How to prepare for holiday gifting

Believe it or not — the holiday season is almost here and it's time to plan your corporate gifting strategy. Whether you have a small team or a large workforce across the globe, starting early ensures a smooth and meaningful gifting experience for your employees. Follow these steps to get ahead in your holiday preparations.

June is the perfect time to begin ideating and strategizing for the holiday season. Ordering ahead gives you enough time for customization and delivery, especially for larger quantities.

From curated gifts to seamless planning, our 2024 Holiday quiz will help you identify your strategy. 

Outline your budget not only for gifts but also for shipping, handling, and customization costs. Having a clear budget allows you to explore options without going overboard.

Remember, even small budgets can have a big impact. Browse ideas from our shop categories to find gifts for under $25, $50, or $100.

Assess your number of employees and their locations, then decide how you’ll distribute gifts. For remote workers, consider using eGifting for easy delivery. For in-office celebrations, send gifts to a central location for pickup.

Collaborate with your team on a series of goals to set yourself up for holiday success. Personalized and customized gifts take time, so aim to have orders in ASAP. A sample timeline might look something like: 

• June-July: Ideate. 
• August: Finalize gifts & designs. 
• September: Order custom sets and items. 
• October: Upload recipient lists. 
• November: Place non-branded gift orders.
• November-December: Distribute gifts

• No address? No problem: Send a physical gift with an email or a link.
• Gift to many in minutes: Multi-recipient checkout makes sending a snap.
• Automate sending: Pre-schedule gifts to go out in advance.
• Take the guesswork out of gifting: Let them choose their own gift and create your own gift collection.

Were your past gifts well-received or did they miss the mark? Reflect on past gifting experiences and decide if it’s time to try something new this year. 

Send a collection and let recipients choose their gifts. The collection can arrive to them via email or link, and they will choose what they want and where they want it sent. Best of all, you can send the eGift collections at any time.

If you prefer the element of surprise or simply would rather pick a gift out yourself, here are some ideas for choosing gifts.

Stay updated with the latest corporate gifting trends, including top categories and popular brands like Patagonia, Apple, or Yeti. Leverage data insights to curate a selection that resonates with your employees' interests and values.

Browse staff picks, most wanted gifts, and trending items from popular brands on our 2024 holiday page.

Understand your audience's preferences and tailor gifts accordingly. Are they tech enthusiasts, fitness lovers, or foodies? Choose gifts that fit their hobbies and lifestyles to make a good impression.

Choose gifts that align with your company's values and image. Avoid generic or cheap gifts and opt for options that reflect your brand's identity. To simplify the gift selection process, shop from personal brand value categories — including women-owned, sustainable, minority-owned, or charity-giveback gifts.

The saying goes, “there’s no place like home for the holidays.” Don’t get stuck in your office during Q4, pouring over gift options and wishing you had planned. Avoid the chaos and plan for a joyful holiday season now by talking to a giftologist at Corporate Gift.

The sooner you start, the smoother your holiday gifting will be.