The importance of gifts in fostering a stronger professional relationship should never be downplayed. Corporate gifting is more than a nice gesture. It’s a powerful way to build or maintain relationships, reward employee loyalty, and create a positive company culture.
Knowing what to give, when to give it, and how to personalize your gift can make all the difference. Done right, a thoughtful gift can boost employee morale, impress clients, and reinforce brand values.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key principles of corporate gift etiquette, talking about practical tips you can follow on selecting the right gift, when to give it, and how to add a personal touch to each present. We’ll also talk about a few personalized corporate gift ideas.
What to Give: Choosing the Right Business Gift for Employees and Clients
The perfect gift is both thoughtful and appropriate for the occasion. For corporate gifting, you either go for a functional and practical item or a decorative recognition piece that adds life to the recipient’s workspace and home. Depending on who the recipient is, certain business gifts work better. Here’s a quick rundown of gift ideas for outstanding employees and clients or business partners:
Corporate Gifts and Awards for Employees:
- Engraved Pens
Personalized pens are a practical gift choice. A pen that writes beautifully is an office essential. By engraving the recipient’s name on the pen, the simple writing instrument becomes a special token. Plus, ordering a personalized pen doesn’t require a minimum order, as well.
- Personalized Desk Accessories
Like engraved pens, desk accessories such as a classy paperweight, desk card holder, and nameplate transform the recipient’s workspace. Personalized desk accessories are thoughtful, making them a popular choice for corporate gifting.
- Personalized Trophies and Awards
If you’re looking to reward your team members for a job well done, you won’t ever go wrong with personalized awards or plaques. These recognition awards come in a range of materials like acrylic, crystal, or glass. Choosing an award that suits the recipient’s achievement is easy, since personalized awards have a wide variety of design options.
- Luxury Corporate Gifts
Searching for high-end corporate gifts? Consider crystal desk clocks, engraved glass gifts, and personalized plates and trays.
Unique Corporate Gifts for Clients and Partners
- Personalized Barware and Drinkware
For clients, giving them a recognition award won’t really be appropriate. Instead, personalized barware or drinkware is an excellent alternative. Drinkware makes a great addition to any kitchen or office space, as well.
- Engraved Desk Clocks
Customized tabletop clocks are a classic luxury gift for clients, executives, and retiring employees. Just make sure that the recipient’s culture doesn’t see this gift negatively, though.
- Waterford Crystal Boardroom Items
Waterford crystal products are one-of-a-kind, featuring stunning designs. For client gifting, you won’t ever go wrong with boardroom items made from this iconic crystal material. From toasting flutes to elegant decanters, you can find a Waterford crystal gift that’s tailored to the recipient’s likes.
- Gift Baskets or Experience Gifts
From wine tasting sets to premium cheese platters, these high-end gift baskets are always a welcome gift for holidays or year-end appreciation. You can also opt for experiential gifts, where the recipient gets a memorable activity that’s tailored to their interests. Some examples of experience gifts are baking classes, spa days, yoga sessions, concert tickets, and other adventurous outings.
When in doubt, keep your gifts tasteful, functional, and aligned with your company brand ideals. Avoid anything too generic or branded, because subtlety can go a long way.
When to Give: Finding the Right Timing for Corporate Gifts
Giving a corporate gift at the right time maximizes its impact. Although unexpected gifts are much-appreciated, choosing an event or season can make it much more meaningful. Here are common occasions where you can give out business gifts:
1. Annual Recognition Events
- Employee anniversaries
- Sales performance milestones
- Company award ceremonies
2. Seasonal Occasions and Holidays
- End-of-year holidays
- Thanksgiving or mid-year appreciation
- New Year gifts at the start of the year
3. Business Milestones
- Successful project completions
- New partnerships or acquisitions
- Sales milestones
- Client onboarding or renewals
4. Personal Milestones
- Promotions
- Retirement
- Birthdays
- Marriage or births
If you’re unsure whether a corporate gift is appropriate, err on the side of a professional or practical item such as a branded pen, engraved drinkware, or even a desktop cardholder.
For each gift, don’t forget to add personalization. Engraved text transforms a generic item into something meaningful and memorable. Add the recipient’s name and a short message. You can also include a handwritten note in the gift. This personal touch makes the gift much more special.
Maintain a Positive Professional Relationship with Thoughtful Corporate Gifting
Corporate gifts are a small gesture that can have a big impact when done with care. When it comes to corporate gifting, focus on quality over quantity. Try to tailor the gift to the recipient and consider what they would need in their daily life. Also, think about any cultural differences. This is especially important if you’re working with international clients or employees. Some gifts, like clocks, can have unintended meanings.
Finally, respect policies. Some organizations have restrictions on the value or type of gifts their employees can accept.
High-end business gifting doesn’t have to break the bank. You can stick to your budget and browse a huge selection of corporate awards and gifts to find the perfect gift. The effort you put into selecting an appropriate gift will be much appreciated by the recipient. Add some personalization, then you’re good to go.
