What Impromptu Gift Card Rewards Reveal About Today’s Work Culture
How fast, flexible rewards are reshaping connection and appreciation at work.
July 14, 2025
As we head into the busiest season of the year for rewards and recognition, we took a look back at how teams showed appreciation in 2024: what they sent, why they sent it, and how those moments helped shape workplace culture.
Thousands of HR leaders, people managers, and business owners turned to Rewards Express™—our self-serve digital rewards platform—for fast, flexible recognition. Designed for smaller businesses and spontaneous moments, it’s the easiest way to send digital gift cards right when you need them.
Some used it to send a quick thank-you. Others, to save a moment, lift morale, or build team connection in a creative way. From same-day saves to coffee-fueled celebrations, appreciation came fast, personal, and often with a side of lunch.
This data validates the intent behind Rewards Express: a platform built for smaller B2B rewards and incentives—delivered instantly, with no approvals, minimums, or commitments required. Like choosing the express lane when you only need a few things, it’s built to move at the speed of modern work.
Why They Click “Send”
The most common reasons people send quick digital gift card rewards at work
“Thank You” was the number one reason for sending a quick digital gift card reward—making up nearly half of all Rewards Express orders. But appreciation came in many other forms: holiday gestures, motivation boosts, and spontaneous moments of encouragement—all anchored in human connection.
One trend stood out: food-forward gifting. In 2024, nearly 10% of Rewards Express orders included mentions of lunch, breakfast, or coffee—a small gesture with outsized cultural impact. Early 2025 data suggests that number is climbing quickly, as more teams turn to DoorDash, Uber Eats, Chipotle, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Panera Bread and other comfort food favorites as a connection strategy during the workday.
Here’s how a few managers turned digital gift cards into shared experiences:
“This replaces the refreshments we usually offer in-person. Grab a cup of coffee before you join the call. See you then!”
Enjoy lunch on August 7th for the Town Hall. Plan to order about 30-60 minutes before we start!”
“Order yourself a lunch to eat during lab today. We’ll eat together.”
“We’ll miss seeing you this evening. Dinner is on us!”
“Hey Superstars! I appreciate each of you. Here’s a coffee (or two) on me.”
These aren’t grand gestures—they’re culture cues delivered in the regular flow of work.
What They Send—and Why It Works
In 2024, the top gift cards ordered through Rewards Express pointed to three priorities: flexibility, familiarity, and food.
Visa® and eGifter Rewards Choice Card™ led the way for their versatility. DoorDash, Chipotle, Uber Eats, Starbucks, Dunkin’, and Panera confirmed what many teams already know—mealtime is still the go-to moment for quick appreciation. And everyday staples like Target and Walmart made it easy to send a practical, feel-good “you matter.”
Top 10 Most-Sent Gift Cards
- 1
Visa® Prepaid Gift Card– Universally useful and often used for bigger gestures or all-hands thank-yous
- 2eGifter Rewards Choice Card – The flexible pick for teams with diverse tastes and distributed employees
- 3DoorDash Gift Card – Remote teams’ go-to for lunch and comfort food, especially on short notice
- 4Walmart Gift Card – Practical and appreciated, often tied to seasonal support or “just because”
- 5Chipotle Gift Card – A flavorful midweek motivator (especially on tight deadlines)
- 6Target Gift Card – Popular for practical perks or “just because” moments
- 7Dunkin’ Gift Card – The five buck pick-me-up that powers Monday mornings and midweek motivation
- 8Starbucks Gift Card – A timeless favorite, great for quick thanks and coffee breaks
- 9Uber Eats Gift Card – Another food-forward staple for remote-friendly meal treats
- 10Panera Bread Gift Card – A popular option for team breakfasts, virtual meetups, or midweek meals
Whether they deliver lunch, flexibility, or a practical shopping trip, each gift card reward says: “We’re thinking about what would make you feel recognized—right now.”
What They Spend
From HR welcomes to manager shoutouts and leadership recognition, gift card values flex to fit the moment.
Most Rewards Express orders fell below $50, showing how small, intentional gestures drive big cultural impact.
What This Says About Culture
Quick Recognition Isn’t Just a Gesture—It’s Culture, In Action
Every card in this dataset is more than a transaction. It’s a tiny culture-building moment—a show of appreciation, an inside joke, a warm welcome, or a well-timed save. Digital gift card messages aren’t simply transactional—they’re touchpoints of connection.
What’s the difference between Rewards Express and eGifter Rewards?
Both Rewards Express and eGifter Rewards™ offer secure, customizable digital gift card delivery—but they’re built for different needs. eGifter Rewards is ideal for enterprise teams that need advanced features like multi-user permissions, recurring campaigns, and API integrations. Rewards Express is the fast, self-serve option for smaller teams or one-off moments, when you want to send rewards now, without overthinking it.
If you’re not sure which platform fits your moment, reach out and we’ll help you decide.
Until then, try Rewards Express—and let’s see how creative you can get.