30+ Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas for Employees on a Budget

Finding the right Christmas gift ideas for employees on a budget can be challenging—but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you're shopping for a small team or managing a company-wide gift list, there are plenty of thoughtful, inexpensive options that still feel meaningful. This guide covers creative and affordable gifts under $10, $25, and $50—perfect for spreading holiday cheer without overspending.

Inexpensive Christmas Gifts for Employees under $10

First, here are some inexpensive Christmas gifts for employees under $10:

• Hot Chocolate Bomb Gift Set – $6.99

These are trending holiday treats that look premium, taste indulgent, and cost under $10—ideal for Christmas gift ideas for employees on a budget that still wow. I gave these to my whole team last year, and everyone raved about how fun it was to watch them melt. They sell fast at stores like Target or Walmart, so buy early.

• Holiday-Themed Sticky Notes by Knock Knock – $7.00

A funny, functional option that adds humor to meetings or to-do lists. This is a great cheap Xmas gift for employees that’s practical and lighthearted. These make for a great desk gift—my coworkers started using them the day they got them! I love how they combine productivity with a laugh.

Sticky Notes by Knock Knock as Inexpensive Christmas Gifts for Employees under $10

• Mini Desk Succulent in Red Pot – $8.95

These affordable Christmas gifts for employees brighten up any workspace and are practically maintenance-free. They also come in festive packaging around the holidays. I ordered these from Lula’s Garden, and everyone loved them. They're pre-potted, adorable, and eco-friendly—what more could you ask for?

• Scented Travel Hand Cream by The Body Shop – $6.00

Skincare products always make thoughtful yet inexpensive Christmas gifts for employees, especially during dry winter months. I’ve gifted these for three years straight—people actually ask for them! Shea and Almond are safe, crowd-pleasing scents.

• Holiday Socks by Cuddl Duds – $9.99

These are soft, fuzzy, and fun—perfect for affordable employee Christmas gifts during the winter. Most come with festive patterns like snowflakes or candy canes. I once included these in “Cozy Kits” with hot cocoa and a note—they were a massive hit. You’ll find them at Kohl’s or Amazon during holiday sales.

Holiday Socks by Cuddl Duds as Cheap Christmas Gifts for Employees under $10

• Candy Cane Jar with Custom Tag (DIY) – ~$5.00

Simple, cute, and heartfelt. Fill a mini mason jar with candy canes or peppermints, and add a tag with “Thanks for making the year sweet!” This is my favorite DIY option for cheap Christmas presents for employees. I spent less than $2 per person and still received thank-you emails afterward.

• Mini Desktop Puzzle or Brain Teaser – $8.99

Perfect for mental breaks or fidgety teammates. These quirky puzzles make clever cheap Xmas gifts for employees that double as desk toys. I bought a mixed box of these for a team-building event and people took them home. They spark smiles and little competitions!

• Christmas-Themed Gel Pen Set – $6.95

A cute and colorful choice for the stationery lovers on your team. Great for writing, planning, or just brightening up their desks. These pens make fantastic stocking stuffers. I combined them with notepads one year and everyone commented on the festive ink colors.

Christmas-Themed Gel Pens as Christmas Gift Ideas for Employees on a Budget

• Gourmet Chocolate Bar with Custom Sleeve – $4.95

A small bar of high-quality chocolate wrapped with a festive message offers just the right balance of personal and professional. I usually go for Tony’s Chocolonely—flavors are rich, and wrapping them in branded sleeves makes them feel more luxe.

• Portable Screen Cleaner Spray + Cloth – $9.50

Handy, unisex, and tech-friendly. Great for phones, laptops, or glasses—an often-overlooked but truly useful item. I added this to our hybrid work-from-home kits, and folks kept thanking me months later. It’s also sleek enough to keep on any desk.

