You’ve got budget to spend. A milestone to celebrate. A team to appreciate.
So what do you do? You send an experience gift. (Nice move.)
With Giftory, that could mean a “choose your own experience” collection or a gift card — giving each recipient the power to pick the experience that fits them best.
And here’s where it gets interesting: the experience they choose says a lot about them — not just their personal taste, but how they unwind, what motivates them, and what kind of culture they thrive in.
Whether you’re in HR, People Ops, or just the person who gets tagged in the “how should we reward the team?” thread, paying attention to what employees choose can give you surprising insight into what makes them tick — and how to support them better.
Let’s decode what their choice says — and how it can quietly shape your employee engagement strategy.
They Picked a Creative Class
They’re the Culture Builder
These are your curious minds — the employees who gravitate toward cooking classes, pottery sessions, painting workshops, and candle pouring. They’re expressive, hands-on, and often the first to say, “We should do something like this as a team.”
What it says about them:
They value connection and creativity. They enjoy learning by doing and are likely to spark meaningful conversations, fresh ideas, and better cross-team bonds.
Client example:
One of our partners launched a monthly “First Fridays” tradition: employees chose from rotating creative experiences like pasta-making and terrarium-building. It quickly became the most anticipated program of the month.
Explore more options like the ones they loved:
They Chose an Adrenaline Rush
They’re the Energy Driver
Think escape rooms, axe throwing, rock climbing, or ziplining. These are your thrill-seekers — the people who bond best when the stakes are high (or the timer is counting down).
What it says about them:
They love momentum. They recharge through challenge and are often the ones who rally teams, bring energy to brainstorms, and push projects over the finish line.
Shared at recent conferences:
Several companies told us they’ve started gifting open-ended team experiences that employees can redeem with a colleague of their choice — the only requirement? Snap a photo together and share it in the team chat. It’s simple, scalable, and drives connection across all levels.
Give them more action-packed options:
They Booked a Food or Drink Experience
They’re the Social Connector
These are the people who don’t just redeem a gift — they turn it into a moment. They pick food tours, chef’s tastings, brewery walks, or wine pairings and probably invite someone to join them.
What it says about them:
They value shared experiences and find joy in bringing people together. They’re often the glue that helps teams bond naturally and are great ambassadors for company culture, onboarding, and social events.
Real-world highlight:
A sales org we partner with gifted top performers private food tours — but encouraged them to invite someone from another department, or even a client if they wanted. The unexpected pairings led to new friendships, smoother collaboration, and higher overall participation in recognition programs.
Support their love of connection through flavor:
They Chose a Spa Day or Wellness Retreat
They’re the Recharge Role Model
This employee saw the word “float therapy” or “90-minute massage” and said, “Yes please.” They value wellness, restoration, and mental clarity — and they know how to advocate for their own balance.
What it says about them:
They’re often leaders in emotional intelligence. They normalize rest, model healthy boundaries, and appreciate a company culture that takes well-being seriously.
What one HR leader did:
They offered quarterly wellness experiences with one small twist — recipients had to book them during working hours. It sent a clear message: your well-being isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of how we do business.
More wellness-forward options to support their reset:
- Luxury Spa Gifts
- Mindfulness & Wellness Sessions
- Relaxing Retreats
They Redeemed a Gift Card
They’re the Independent Explorer
They wanted flexibility. Maybe they needed more time to decide, had a specific interest in mind, or simply appreciated the autonomy to choose on their own terms.
Or maybe they had someone else in mind — a spouse, a partner, a child — and wanted to pick something they could enjoy together. (That’s a common use case we see, and a smart one.)
Either way, they took ownership — and that tells you they value freedom, intention, and shared experiences.
What it says about them:
They value personalization and ownership. They might not be the loudest voice in the room, but when they speak up (or opt in), it’s intentional. These are often the same employees who help refine systems, improve tools, and give clear feedback.
Giftory insight:
Companies often organize curated gift card bundles around themes like “Adventurer” or “Date Night” to make choosing easier and more fun for employees. For example, a team in Boston recently used the Boston Date Night Collection to celebrate hitting a sales milestone, while a remote-first company opted for the Virtual Experience Collection so employees around the country could join wine tastings and trivia nights from home.
Great follow-up options for flexible giftees:
- Giftory Experience Gift Cards — let them pick their own adventure
- Date Night Collection — curated romantic nights out in major cities
- Virtual Experience Collection — great for remote teams or distributed offices
Why It Matters
Experience gifting isn’t just a feel-good perk — it’s a lens into what motivates your team. The choices they make reflect how they recharge, how they connect, and what they care about most.
Tracking trends in what employees redeem can help you:
✔️ Personalize future recognition
✔️ Spot patterns in team dynamics
✔️ Build stronger cross-functional relationships
✔️ Strengthen your culture in small, consistent ways
When someone chooses pottery over skydiving — or a wine tasting over a spa day — that tells you something. And the better you listen, the better you can lead.
Want to Learn More About What Your Team's Choices Say?
📍 Launch a “What Would You Pick?” quiz internally
📍 Let employees tag a teammate to join their next experience
📍 Try curated collections that reflect different personalities
👉 Browse Experience Collections
👉 Send a Giftory Gift Card