Let’s make gifting more than just a box with a bow. Corporate gifting is about building relationships and showing appreciation. It’s a chance to boost morale and make your team feel valued.
Discover the latest trends, best practices, and more to optimize your gifting strategy. Then add this article to your HR solutions toolkit.
Table of Contents:
- Corporate Gifting Trends for 2024
- The Science Behind Corporate Gifting: Why It Works
- Corporate Gift Etiquette: The Dos
- 4 Corporate Gifting Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do About Them)
- Bolster Your Corporate Gifting Strategy
Corporate Gifting Trends for 2024
The landscape of corporate gifting is constantly evolving—not to mention all the options! From sustainable items to personalized experiences, the possibilities are endless.
To make a lasting impression, let’s explore how to make your corporate gifting truly memorable with the latest trends.
1. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Gifts
As the value of sustainability continues to grow, corporate gifting should follow suit. Employees who value sustainability will appreciate eco-friendly gifts. You and your workforce can collectively reduce your carbon footprint and be a force for good.
Tips
- Search for companies that lean on sustainable practices during every step of their production process.
- Consider using recycled and biodegradable materials to package gifts.
- Give reusable swag like water bottles or tote bags.
- Buy items from a company with sustainable action, such as planting trees for every purchase.
2. Tech Gadgets and Digital Gifts
Tech gadgets and digital gifts are exciting to receive and also help people be more efficient and productive. In our rapidly evolving digital world, employees will appreciate tech gadgets and digital gifts to help them stay connected.
Tips
- Consider factors like demographics and interests to help identify gadgets that an employee will like and actually use.
- Add a personal touch, like inscribing an employee’s initials or name on the device.
- Offer a variety of gadget/device options team members can choose from (e.g., smartwatches, smart home devices, VR headsets). This gives them control and a choice in selecting a corporate gift they’ll love.
3. Wellness and Self-Care Gifts
For employees who need a little TLC or are going through a rough patch, wellness and self-care gifts are a great way to show them support.
By offering thoughtful gifts that promote relaxation and rejuvenation, you demonstrate a genuine commitment to your employees’ wellness and success. This in turn fosters a positive company culture and strengthens employee loyalty.
Tips
- Physical wellness: Gym memberships, fitness trackers, ergonomic equipment, healthy snacks
- Mental wellness: Meditation apps, books on mindfulness, stress management workshops
- Self-care products: Bath bombs, candles, essential oils, luxurious skin care products
- Experiences: Spa days, massage vouchers, tickets to wellness retreats
- Time off: Extra vacation days, flexible work arrangements, mental health days
4. Experiences
Corporate gifts don’t necessarily need to be physical items. Another great option is to help your employees make memorable experiences.
Experiences focused on personal goals or interests are a great way to celebrate a team member.
Tips
- Offer a variety of experiences. We’re talking helicopter rides, snorkeling, monument tours, hotels, nature adventures, cooking classes, and more.
- Partner with vendors like Priceline or Viator to help obtain these experiences for a good deal, along with added perks.
- Incentivize these experiences with a custom reward catalog provided to employees. You can create customized programs, encouraging specific behaviors tied to specific experiences.
5. Subscription-Based Gifts
Subscription boxes have become incredibly popular, offering a continuous stream of surprises and delights. Trending options are listed below.
Tips
For the foodie:
- Gourmet food boxes: Send curated selections of cheeses, meats, snacks, or international cuisines.
- Coffee or tea subscriptions: Provide a monthly supply of freshly roasted beans or unique tea blends.
- Spice subscriptions: Help employees explore new flavors with a monthly delivery of spices.
For the beauty enthusiast:
- Beauty boxes: Employees can discover new makeup, skin care, or hair care products.
- Perfume subscriptions: Recipients can sample different fragrances and find their new signature scent.
For the wellness lover:
- Wellness boxes: These can include items like yoga mats, essential oils, and meditation tools.
- Plant subscriptions: Send employees a new plant to nurture each month.
For the bookworm:
- Book subscription boxes: Corporate gift recipients can check out new authors and genres.
- Audiobook subscriptions: Help employees enjoy stories on the go.
The Science Behind Corporate Gifting: Why It Works
Gift-giving is a universal gesture that spans across cultures and regions. Even better, it’s good for us mentally! Here is some interesting research on the science behind corporate gifting.
Psychological Impact of Gifts
Giving and receiving gifts activates core areas of the brain linked to reward and pleasure. It also helps release dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter. This is why gifts play a key role in building authenticity, morale, and trust.
Social Bonding Through Gifting
Making recipients feel appreciated creates a ripple effect of positive emotions, enhancing relationships, loyalty, and collaboration. By aligning gifts with individual preferences and company culture, organizations can create a stronger sense of community.
