Ready to take your corporate gifting game to the next level? Then you’re in the right place!
Corporate gifts are so much more than just a gesture — they’re a statement of appreciation, a building block of relationships, and a strategic move.
Understanding the do’s and don’ts of corporate gifting can make all the difference in your approach, and you’ll be much more ready to identify what makes a good corporate gift and get the best ROI from your corporate gifting strategy.
After sending thousands of gifts on behalf of all kinds of companies over the years, it’s safe to say we’ve learned a thing or two about the art of corporate gifting. From the psychology of gift-giving to the unspoken etiquette of corporate gifts — take it from us, there’s a lot to uncover!
In this blog post, we’re sharing the top do’s and don’ts of corporate gifting. From strategy and planning, to branding and customization, to infusing a little fun into your approach to corporate gifts — get ready for some expert insights that will have you absolutely crushing your next gifting campaign!
Corporate Gifting Do’s and Don’ts
DON’T Wait Until the Last Minute
Thinking about sending client appreciation gifts or gift boxes for employees? We like where your head’s at! But corporate gifting isn’t always as simple as it may seem — there’s actually a lot of planning and preparation involved!
From gift design, to sourcing items, to customizing branded products, to kitting and fulfillment, to shipping and delivery, there’s a lot to think about. Plus, you never know what inventory shortages or pricing changes you may encounter during the process. You want to allow for plentyyyy of time.
And let’s be real: last-minute gifts never really leave a lasting impression, anyway. So definitely don’t wait until the last minute!
DO Have a Gifting Strategy Plan
When it comes to corporate gifting, planning ahead is key. Gift selection, customization, assembly, and delivery all demand time for thoughtful execution. So if you want to truly wow your recipients, start early!
Come up with a schedule for when you want to send gifts throughout the year. Maybe it’s for Employee Appreciation Day, or that corporate event in the spring, or maybe you want to have a gifting program for onboarding new clients (which we make super easy with our corporate gifting platform, by the way!) Then, take time to plan accordingly.
Even better, get in touch with a Corporate Gifting Concierge at Teak & Twine who will help organize it all for you. After all, planning ahead is the best way to ensure a smooth gifting experience from start to finish.
DON’T Use Excessive Branding
One of the most common mistakes with corporate gifting is going overboard with the company logo. Sure, we love branded products as much as the next guy, but it’s all about striking the perfect balance.
Think about a gift that you would like to receive from a company you do business with. What does it look like? Is it full of branded tchotchkes and trinkets? We’re guessing probably not! You wouldn’t be alone in your answer, either—according to a recent business gifting study, 75% of respondents said overly- branded gifts don’t feel as special.
If you go too crazy slap your logo on every single thing — from the exterior packaging down to every last product inside the gift — it starts to feel more like a promotional piece as opposed to a thoughtful gift.
DO Incorporate Tastefully Branded Elements
Instead, be intentional with your branding. After all, you still want them to remember who sent them this awesome gift! Branded products are great for brand recognition and memory, but that doesn’t mean you have to slap your company logo all over the place.
When it comes to corporate gifting, here’s our general rule of thumb: try to stick to just 1 or 2 branded products inside the gift to make sure you maintain an element of professionalism and luxury. Be sure to include some non-branded items, too! Also, we always recommend branded packaging for the exterior of the gift — that is really the place to let your brand shine!
DON’T Give Without Purpose
Before you wrap up a bunch of random items in a bow and call it a gift, consider the purpose behind your gifting campaign and think about the message you want to convey to your recipient.
We’ve all received a gift at some point in our lives that felt like a bunch of random stuff that someone didn’t really want. Companies are especially guilty of this when they simply give out leftover merch from conferences or events! If you thought your employees wouldn’t notice… trust us, they definitely did.
Giving gifts that have no real meaning or thought put into them is a missed opportunity to boost employee engagement and express client appreciation.
DO Tell a Cohesive Story
Instead, try giving corporate gifts that represent your brand in a meaningful way and tell a cohesive story. A great way to do this is to pick a theme and stick with it! Whether you’re gifting for a special occasion or it’s just for fun, make sure the gift comes together nicely and feels cohesive.
But that doesn’t mean all that leftover company swag has to go to waste! Here at Teak & Twine, we give new life to old swag with our kitting and fulfillment services. Yep, we’ve really thought of everything around here!
DON’T Only Gift During the Holidays
Most companies default to sending corporate gifts only one time throughout the year — during the holidays! We bet you didn’t see that coming 😉
Only sending gifts for Christmas is a common corporate gifting mistake we see a lot of. And don’t get us wrong — we LOVE Christmas! After all, holiday corporate gifting is literally our Super Bowl around here! But, it’s not the ONLY time of the year you should be using corporate gifts.
While the holiday season is prime for gift-giving, there is a big risk of your gesture getting lost during all the Q4 craziness! Picture it: it’s almost the end of December — most offices are in absolute end-of-year chaos. You send your client a beautiful holiday gift, but it arrives amongst a sea of other packages. Maybe they open it, maybe they don’t. Then, they’re out of the office (maybe even on a vacation!) and won’t be back until after the New Year, and they immediately dive into projects for Q1. Not really the holiday magic you were envisioning, is it?
DO Take A Year-Round Approach
Want to make sure your gifts won’t go unnoticed? Try sending a gift when they’re least expecting it. Sending corporate gift boxes outside of the traditional holiday season can leave a lasting impact!
So, when is the best time to send corporate gifts? Well, there are tons of other seasons that are great for gift-giving! And lucky for you, we’ve got a LOT of unique corporate gift ideas up our sleeve. From this Spring corporate gifting guide, to fun summer corporate gifts ideas, to fall corporate gift ideas everyone will love, there are tons of opportunities to stay top-of-mind allll year long!
Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to keep the good vibes going all year long that have nothing to do with the changing seasons! Here are some other popular reasons to send corporate gifts:
- To onboard a new client or employee
- To win over a prospect
- To celebrate success at work and company milestones and achievements
- To create hype for upcoming events and product launches (pro tip: get the whole team on board with product launch party gifts)
- To celebrate work anniversaries and other milestones (promotions, buying a home, newly engaged or married, welcoming a baby)
- To show appreciation, especially on designated holidays like Employee Appreciation Day and Client Appreciation Day
Giving corporate gifts outside the traditional holiday season can be extra memorable. So don’t be afraid to color outside the lines and try something new and different!
DON’T Default to Boring
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: just because you’re sending business gifts does not mean they should be boring!
Sure, there’s a level of professionalism to maintain when it comes to corporate gifting, but we often see companies make the mistake of playing it a little too safe. Don’t send gifts that lack personality or aren’t very memorable!
DO Have a Little Fun!
Instead, think of corporate gifts as an opportunity to show off your company culture and celebrate with your recipients — and don’t be afraid to have a little fun with it!
Think of unique corporate gift ideas that will represent your brand in a memorable way, and your recipients will surely thank you for a gift that stands out from the crowd! After all, who said corporate gifts have to be boring?!
Wrapping it Up
The Do’s and Dont’s of Corporate Gifting
Well, there you have it, folks! The top do’s and don’ts of corporate gifting are all summed up for you in one easy-to-read blog post! (Oh, and here’s a pro-tip: press Command + D to bookmark this for later!)
Now, you’re ready to take on any corporate gifting project that may come your way. But if you need a helping hand, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Teak & Twine — after all, gift-giving is our love language!
Written by Lisa Cox. Updated Aug. 2023.