Because gift cards are considered taxable income to the employee, it's helpful to consider other ideas. I especially appreciate what my employer offers. Each December, we are provided a list of options and can choose between: quality fleece or other items with company logo, a special treat box from Harry & David's, or annual membership to our state's art, children's, or history museums and even a state park system pass. It's fun to see what the list includes each year!
Once you've been with a company a few years, you may already have your fill of company logo merch, and every time I use my membership card through the following year, I think of how my employer provided me this nice outing. Some years, I've chosen a museum membership while last year I chose the state park pass. I had a sister's trip in late summer, and we used my pass to visit at least 5 different parks! Each time we used the pass, I'd singsong, "Thank you, [my company's name]!" (like Tim Gunn in Project Runway) and my sister would joke, "SO much better than a turkey!" but, seriously, it felt like my employer had genuinely subsidized our little trip and reminded me of the thoughtfulness of my colleagues who'd thought up the gifting options :)
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