The Ins and Outs of Corporate Gift Giving

As is usually the case when we’re dealing with a vague topic (and corporate gift giving certainly is vague), it’s usually best to begin with the definition of the term in question.  BusinessDictionary.com defines a corporate gift as follows: [A] valuable item, without obligation, to selected recipients by a firm’s representative as an expression of appreciation or goodwill.

However, there is quite a bit more to corporate gifts than conveyed in that dictionary definition.  When to give them?  What to give?  Who to give them to?  What’s considered an inappropriate gift?  How much should be spent?  Should the gift contain the corporate logo?  Corporate gift giving like the last “P” in Naughty by Nature’s rap classic, O.P.P., “The last “P,” well…that’s not that simple.”

Corporate gifts can be given to many different people for many different reasons.  A partial list of possible recipients would include employees, vendors, contractors, clients, executives, business partners, supervisors, team members, stockholders, and potential prospects.

Generally, anyone even loosely associated with your business is eligible for a corporate gift.  The reasons to give those gifts includes holidays, thank you, for motivation, awards, offer incentives, to new clients, milestones reached, birthdays, retirement, job well done…the list goes on.

Once you’ve figured out who should receive a corporate gift and why, the next logical question is: what to give?  And this is where it gets tricky and, somewhat dangerous.  You certainly do not want your gift to be perceived as a bribe or a form of sexual harassment.  Therefore, here are some generalized rules regarding corporate gift giving…

• Don’t give a gift that can be perceived as a bribe or as a form of harassment.  For example, if purchasing a holiday gift for a supervisor, ensure all supervisees contribute to its purchase.  Don’t go it alone.  Also, ensure the gift, especially if given to a single individual, is not too personal.  If there’s any question that the gift might make the recipient feel awkward or uncomfortable, don’t give it.
• Beware cultural differences.  For example, giving four or nine of something is considered unlucky in Japan and business gifts are always reciprocated in China.   And always give holiday-neutral gifts during, well….the holidays.
• Give quality gifts.  No one wants to receive a corporate incentive from the Dollar Tree.  But don’t be too lavish.  A gift of around $25 is usually acceptable.
• Gifts can be personalized…just in the proper manner.  For example, giving a monogrammeddivot repair tool to an avid golfer or a bottle of fine wine to an aspiring sommelier is acceptable.  However, massage oil to an employee…not so much.
• Since gourmet food is one of the most popular corporate gifts, why not utilize MagicKitchen’s corporate gift page?  https://www.magickitchen.com/menu/corporate.html
• “Safe” gifts include gift cards, calendars, company branded items, fruit/food baskets, charity donations, flower/plants, wine/liquor, and desktop/office accessories (pen set, picture frames, etc.).
• Last, but certainly not least, check your corporate policies on gift giving if you have any doubts or questions.

Corporate gifts allow you to better connect with clients, strengthen relationships, express gratitude, and share holiday good will.  But, like anything else, there are rules (written and unwritten) that govern their distribution.  It’s best to know those rules prior to gifting gourmet almonds to someone with a nut allergy.