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Explore the ideas25-Year Work Anniversary Gifts: Ideas for 12.5, 25 and 40 Years of Service
Long-service gifts & employee appreciation · 5 November 2026 · 10-minute read
Twenty-five years with the same employer. In that time, colleagues change, workplaces evolve and sometimes the entire company does too. What stays is the contribution of someone who has been part of the team for a quarter of a century. That deserves celebrating. But what makes a thoughtful gift for 25 years of service? And what about a 12.5-year or 40-year work anniversary?
There are plenty of ways to thank an employee, from a personally engraved gift to a long-service bonus. In this guide, we'll look at common ways to celebrate, gift ideas for different budgets and the tax rules UK employers should be aware of.
01 · THE MILESTONES
What should you give for 12.5, 25 or 40 years of service?
12,5years of serviceA thoughtful gesture25years of serviceA quarter-century of appreciation40years of serviceAn exceptional career
Not every work anniversary is celebrated in the same way. At 12.5 years, a small but personal gift is often enough. A 25-year milestone usually gets a little more attention, while 40 years with one employer is a truly special occasion.
There is no universal gift amount that every employer has to give. What employees receive depends on any applicable collective labour agreement, their employment contract, internal policies and company culture.
| Anniversary | Suitable gift | How to celebrate |
|---|---|---|
| 12.5 years of service | Personal gift, flowers, a gift voucher or a customised item | A card and a small team celebration |
| 25 years of service | Engraved gift, memorable experience or long-service bonus | A personal celebration with colleagues |
| 40 years of service | Premium anniversary gift, special experience or long-service bonus | A larger celebration that reflects their career |
These are suggestions, rather than fixed rules. What feels right will differ from one company and employee to another.
12.5-year work anniversary gifts: a personal touch
Twelve and a half years is a lovely moment to recognise someone's contribution. The gift doesn't need to be expensive to mean a lot.
Think of a quality mug, a personalised notebook or a small gift set. A card filled with memories from colleagues makes it even more meaningful. Does the employee have a favourite coffee, a hobby or a familiar office routine? Use it for inspiration.
A personalised notebook can be a lovely gift for someone who is always jotting down ideas. A mug with their name or a personal message is a practical choice for the team coffee lover.
25-year work anniversary gifts: a quarter-century of appreciation
After 25 years of service, it's worth marking the occasion in a bigger way. A gift that will last for years suits a milestone like this.
One classic choice is an engraved pen featuring the employee's name and the date they joined the company. A premium pen set or a water bottle with a personal engraving can also make a lasting keepsake.
Other ideas include a special dinner, a weekend away or an experience that reflects the person's interests. Some employers combine a gift with a financial long-service bonus.
Make the moment more personal by asking colleagues to share a favourite memory or something they appreciate about the person. A few real stories often say more than a generic thank-you speech.
40-year work anniversary gifts: celebrating an extraordinary career
Someone who has spent 40 years with the same employer has probably worked with several generations of colleagues and seen the business change in all sorts of ways. It's a wonderful opportunity to look back together.
A memory book filled with photos, a special engraved gift or a get-together with former colleagues can be especially meaningful.
You could also choose something for the next chapter, such as a trip, a gift related to a favourite hobby or an experience to share with family.
Ask the person being celebrated how they'd like to mark the occasion. Not everyone enjoys speeches or a big party. A quick conversation can help you plan something that genuinely suits them.
02 · THE BUDGET
How much should you spend on a 25-year work anniversary gift?
HR teams often ask what a normal budget is for a work anniversary gift. There is no universal benchmark.
Some companies set a fixed budget for each milestone. Others vary the amount according to years of service or follow a collective labour agreement. The examples below are in euros and intended as a guide, rather than a rule.
