5 Reasons to Send Digital Christmas Gift Cards to Your Team in Ireland

Christmas is more than just a holiday. It is a season of celebration, gratitude and reflection. Employees look forward to it all year, planning family getaways, wrapping presents and enjoying a well-earned break.

That's why Christmas presents the perfect opportunity for employers to go beyond the usual gestures and offer something truly meaningful to employees that is also practical to use. And in today's world, nothing strikes the perfect balance more than a digital gift card.

As workplaces evolve, so do employee expectations. With over 45% of Ireland’s workforce now working in a hybrid model, traditional gifts like paper vouchers or physical merchandise often miss the mark. Employees now value convenience, flexibility, and choice, and digital gift cards deliver all three.

In this article, we’ll explore why digital gift cards are more than just a festive perk. They’re a sign that you care, and they show that your company understands what employees truly value. Let’s dive into what makes digital gift cards a go-to gift and discover the best options available for Irish employers today.

5 Reasons Why Digital Cards Are The Best Christmas Gift?

Here are 5 reasons why digital cards are the best Christmas gift for your team:

Reason 1: Boosts Team Morale & Recognition

The holidays are an opportunity to strengthen team spirit and show employees they are valued. A recent survey by CleverCards revealed that 84% of Irish employees feel more loyal to their employer when they receive a Christmas gift card.

Recognising employees for their hard work signals appreciation for the commitment they have shown throughout the year. Moreover, when that recognition comes in the form that's easy to use, it does not just act as a reward; it also motivates employees.

Reason 2: Flexibility & Choice For Employees

The problem with one-size-fits-all rewards is that they are not practical. Every employee's life looks different. Some may save up for essentials, and others might want to treat themselves to something expensive during the festive season. Digital gift cards solve this beautifully.

It offers the flexibility to choose their rewards to the employees. Over 92% of Irish employees reported that the gift gesture feels genuinely useful when they have the flexibility to spend the gift card anywhere online or in-store rather than being restricted to specific retailers.

Reason 3: Tax-compliant In Ireland

Digital gift cards are quickly becoming an organisation's favourite, not only because they are easy to use but also because it is tax-efficient. Under Ireland's Small Benefit Exemption Scheme, employers can provide each employee with a digital gift card of up to €1,500 per year tax-free.

When compared to a tax bonus, that is a huge advantage, considering cash bonuses are considered part of income and are added to payroll. Which leads to tax deductions like PAYE, USC, PRSI, etc. To qualify as a benefit under the scheme, the benefit must not be in cash and should not exceed €1,500 per year. Learn more about the small benefit exemption scheme here.

Reason 4: Hassle-free Process for Employees

The year-end is hectic as it is for HR and finance teams. To top that, the pressure of organising gifts, distributing them, and ensuring everyone gets theirs on time. No wonder Christmas gifts have become just another administrative task.

In fact, research suggests that over 57% of HR professionals' time is spent on administrative tasks like manual processes, reimbursements, etc. Digital prepaid cards take that pressure off. You can now send cards instantly via email and avoid all paperwork and physical distribution of gifts, making the entire process hassle-free and stress-free.

Reason 5: Shows You're An Employee-Focused Brand

At the crux of it all, the truth is simple. Your employees make the business. How you treat them says a lot about your company's values. In today's competitive market, where the focus is on retaining top talent, small gestures like finding the 'perfect Christmas gift' set your brand apart.

Over 60% of employees say that feeling recognised for their efforts would decrease their desire to look for another job. So, when you send a digital gift card it is more than the reasons listed above; it is more about convenience or tax savings, it shows that you see their hard work, value their contributions and understand their needs.

The Best Gift Cards For Christmas For Employees In Ireland

When it comes to choosing the right digital card for Christmas for your employees, you can go for a Prepaid digital Mastercard like the one offered by CleverCards. These are prepaid digital cards that can be ordered online and sent instantly to your entire team via email. Employees can add their CleverCards to Google Pay or Apple Pay and use them online or in-store using contactless at over 50 million merchants worldwide.

Want to learn how to get your team digital gift cards this Christmas? Fill out the form below, and our team will reach out to you.