The Mental Health Moment
Employee burnout isn’t just climbing—it’s compounding. According to the 2024 Gallup State of the Workplace Report, 62% of employees report being emotionally detached at work, and 44% experience daily stress. The American Psychological Association (APA) adds more than 1 in 5 workers say they have experienced harm to their mental health at work, especially among Gen Z and Millennial employees.
At the same time, expectations have shifted. Employees aren’t looking for ping-pong tables or one-off mental health days—they want support systems that feel human. Thoughtful. Joyful.
Turns out, joy isn’t fluff. It’s a strategy.
And that’s where experience gifting quietly shines. Unlike traditional perks, it taps into deeper psychological needs: rest, autonomy, creativity, connection. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s an overlooked lever—especially for HR teams rethinking how to support mental health in a real, sustainable way.
The Science of Feel-Good Gifting
Let’s get one thing straight: experience gifts are not frivolous. They are evidence-based interventions that meet employees' core psychological needs—connection, autonomy, novelty, and rest.
1. Anticipation Boosts Mood and Motivation
One of the most powerful emotional benefits of an experience gift happens before the experience itself. Psychologists call this the "anticipation effect," and it’s been shown to elevate mood, increase motivation, and even enhance cognitive performance (Knutson et al., 2005). Whether it's a cooking class, a guided hike, or a massage, simply knowing something enjoyable is on the horizon can serve as a buffer against burnout.
2. Experiences Strengthen Social Bonds
The U.S. Surgeon General has identified social disconnection as a public health crisis, and in remote or hybrid work environments, the isolation is often intensified. Shared experiences—whether done with coworkers, friends, or family—help rebuild the relational scaffolding that supports mental health. According to the [2023 Harvard Study of Adult Development](file:///Users/fayelaufketter/Downloads/hart-2023-harvard-study-of-adult-development-human-connection-is-key-to-health-and-well-being.pdf), strong social connections are the number one predictor of long-term well-being.
3. Memory > Material
Cornell University’s research consistently finds that experiences lead to more lasting happiness than material goods, because they become part of our identity. You forget who gave you the insulated mug, but you remember horseback riding through autumn trails, laughing nervously as the horse picked up speed. Experiences embed joy in memory—and that’s where resilience lives.
Real Stories, Real Smiles
At a mid-sized law firm with a reputation for high-stakes litigation and long hours, burnout had become almost expected. The HR team wanted to do more than offer platitudes or wellness webinars. They wanted to create space for recovery.
So, instead of another round of gift baskets or spot bonuses, they tried something different: a curated menu of decompressing experiences that employees could choose from—everything from pottery classes to guided outdoor adventures.
One associate, fresh off a months-long trial, opted for a horseback riding experience just outside the city.
“It was completely out of my comfort zone,” she said. “But being on a horse, in the middle of nature, with my phone off for a few hours, was the first time in a long time I remembered what calm actually feels like.”
She returned to the office lighter, more grounded. Word spread, and participation in the program grew. For many on the team, it became not just a perk, but a lifeline—a reminder that they were more than their billable hours.
These kinds of stories aren’t rare. They’re what happens when companies recognize that supporting mental health doesn’t have to be clinical. It can start with moments of joy.
How to Build Joy into Your Culture—Without Burning Budget
The beauty of experience gifting is its flexibility. You don’t need a huge team or a giant line item to make it work. Here are a few ways to get started, whether you’re a 50-person team or a global organization.
🗓️ Quarterly Joy Drops
Designate one day per quarter as your “joy drop” date. Let employees choose from a rotating set of experiences that reflect the season — sailing trips in summer, cooking classes in fall, spa days in winter. The key is consistency. Make joy a rhythm, not a one-off.
💡 Working with a tighter budget? Turn it into a rotating raffle or reserve it for top performers each quarter. That way, everyone has a shot at something special — without exceeding your spend.
💆 Wellness, Reimagined
Move beyond yoga mats and into holistic wellness: sound baths, reiki, forest bathing, creativity workshops. These experiences meet employees where they are, without assuming everyone relaxes the same way.
🏡 Remote-First? No Problem
Curate experience gifts that can be enjoyed from anywhere—virtual cooking classes, local nature passes, or delivery-based hobby kits. If employees are globally distributed, focus on experiences redeemable in their home cities or offer flexible vouchers that fit their location.
✨ Milestone Magic
Turn work anniversaries and major wins into moments of personal celebration. Skip the plaques and offer personalized experiences instead. One employee might love a hot air balloon ride, while another prefers a guided wine tasting. The personalization is what makes it stick.
📊 Measure What Matters
Use pulse surveys before and after each gifting cycle to assess impact. Are employees feeling more engaged? Less stressed? It doesn’t need to be a formal study—just track the sentiment. You’ll start to see patterns that justify the practice.
Start with Joy (and Watch What Happens)
If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that resilience isn’t just about pushing through. It’s about recovering well. And in a world where burnout has become the default, joy is a radical act of leadership.
Experience gifting isn’t about entertainment. It’s about emotional ROI. It says to your people:
You deserve to rest. You deserve to enjoy. You deserve to feel like more than just an employee.
And when people feel seen that way, they tend to stick around. They tend to step up. They tend to pay it forward.
So no, this isn’t about horseback riding or pottery or spa days. It’s about building a culture that doesn’t wait for a crisis to prioritize mental health.
Start with joy. And watch what happens next.
Want to continue the conversation? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our corporate team at corporate@giftory.com or 1-877-443-8679.