Leaders want a year end celebration where their hybrid teams can feel connected. However, due to differences in schedules and time zones, it can get complicated. This, then, makes preparation crucial to make the end-of-the-year celebrations fun and memorable for hybrid teams. The planning usually begins with a simple question: What kind of year end celebration do you want your hybrid team to have? Fun? Memorable? The kind they’ll talk about even after the holidays? The next question you should ask yourself should be: “How can I achieve my goal?”

The simplest answer is swag.

Using Swag to Create a Shared Experience

Picture this: an in-office celebration with a handful of employees, with big screens that show your teammates joining you via Zoom who can’t physically attend the party. It’s fun, and people are mingling even through the screens, but something still feels missing. A connection. A physical anchor that connects both in-office and remote teams. That’s the role of swag.

Swag is one of the simplest tools that you can use to create an equal celebration for your hybrid teams, as it gives them a common denominator. A swag kit can be opened together on Zoom. A single item, like a beanie, sent before the end of the year celebration, can be used as a prop during the gathering to make everyone feel included, no matter if they sit behind a screen or join the party onsite.

Why Swag Matters During End of Year Celebrations of Hybrid Teams

Here are a few reasons why you should use swag during your year end celebration parties. 

1. Encourages Participation in Hybrid Year-End Events

Swag gives your employees a reason to join and engage during end-of-year celebrations. Receiving a curated swag kit, for instance, can create excitement and anticipation, making hybrid gatherings more interactive. It also ensures both remote and in-office employees feel included in the shared experience.

2. Boosts Morale and Shows Appreciation

A personalized swag kit signals that you value each of your team members. The unboxing experience also provides a tangible reminder of recognition, reinforcing positive feelings about your company. For hybrid teams, this simple gesture can uplift spirits during a busy season and strengthen emotional connection to the workplace.

3. Supports Engagement and Company Culture

Swag can reinforce themes like wellness, productivity, or holiday cheer while encouraging participation in year-end events. When your employees share their swag kits internally or even on social media, it amplifies engagement and fosters a sense of pride and belonging across the entire team.

Impact of Swag on Team Morale

The psychological effect of a well-curated holiday swag or swag kit is stronger than you’d expect. Hybrid teams often feel overlooked when year-end celebrations are centered around the office. As such, a swag item can help close that gap by telling your employees, remote or otherwise, “Hey, we thought of you, and we want you to experience this with us.”

The unboxing moment during the gathering also creates a shared emotional experience. People will recognize the thoughtfulness behind sending them swag prior to the year-end gathering. This, in turn, turns a simple gift into a shared memory and creates a small but powerful morale boost during a demanding season.

Swag also influences the way your employees talk about your company. Your teams are more likely to share premium swag or holiday swag kits on social media or show their loved ones what their workplace sent them. Such moments strengthen internal pride and reinforce belonging, overall helping shape the company’s culture narrative from inside and outside.

What are the top end-of-year swag ideas for hybrid teams?

If you’re struggling with coming up with holiday gifting ideas or a comprehensive holiday gifting list, then we’ve got you! Here are some hybrid team swag ideas you should consider for your end-of-the-year celebration.

Pout & Pucker Lip Balm Moisturizer - $1.79

Gentle, paraben-free lip care made with all-natural beeswax and soothing aloe. Packaged in sustainable kraft paper tubes, it’s a small, thoughtful item that adds a personal touch to any holiday kit.

21" Impact Aware™ Rpet 190t Pongee Dual Colour Mini Umbrella - $14.55

A practical and sustainable accessory for unpredictable winter weather. Made from recycled RPET fabric with AWARE™ tracer, it supports water-saving initiatives while giving your team a functional, eco-conscious gift.

Ukiyo Glass Hydration Tracking Bottle With Sleeve - $10.40

This clever 600ml water bottle helps employees track their daily hydration goals. Dishwasher safe and BPA-free, it’s both practical and visually appealing for home and office use. 

Camelbak® Horizon 350 Ml Vacuum Insulated Wine Tumbler - $16.48

Perfect for mulled wine or hot cocoa, this insulated tumbler keeps drinks at the ideal temperature while offering a sleek, modern design. Ideal for toasts during your holiday events.

