The Christmas hamper for employees was introduced as far back as 200 years ago. Back then, it was customary to give staff a day off at Christmas so they could celebrate with family or friends. For that day off, they were sent home with a basket full of food, including raisin bread, almond paste and hot chocolate. The idea behind the Christmas hamper has stayed largely intact since then, although that basket of food is now often filled with a much wider range of gifts — think gift cards, personal care products, home accessories or a day out.

Why a Christmas hamper matters so much to your staff

Receiving a Christmas hamper is generally seen as a sign of appreciation. Research shows that 82% of employees expect a Christmas hamper from their employer every year. Interestingly, women tend to value it more than men, and younger employees appreciate it more than older colleagues. So, if you want to keep your employees motivated, giving a Christmas hamper is definitely a good idea. But besides the attention given to staff, it’s also seen as important for business contacts to receive a gift around Christmas. They play a key role in your success, and a nice gift such as a good bottle of wine is already a lovely way to say thank you!

What are the key ingredients of a good Christmas hamper?

There’s no fixed rule for what should go into a Christmas hamper, since every company does it their own way. What is certainly appreciated is a personal touch to the gift, and something that stands out from the standard packages. This can come through the contents of the hamper, but also through the packaging itself or a personal card with a thank-you note and a nice wish for the year ahead. Beyond that, quality trumps quantity, so keep that in mind when deciding what to include.

Create a WOW moment and personalise your Christmas hamper

Research shows that when you exceed the expectations of your staff or clients, it creates greater loyalty. When you stand out with your Christmas hamper, that’s exactly when the WOW experience happens. Most Dutch companies opt for an easily assembled package with little creativity behind it. By doing things differently as a company, you make a great impression on your employees or clients. By personalising products and thinking carefully about the contents of the hamper, you can really make a difference. Do you have a small team? Then look at what each person likes and what makes them happy. One example is a Christmas hamper full of food for someone with allergies — when the food is adapted to that person’s allergies, it creates even more appreciation. The products themselves can also be personalised.

So what will this year’s Christmas hamper be?

There’s no shortage of ideas, and something personal always goes down well, but if you have a large team where personalising isn’t always easy, opt for a gift card or a voucher for an outing of choice. Even though this might sound like a cliché, research shows that many employees are genuinely delighted by it. It lets them decide for themselves what to do with their Christmas gift, which also helps avoid disappointment. Either way, go for something different from the standard packages this year and take a moment to consider what your employees would really want. Before you know it, this will boost your employees’ motivation, and you’ll all head into a fantastic 2020! If you’re still struggling to decide, here are a few links for some extra inspiration: Christmas hampers starting from €3.95 Choose a sustainable Christmas hamper Choose a package or put together your own Christmas hamper