Christmas Gift Guide: Find the Perfect Gift for Staff and Customers
The holiday season is an important time to showcase staff and customer appreciation for many reasons – one of the busiest times of the year, it’s also an emotional period where connection is more important than ever.
Christmas gifts for staff are an obvious way to show appreciation, but personalised Christmas gifts go a step further. They let your team know that you see them, understand them, and want to thank them for their efforts throughout the year.
But how do you know if you’re gifting the right way?
Surveys have found that when it comes to choosing gifts for employees, some companies have a tendency to get it wrong – 72% of employees prefer a gift card over company merchandise and 73% of recipients prefer personalised items over generic ones.
Christmas gifts for customers have a similar positive effect – by taking the time to thank your customers in a unique and personalised way, you can drive customer loyalty.
Personalised Christmas gifts are a signal of care, attention, and goodwill that can fit any budget, company size, or customer base. Here, we’ll explore different types of Christmas gifts for staff and customers, to help you find a great fit and spread the holiday cheer.
Christmas Gifts Under £50
Gifting is something that requires careful budgeting and advance planning, regardless of the size of your company or customer base.
For those who have a large workforce or are working with a smaller budget, personalised gifts for staff that cost less than £50 are a great way to show employee appreciation while working within your means.
When looking at gifts for customers, personalised experiences for under £50 can be a perfect option for a tiered loyalty system or for customers who may not be as engaged but are still important.
Afternoon Tea for Two
From scrumptious sandwiches to tempting treats, afternoon tea makes a great gift because there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s also a budget-friendly solution for staff or customers, with hundreds of locations to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea for under £50.
If your audience is spread out across the UK, an afternoon tea gift box is a great solution that allows for flexible booking at amazing dining destinations all over the country.
Driving Experiences
Driving experiences are a memorable and exciting occasion that are special because, for many people, they’re not something they’d typically find the time or money to book for themselves.
There are many affordable driving experiences that offer fun to all sorts of people, whether your team members crave the adrenaline of a supercar or want to experience a cruise in an iconic movie-star car.
From track days to off-road adventures, driving experiences offer an unforgettable and entertaining day out.
Winery, Brewery, and Distillery Tours
Whether you’re gifting to seasoned connoisseurs or eager learners, drink experiences are a gift that everyone is thirsty for!
Beer and wine lovers may enjoy a traditional brewery, vineyard, or distillery tour, where they can discover new flavours and learn about the local industry.
There are also many personalised drink experiences that include food pairings, entertainment, and tutorials, which make for an engaging and fun event.
Fine Dining Experiences
Fine dining is something many of us don’t do without a reason to celebrate – so give your staff or customers a reason to celebrate themselves with a fine dining experience.
It’s easy to find affordable options to suit everyone’s taste buds, from cheese and wine tastings to 3-course meals at the UK’s top restaurants. As a flexible gift, it can be used spontaneously or saved for a birthday or special occasion.
Spa Retreats
Promoting self-care and work-life balance are key to creating a healthy brand and workplace culture – and pampering experiences are a perfect way to put those principles into action.
There are many budget-friendly ways to promote downtime and relaxation through spa gifts for staff or customers, from massage treatments to beauty appointments, allowing your staff to take time out for exactly what they need to feel good.
Christmas Gifts for Groups
Group gifts are a great way to celebrate team achievements while encouraging staff to get to know each other outside of the typical workplace environment.
During the holidays, group gifts can also be a perfect way to identify individuals who have worked together to accomplish goals throughout the year and thank them for their contributions.
There are plenty of experience gifts that are suitable for small groups, so you can find something that your team members will look forward to.
Escape Room Experiences
Escape rooms are a story-based activity in which a group (usually 4-6 people) is placed within a locked room where they’ll need to work through a series of clues and riddles in order to find their way out. This requires plenty of communication and collaboration, which means your staff will benefit from a team-building atmosphere while also having fun.
You can find all sorts of different escape room themes, from movie-inspired settings to the iconic Crystal Maze, which will give your team plenty to debrief about long after they’ve made their escape!
Online Experiences
Online experiences are a perfect option if you have a team that works remotely or is based in widespread locations, as they allow you to showcase appreciation while bringing a group into the same ‘room’.
