been a welcome change.
According to McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey, which polled almost 14,000 workers, 58% of people had either the option for hybrid work or were fully remote. When respondents were asked if they would take an offer for remote work, 87% said they would.
Who could blame them? Zero commute, a more focused work environment, and the ability to work comfortably on your own timeline.
But with that much-welcomed freedom can come a disconnect with your teammates. You write to them on Slack and you see them in Zoom, but the lack of being in the same physical space with them regularly makes feeling connected more difficult.
And Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse isn’t going to save us anytime soon.
Thankfully, there are various ways to go above and beyond to connect with your teammates and show them that you care. One of the best is through a gift that can be sent to their home or delivered to their email.
Abby is a fully-remote worker and knows as well as anyone the importance of showing your appreciation to your teammates (she also knows a thing or two about gifting). Together, we sat down and came up with the best gifts for your remote coworkers and employees.
These gifts include items for the home and home office, along with options for experiences so your coworker can get out and explore their city.
#1
Two tickets to a local garden or wildlife preserve
The company Abby works for, webuild, gifted us a yearlong pass to any wildflower center in Texas. We have used the heck out of it and love it. It’s a wonderful excuse to get outside and explore, which is especially important if you spend most of your time indoors on a computer.
#2
Aromatherapy candles
If your team is working from home, an aromatherapy candle as a gift goes a long way. It’s the kind of gift that might not work in a traditional office but is perfect for the home office. It’s a wonderful way to de-stress and make their space that much more comfortable.
#3
Box filled with snacks and goodies
This is probably the most classic gift for the remote worker. A box of snacks is easy, affordable, and always well received. Just make sure you do your research and make sure you don’t gift them anything they’re allergic to.
#4
Cool pens and notebooks
What’s a home office without pens and a notebook? Nowadays there are so many impressive, artisan companies making unique ones, and they make for wonderful gifts. For inspiration, check out the Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya.
#5
Craft coffee and/or tea
Most every office has at least coffee available for their team. But, let’s face it, the kind of coffee that most offices stock is not exciting. Gifting craft coffee and tea is a major upgrade and creates excitement around a daily ritual.
#6
A gift card to a local plant shop
One of the benefits of working remotely is the ability to design your workspace exactly as you like it. A gift card to a local plant shop is a wonderful way for your team member to upgrade their space and make working out of it that much more enjoyable. The right plant in the right place can also go a long way in creating an attractive background for video calls.
Plant Party - Austin, TX
#7
Desk organizer
Many people don’t realize how much stress is caused by a messy workspace. The last thing you want is for a teammate to have added stress over something that can be managed and fixed. In this case, a cute desk organizer is perfect for most people. What makes this such a great gift for the remote worker is that it’s often something people don’t realize they need until they have it.
#8
A nice tea kettle
Working from home means your teammates will likely be brewing their own coffee and tea. Make sure that they’re properly equipped with a kettle that will not only function well but also look great on their counter.
#9
Eco-friendly water bottle
During the workday, staying hydrate is something that’s often overlooked. We get busy and we forget to drink water until our brains finally get our attention. And by then, we’re dehydrated. A cute water bottle that can sit on top of a desk is a wonderful gift and will help remind your remote workers to keep the H2O flowing!
#10
Bluetooth Keyboard
If your teammates are using laptops from home in a desk environment, a Bluetooth keyboard could be one of the biggest upgrade gifts. It will allow for the computer to be placed further away, or on a stand, while the keyboard can be placed flat on the desk in a position that won’t cause strain or chronic pain.
#11
Thoughtful Gift Cards
Has your remote teammate told you about their favorite restaurant? Use $100 of your team’s budget toward a gift card for them. If they practice any hobbies outside of work, consider gifting them an Airbnb Experience, a local cooking class, or funds toward books at a local bookstore for their monthly book club. If you know they like to be pampered, a massage or a pedicure could be your ticket to happier employees.
And don’t forget to add a caring note to go along with your offering.
About Willinglee
It's always a good time to connect with those you love and appreciate. That’s why we created our company—so you can focus your thoughtful energy toward others and leave the rest to us.
At Willinglee, build fun and personalized gift boxes filled with intentional, artisan-made goods. We'll wrap your gift in hand-painted paper, write your custom card, and ship it out the next day.
We're here to bring the joy back to gift-giving.
