GiftCard Partners Blog

The holidays are upon us and for many employers it’s a reminder of how many of our corporate holiday traditions have changed. Holiday parties, cash bonuses and corporate gift programs seem like a pre-pandemic memory, rather than something employees expect to hear about this year. 

As we approach 2026, the new year presents an exceptional opportunity: employees feel renewed, ready to adopt fresh habits, embrace new goals and take on new challenges. It’s also a pivotal moment in many organizations’ fiscal calendars to help teams start strong and set up a year of success.

Retaining talent is extremely important for the success of any organization. After a year of working remotely, employees may not be as engaged as they previously were, and the pandemic has completely changed the corporate landscape into an employees’ market. Employees no longer have to fight for positions or accept jobs they don’t love. They now have the flexibility to get a job anywhere in the United States; all they need to do is hop on a Zoom interview from the comfort of their couch, give notice, and they could decide to leave your organization in a matter of days or weeks. 

As we approach the holiday season, the traditional office party is no longer the primary way to celebrate and thank employees. Many companies are opting for more flexible, digital solutions to recognize employee contributions, particularly in the era of remote work and distributed teams. With budgets often tightened and in-office camaraderie difficult to replicate, digital rewards—especially eGift cards—are emerging as the go-to solution for end-of-year employee appreciation.

Over the last few years, remote and hybrid work models have become standard practice across industries. In fact, as of 2024, nearly 30% of all full-time employees work remotely, 63% have flexible work arrangements, and 16% of U.S. companies are fully remote. While the urgency of the 2020 pandemic may have subsided, keeping remote employees engaged, connected, and motivated remains a top challenge for HR teams and organizational leaders.