If you’re looking to surprise and delight your clients or employees with a gift they’ve never received before, you’re in the right place. There's only so many hampers and branded coffee mugs one can receive before the gift feels impersonal. A little bit of thought goes a long way. So it’s time to give a gift that your clients will remember for years to come.
What’s wrong with standard corporate branded gifts?
Gifts commonly given to clients and employees include branded hats, mugs, stationery, stickers and water bottles. While all of these items have a use, they’re given away way too often. How many rulers do you need in your desk anyway?
Some questions to ask yourself before you order your next box of branded gifts:
- Is it a commonly given corporate gift? If so, they probably already have one, or many.
- Will they ever want to wear a hat or piece of clothing with your giant logo on it?
- If you received this gift, would it end up at the bottom of your desk drawer?
- But most importantly: Will the client be excited to receive this gift?
We understand that your goal is to get your brand in front of your clients and have them reminded of you all year round. But the biggest problem with these corporate branded items is that they are often unwanted and end up at the bottom of desk drawers. Unfortunately, your branded mug or mousepad will eventually end up in landfill.
With sustainability being the word on everyone's lips, it’s important to think about your impact on the environment. Your clients will notice and appreciate your efforts. So my question to you is, why give a mass produced branded item when you can give a thoughtful, sustainable gift?
Thoughtful Corporate Gift Ideas
1. Experience Gifts
Due to globalisation, ecommerce and next day delivery, the perceived value of physical products is decreasing and the value of experiences is increasing. The research is clear, experiences make you happier. What better way to leave a lasting impression with your clients and employees than sending them on a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
Choose to send them on an adventure with their family on their next overseas holiday, or gift a local experience they can share with their colleagues. Either way, it will be a surprising corporate gift that they likely haven’t received before.
We know that branded gifts are given to create brand recognition. But how many physical gifts can you remember getting a couple years ago v how many experiences can you remember?
We live in a connected world and a lot of our companies now operate cross-borders. But somehow, searching for a gift for an overseas partner or client can be really difficult. Luckily, Gifting Owl has experiences located in 103 countries. No matter where your clients or employees are, there is an experience gift for them. Visit the corporate page to enquire about experience gifting or search for experience gifts near you. If you aren’t sure what experience to buy for them you can purchase a gift voucher instead.
2. Reusable and Sustainable Gifts
Stainless-steel water bottles are now on trend, and carrying a plastic disposable water bottle is taboo. In a world that is becoming more and more environmentally conscious, a sustainable gift is a great option for your clients and employees.
Some sustainable gift options include:
- Stylish branded tote bags to take shopping
- Branded reusable stainless steel water bottle
- Branded keep cups and thermoses
- Desk plants or succulents
Reusable and sustainable gifts are also a more thoughtful option as people are trying to minimise waste and plastic use. One million plastic bottles are bought every minute around the world. Instead of giving out single-use water bottles at your next event, think about purchasing stainless steel bottles for attendees instead. The same goes for keep cups.
Tip: To ensure your reusable water bottle, coffee cup or tote bag will be used have your designer come up with a stylish design. The more they use it, the better it is for the environment and for your brand!
3. Sporting Event Tickets
Inviting your clients and customers to a sporting game or event is a nice way to thank them. Something they may not have booked themselves, a sporting event is a fun night out for all. Sporting teams and events bring together people and embody a sense of community. Your clients will associate your brand with these fond memories.
Most stadiums and sporting teams will have a corporate sales team that can help you secure nice seats for your clients, along with catering packages if you want the whole package.
4. Useful Gifts
Unlike some of the examples mentioned previously, you can give a branded item if you are certain it has a purpose and will be used by the recipient.
I was recently given a branded international travel adaptor from one of our partners and I really appreciated this gift. Some other useful gift ideas include portable chargers, high quality notepads and desk planners.
5. A Charity Donation
Donating to charity on behalf of your client or customer will most likely resonate more with them than any physical gift you could give them.
If I received a letter saying that a company had donated to a charity instead of giving corporate Christmas gifts this year, it would be very refreshing. A lot of us have everything we need, and donating to charity is an option we would choose over branded stationery any day. If you choose this option, pick a charity that aligns with the values of your organisation.
Small, personal touches to add to your gift
A handwritten note to accompany your gift adds a nice personal touch and will resonate with the gift receiver. And once it has been delivered, follow up with a phone call to make sure they received their gift.
You don’t have to give branded corporate staplers to stay front-and-centre in your clients’ minds. A thoughtful gift and small touches are far more impressive because they are genuine. Your clients and employees will remember and value those qualities.
Thank your clients and staff this year with a gift that will excite! To find out more about corporate gifting with Gifting Owl click here.
