KFC has a new “festive treat” for the holidays: lickable wrapping paper that tastes like KFC’s Original Recipe with a hint of cranberry and other seasonal notes.

Although the product is nontoxic, it’s not vegetarian or vegan. Regardless of dietary restrictions, eating the wrapping paper is not advised. KFC also does not recommend sharing the same piece between multiple people.

Unfortunately, the Kentucky fried paper is only available in the U.K. and Ireland (where it’s currently sold out). But if you’re lucky enough to get a present wrapped in it this holiday season, don’t lick a gift horse in the mouth.

Speaking of presents, read on for our guide to 5 Holiday Gifts Your Employees Actually Want.

Gift giving: What employees actually want

Supervisor support: Be there for your team 

Cheers: A classic episode’s evergreen lesson

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This holiday season, it’s time to accept that $20 Best Buy, Starbucks, or Amazon gift cards for your team is a little more “no-no-no” than “ho-ho-ho.” What do employees really want as we wind down the year?

We’ve got a sleighful of ideas that can make both worker satisfaction and productivity even better in 2025 … because we know that deep down you’re a Secret Santa.

Professional development

A new year brings new aspirations, and 77% of workers “agree that learning new skills gives them a sense of purpose,” according to research from TalentLMS and Workable. It’s a major part of developing great employees.

So, spread holiday cheer with professional development opportunities like workshops and online courses, coaching and mentorship, and stretch assignments and job rotations. Even Santa’s elves could benefit from upskilling.

Work-life balance

Before following Amazon’s lead back to the office five days per week in January, remember that nearly 7 in 10 employees are willing to change jobs for extra personal time. Flex days, remote options, or just plain PTO feels like the workplace equivalent to getting an N64 for Christmas in 1996.

Celebrating victories

When people experience true gratitude, it boosts their enthusiasm and productivity, research shows. Over half of employees want more recognition. While positive shout-outs might not be the biggest box under the tree, they make absolutely fantastic stocking stuffers. 

Mental health resources

We all feel extra stressed during the holidays … but many employees feel stressed year-round. Nine in 10 knowledge workers now prioritize their mental health, found Blue Beyond Consulting, making it “the single most important employee experience factor.”

Whether it’s an Employee Assistance Program, traditional therapy coverage, or even mindfulness resources, introduce something for your team’s emotional well-being. It’ll really help make this the happiest time of year.

Straight-up money

Receiving cash only from your family members on Christmas Day might feel impersonal and thoughtless. Receiving it from your boss, though…?

Whether it’s a bonus, a raise, transportation or tuition reimbursement, or an extra percentage of retirement account contribution match, pay always tops the “nice” list.

From lead generation and nurturing to closing deals and billing, you need more than just a CRM platform. A clientflow management system can do it all.

One of our favorite platforms is Honeybook, which seamlessly brings together every aspect of a customer’s journey. With Honeybook, you can field inquiries, schedule appointments, share contracts, manage projects, accept payments, and issue invoices. All of these tools are packaged in a user-friendly platform that’s simple for your team and your customers. 

If Honeybook sounds like just what you need, you’re in luck — you can try it for free today by clicking the link below.

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Dr. Ben Baran is an associate professor at Cleveland State University and co-founder of Elevating What Works.

Supervising others can be demanding, and it’s not uncommon for supervisors to have their own tasks to accomplish aside from their roles as managers of people. Most well-intentioned supervisors aren’t ignoring their workers on purpose — but it can nevertheless crush motivation and satisfaction.

A recent study highlighted this idea, called “unanswered supervisor support,” and found evidence that it can frustrate and burn out employees. It can also lead to those same employees viewing their leaders as less effective.

Given the potential downsides of unanswered supervisor support, it’s important for supervisors to minimize the risk of this issue.

First, when workers directly ask for support, provide it in a timely manner — unless you have a very good reason. One good reason not to provide support is that you’re dealing with a time-sensitive emergency; in that case, explain what you can do about it and follow up with them as soon as you’re available. (Another reason could be that you want them to learn and develop. In that case, make sure that you’ve provided them with the appropriate resources to do so and explain yourself.)

Second, talk with your team members about your willingness and availability to help them. Make it a periodic talking point that you address, letting them know that you care about them and value what they do. Provide examples of how you can support them and listen to their feedback.

Third, remember that unanswered supervisor support is in the eye of the beholder. Even if you as a supervisor think you are providing timely and helpful support, it’s up to your workers to decide whether you really are. Therefore, have regular check-ins with your people during which you allow them to share with you the best ways that you can support their success.

• 1877: Thomas Edison unveiled the phonograph with a recording that said, “Good morning. How do you do? How do you like the phonograph?”
• 1897: London issued the first taxicab license.
• 1917: Baskin-Robbins’ cofounder Irv Robbins was born.
• 1922: General Electric installed the first commercial phone system over power lines in the U.S.
• 1959: Satoru Iwata, CEO of Nintendo from 2002 to 2015, was born.
• 1967: iRobot cofounder Helen Greiner was born.
• 1994: Orange County, California, filed for bankruptcy despite being the home of Disneyland.
• 2017: The world’s biggest Starbucks opened in Shanghai. 
• 2022: The Boeing 747 airliner ended production after more than half a century.

Written by Lauren Vino, Dan Ketchum, Tess Barker, and Ali Saleh. Comic by John McNamee.