Deck the halls: thoughtful gifts, whether practical or whimsical, or a well-planned holiday party will demonstrate your appreciation for employee dedication.

• Author: Sweeten, Elizabeth
• Position: Focus

Nearing the end of any year as erratic as 2005, companies often look for ways to celebrate the good and/or the end of the bad of the past year. Whether sales have been sluggish or revenues have skyrocketed, business owners typically look for ways to show the staff that their hard work is appreciated--especially through unstable times. Thoughtful gifts, whether practical or whimsical, or a well-planned holiday party will demonstrate your appreciation for employee dedication.

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"Employees need to know that you care about them as people," says David Gilliland, an HR consultant with Orem-based Employer Solutions Group. "Whether it's with a holiday or birthday gift, a party, or an appreciative gesture like a gift certificate, the message is what is important. It's about creating a culture that values people. This message needs to be regularly reinforced with words and through actions from the top. That is one way that companies can start to cultivate a truly committed staff and avoid the 'punch-in, punch-out' mentality."

Utah Business takes a look at great gift and party ideas (that still fall within a budget of which even Ebenezer Scrooge would approve).

Confections & Treats

Goodies are usually welcome tokens of holiday cheer around the office. Boxed chocolates, salt-water taffy, nuts, cookies, fruit baskets--there's no end to the tasty treats available as givable goodies. Salt Lake-based Edibles, Inc. can create edible greeting card cookies. This unique product uses sugar cookies covered in butter cream frosting to send pre-designed or custom messages. A company logo, photographed image or personalized message can also be placed in the frosting before being wrapped in a decorative box and packaged for delivery.

"One Christmas we made 850 cookies for Budweiser Corporation's employee Christmas party. There's really no limit to the size of the order or to the design," says Mickey Hale, Edibles founder and CEO. Many companies use their own logos or design their own graphics. It's a fun way to show employees that you appreciate them."

Retail Gift Cards

Gift cards are a great alternative for mid- to large-sized companies. Gift cards allow employees the freedom to choose something they genuinely want or need and take much of the headache out of thinking of gift ideas that will appeal to a wide range of tastes and personalities. Department stores, retail outlets, home electronics stores, media and...