If you’ve been told that sending a branded hoodie will magically turn your team into high performers, let’s reset expectations. But a well-run gift marketplace can make employees feel appreciated—if you avoid the usual traps. This guide is for people who want to get real value out of Postal’s gift marketplace, minus the fluff.
Here’s everything you need to know to set up and manage a Postal gift marketplace for employee engagement—what works, what doesn’t, and how to keep it from turning into a chaotic mess.
Step 1: Know Why You’re Doing This
First, ask yourself: what’s the point? Are you trying to reward top performers? Welcome new hires? Celebrate milestones? Or just check a box for “employee engagement”?
Pro tip: If you can’t explain your goal in one sentence, it’s too vague. “Make people happy” isn’t specific enough. Try something like: - “Recognize remote team members for project launches” - “Give managers tools to thank their teams without paperwork”
Get buy-in from leadership before you start. Otherwise, you’ll set up a marketplace no one uses (or worse, one that eats up your budget with zero impact).
Step 2: Set Up Your Postal Account and Marketplace
Assuming you already have a Postal account—if not, that’s step zero—here’s how to get a marketplace running:
2.1. Log In and Find the Gift Marketplace
- Log into your Postal dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Marketplaces” or “Gift Marketplace” section. (Postal’s UI changes sometimes, so if you can’t find it, use their help docs or support chat.)
2.2. Create a New Marketplace
- Click “Create Marketplace” or “New Marketplace.”
- Give it a clear name, like “Employee Recognition Q3 2024.”
- Add a quick description so people know what this is for.
2.3. Set Permissions and Budget Controls
Here’s where most folks mess up—if everyone can send anything to anyone, you’ll blow your budget fast.
- Set who can access the marketplace (managers, HR, specific teams).
- Decide on gift limits per person, per month, or per occasion.
- Set approval workflows if you have a big team or tight budget.
Honest take: If you’re not willing to set limits and track usage, skip the marketplace entirely. You’ll regret it.
Step 3: Curate the Gift Selection
This part matters more than you think. A weak selection is almost as bad as no gifts at all.
3.1. Choose Relevant, Not Just Fancy, Gifts
- Pick items people will actually use. Water bottles, snacks, quality tech accessories, or gift cards usually land better than generic swag.
- Avoid anything that feels like clutter or cheap marketing.
- Offer a mix of branded and unbranded options. Some folks love your logo, some don’t want to wear it.
3.2. Consider Remote and In-Office Needs
- Make sure gifts can ship anywhere your employees are.
- Digital gift cards are great for distributed teams.
- Think dietary restrictions if you’re including food.
Skip: Anything that screams “we didn’t try.” (Looking at you, plastic stress balls.)
Step 4: Launch the Marketplace—But Don’t Overhype It
You don’t need a launch party. Just tell people it exists, how it works, and what the rules are.
- Send a clear, simple announcement via email or Slack.
- Cover:
- Why you set this up (“We want to make it easier to say thanks for great work”)
- How to use the marketplace (short instructions, no jargon)
- Any limits (number of gifts, budget, who can send)
- Who to contact with questions
Pro tip: Include a screenshot or short Loom video. People won’t read a 500-word announcement.
Step 5: Monitor Usage—And Watch for Weirdness
You’re not done once it’s live. You need to check usage, feedback, and make adjustments.
5.1. Track the Data
- Postal has reporting tools—use them.
- Watch who’s sending/receiving gifts, how much is being spent, and on what.
- Look for patterns. Is one team using 80% of the budget? Are some gifts never picked?
5.2. Get Real Feedback
- Ask a few employees if the gifts are actually appreciated.
- Don’t rely on “open rates” for your launch email—ask real people what they liked (or didn’t).
5.3. Tweak as Needed
- Remove unpopular items.
- Add new options based on employee requests.
- Adjust limits or approvals if the budget’s getting tight or usage is too low.
What to ignore: Fancy dashboards touting “engagement” if no one’s actually talking about the gifts or saying thanks.
Step 6: Keep It Simple and Transparent
Resist the urge to overcomplicate things with points, elaborate approval flows, or tiered rewards. The more hoops people jump through, the less likely they’ll use the marketplace.
- Use plain language everywhere.
- Make rules obvious (and not buried in a PDF).
- Let employees know how often they can use the marketplace and what to expect.
Reality check: The goal is to make appreciation easy, not to invent another HR process.
Step 7: Review, Iterate, and Don’t Be Afraid to Kill It
Every few months, take a step back:
- Is this actually making people feel more valued?
- Are managers and employees using it, or is it just sitting there?
- Is it worth the money and time?
If not, change it—or shut it down and try something else. There’s no shame in admitting a tool isn’t working for your team.
Things That Sound Good (But Don’t Work)
Let’s be honest about a few things:
- Automated birthday gifts. Nice idea, but if the gift is generic, it feels hollow. Better to send nothing than an afterthought.
- Too much branded swag. One mug is fine. Nobody needs five.
- Endless options. Choice fatigue is real. Curate, don’t dump the whole catalog in.
- Gift “gamification.” Points and badges sound fun in theory, but most folks just want a simple thank you.
Stick with stuff that feels personal and useful.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Human, Not Just Automated
Postal’s marketplace can absolutely help you show appreciation—if you keep it focused, simple, and honest. Don’t let tech get in the way of real gratitude.
Start small. Get feedback. Iterate. And if you find yourself wondering whether anyone actually cares, just ask them. It’s the simplest way to know you’re on the right track.