A little goes a long way when showing employees you care about them. Send employees memorable and useful gifts they’ll love—and that won’t break the bank. Not sure what promo item to pick? All of these items fit in a company’s budget and are sure to delight members of the team.
Here’s a list of the top 10 best budget gift ideas for employees under $5.
1. 12-oz Ceramic Mug
Usable and professional, this 12-oz Ceramic Mug is a hot commodity in the office or at home. Employees will reach for this mug for their morning (and maybe afternoon) coffee or tea. Its unique speckled design and nature-baked bottom makes it a high-quality item at a low price point.
2. Banded Pocket Journal
A Pocket Journal is the perfect gift for new hires and longtime employees. With 160 lined pages, a silver bookmark ribbon, and an elastic band, this little journal is a practical and timeless gift. Instead of pulling out their phones to type out notes, employees will use this handy notebook for important notes inside and outside of the office.
3. Cork Coaster Set in Tin
No one wants a boardroom table or desk damaged by cup rings or water marks. Protect shared surfaces and personal office furniture with branded coasters. These four coasters come in a round tin that is branded with a logo, inspirational message, or quote. Coasters are a budget-friendly way to give employees desk essentials.
4. Vegan Leather Pouch

Made with vegan leather, an organizational pouch is a luxury gift on budget. Print a different design on each side of the bag to double brand awareness and style. The zipper closure—offered in 10 different colors—organizes and holds small items or tech accessories for on the go or at a desk.
5. Mind Trap 3D Puzzle
Studies show solving puzzles improves productivity at work by training the brain to take a break, focus, and pay attention to details—that’s a lot of benefits for an inexpensive gift! Keep team members sharp with this fun and challenging 3D puzzle.
6. Squeeze Gel Ball
Every employee will want to use this Squeeze Gel Ball for stress-relief. It has gel beads inside that give a massaging feeling when squeezed and returns to original shape when released. This is sure to be an office favorite.
7. Custom 3-oz Scented Votive Candle

Give the gift of relaxation to employees with a custom candle. Scents range from berry spice to tropical melon for the perfect scent to delight anyone. The burn time lasts 14-15 hours, lighting up any home office space for hours at a time. A candle is a long-lasting and useful gift at a low price point.
8. 2-in-1 Aluminum Cell Phone Ring and Stand
This classy and inexpensive phone accessory is the perfect pairing for any device; it’s used as a phone stand and rotates 360 degrees for smooth handling. A laser engraved imprint area allows logos to shine.
9. Bee Balm
Employees will look good, feel good, and get a quality product for a low price knowing that this beeswax-based product is naturally derived from natural ingredients that include coconut oil, sunflower oil and peppermint oil. It's also the national brand equivalent to Burt's Bees® Beeswax Lip Balm.
10. Kettle Corn Gift Bag
Who doesn't love a midday snack? The Kettle Corn Gift Bag is filled with sweet and salty kettle corn making it a yummy, satisfying, and low-cost treat. This snack stands out among others with the option to choose from 11 bow colors and a space on the bag to have personalized brand messaging or a logo printed in full-color.
Key Takeaways:
All 10 items on this list are sure to delight employees. Affordable gifts come in all shapes and sizes, and can be memorable, too. For $5 or under, companies have the ability to make new and existing employees feel appreciated—and that is priceless.
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