We offer plenty of engaging, interesting, and creative online group experiences, led by experts from around the world. Your team can take an online cocktail masterclass, learn to cook, get crafty, or indulge in party games – all from the easy access of their own space.
Self-Guided Hiking Packs
Get your team moving and exploring with a self-guided hike experience. This diverse gift allows them to choose from beautiful destinations across the UK and follow routes that are carefully planned to showcase beautiful scenery, stunning views, and interesting landmarks.
They’ll be given a complete guidebook and map, which they can follow at their own pace. Your team will work together to follow the route and make the day completely their own – plan a picnic, stop for lunch at a local café, or simply let the adventure unravel.
Luxury Gifts
Luxury gifts are a thoughtful and impactful way to personally honour staff members or customers who deserve a truly special experience.
Whether you want to celebrate an employee for long standing service, thank an important client, or recognise a customer that has been loyal for years, there are many unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will showcase your deep appreciation.
Luxury Getaways
Gifting a luxury getaway is a multi-faceted gift – not only are you funding a mini-break or holiday, but you’re encouraging your staff or customers to take space for themselves and indulge in an experience that they might not have otherwise made time for.
There are many types of short, luxurious breaks to choose from, so you can find something at a suitable location that strikes the right mood, from grand manor house stays and spa retreats to exciting city experiences or quiet countryside hideaways.
Gifts for Thrillseekers
Adventure experiences make for a truly memorable luxury gift, with plenty of heart-pumping options that will give your staff, customers, or clients the thrill of a lifetime. Whether it’s a water sport they’ve been eager to try or a bucket-list bungee jump, adventure experiences are an exciting way to showcase appreciation.
As well as gifting a unique day out, you can also demonstrate just how well you know your recipients by choosing something they’d love to do but might not necessarily book for themselves.
Michelin-star Fine Dining
Show your valued team members and customers what it’s like to sit down to a Michelin-star meal with a fine dining experience gift.
As well as treating them to world-class food, you’re encouraging them to indulge in a world-class atmosphere with the knowledge that they’re the cause for celebration. We have packages for the UK’s finest restaurants, from tasting menus to multi-course extravaganzas.
Gift Vouchers, Cards, and Boxes
Gift cards, vouchers, and boxes allow you to showcase your appreciation by giving people a fantastic experience while ensuring they can choose exactly what they want to do.
This is also a great way to thank staff members or customers who are spread across the country, as they can select an activity that suits their lifestyle and location.
Gift cards and vouchers
We have a huge variety of gift cards and vouchers, available in denominations starting from £20. Typically, gift cards are valid for 12 months and can be applied to any of our experiences. Gift vouchers are typically valid for 12-24 months and can be applied to specific experiences, depending on the type of voucher you choose. Some of the most popular cards and vouchers are:
- Red Letter Days Gift Card: In denominations of £20-£500, valid for 12 months and applicable to all experiences
- Hotel Choice Voucher: Valid for 12 months, with 100s of breaks to choose across the UK and Europe
- Red Letter Days Gift Voucher: Valid for 24 months, applicable to 6,500 experiences
Gift boxes
Gift boxes are personalised experience gifts that still offer plenty of variety. They’re tailored to specific occasions, people, or types of experiences, allowing you to send a special thank you to your staff or valued customers while giving them the flexibility to pick their perfect experience.
Some popular gift boxes include:- Merry Christmas Gift Box: Valid for 24 months, choice of 2,600+ experiences
- Short Breaks Gift Boxes: Choice of one- or two-night breaks at hundreds of locations
- Pampering Gift Boxes: Choice of relaxing spa days, treatments, and getaways at hundreds of locations
Red Letter Days experiences are designed to deliver once-in-a-lifetime moments, lasting memories, and joy. In the same way that we know our clients and customers are looking for ways to demonstrate value to their clients and customers, we make it a priority to bring you exactly what you need to celebrate the important people to your business.
Our Corporate team can help you build custom gifting solutions for your staff and customers. You’ll benefit from a dedicated team that will package gifts within your own branding, support with software integration, and ensure fast delivery and customer support. Get in touch to find out more.