Corporate Christmas and year-end gifts

One shared gift or a choice to suit different recipients?

Giving the whole team the same item creates a shared point of reference. First consider what employees already have: a new bag may duplicate one they recently received. A small choice can accommodate different habits, provided you establish the quantity needed for each option before ordering.

For clients, start with what you know about their working day. A notebook for meetings or a mug for breaks at the office gives the gift a practical purpose. A restrained colour and a discreet logo make it easier to use beyond Christmas.

At home, on a break or on the commute

A throw or a candle makes the gift part of life at home. A throw takes up more space to carry; a candle needs protection suited to its container. These gifts for the home involve personal taste, so consider the recipient rather than assuming one item will appeal to everyone.

A game to share offers a moment to take a break. A backpack for the commute is more about returning to work in January: compare laptop dimensions and what needs to fit inside before choosing a size. These gifts serve different purposes; let the recipient’s habits guide the decision.

A Christmas gift box in which every item has a purpose

For an employee Christmas gift set or a client gift box, start with items that work together. A notebook and pen support the same activity; a mug adds another moment in the day. If the notebook already comes with a pen, there is no need to add a second one by default. Complementary uses matter more than the number of items.

The presentation needs to allow for each item’s size and fragility, especially if the recipient will carry the gift home. Selecting several products does not in itself mean they come as an assembled gift box: packaging, assembly and shipping need to be assessed and confirmed in the quote. Describe the presentation you have in mind in the brief, including the logo placement on each item.

Work back from the handover, before the holiday break

A gift handed out at a team lunch and one sent to a client follow different schedules. Record the handover date, when the order needs to arrive at your site and any closures at the locations involved. Include quantities by item, how gifts will be split between recipients and your overall budget, with your expectations for presentation and delivery.

Appoint one person to coordinate approval of the artwork proof before production: colours, logo proportions and wording should be reviewed together. Today Merch helps you choose products and branding. The schedule and order conditions need to be confirmed for the selected items; if an alternative is needed, use the same intended purpose as your selection criterion.

Plan my year-end gifts