30+ Christmas Gift Ideas for Teams in 2025: Thoughtful Picks for Every Department

The holiday season is more than just a festive break — it’s a chance for organizations to express genuine appreciation for the people who power their success. As the year winds down, thoughtful Christmas gifts for teams can spark joy, strengthen relationships, and set the tone for a motivated start to the new year.

But with diverse teams spanning departments, locations, and cultures, finding the right gift can be tricky. What delights a designer might not resonate with a developer. That’s where personalization — and the right tools — make all the difference.

In this blog, we’ll explore over 60 Christmas gift ideas curated for different teams in your organization — from marketing and product to engineering and customer success. And to make gifting effortless, we’ll show you how Empuls helps you automate, personalize, and deliver gifts at scale all while making your people feel seen and celebrated.

Let the festive planning begin!

Why gifting matters this Christmas

In a world where hybrid work is the new norm, maintaining human connections and a sense of belonging is more important than ever. The simple act of giving a Christmas gift can go a long way in making employees feel appreciated, valued, and part of something meaningful.

Gifts serve as tangible symbols of appreciation. When chosen with care, they say, “We see you, we value your contributions, and we’re glad you’re part of our journey.” And the impact? It’s more than warm fuzzies.

According to Empuls customer data:

• 90% of employees feel more valued and recognized when they receive thoughtful appreciation.
• Teams that feel appreciated show 1.5x higher revenue growth and 30% higher customer satisfaction.
• 87% of employees are less likely to leave a company where they feel consistently recognized.

With year-end pressures, annual reviews, and strategic planning piling up, December can often feel transactional. Injecting the warmth of thoughtful gifting — whether it’s a personalized eGift card, an experience, or branded swag — humanizes the workplace and sets a tone of gratitude and celebration.

This Christmas, go beyond generic gestures. Tailor gifts to the people behind the roles. Empuls is here to help you do exactly that — efficiently, equitably, and globally.

Christmas gifts for the design team

Creative minds need tools and inspiration to thrive. This team brings your brand to life visually — give them gifts that energize their craft and show appreciation for their eye for detail.

1. Digital drawing pads

Digital drawing pads like Wacom or Huion tablets are perfect for designers who prefer flexibility while sketching ideas. These tools empower them to ideate freely, both for work and personal passion projects.

2. Pantone color books

Pantone guides are a must-have for any design professional. These swatch books help ensure accurate color matching across digital and print, adding precision to every branding decision.

3. Subscriptions to creative tools

A year-long subscription to platforms like Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva Pro, or Figma enables uninterrupted access to essential tools. It’s a practical gift that supports both their productivity and creativity.

4. Branded sketchbooks and notebooks

Custom sketchbooks with your company branding or motivational messages make excellent keepsakes. Designers can use them for quick layouts, mood boards, or freehand sketches during brainstorming sessions.

5. Gift cards for design resources

Allow your team to explore platforms like Creative Market or Envato to pick up fonts, icons, templates, or UI kits. These resources help them stay on top of trends and accelerate their workflow.

Christmas gifts for the engineering team

Engineers solve complex problems daily. This Christmas, gift them items that help them recharge, learn, or dive deeper into their craft with joy and curiosity.

1. Noise-canceling headphones

With long hours of focused work, noise-canceling headphones offer a much-needed shield from distractions. A great gift for remote and in-office engineers to stay in the zone during coding marathons.

2. Raspberry Pi or Arduino kits

Encourage their love for experimentation with DIY tech kits. These tools are perfect for side projects and help them stay curious and sharp beyond day-to-day responsibilities.

3. Tech course or eBook subscriptions

Whether it’s a subscription to O’Reilly, Udemy, or Pluralsight, this gift shows you're investing in their growth. It also allows them to deepen technical expertise or explore new languages and frameworks.

4. Ergonomic desk gear

Help engineers build a healthier workspace with mechanical keyboards, vertical mice, or lumbar support cushions. Small upgrades make a big difference in their comfort and focus.

5. Amazon gift cards for tech

Let them choose exactly what they need — whether it’s a new gadget, storage device, or a high-performance accessory. Amazon vouchers ensure flexibility and satisfaction.

