Christmas hampers more expensive this year; deemed necessary due to labor shortages

Christmas hampers have become more expensive this year, and are becoming an increasingly important way for employers to show appreciation to their staff, Christmas hamper sellers told ANP.

A Christmas hamper costs an average of 50 euros this year. They cost around 45 euros last year. The Christmas hamper and other gifts throughout the year are "more important than ever" for employers to keep staff satisfied and retain them, according to trade organization Promotional Product Professionals (PPP). This has apparently led to many companies increasing their budget for Christmas gifts.

“There is a significant labor shortage, and people want to feel appreciated, otherwise they will walk,” said part-owner Julie Poierrié of Kerstpakketten.nl, which sells hundreds of thousands of Christmas hampers a year.

The company also offers more expensive Christmas hampers at 150 euros, while the most expensive were 100 euros a few years ago. In some cases, customers have even ordered gift vouchers worth 300 euros for their employees. "That is huge. That was really unthinkable a few years ago."

Sandra Scholten, the owner of Life is a Gift, has also noticed that companies are spending more on Christmas gifts for their staff. “Companies think it is very important to show their appreciation for their staff, also with a gift.” She added that this is not only during Christmas but also throughout the year.

The number of people receiving Christmas hampers in the Netherlands is also increasing. According to PPP, the number of Christmas hampers and end-of-year gifts sold is currently more than eight million. That is more than last year and 2022 when around 7.4 million gifts were sent.

Another noticeable development in the Christmas hampers is that they are more often alcohol-free, several providers have said. This is partly because food items now have a lower tax percentage, which means that they can put more of these items in the hamper, said Anita Looman of gift company Stegman.

Employers are also taking into account employees who are not allowed to drink alcohol for reasons such as religion and health, and companies want to demonstrate that they are socially responsible, various providers said about the trend.

Popular gifts in the hampers are products that convey "warmth and coziness," such as a plaid, candlestick, or lamp, according to Poierrié. "The tea lights are hard to come by this year." Scholten sees that table LED lights are particularly popular, just like electric lighters. “People want something that will last.”