For a thoughtful gift, you could use these example budget ranges:
Interactive gift budget guide
Roughly how much would you like to spend? Choose a budget to highlight the matching row in the table.
| Budget | Gift idea |
|---|---|
| Up to €25 | Personalised mug, pen or notebook |
| €25 to €50 | Premium pen set, water bottle or curated gift box |
| €50 to €100 | Premium gift set or a gift paired with an activity |
| €100 to €250 | Special gift, dinner or personal experience |
| Over €250 | Weekend break, premium gift or tailored experience |
These are suggested budgets, not average spending figures for employers. For personalised products, the final price depends on the item, decoration method and order quantity.
A sensible approach is to keep budgets consistent for employees reaching the same milestone, while choosing something that feels right for each individual.
03 · TAX & LONG-SERVICE GIFTS
Are long-service awards tax-free in the UK?
Tax rules can make a difference when planning a work anniversary gift. In the UK, HMRC allows certain non-cash long-service awards to be exempt from tax, provided the conditions are met.
- At least 20 years of service: a qualifying non-cash gift may be exempt if it meets the relevant conditions.
- Up to £50 per year of service: this is the usual value limit for a qualifying award, so the potential limit at 25 years is £1,250.
- No similar award in the previous 10 years: an important condition for the exemption.
- Cash bonuses: do not qualify for this particular exemption and are generally subject to PAYE and National Insurance.
For a 12.5-year work anniversary, this particular long-service exemption does not apply because the employee has not reached the 20-year threshold. Other employment tax provisions may be relevant, depending on the gift and circumstances.
The £50-per-year figure is a tax limit, not a suggested gift budget, and it does not mean every employee is entitled to an award. The rules also depend on the type of gift and the employee's previous awards.
Read the official HMRC guidance on long-service awards and confirm the tax treatment with your payroll team. If your business is outside the UK, check the rules in your own country before making a decision.
04 · GIFT IDEAS
Original work anniversary gifts for every budget
A personal detail can turn an everyday gift into a keepsake.
A good work anniversary gift reflects the person receiving it. A name, a date or a short message can turn even a simple product into something they'll want to keep.
01
1. An engraved pen with their name and anniversary date
A quality pen is a lovely gift for someone who writes, attends meetings or works with clients every day. A metal pen with subtle engraving can feel especially special.
For example: 25 years of dedication | 2001–2026.
Explore our range of engraved pens or choose a premium personalised pen set.
02
2. A personalised water bottle or travel mug
A stylish water bottle is a great gift for someone who travels for work, enjoys sport or likes taking a hot drink on the go.
Choose a metal style that can be laser engraved. A first name, service date or short message makes it feel like it was picked just for them.
For more inspiration, see our guide to choosing promotional gifts .
03
3. A premium notebook with a personal message
A notebook makes a thoughtful keepsake for colleagues known for their ideas, notes or creative work.
Look for a hardback design with a name or a short message on the cover. You could write a note on the first page or ask colleagues to add a favourite memory.
Browse our personalised notebooks.
04
4. A long-service gift with an individual name
For an important milestone, personalisation can go beyond a company logo.
A gift featuring an employee’s name, role or anniversary date feels more personal. If several people are celebrating, you could use the same range of products but personalise each one individually.
See our range of pens personalised with individual names.
05
5. A more sustainable anniversary gift
If the employee is interested in sustainability, a product made from recycled or responsibly sourced materials could be a good fit.
Think of a reusable bottle, a notebook made with recycled paper or something practical that will be used for years. Check the materials and any relevant certifications.
Explore our selection of sustainable promotional products.
06
6. A personalised gift set
Sometimes a combination of small gifts feels more thoughtful than one large present. You could put together a quality pen, a notebook and something tasty in a nicely presented box.
You can also pair a keepsake with an experience, such as a restaurant voucher or an activity the employee would enjoy.
Our range of corporate gifts offers more ideas for celebrating employees and special occasions.
05 · THE PERSONAL TOUCH
What should you write in a 25-year work anniversary card?
The words in the card can mean just as much as the gift. Keep the message personal and mention what makes the employee special.
Here are a few examples you can use or adapt.