Christmas gifts for the marketing team

Marketers juggle campaigns, content, data, and deadlines. The best gifts for them are those that fuel their creativity, help them recharge, and add a spark of fun to their daily hustle.

1. Productivity planners and journals

Help them get a head start on the new year with premium planners that combine scheduling, goal-setting, and reflective journaling. A perfect companion for campaign planning and creative brainstorming.

2. Coffee or snack hampers

A curated set of coffee blends, herbal teas, or healthy snacks can make long brainstorming sessions more enjoyable. It’s a simple yet indulgent way to say thank you.

3. Premium writing tools

Gift elegant pens or smart notebooks like Rocketbook that blend analog note-taking with digital convenience. It’s ideal for those who value clarity of thought and creative writing.

4. Subscriptions to work tools

Provide access to tools like Grammarly Premium or Hootsuite. It lightens their operational load and helps them deliver polished content and well-managed campaigns.

5. Branded swag with witty copy

Create limited-edition swag with marketing humor or campaign-inspired slogans. It builds pride and camaraderie while making great conversation starters during virtual or live meetings.

Christmas gifts for the product team

Product teams sit at the intersection of vision, execution, and empathy. Gifting them tools that support clarity, strategy, and recharge time can go a long way in showing appreciation for their multi-faceted roles.

1. Whiteboard notebooks

These reusable notebooks allow PMs to brainstorm features, sketch flows, and erase with ease — perfect for iterative thinking and dynamic team discussions.

2. Popular books on product strategy

Gifting titles like Inspired by Marty Cagan or The Lean Product Playbook helps product leaders refine their craft. A great way to encourage thoughtful downtime during the holidays.

3. Tool credits for Miro or Notion

Support remote collaboration with tool credits for visual whiteboarding and product documentation. These tools keep cross-functional teams aligned and agile.

4. Logic puzzles and board games

A fun yet thoughtful gift — these stimulate strategic thinking and make perfect end-of-year entertainment, alone or with the family.

5. Empuls spot awards and leaderboards 

Use Empuls to instantly reward team wins, feature launches, or roadmap milestones. Gamify achievements with custom leaderboards and public shoutouts.

Christmas gifts for the customer success team

Your CS team is on the frontline of empathy and problem-solving. They deserve gifts that promote wellness, help them unplug, and remind them that their efforts matter deeply.

1. Wellness experience vouchers

Offer vouchers for spas, wellness apps, or massage sessions. These gifts help reduce burnout and encourage mental well-being after a high-pressure year.

2. Food delivery gift cards

Help them enjoy a delicious break from the kitchen with gift cards for Uber Eats, Zomato, or local restaurants. A great way to show care for their personal time.

3. Curated gratitude boxes

Assemble thank-you kits with personalized notes, holiday treats, and desk keepsakes. This emotional gesture shows how much they’re appreciated — by customers and leaders alike.

4. Online learning access

Give them access to customer engagement or communication courses via LinkedIn Learning. It’s a thoughtful way to invest in their growth and future readiness.

5. Empuls memory books and wishboards

Celebrate CS team milestones with Empuls’ automated yearbooks and wishboards. These tools capture recognition moments and client impact stories that live on beyond the season.

Top Empuls-powered Christmas gifting ideas

Whether you’re planning to surprise 20 people or 20,000, executing a meaningful Christmas gifting program across departments, locations, and time zones can get overwhelming. 

That’s where Empuls steps in. With smart automation, AI-powered nudges, and a global reward catalog, Empuls makes holiday gifting effortless, personalized, and truly memorable.

Here are some standout ways to bring the holiday spirit to life using Empuls:

1. Global gift cards for instant choice

Empuls offers access to over 10,000+ gift card options from local and global brands across 100+ countries. This empowers employees to choose gifts that matter most to them — whether it’s a new pair of headphones, a meal from their favorite restaurant, or a much-awaited Amazon purchase. You decide the value, they choose the joy.