Affordable Christmas Gifts for Employees under $25

Next, here are some affordable corporate gifts under $25​ to give your employees at Christmas party:

• Personalized Mug by Personal Chic – $19.95

A custom mug featuring the employee’s name, role, or a team joke adds a heartfelt touch. It’s a practical keepsake they’ll use long after the holidays—making it one of the best Christmas gift ideas for employees on a budget that celebrates a great year together.

I gave our marketing team these personalized office gifts last Christmas—each had their name and a cartoon version of them on it. They now use them daily. The quality is excellent: microwave-safe, vivid print, and durable.

• Desk Lamp with USB Port – $23.99

Perfect for hybrid or remote workers, this lamp combines task lighting with phone charging. It’s sleek, space-saving, and extremely practical—exactly what gifts for coworkers should be. I’ve seen coworkers bring theirs from home to the office! The dimmable settings and built-in USB make it highly functional, and reviews consistently praise it for longevity.

• Personalized Tote Bag by Personal Chic – $24.95

This custom tote can be printed with the team name, role, or a funny quote, making it perfect for daily commutes or lunch runs. It’s one of the most stylish and cheap Christmas presents for employees that feels far from generic.

I chose this custom gift for our content team. The canvas material is durable, and the printing is clear and vibrant. It quickly became the bag they carry everywhere.

• Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler by Simple Modern – $19.99

This premium tumbler keeps drinks hot or cold for hours and fits in most cup holders. It’s great for both coffee lovers and hydration champs, making it one of the most popular cheap employee Christmas gifts with an upscale feel. I personally use this tumbler every day. It comes in dozens of colors and prints, and even after six months, my tea stays hot through morning meetings.

• Personalized Desk Acrylic Plaque from Personal Chic – $21.95

Engraved with a motivational quote, name, or company mantra, this desk plaque adds a stylish, personal touch to any office. Great for team leads or long-tenured staff. We created plaques for employees celebrating 5+ years and added quotes they loved. The acrylic material quality is crystal clear and surprisingly sturdy. Several coworkers told me it’s now their favorite desk item.

• Personalized Desk Calendar by Etsy Seller "Printsberry" – $18.00

A custom 2025 calendar with the employee’s name or motivational quotes is both decorative and useful. It’s one of those Christmas gift ideas for employees on a budget that makes every workday feel a little more personal. I bought these for our team leads and included uplifting messages. Several of them said it was the most useful desk gift they’d received.

• Bluetooth Tracker (Tile Mate 2-Pack) – $23.50

Ideal for forgetful coworkers or frequent travelers, these Bluetooth trackers help locate lost keys, bags, or wallets. It’s practical, techy, and universally appreciated. My supervisor said this was the most useful Secret Santa gift she ever received. With over 35,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5+ star rating, I now always keep one in my bag too.

• Custom Team Ornament by Personal Chic – $14.95

Celebrate the team spirit with an personalized Christmas ornament that features names or avatars. Great for departments or close-knit groups looking for affordable employee Christmas gifts that feel custom but not overly personal. We gave this to our HR team and had it say “Dream Team 2024.” It was sweet, festive, and packed beautifully.

• Travel Tech Organizer Pouch – $17.95

For the always-organized (or always-tangled) coworker, this pouch stores cords, earbuds, and chargers neatly. Compact and gender-neutral—great for cheap Xmas gifts for employees in both office and tech environments. I travel for conferences and found this pouch surprisingly sturdy and lightweight. We ordered 10 for our IT team—they loved them.

• Gratitude-Inspired Journal (e.g., “The Five Minute Journal”) – $24.95

This popular guided journal encourages reflection, positivity, and goal setting—ideal for year-end or new-year planning. It’s thoughtful and wellness-friendly. I used this during a busy quarter and found it genuinely helpful. It’s also become a recurring gift in our leadership circle. The best part? It looks expensive but is still within budget.

