Christmas Gifts for Staff Appreciation
The end of the year is a time to celebrate achievements, mark milestones, and, most importantly, thank the people who make it all happen. A thoughtful gift for employees doesn’t have to be predictable; it can be indulgent, experiential and genuinely memorable. Instead of another bottle of wine or a branded mug, think of something that speaks to taste and experience, offering your team the luxury of time well spent when the out-of-office turns on.
Christmas gifts for employees can go far beyond token gestures. They recognise hard work in a way that creates connection, not clutter, moments that feel like rewards rather than obligations. By giving dining experiences, you’re offering choice, flexibility and the chance for staff to celebrate in their own style, whether with friends, family, or solo indulgence.
Need Christmas Gift Ideas for Staff?
And if you’re looking for inspiration, the options are as varied as your team itself. From a moody speakeasy with cocktails that impress, to an omakase menu that feels like a performance, or a riverside dinner where the view does the talking – these experiences double as a thoughtful gift for staff appreciation. Our curated gifts for employees prove gratitude tastes best when served with style.
Restaurants Ideas Your Staff Will Enjoy
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It's perfect for date night or dinner and drinks with friendsLook out for happy hour Tuesdays to Fridays from 4:30-6:00pmRead moreWaygood, just ten minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, offers a relaxed escape in Richmond, where rustic charm meets art deco flair. The menu changes weekly, highlighting locally farmed produce that pairs beautifully with an extensive wine list of over 80 bottles, so your team can choose their own flavour adventure. It’s dining with freedom built in, and the kind of experience that feels curated just for them.
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It's perfect for steak nights that feel a little bit fancy in a space that knows how to impressYou need to try the Wagyu ribeye or signature Monte cut with a side of truffle mac and cheeseLook out for the soaring ceilings inside the heritage-listed Elder HouseRead moreNestled in the centre of Adelaide, Meat & Wine Co balances vibrant African-inspired design with polished sophistication. High ceilings and pops of colour set the stage for a night where employees can focus on something other than spreadsheets – like perfectly grilled beef and a glass of wine they actually want.
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It's perfect for a date that might end in a lock-in.You need to try the steak tartare, hand-chopped and totally iconic.Look out for the hidden entrance behind the glowing psychic sign.Read moreStep inside Employees Only and transport your employees straight to the glamour of a New York speakeasy – no passport necessary. Nestled on Barrack Street, Sydney, the venue pairs moody charm with inventive cocktails, offering your team a chance to unwind in style after a busy year.
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Great Gatsby-Style Bar? Head to Blackbird Bar and Grill
Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
It's perfect for steak nights that segue into million-dollar sunset views.You need to try the steak board or Wagyu cut, cooked over an open wood-fire like the flavour VIP it is.Look out for the Great Gatsby–style bar, two levels of luxe décor, and that 180-degree riverside vista that steals the show.Read morePerched above the Brisbane River, Blackbird offers employees a night where steak takes centre stage and the sunset does the rest. From Wagyu cooked over an open wood-fired grill to sustainably sourced local produce, every bite feels indulgent, while the 180-degree river views provide a show all their own.
Experience Inspiration: Gifts For Employees
A traditional Japanese Omakase Menu
Kushiro, 175 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, VIC
Delightfully warn your staff that stepping into Kushiro means leaving the ordinary behind. The six-course omakase menu is a masterclass in precision and creativity, guiding diners through a journey of cold starters, seafood, meat, and dessert, each dish a conversation between traditional Japanese omakase technique and Melbourne's flair.
Yum-Cha with the lot at Hejo's Chinese Restaurant Hobart
Hejo's, 133 Elizabeth Street, Hobart CBD, TAS
Hobart’s CBD hides a little gem where the flavours of home meet a night out. Hejo’s yum-cha transforms traditional Chinese cooking into a lively experience, with dishes like deep-fried chicken in a chilli pot that practically dare you to resist going back for seconds. And since the dawn of yum-cha, it’s always been synonymous with team lunch.
Deluxe Private Teppanyaki Experience
Oborozuki, Level 3, 5/71 Macquarie Street, Sydney CBD, NSW
Few experiences feel as vibrant as an evening at Oborozuki’s Deluxe Private Teppanyaki Experience. Set within an exclusive teppanyaki room, the 9-course menu transforms dinner into theatre, with chefs showcasing precision and flair at the iron griddle. For employees, it’s not just a meal – it’s the chance to marvel, to sit back and enjoy a celebration that feels as elevated as the year’s achievements. Bring your own bib.
Show your appreciation this season – give your team a night to savour with a Best Restaurants gift card.