The best (and worst) gifts for private service professionals

Private service professionals spend every day making life easier for the people around them — their principals, staff and vendors, and chances are, everyone in their personal lives, too. So, this holiday season, what’s a great gift to show a fantastic private service professional how much you appreciate them?

We asked members of our Easemakers community and our friends in the 5 Star Service Club to share the best — and worst — gifts they’ve ever received, and what’s on their wishlist this year. Check out their insights to inspire the perfect gift for any service heart!

The best gift for private service professionals

“Cash is king,” says New York based Luxury Lifestyle Manager and host of the 5 Star Service Club Latricia Friend.

Overwhelmingly, the PSPs who weighed in agree — cash is the best gift for private service professionals. It’s flexible, and allows the person who spends all year taking care of others to do something to treat themselves.

If you want to add a thoughtful element, you can get still creative. For example, Latricia shared that one of her all-time favorite gifts was a $500 gift card to Eataly, one of her go-to spots in New York City, and many PSPs mentioned gift certificates to spas or hotels.

Unique experiences for private service professionals

“Obviously cash is king,” says Sara Polaski, an Easemaker from Virginia. “But honestly, it just sits in an envelope, I hate to spend.”

Instead, says Sara, gifting experiences can be more meaningful.

“It’s easy for cash to become the typical, which turns into an expectation (if you get the same thing for 20 years, its only natural to expect it next year!),” explains Sara. “I think something outside the box creates more connection. Cash from the Principal is easy, appreciated, but transactional. The way I look at my position as an EM, the way I conduct business every day, I add the warmth between Principal and Employee/Vendor; the same with my Holiday gifts for them, just a touch of warmth.”

Many PSPs mentioned time off and all expense paid travel experiences, including NY based Easemaker Olsi Kaci, who was delighted by an unexpected gift.

“After 11 years without a vacation, I received two all-inclusive holiday packages: one to Excellence Playa Mujeres for New Year’s and another to Marbella Nido Corfu for the following summer,” says Olsi.

Stephanie Galetzki, an Easemaker based in Colorado, says experiences always make for amazing gifts.

“I also enjoy professional development opportunities such as attending conferences or destination workshops that level up my skills and offer growth for the entire team,” says Stephanie. “We have provided the Chef with an opportunity to study a week with an admired chef in another country, the PA with a passion week away — ski, spa, etc.”

Luxury gifts for private service professionals

“Cash, and cashmere,” says California Easemaker Tina Luther, “two of the best gifts, in that order!!”

Cashmere, designer clothing and purses, specialty chocolate and tea, and thoughtful gifts from travels all received positive reviews from our PSPs.

California Easemaker Alyssa Rogers gave a shout out to her Ember Mug, which was part of a larger gift basket she received.

And while some PSPs mentioned regifts they’ve logged for their principals among the worst gifts, Latricia’s co-host of the 5 Star Service Club Peter Van Ryder says it depends on the gift (sometimes these gifts can be really beautiful!).

Outside-the-box gifts for private service professionals

Some gift-givers go above and beyond, surprising their favorite PSPs with thoughtful and unique gifts.

“One of the best gifts I received, the family booked out a bowling alley for me and my friends to celebrate,” says Jennifer Baker, an Easemaker from California.

“One of my principals gifted me a social membership to a private golf club, says Terri Cope Wall, an Easemaker from Indiana. “I loved it!”

California Easemaker Jay Coelho was shocked when, after agreeing to take out her favorite client’s dog on her own birthday, she arrived at the client’s house to find her friends and family waiting for her.

“A client let my husband throw a surprise birthday party for me at their home,” says Jay. “I have never been more surprised! They had worked with my husband for a month to plan everything. They all did an excellent job; it was a fantastic mash-up of my dearest friends and favorite clients.”

Meanwhile, Sara Polaski was surprised by both her principal and the personal assistant she worked with. After sharing a travel planning mishap with the PA, the PA suggested a gift idea to the principals that saved Sara’s trip.

“I had planned a complex island-hopping trip in Fiji for my birthday,” says Sara. “I messed up a leg and realized the only way to get from one of the islands to the next was by private seaplane, a large additional expense to this already insane trip. My Principals gifted me the seaplane!”

The worst gifts for private service professionals

So, what’s the worst gift for private service professionals? Nothing. (Or worse, what one PSP called “the ghost gift” — promising that you have a gift for them, then never actually giving them anything.)

Across the board, the private service professionals we asked for gift ideas agreed: any gift is appreciated, because the simple gesture of putting forth the effort to show your appreciation is enough.

Even a handwritten note says you’re thinking about them and you appreciate them.

Some other shout outs for the worst gifts?

• Gloves
• Decks of cards
• The worst gift of a white elephant exchange: toilet paper

Happy holidays to every service heart!

No matter what you give or receive this year, we hope that every private service professional in our community feels a sense of appreciation this holiday season. We are grateful to know so many wonderful service hearts, and we hope your 2025 is full of joy, the recognition you deserve, and all the comforts of home!