Why Offsite Gifting Deserves More Thought
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We’ve been part of many team offsites over the years, often leading team-building sessions that sit at the heart of the experience. But beyond the workshops and the beach bonfires, there’s one request that keeps coming up from organizers: “Can you suggest some good gifts we can give the team?”
Sounds simple. But in reality, it’s anything but.
I still remember a conversation during a workshop in Goa. A participant looked at the table of welcome kits and sighed, “Another Hawaiian shirt?” He went on to share that this was his third Goa offsite in five years. Every time, the gift had been the same. “It’s become an inside joke now,” he told me. “We wear it for one group photo and then it disappears into some closet back home.”
That moment stuck with me. Because while offsite gifting may seem like a small gesture, it holds enormous potential. When done right, a thoughtful gift can become a powerful emotional anchor, something that reminds people of the connection, the learning, and the shared moments from the offsite.
But when done without intention, it becomes just another missed opportunity.
So, if you’re looking for ideas that will actually resonate, here are four themes that have stood out time and again in our work with diverse teams. They are current, customizable, and most importantly, human.
1. Customized T-Shirts That Actually Feel Personal
Let’s be honest. Most of us have received the generic company-logo T-shirt at an event or offsite. And while they serve a purpose, they rarely create lasting impact. One participant even joked that he collects them just to pass along as household hand-me-downs.
But here’s the thing. A T-shirt doesn’t have to be boring. It just needs better design and a bit more thought.
What we’ve seen work
At a recent team offsite, each person received a shirt with not just their name, but a one-line message from their team. It could be funny, heartfelt, or inspiring. The reaction was incredible. People wore the shirts proudly the next day. Some even posted about it online.
When personalization meets creativity, even the most familiar item becomes memorable.
Ideas to make it meaningful
- Use design themes that align with the location or the offsite’s spirit
- Add nicknames, inside jokes, or shared wins from the last year
- Include space for teammates to sign or doodle on each other’s shirts
- Choose quality over quantity, soft, well-fitted fabrics go a long way
A personalized gift reflects effort. And effort is what people remember long after the event is over.
2. Photo-Based Memorabilia That Spark Nostalgia
If your offsite includes a photographer, and most do, you’re sitting on a goldmine of emotional storytelling.
Instead of letting those pictures gather dust in a shared drive, why not turn them into something people can see and use every day?
What works beautifully
One of our client teams took a group photo on the first day of their three-day offsite. By the end of the trip, each participant had received a coffee mug with that image printed on it, along with the name of the event and date.
Another team created a desktop calendar filled with candid moments from the offsite. It arrived by courier a week later with a thank-you note. The photos captured laughter, teamwork, and spontaneous joy. People placed them proudly on their desks.
This kind of memorabilia rekindles memories and deepens belonging.
Easy ways to personalize
- Coffee mugs, desktop calendars, or photo frames with team snapshots
- Postcards with handwritten notes and behind-the-scenes pics
- Digital slideshows or screensavers shared as a follow-up
- Photo collages as printed posters or table cards at the closing dinner
You can also pair this approach with experiences like Gamified Onboarding, where photos document growth and discovery along the way.
People are more likely to keep something that helps them remember a moment that made them feel part of something bigger.
3. Theme-Linked Objects That Reinforce the Message
The best offsites are more than vacations or bonding sessions. They are moments of alignment, where teams reconnect with purpose, strategy, and shared ambition.
If your offsite has a theme, your gift can be an extension of that story.
When done right
One team had a theme of “Execution with Speed.” Their closing gift was a classic hourglass timer with the team’s name etched on the base. It now sits on many of their desks as a daily reminder. It wasn’t expensive, but it was thoughtful.
Another team working on collaboration gave out puzzles with custom-designed team graphics. A third team used the theme “Clarity,” and their gift was a high-quality lens cleaner with a message printed on the pouch: “Keep Your Vision Clear.”
Books can also be a great fit here. If your theme is tied to resilience or creativity, gifting a relevant book with a short note inside can add real depth. You’ll find some good ideas in our post on 10 Best Books to Gift During a Team Offsite.
Things to consider
- Tie the gift directly to the offsite’s message or goal
- Use metaphors that are easy to understand and remember
- Make sure it is something people will actually use or display
- Avoid generic motivational phrases that lack authenticity
A gift can act as a quiet ambassador for the lessons and values shared during the offsite.
4. Deep Personalization That Goes Beyond Material Gifts
Sometimes, the best gifts are not physical at all. They are emotional. They reflect effort, intention, and care.
One of the most powerful gestures I’ve seen came from an HR head who wrote handwritten notes to every member of a 300-person team. Each note referenced a specific contribution that person had made over the year. Many recipients said it was the first handwritten message they’d received in years.
It cost next to nothing. But it meant everything.
Other deeply personal touches
- Small pouches or kits with items chosen specifically for each person
- Quote cards with a line that reflects the person’s journey or strengths
- Audio messages or video snippets from peers or leaders
- Certificates of appreciation written in poetic or humorous language
- Team badges or pins with custom icons representing inside jokes or role
What matters most is that the person receiving the gift feels seen.
Thoughtfulness is always memorable. And in a world that moves fast, a pause to recognise someone’s journey stands out.
Bonus: Mix and Match for a Multi-Layered Experience
You don’t have to choose just one idea. In fact, the best offsite experiences often blend a few of these elements.
Imagine opening your offsite kit to find a soft, custom T-shirt with your name, a welcome note written by your manager, and a puzzle piece you later discover connects with others during a team activity. By the end of the offsite, you receive a photo calendar and a thank-you card summarising team achievements.
This layered approach helps build both individual connection and collective energy. And it reminds everyone that the offsite was not just an event, but a shared milestone in the team’s story.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
In hybrid and remote-first workplaces, shared experiences are harder to come by. Team offsites offer a rare chance to reconnect, realign, and refresh.
A gift might seem like a small thing in the grand scheme of planning. But it is often the one thing people take back home. It becomes a symbol of everything that was felt but not always said, the appreciation, the energy, the effort to make people feel valued.
When we neglect this moment, we miss a valuable opportunity to reinforce culture. But when we get it right, we deepen trust, belonging, and engagement.
Programs that help build high performance teams often include a gifting component, not as a formality, but as a meaningful close to the experience. Because appreciation, when done right, becomes an extension of the learning itself.
Final Thoughts: Gifting with Intention
If you’re planning your next offsite, don’t let the gifting part be an afterthought. It’s a chance to say, “We see you. We appreciate you. And we’re glad you’re part of this journey.”
Here’s what I’ve learned. The best gifts don’t just fill a bag. They fill a moment with meaning.
So ask yourself:
- Will this gift spark joy or reflection?
- Will it be kept, used, or displayed?
- Will it deepen someone’s connection to the team or the experience?
If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.
And if you’re ever tempted to go with another Hawaiian shirt, maybe just pause and ask your team what they really want instead.
Because in the end, it’s not the gift that matters. It’s the thought that stays behind.
