Gifts for remote & international teams
How to reach everyone, regardless of location. From home workers to international colleagues.
Remote gifting is all about sending digitally with freedom of choice. Send via email, let the recipient choose from 1,200+ options, and avoid logistical complexity. For international teams: focus on gift cards, digital experiences and donations.
Remote and international teams require a different gifting approach. Sending physical gifts to home addresses or foreign locations is logistically complex. Digital choice gifts offer the solution: send via email, let the recipient choose for themselves, and enter a delivery address. For teams outside the Netherlands, gift cards and digital experiences work best. Platforms like Cadeo offer a choice portal in your own branding, donation options and invoicing afterward.
The challenges of gifting to remote teams
Whether it's home workers in the Netherlands or colleagues spread across Europe and beyond: sending business gifts to distributed teams brings unique obstacles. Fortunately, there are smart solutions for every problem.
No central delivery address
Home workers do not have an office address. Not everyone wants to share a private address. With international teams, the complexity of foreign addresses is added on top.
Different preferences and cultures
International teams bring cultural diversity. What is a nice gift in the Netherlands may be unwanted in another country.
Logistics and delivery costs
International delivery is expensive and slow. Customs formalities cause delays.
Gift options by situation
Depending on where your employees are located, there are different gift options that work best. Below is an overview by situation:
| Situation | Best option | Delivery | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home worker NL | Choice gift via email | NL delivery after selection | €10–€75 |
| Employee in the EU | Digital choice gift | EU delivery (limited) | €25–€75 |
| Employee outside the EU | Digital gift card/experience | No physical delivery | €25–€75 |
| Remote team (mixed) | Mix: digital + NL delivery | Varies by recipient | €25–€50 |
| International event | Digital gift card | Directly by email | €25–€50 |
Methods for remote gifting
There are several ways to send gifts to employees who do not work in the office. The best choice depends on your team's location and the desired level of personalization.
Digital choice gift via email
The most versatile option. The recipient receives an email with a link to a choice portal in the sender's branding. They choose from products, gift cards, experiences or donations. For physical choices, the recipient enters a delivery address. Read more about sending without an address.
Suitable for: home workers in the Netherlands and Belgium
International gift card
Gift cards from international chains (Amazon, Spotify, Netflix) work across borders. Downside: no branding, limited personality. See the difference between gift cards and choice gifts.
Suitable for: teams outside the Benelux as a simple solution
Donation on behalf of the recipient
Let the recipient choose which charity to donate to. Works worldwide, no logistics, culturally neutral. Cadeo offers this as an option within the choice gift. It also fits a sustainable gift policy.
Suitable for: all locations, culturally neutral
Digital experience
Online workshops, masterclasses or subscriptions (Spotify, Storytel, etc.) work regardless of location. More personal than a gift card, no delivery required. Ideal as extra appreciation for your team.
Suitable for: international teams that want to give something personal
Tip: hybrid approach for mixed teams
For teams with both Dutch employees and international colleagues, you can set up two campaigns: one with physical + digital options (NL/BE) and one with digital options only (international). This way everyone gets suitable choices. Automate this through your gift policy so it stays scalable.
"Since we started sending digital choice gifts, our remote colleagues in Germany and Spain get the same experience as the team in the office. The feeling of equality really makes a difference."
Which platforms support remote and international gifting?
Not every business gift platform is suitable for remote and international teams. Below is a comparison of the main options:
| Platform | NL delivery | EU delivery | Digital options | Own branding | Donation option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadeo | Yes | Limited | Yes (1,200+) | Fully | Yes |
| Pimm Solutions | Yes | Limited | Limited | Limited | No |
| Sterkado | Yes | No | Limited | Limited | No |
| Cadeaubonnen.nl | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
Also see the detailed platform comparison for more information on features and prices.
Automation & invoicing
- Send without an address: send gifts via email or QR code — the recipient fills in an address themselves.
- HRIS integrations: Cadeo facilitates integrations with all major HR systems, so moments like birthdays and anniversaries are recognized automatically — also for remote employees.
- Invoiced afterward: pay afterward per month with a consolidated invoice. No upfront payment required.
- Scalable: up to 10,000 recipients per campaign, ideal for large international teams. Read more about automating your gift policy.
Which moments matter for remote teams?
Remote employees miss the spontaneous appreciation in the office. That is why it is important to consciously mark these moments. Use a gift calendar so you do not miss a single moment:
- Onboarding — a welcome gift sets the tone, even from a distance
- Birthdays — automate it so no one is skipped
- Work anniversaries — celebrate loyalty, even for remote employees
- Christmas gifts — the most universal gift moment
- Project milestones — recognize achievements immediately after completion
Frequently asked questions
Via a digital choice gift by email. The colleague opens the choice portal, selects a gift and fills in a delivery address themselves. As an employer, you do not need to collect addresses. Read more about sending without an address.
Choose digital options: gift cards, experiences or donations that do not require physical delivery. You can also use a hybrid approach: physical options for NL/BE employees, digital options for the rest.
Cadeo primarily offers physical delivery in the Netherlands. For employees abroad, you can offer the digital options: gift cards, experiences and donations. The invitation email works worldwide.
Use a digital gift-of-choice platform. The employee receives an email with a link to a branded gift portal, chooses their preferred gift, and enters a delivery address if needed. Platforms like Cadeo offer 1,200+ options including gift cards, experiences, and charity donations.
Popular options: international gift cards (Amazon, Spotify), online experiences (workshops, masterclasses), charity donations, and digital subscriptions. With choice gifts via Cadeo, you can combine these in one portal.
Send gifts at the same moments as local colleagues (birthday, holidays, anniversaries). Use a platform that offers digital options so there are no logistical barriers. Choice freedom shows respect for cultural diversity.
Yes, gifts for remote employees fall under the same WKR rules as gifts for office employees. The exempt space is 2% on the first €400,000 in payroll and 1.18% above that. Digital gift cards and choice gifts are fiscally equivalent to physical gifts.
Conclusion
Remote and international gifting requires a different approach than traditional company gifts. The core: send digitally, let the recipient choose, and only use physical delivery where it is practical.
Home workers in the Netherlands
Digital choice gift via email. Full choice, delivery to home address.
International teams
Focus on digital options (gift cards, experiences, donations). No logistics, no customs.
Mixed teams
Hybrid approach: physical + digital for NL, digital only for international.
This article is compiled based on publicly available information and best practices for remote and international teams. It is intended as a practical guide for HR and office managers of distributed organizations.