The Role of Gratitude in Employee Engagement
When employees feel valued and recognized, they’re motivated to put their best foot forward. Gallup reports recognition increases employee engagement, productivity, and loyalty. All of this leads to higher retention.
Corporate Gifts Enhance Workplace Culture
By demonstrating care, respect, and appreciation, organizations that give corporate gifts can foster a sense of belonging among employees.
Choosing gifts that resonate with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and preferences reinforces the message that every person is valued for their unique contributions. A strong company culture is built on these principles.
Corporate Gift Etiquette: The Dos
If you want gifts to do what they’re supposed to do (show appreciation, build trust, encourage motivation), here are the dos of corporate gift etiquette.
The Dos
- Be thoughtful: Ensure the gift is meaningful and considerate to the recipient. Do not buy a single type of item for everyone!
- Ask (don’t assume): Via surveys or one-on-one conversations, ask individual employees what they like so you can give appropriately.
- Personalization: Add a personal touch to make the gift special.
- Timeliness: Give gifts at appropriate times (e.g., holidays, milestones).
Examples of Good Corporate Gifts
- A book lover might appreciate a Kindle, while a fitness enthusiast would enjoy a gym membership or a gift card to their favorite athletic gear shop.
- Offer unique experiences like concert tickets or cooking classes for a memorable and personalized touch.
- Demonstrate your company’s commitment to social responsibility by donating to a cause the recipient supports.
- Recognize achievements with timely and thoughtful gifts. Reward the employee within a couple of days of achieving a milestone.
4 Corporate Gifting Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do About Them)
Now that we’ve laid the groundwork let’s dive deeper to help you plan actionable strategies from here on out.
1. Inappropriate Gifts
There’s good and bad in all facets of life, and this includes corporate gifts. Here are some examples of bad ones.
Gifts That Are Discrimination or Offensive
Any gift that could be perceived as discriminatory, like items with offensive imagery, are not acceptable. And while some employees may appreciate a gag gift, others may be offended by certain humor.
It’s important to consider people’s differences, backgrounds, and values to ensure gifts are appropriate and respectful. Making the wrong move can leave employees feeling undervalued and even unsafe in the workplace.
Gifts That Ignore Cultural Differences
Corporate gifts that overlook cultural differences can be a real misstep. Not only can they hurt employee morale and damage the company’s reputation, but they might even land you in legal trouble.
Show respect for everyone’s background without unintentionally making them feel singled out. Ask questions (again, don’t assume) and keep notes.
By choosing thoughtful gifts that acknowledge diversity, you can create a more inclusive workplace and strengthen bonds with your employees.
Overly Expensive Gifts
Don’t get us wrong, extravagant gifts are nice—but in a work setting, they can create awkwardness and potential ethical concerns.
It’s best to opt for thoughtful and appropriate gifts so you can effectively express gratitude without crossing professional boundaries.
2. Legal Considerations
While corporate gifts are a common (and fun) practice to boost morale and show appreciation, there are some legal considerations employers need to be mindful of.
For example:
- You can’t use gifts to try and get someone to do something out of scope or policy. This can be a form of bribery. Corporate gift giving should simply be tied to achievements, milestones, and performance.
- There are tax factors to think about, too. If you give someone an expensive gift, they might owe taxes on it. In the US, there’s also a limit on how much you can deduct for business gifts. The IRS limits the tax-deductible element on business gifts to $25 per item.
Legal considerations will depend on your organization and industry. Whatever the case, it’s important to check in with your legal team. Practice vigilance and develop clear company policies regarding corporate gifting. This might include acceptable values, types of gifts, and reporting requirements.
3. Overlooking Personalization
Instead of just handing out the same old stuff, think about what would actually make someone smile.
A handwritten note, a gift card to their favorite yoga studio—these small things show you care. It’s not about spending a ton of money; it’s about showing your employees that you see them as real people and not just workers. Trust us, it makes a huge difference.
4. Failing to Plan Ahead
Rushing the process often results in belated, generic, impersonal, and even insensitive gifts.
To avoid these pitfalls, take your time and plan ahead so you give thoughtful gifts that resonate with your people and reflect your company’s values. For example, start sending holiday gifting surveys in August instead of November.
Careful consideration and timing ensure your gifts foster a positive work environment rather than causing unintended harm.
Bolster Your Corporate Gifting Strategy
Ready to elevate your corporate gifting game? Awardco offers innovative software solutions to help you build stronger employee relationships. From personalized rewards to seamless program management, we’ve got you covered on proactive gift giving.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a lasting impression. Contact us today for a demo and learn what our customers have to say.