• Personalized Team T-Shirt by Personal Chic – $24.95

Celebrate team pride with matching t-shirts printed with names or inside jokes. It’s a fun, wearable keepsake and one of the best affordable Christmas gifts for employees if you want to create a unified team spirit. We ordered these for a holiday retreat and added our team mascot on the front. Everyone loved them. The shirts are soft, not flimsy, and the sizes run true—something that’s rare with custom apparel.

• Christmas Snack & Tea Gift Box by Knack – $24.00

Curated with high-end snacks and seasonal tea blends, this set is perfect for anyone who enjoys cozy breaks. The packaging is beautiful, and it feels like a mini holiday retreat—making it an excellent choice among inexpensive Christmas gifts for employees. I gifted this to remote team members. It was compact yet luxurious, with gourmet flavors and zero waste packaging.

Cheap Christmas Gifts for Employees under $50

Finally, here are some affordable gifts for employees under $50 for Christmas:

• Personalized Fleece Blanket from Personal Chic – $37.95

Ultra-soft and personalized with a name, message, or company phrase, this fleece blanket is a cozy reminder of workplace warmth—literally and metaphorically. It’s an elevated way to say thank you during the holidays.

I gave this to my remote team during a winter gift exchange. They raved about the plush texture and how the custom message made it feel truly special. It’s definitely not one of those generic cheap employee Christmas gifts—it feels premium and heartfelt.

• Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug (Travel Version) – $49.99

For coffee or tea lovers, this smart mug keeps drinks at the perfect temp for hours. Ideal for desk workers or home office setups. While this is at the top of the budget range, the tech-savvy folks on our dev team loved it. It gets tons of praise on Reddit and tech blogs and has a 4.6-star average from over 12,000 Amazon reviewers.

• Premium Self-Care Kit from TheraBox – $45.00

Includes curated items like candles, body butter, and mindfulness tools. Ideal for encouraging employees to take a break and recharge. I love that these come pre-packed and themed. It's an ideal balance of pampering and practicality—and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

• Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Box by Monbento – $42.00

Sleek, leakproof, and built to last—perfect for health-conscious employees who meal prep or prefer homemade lunches. I chose this for our in-office team as a New Year boost. It’s beautifully designed and surprisingly spacious. Not your average lunchbox—and definitely doesn’t scream “budget gift.”

Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes as Christmas Gift Ideas for Employees on a Budget

• Portable Neck & Shoulder Massager (by Naipo) – $49.95

A stress-busting favorite with heat and deep-kneading massage. A thoughtful gesture for any hardworking employee. Our customer success manager called it “the best holiday gift ever.” Highly rated on Amazon with over 45,000 reviews—and often sells out in December, so plan ahead.

• Custom Team Illustration Print (from Etsy by StrokesbyStella) – $45.00

Submit a photo and have it turned into a custom print with everyone’s names and a holiday message. Emotional, fun, and memorable. Our holiday team portrait now hangs in several cubicles. It was emotional seeing everyone’s reactions—it’s one of the most meaningful affordable Christmas gifts for employees I’ve ever given.

• Leather Tech Organizer Case by Bellroy – $49.00

For team members always traveling or working remotely, this organizer holds cords, chargers, pens, and more—while looking sleek. I’ve tested three tech pouches, and this one wins on aesthetics and layout. The leather is smooth and durable, and everything fits neatly.

Leather Tech Organizer Cases as Christmas Gift Ideas for Employees on a Budget

• Gourmet Coffee Sampler by Bean Box – $39.00

Includes four artisan roasts, curated from top roasters across the U.S. Ideal for caffeine lovers. I’ve sent this to several teammates and even my boss. The packaging is beautiful, and the variety keeps it exciting without being risky.

With the right selection, even simple gifts can leave a lasting impression. These Christmas gift ideas for employees on a budget prove that you don’t need to spend big to show your appreciation. Whether it's a personalized keepsake or a fun holiday treat, your employees will remember the thoughtfulness long after the decorations come down.