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The Impact of Holiday Gifting on Brand Perception and Employee Satisfaction in 2025

As we gear up for the 2025 holiday season, recent findings from Snappy, a leading gifting company, shed light on the transformative power of holiday gifting in the corporate world. There’s a noticeable trend where a thoughtful gift is not just an expression of goodwill; it acts as a catalyst for enhancing employee morale and shaping positive brand perceptions among customers.

Survey Insights: A Growing Need for Thoughtful Gifting

A national survey conducted by Snappy reveals that 50% of respondents feel a heightened excitement about the upcoming holidays. However, an alarming 70% admit to receiving gifts that did not resonate with them, highlighting a critical gap in the gifting experience. What’s even more startling is that 67% of employees wish they would receive a holiday gift from their employer.

These insights send a strong message: in today’s age of personalization, selecting the right gift is vital. A misplaced gift can strain relationships and diminish holiday joy, while a well-chosen token can strengthen connections, be it at home, in the workplace, or with beloved brands.

The Dual Impact of Gifting: Employees and Customers

Employee Perspective

From the survey, it’s evident that many companies still prioritize office parties over gifting, impacting employee engagement. Around 47% of employees report not receiving any gift from their employers, and the repercussions are quite telling:

• - 67% state that receiving a meaningful gift enhances their job satisfaction.
• - 43% of the workforce feels a deeper connection to their team and organizational culture due to thoughtful gifting.
• - 31% are more engaged at work and likely to recommend their company as a great workplace.
• - 29% express a desire to stay longer with their current employer if they receive thoughtful gifts.

In stark contrast, the absence of gifts translates into negative sentiments. About 23% of employees feel less positive about their workplace without a gift, while 18% report diminished motivation, and 17% find themselves less engaged. Clearly, neglecting the gifting aspect risks eroding workplace culture and morale.

Customer Perspective

The influence of gifting extends beyond employees and seeps into customer relations as well. Approximately 68% of customers enrolled in brand loyalty programs reported never receiving a holiday gift from their respective brands. This is a missed opportunity for building loyalty and connection, since 86% of customers who received gifts say it positively affected their view of the brand. The impact lasts too—35% believe the positive influence lingers for up to three months, whereas 29% claim it exceeds six months!

When it comes to memorable gifting, surprise and delight rank highest in customer preferences, with 39% highlighting it as key. Furthermore, 62% of employees and 74% of customers agree that personal touches, such as thoughtful notes, greatly enhance the experience, making it meaningful.

The Power of Personalization and Timeliness

According to the survey, the recommended period for gifting occurs mid-to-late December, with the sentiment of the gift being the focal point. More than half—75% of employees—prefer choosing their own gifts, while 60% would appreciate the option to allocate the gift’s value to charity, reinforcing the idea of gifting as a means to give back.

Conclusion: The Strategic Shift Towards Gifting

The data from Snappy unequivocally indicates that intentional gifting fosters significant value not just during the holiday season but across the entire year. With a staggering 67% of employees reporting that thoughtful gifts increase job satisfaction for up to six months post-receipt, it's clear that holiday gifting has evolved from a simple gesture to a strategic investment.

As organizations begin to recognize the substantial benefits of thoughtful gifting, it becomes a powerful tool for enhancing culture, driving engagement, and generating measurable impact throughout the year. The narrative surrounding holiday gifting is shifting—it's no longer a mere courtesy; it's an essential part of brand strategy and employee welfare.

In our ever-evolving business landscape, companies like Snappy are at the forefront of redefining how gifting can help forge meaningful connections, transforming fleeting moments into lasting relationships.