Mercer+mettle® Soft Blend Beanie - $10.36

A cozy, stylish winter essential that works well on video calls, helping remote employees feel included in the celebration.

Swissdigital® Arbon Rfid Travel Business Backpack - $37.50

Functional and modern, this backpack features RFID protection, USB charging, and a trolley sleeve, which is great for hybrid employees on the go. 

Everest 24 Can Backpack Cooler - 10.5" X 14" X 7.3" - $15.82

Ideal for outdoor adventures or office picnics, this insulated cooler backpack combines utility with festive practicality. Make sure to include this either as a swag giveaway or a part of a holiday swag kit!

Owala 32 Oz Free Sip Water Bottle - $43.99

Triple-layer insulated and leak-proof, this bottle keeps drinks cold up to 24 hours. A versatile, high-quality item for daily use at home or in the office that your teams will surely use even after the holidays.

Rpet Fleece Blanket - $16.95

Soft and eco-friendly, this fleece blanket provides warmth and comfort during the winter season, a perfect addition to any team swag idea kit.

Kashmiro Comfort Pen - $4.09

A sleek executive pen with a soft, cashmere-like finish. Practical, elegant, and perfect for a branded touch in your unique company swag kits.

The Best Swag Platform for Global Hybrid Teams 

Delivering thoughtful hybrid workplace swag to global hybrid teams is easier with a platform built for global teams. And that is PerkUp!

PerkUp takes the complexity out of delivering hybrid workplace swag for end of year events, ensuring that every employee, whether hybrid, fully remote, or in-office, receives a thoughtful, high-quality experience. With PerkUp, you can send curated, useful corporate swag seamlessly across the globe, without worrying about shipping logistics, customs, or duties.

The platform offers On Demand swag and bulk swag, so you can choose between 1-unit minimum orders and a large-scale production run. Its centralized event management is also suitable if you have recurring holiday events across the globe, as you can coordinate multiple events from a single dashboard to monitor swag and adjust orders in real time.

PerkUp also integrates directly with tools your team already uses, including HRIS platforms, giving you a complete view of engagement and participation. You can tailor the swag experience to specific departments or individuals, segmenting shipments based on location, preferences, or roles, and ensuring every swag feels personal.

Beyond logistics, PerkUp supports customization. Thanks to its in-house design team, you can create unique swag ideas that align with your brand, whether that’s a curated holiday kit or a playful seasonal gift. Sustainability is also baked into the process, with options for eco-friendly materials and packaging, making it easy to deliver holiday swag items that reflect your company’s values.

In short, PerkUp isn’t just a platform for sending swag for hybrid teams. Rather, it’s a full-service platform for creating inclusive and memorable Christmas 2025 celebrations that make every hybrid team member feel recognized and connected through swag.

FAQs about Year End Celebrations for Hybrid Teams

How can I effectively prepare for year end events involving both in-office and global remote teams?

Effective preparation starts with inclusivity. Define your event goals and budget upfront, and decide which elements, such as activities, swag, and entertainment, will be shared between in-office and remote employees. Early communication is key: announce the date, provide clear instructions, and ensure everyone knows how to participate. Consider using shared digital tools to centralize activity sign-ups and swag preferences so no one feels left out.

What are the best strategies to organize year end celebrations that include hybrid employees?

The best strategy is to design the event as one cohesive experience rather than two separate ones. Include activities that can be completed together, whether people are in the office or at home. Use swag as a connector, making sure to send out items or kits ahead of time so everyone can participate equally.

How can I overcome time zone differences when scheduling year end events for hybrid teams?

Overcoming time zone challenges requires flexibility and creativity. Identify the best overlapping hours for the majority of your team, and plan live sessions during those windows. When overlap isn’t feasible, offer multiple session options or asynchronous activities that can be completed on employees’ own schedules.

How does team building during year end events benefit hybrid teams?

Team building strengthens connections and morale across hybrid teams. Shared festive experiences foster camaraderie and reduce feelings of isolation among employees who can’t attend physical events. Swag and shared experiences act as tangible reminders of inclusion and company culture.