Holiday corporate gifts guide

By Emily Hayes

‘Tis (almost) the season of holiday cheer and gifting! The holidays are just around the corner and it’s a great time to show appreciation to your coworkers, employees, clients or partners. You can even stay in front of potential customers with a small reminder that you’re thinking of them.

Here are some general do’s and don’ts to be aware of when it comes to corporate gift giving:

Do’s

Personalize your gifts. It’s not uncommon to bulk order the same gift with your company logo on it, and that’s okay. Just make sure you at least include a handwritten note to show you took the time to address that person specifically. A little personalized gesture goes a long way!

Be considerate of recipients. Make sure you’re aware of policies that come with corporate gifting etiquette. Some companies don’t allow the acceptance of gifts or certain types of gifts (for example, something alcohol-ish).

Focus on quality and usefulness. This is not the time for cheap tchotchkes that people tend to just throw away (you don’t want to waste your money, either). Give a gift that people will want to use.

Don’ts

Don’t be over-promotional. It’s best to focus on subtle business branding. Ditch the huge oversized logo. You don’t want people to think you seized the opportunity to ONLY promote your company.

Don’t over-spend. Although you don’t want to go too cheap, you can still show your appreciation without breaking the bank. If you’re gifting to prospects, an expensive gift could come across as a bribe or make them feel like you expect repayment, so tread lightly.

Here are some corporate gifting ideas to get you started!

Blankets. Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a nice, warm, fuzzy blanket. It’s a symbol of relaxation and it’s a gift people can use year-round. They also come in a variety of price ranges so you can pick and choose your budget with ease.

Food bundle. The nice thing about food is that it’s easy to cater to a variety of audiences. It’s also a great option if your gift is intended for more than one person. The holiday season is all about sharing, anyway. Whether it’s chocolates delivered, holiday cookies or even candied nuts, there’s a plethora of options.

Technology. Tech products are great since they are useful both in and outside the home. There are tons of options too. If you’re sending to commuters or people that travel often, a powerbank or a nice pair of headphones are fine choices, maybe even a gift card for stylish phone cases. If you want to choose something more playful, a Bluetooth speaker, activity tracker or even an action camera are good ideas.

When it comes down to it, you have many, many choices and so many price points. The decision on what to purchase for corporate holiday gifts comes down to your audience, budget and the impression you want to leave. Whether the gift is something large or small, if you make it personal, people will be happy you thought of them and went out of your way to give a gift.

Happy (almost) holidays, everyone! Good luck with your gift shopping!

About National Purchasing Partners (NPP)

NPP is a trusted savings provider for businesses and their employees. By leveraging the purchasing power of more than 300,000 members, NPP can provide top discounts and special B2B pricing to businesses of all sizes. NPP is owned by non-profit hospitals and a substantial portion of NPP proceeds goes to support medical research at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) in Seattle, WA.