Christmas hamper alternative 2026: 6 options employees actually use
Pascal van Dalen
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TL;DR: in 30 seconds
The best Christmas hamper alternative in 2026 is a choice gift: employees choose for themselves from 150+ brands, digitally or on a physical card.
Fiscally the same as a Christmas hamper. Within the Dutch WKR free allowance (2% up to €400,000 payroll, 1.18% above that) it is tax-free.
No addresses, no boxes. Sent digitally to home workers, the office and colleagues abroad at the same time.
Prefer something tangible? Combine a physical Christmas card or small package with a digital balance.
💡 Why Giffy writes this
Since 2019 Giffy has arranged year-end gifts for employers: digital choice gift cards, physical cards and physical gifts. We see the same questions every year. This guide puts the answers in one place.
In short: Christmas hampers for staff
A Christmas hamper for staff is a voluntary gesture from the employer around the holidays. You are not obliged to give one, unless it is set out in the collective labour agreement (cao) or the employment contract. Within the WKR free allowance (2% up to €400,000 payroll, 1.18% above that) a Christmas hamper is tax-free, just like a gift card.
More and more employers replace the fixed hamper with a choice gift, so every employee can choose. With Giffy that starts from €10 per card, with a choice of 150+ brands, digital or physical. Looking for ideas per budget? Read more under Christmas gifts for staff.
Why are employers looking for a Christmas hamper alternative?
The classic Christmas hamper has its charm. In practice it runs into four problems in 2026:
One hamper does not suit everyone. Vegan, no alcohol, halal, allergies, or simply "no more stuff in the house".
Logistics with hybrid teams. Collecting addresses, delivery slots, returns and colleagues abroad.
Waste. What does not fit is given away or stays in the cupboard. That is budget that creates no appreciation.
Not very personal. "Happy holidays, on behalf of the board" feels like a group gesture.
The 6 best Christmas hamper alternatives for 2026
1. Choice gift card (recommended)
The employee receives a balance and chooses: a gift card from one of 150+ brands, a donation to a charity or a prepaid card.
For whom: every team, including diverse and international teams.
Why it works: everyone chooses what fits their life. Nothing is thrown away.
Cost: from €10 per card. With Giffy you only pay for the value you send; no platform, service or subscription fees.
More on how this works and what it costs: choice gift for staff.
2. Hybrid: a small physical moment plus a digital balance
A Christmas card, bottle or local product for the handover moment, topped up with a choice balance for the rest of the budget.
For whom: employers who want to keep the "unwrapping moment".
Note: the physical part still needs some logistics.
3. Experience gift
Dinner, wellness, a workshop or a concert instead of a box.
For whom: teams who would rather experience something than receive something.
Note: not everyone finds time to book. Choose a balance that lets the recipient pick an experience, so the choice stays open.
4. Donation to a charity of choice
The employee decides which charity receives the value.
For whom: organisations with a strong sustainability or CSR profile.
Note: some employees value a personal gift more. So offer the choice between a gift and a donation.
5. Gift card in your own branding
A choice gift with your logo, colours and message, from the email to the redemption page.
For whom: employers who want to link the gesture clearly to their own brand.
6. Net amount via the free allowance
An amount on the payslip, designated within the free allowance.
Advantage: simple and completely free to spend.
Disadvantage: it quickly feels like salary, not a gift. The festive moment disappears.
How employees can choose their own Christmas hamper
If you want employees to choose for themselves, there are three routes:
Choice gift card: everyone receives a balance and chooses a brand, donation or prepaid card. The simplest route for large and spread-out teams.
Catalogue of hampers: the employee chooses from a few fixed hampers. It works, but the choice is limited and shipping remains.
Hybrid: a fixed small gift at the office plus a choice balance.
With Giffy you send the choice gift card by email, by QR code or as a physical card. The recipient does not need an account.
Christmas hamper or choice gift: what does the WKR say?
For the Dutch Tax Administration there is no difference between a Christmas hamper and a gift card. You designate both as final levy wages within the free allowance of the work-related costs scheme (WKR):
2% of the first €400,000 of the tax payroll
1.18% of the remainder
If you exceed it, you pay an 80% final levy on the excess
Example: a payroll of €2,500,000 gives €8,000 + €24,780 = €32,780 free allowance. A €75 choice gift for 50 employees (€3,750) fits easily, also alongside other allowances.
Cash and a gift card that can be exchanged for money do count, but lose the gift effect. More calculations: tax-free Christmas hamper via the WKR, or calculate it directly with the WKR calculator.
🎁 Arranging a Christmas hamper alternative for your team?
Giffy arranges it in one working day: a choice of 150+ brands, digital, physical or both, in your own branding, with a WKR overview for Finance. From €10 per card, no platform fees. → Request a quote
Looking for inspiration per budget for Christmas gifts for staff? There are 12 ideas listed there.
Planning: how to switch this year
October: set the budget per employee and check the free allowance with Finance.
Early November: choose the format (digital, physical or hybrid) and prepare the recipient list. Digital needs no addresses.
End of November: write a personal message. One sentence from the manager makes more difference than a higher amount.
15 to 22 December: send. Earlier loses the Christmas feeling, later people are already on holiday.
Fully digital can even be done in the last week: a campaign is ready within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to a Christmas hamper?
A choice gift card. The employee chooses from 150+ brands, a donation or a prepaid card. No logistics are needed, nothing is thrown away and fiscally it is the same as a Christmas hamper.
How can employees choose their own Christmas hamper?
Give them a choice gift card or let them choose from a catalogue of hampers. With a choice gift card everyone receives a balance by email, QR code or physical card and then chooses. The recipient does not need an account.
Can you replace a Christmas hamper with a gift voucher?
Yes. A gift voucher or gift card falls within the WKR free allowance, just like a Christmas hamper. If the hamper is included in your collective agreement or employment contract, check whether a gift card is allowed as an equivalent replacement.
Is an employer obliged to give a Christmas hamper?
Usually not. A Christmas hamper is a voluntary gesture and not an employment condition, unless it is in the collective agreement or employment contract. If you have given it for years without reservation, it can become an acquired right. So state every year that it is a one-off, voluntary gesture.
What is a normal amount for a Christmas hamper?
Most employers give between €35 and €100 per employee. SMEs are often around €35 to €50, larger organisations around €75 to €100. More per occasion in guideline amounts per occasion.
How do you give a Christmas gift to home workers or colleagues abroad?
Digitally. You do not need an address: the recipient gets an email or link and chooses. The offer adapts per country, so everyone can spend it locally.
What about employees without a business email address?
Give them a physical card with a QR code, or send it to a private email address or phone number. Giffy delivers digitally, physically and combined.
When is the best time to send the Christmas gift?
Between 15 and 22 December. Order physical cards and hampers by mid-November at the latest; digital can be done until the last week.
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About the author
Giffy is the Dutch platform for business gift cards and choice gifts, founded in 2019 and B Corp certified. Companies use it to reward employees, customers and partners, digitally and physically, with a transparent chain from issuer to recipient. → getgiffy.com
I am a passionate and commercial professional with over 25 years of experience in leading sales and marketing development teams, implementing go-to-market strategies, and driving revenue growth in the FinTech - AI industry.
