Thoughtful Holiday Gift Ideas for Your ABA Staff

The holiday season is officially upon us! Are you thinking about showing your RBTs, BCBAs, and support staff some gratitude this holiday season? Let's explore a few ideas you can consider when selecting holiday gifts for your ABA staff.

Staff Preference Assessments

Before we dive into gift ideas, it's important to discuss staff preference assessments. Just as preference assessments help identify things and activities that may be motivating to your clients, the same approach can be applied to staff and supervisees. We encourage organizations to gather staff preferences during onboarding. That information can then be referenced during the holiday season.

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6 Holiday Gift Ideas for ABA Staff

Here are a few ideas to inspire your gift giving plans. Use your team's individual preferences to guide your selections.

1. Money/Gift Card
   

   Let's be honest, money talks.

   
   

   Last year, we polled BCBAs on LinkedIn about the gift ideas they most prefer or appreciate, and 68% of respondents said they most prefer money. Especially in today’s economy, a financial bonus or gift card can go a long way in showing appreciation. Pair it with a personalized note of appreciation!
   

2. Paid Time Off (PTO)
   

   If you’d rather not give money or gift cards, consider gifting extra paid time off. PTO gifts show that you value work-life balance, something especially important in a field susceptible to burnout.
   

3. Tangible Gifts/Personalized Swag
   

   Company "swag" can be very hit-or-miss. Some BCBAs and RBTs love company-branded tote bags, hoodies, pens, and mugs, while others may not find them exciting at all. This is why preference assessments are so important. If you go the swag route, consider personalizing it. Adding a name, position title, or a design that reflects that individual staff can add a touch of thoughtfulness and make it more meaningful.

   
   

   Here are a few other tangible gift ideas:

• Office decor

• Ornaments

• Books

• Plants

• Inspirational crochet gifts

• Snack care package

• Coffee or tea

• Apparel

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4. Self-Care Gifts
   

While working in ABA is rewarding, it can also be demanding and draining. Consider self-care gifts, like:

• Spa gift cards

• Stress-relief baskets

• Self-care journals

• Mindfulness cards

5. Therapy Materials

   We wouldn't recommend gifting the tools that are necessary for your staff to do their job (e.g., technology, assessments). But some therapy materials could be practical and appreciated as gifts. For example, you could create reinforcer bags for your direct care staff, so they have some fresh new things to make sessions more engaging and reinforcing.
   

6. Experience-Based Gifts
   

   If your team values group events, you may want to allocate your holiday gift funds toward an experience, rather than a tangible item. Team events can be enjoyable, though there are many potential barriers to attendance, making it less practical of a gift for everyone.

   
   

   We probably sound like a broken record by now, but fall back on your preference assessment data to determine whether an experience is the right choice for your team.

   Here are a few activity ideas:

• Dinner

• Escape room

• Bowling

• Comedy show

• Arcade

Showing Appreciation to BCBAs & RBTs

Showing appreciation to your ABA staff during the holiday season doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should be intentional. Whether you choose money, PTO, self-care items, or something else, the most meaningful gifts are those that reflect your staff’s individual preferences and needs. Taking the time to understand what motivates each person not only ensures your gifts are well-received, but it also communicates respect, gratitude, and genuine care. Happy Holidays!

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