Formal and appreciative
Congratulations on your 25-year work anniversary. Thank you for your dedication, commitment and loyalty over the years. We truly value everything you have contributed to our organisation and look forward to continuing our work together.
Warm and personal
Twenty-five years of shared moments, changes and achievements. We are so glad you have been part of our team for so long. Thank you for everything you do and for being you!
Short and sweet
A quarter of a century with our team. That deserves a special thank-you. Congratulations on 25 amazing years!
With a little humour
Twenty-five years, countless meetings, plenty of cups of coffee and even more great memories. What would we do without you? Happy work anniversary!
For 40 years of service
Forty years of experience, dedication and care. You have seen so much of our story and helped shape it along the way. Thank you for everything, and congratulations on this remarkable milestone.
A personal line from the manager or a few words from close colleagues will make any message even more meaningful.
06 · FOR HR
Several work anniversaries in one year? Tips for HR
In larger businesses, several employees may reach a milestone in the same year. Finding a thoughtful gift for everyone, at the right time, can be a challenge. A little preparation makes things much easier.
1. Keep a record of upcoming anniversaries
Make a list of employees approaching 12.5, 25 or 40 years of service. That way, nobody gets overlooked and there is time to plan something special.
2. Agree on a budget in advance
It helps to set a budget for each milestone. Employees celebrating the same length of service can then be recognised consistently, while still receiving gifts chosen with them in mind.
3. Choose gifts that can be personalised
If you have several anniversaries every year, choosing from a small range of products can make planning easier. Engraved pens, water bottles and quality notebooks are all practical options.
Add a name, service date or personal message to make each gift feel unique. Browse our pens personalised with individual names.
4. Order early
It is worth planning ahead for personalised gifts. Allow time for production, delivery and any minimum order quantities.
If several people are celebrating, ask whether different personalised items can be combined in one order.
5. Make time for the personal moment
A gift is lovely, but the moment it is handed over can mean just as much. Ask colleagues to share a favourite memory or invite the manager to say a few personal words.
It need not be a big event. A relaxed moment with the team and a sincere thank-you can go a long way. Personal recognition matters between anniversaries too, as explored in our Perkbox research on employee recognition.
An anniversary gift that really suits the person
Whether someone has worked for 12.5, 25 or 40 years, an anniversary is a chance to appreciate everything they have contributed. A gift does not need to be large or expensive. A personal message, a shared memory or something that matches their interests can mean a great deal.
Think about what makes that person happy. From an engraved pen to a memorable experience, there are plenty of thoughtful ways to say thank you for years of hard work.
Planning gifts for several employees? Explore our corporate gift ideas for inspiration.
Frequently asked questions about work anniversary gifts
What is a customary gift for 25 years of service?
Many employers choose a personal gift, a long-service bonus or a special experience. An engraved pen, quality gift set or weekend away are all possibilities. What is customary depends on local practice, employment terms and the budget.
How much money do you receive after 25 years of service?
There is no universal legal entitlement to a 25-year service bonus. Any cash payment depends on employment terms and company policy. In the UK, a qualifying non-cash long-service gift may be tax-exempt within HMRC limits, but cash awards are generally taxable.
Is a gift for 12.5 years of service tax-free?
In the UK, the specific HMRC long-service award exemption starts after at least 20 years of service, so it does not apply at 12.5 years. Other tax rules may apply depending on the type and value of the gift.
What should you give someone for 40 years of service?
Choose something that reflects the milestone, such as a photo memory book, engraved gift, special trip or an experience to enjoy with family. Some employers also offer a long-service bonus.
What is an original gift for a 25-year work anniversary?
An original anniversary gift reflects the employee’s interests and memories. A personalised water bottle, an engraved pen with their start date or a gift box filled with favourite treats can all work well. A heartfelt note from colleagues makes it even better.
What should you write in a 25-year work anniversary card?
Start with congratulations, thank the employee for their contribution and add a favourite memory or personal quality. For example: Twenty-five years of wonderful moments and shared successes. Thank you for everything you bring to our team. Happy work anniversary!
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