The concept of bonuses is not new. Companies have been using them for ages to attract new talent, keep workers motivated and boost morale. Bonuses, incentives, perks and gifts come in all shapes and sizes. Some will really push you to work hard. Others, as this list demonstrates, could deflate you faster than a helium balloon, and might even have you frantically searching for a new job.

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, an award-winning keynote speaker, and a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. He’s also completed an advanced masterclass in corporate gift-giving, and was happy to hand out a few tips when Bored Panda reached out to him.

Hyken says the point of a corporate gift is to show appreciation and/or to be remembered. “If that’s the point, is something that is ‘tacky, cheap and insulting’ what you want to be remembered for?” he says when we tell him about some of the gifts on this list.

Bored Panda asked Hyken to dish out some advice for companies that are getting an "F" on their report-card for gift giving, and here’s what he said…

“You do not have to put your logo on the gift, especially if it’s for a client or customer,” cautioned the expert. “A logo turns the gift into a marketing promotion. If the gift is memorable and meaningful, no logo is needed.”

However, it can sometimes work when gifting employees. “Company swag is nice. Here it is okay to use a logo. After all, the employee is part of a team.”

Hyken cautions that companies shouldn’t be over-the-top with branded gifts. “That nice quarter-zip sweater with a subtle logo is far different than having people walk around as a metaphorical billboard.”

“Another ‘no-no’ to consider is blindly gifting food or alcohol,” he warned. “Is the recipient on a diet, diabetic, or someone who abstains from alcohol?” He adds that food and alcohol can be appropriate, provided you have given thought about what you’re sending and to whom.

Hyken says a little can go a long way; for example, the gift of appreciation. “This isn’t a physical gift that costs money,” explained the expert. ”It can be a personal note from a boss, especially a higher-up executive.”

Hyken tells us about one of his friends who was the president of a large company. “When he heard about an employee doing something amazing, he would write the employee a note. He may never have met the employee, but he knew what they had done,” revealed Hyken. “He was surprised that when he would meet them years later, they would mention how much they appreciated the gift (the note). One employee carried the note in her purse, every day.”

“Time is a gift,” the expert told Bored Panda. “Giving someone a bonus day (or two) off to recognize someone for hard work or work well done is nice.”

“Consider giving employees an experience,” he adds. “Giving away tickets to concerts or sporting events or taking them out for a special evening, a happy hour, or a team-building outing is remembered and appreciated.”

Hyken says while money is not a bad gift and it’s almost always appreciated, it’s usually not memorable. “Employees will love getting a surprise bonus or financial gift, but keep in mind that it doesn’t create a long-term memory,” he explained. “It will be remembered as part of their compensation and not a ‘memorable’ gift.”

You may want to consider moving to Chennai, India if you’re after big, flashy corporate gifts. A company there called Team Detailing Solutions reportedly gifted 28 cars and 29 motorbikes to employees to boost their morale and give a great, big “Thank You” for their hard work in 2024. And we aren’t talking old, beaten-up vehicles. All were brand new, and some workers even received a Mercedes Benz.

The company revealed it has around 180 highly skilled workers who hail from “humble backgrounds”. Team Detailing Solutions started gifting cars and bikes in 2022. They select the most motivated employees when deciding who deserves new wheels.

"We wanted to show our appreciation for their tireless efforts in driving the company's success. We believe our employees are our greatest assets," said Managing Director of the company, Sridhar Kannan.

In addition to giving out cars and bikes, the company also provides what it calls "marriage assistance" to employees. Basically, when a worker is planning their wedding, they receive 100,000 rupees, which works out to around $1,200.

While corporate gifts don’t have to be extravagant and over-the-top, research shows they are important. One survey found that 57 % of employees polled were more likely to be loyal and continue working for a company that provides gifts to employees.

But gifts can backfire. 37% of respondents felt under-appreciated by their boss based on some of the gifts they’ve received. 42% said they'd received a gift they didn’t want. An empty tin, a rock, or a packet of popcorn might very well make that list.

“Even a relatively small gesture around the holidays can help generate a boost in employee morale and loyalty,” notes healthcare media company Health Leaders. “Companies that go the extra mile and try to get their workers thoughtful and meaningful gifts can expect even greater dividends.” In short, your corporate gift can be the gift that keeps giving (back to you) if you do it right.

Temy Mancusi-Ungaro is the Chief Executive Officer of global data-driven gifting platform Reachdesk. He says personalized and timely gifts are an excellent way for employers to let staff know they are humans that are appreciated and cared for. It also signals that the company wants to invest in their employees’ work experience.

The expert adds that there’s an almost guaranteed return on investment. “Every dollar I spend on my people, I get $10 in return. The more I invested in my employees, the better my customer service becomes,” said Mancusi-Ungaro in a podcast.

According to online gifting platform Giftsenda, corporate gifting strategy should begin with a budget. “Ensuring your gift aligns with your brand’s core values will help translate the message you intend on sending, but it is crucial to ensure you do not spend beyond your means,” explains the site.

Giftsenda cautions that companies should also take into account cultural sensitivities, conflicts of interest and legal regulations. Gifting has evolved over the years, and companies should think creatively and out-of-the box.

“Conventional gifts, like branded stationery and calendars are a thing of the past; making way for customized gifts, experiential offerings and the power of choice,” notes Giftsenda, adding that businesses are using personalization in gifting to make longer lasting impressions. 

Instead of a cheap, tacky, useless or insulting gift, corporates can consider buying experiences for their staff. Think sky-diving, cooking classes, concert tickets, or massages. And if you're reluctant to spend, and think frugality is going to pay out in the long run, think again. There are plenty of examples where it's backfired, and cost a company reputation damage.

In 2022, energy supplier E.On publicly apologized after sending socks to its customers as part of a badly thought-out PR campaign to generate awareness around saving energy. As per the BBC, the socks "came with a message encouraging people to leave 'lighter footprints' by turning heating down and lowering carbon emissions."

Customers were not amused, with many angered that the cost of living crisis in the U.K. was related to the rising cost of electricity.

"If you recently received a pair of socks from us, we would like to say we are incredibly sorry for how we have made some people feel," tweeted the company. "In light of the seriousness of current challenges that many people are facing, this mailing should have been stopped and we are sorry."

Case in point: put thought into gifts, or be willing to pay the price.