2. Personalized company swag

Build a sense of belonging with high-quality, branded swag. From T-shirts and hoodies to mugs, planners, and water bottles — Empuls lets you personalize products with your company’s logo, colors, and messaging. The platform takes care of inventory, packaging, and delivery across locations, saving you time and logistics headaches.

3. Experience-based gifting

Offer unforgettable memories instead of material gifts. With Empuls, you can gift employees access to curated experiences such as gourmet dinners, adventure sports, music concerts, staycations, or wellness retreats — available in over 50 countries. It’s a powerful way to show appreciation that lingers far beyond the holiday season.

4. Empuls gifting automation

Say goodbye to spreadsheets and manual tracking. Empuls allows you to set up gifting workflows in advance — from selecting recipients and reward types to scheduling delivery dates and sending personalized greetings. You can automate reward distribution based on roles, tenure, location, or performance.

5. Digital wishboards and festive feeds

Use Empuls’ social recognition features to highlight holiday moments. Enable your teams to post greetings, kudos, and photos on a Christmas-themed wishboard. Broadcast holiday rewards, spotlight winners, and keep the festive buzz alive with a real-time social feed accessible across devices.

6. Memory books and milestone celebrations

Empuls can generate end-of-year Memory Books for individuals or teams — personalized digital scrapbooks that include recognition messages, key accomplishments, photos, and highlights from the year. Pair this with milestone gift automation to celebrate service anniversaries and achievements during the holidays.

7. AI-powered nudges by Em

Em, the AI assistant in Empuls, ensures you never miss a celebration. From reminding managers to recognize their teams, to nudging employees to claim their gifts, Em helps HR automate and personalize engagement — all in real time. It’s like having a gifting assistant that never drops the ball.

How to choose the right gift for your team

Selecting the perfect Christmas gift isn’t just about budget or trendiness — it’s about relevance, inclusivity, and alignment with your people’s preferences. A well-chosen gift reflects your understanding of the team’s personality, values, and contributions. Here’s how to get it right:

1. Understand your team’s preferences

Start by looking at the nature of each team’s work, their daily routines, and what motivates them. Design teams may value creative tools, while CS teams might appreciate wellness-related gifts. 

Consider creating anonymous polls or using Empuls survey features to gather input ahead of time. When people feel heard, they feel appreciated — even before receiving the gift.

2. Embrace personalization and flexibility

Avoid one-size-fits-all gifts. Instead, empower employees with choice. Platforms like Empuls let you send digital gift cards across thousands of brands or offer experience vouchers based on interests. For even more impact, pair gifts with personalized messages from managers or leaders. A small note of appreciation goes a long way.

3. Factor in cultural and regional diversity

If your teams are distributed across regions, keep local customs, tax regulations, and preferences in mind. Empuls supports multi-currency, multi-language, and geo-specific reward catalogs — making it easy to gift meaningfully across borders without the complexity of managing regional logistics manually.

4. Align gifts with company values

Your holiday gifts can reinforce the culture you’re trying to build. For example, if wellness is a core pillar, offer mental health app subscriptions or fitness-related gifts. If continuous learning is encouraged, offer book vouchers or e-learning credits. Empuls allows you to tag recognition with core values and align gifting accordingly.

5. Stay compliant and budget-aware

Holiday gifting should be generous, not burdensome. Empuls' bill-on-redemption model means you only pay for rewards employees actually redeem, helping you stretch your budget further. Plus, the platform supports tax-compliant rewards and fringe benefits, so you can gift at scale without running into regulatory roadblocks.

Conclusion: Celebrate with purpose, not just presents

Gifting is more than a year-end task it’s a meaningful gesture that reinforces appreciation, boosts morale, and strengthens the human side of work. When done with thought and intent, a Christmas gift can transform from a transactional perk into a symbol of gratitude and belonging.

This year, move beyond generic boxes and impersonal bulk orders. Use a platform like Empuls to plan, personalize, and automate your gifting with ease. Whether you’re sending rewards to 50 people or 5,000, Empuls ensures everyone feels celebrated — no matter where they are or what team they belong to.

By combining heartfelt gifting with seamless technology, you don’t just end the year on a high you set the stage for a culture of appreciation that carries into the new one.