Timing is Key: Planning Out Your Corporate Holiday Gifts!

November 20, 2023

Corporate gift-giving is a great way to maintain strong relationships with clients, employees, and business partners. A well thought out gift can leave a lasting impression, spark up conversations, show appreciation and make your business relationships feel a lot less transactional. To ensure that your holiday gifts are a success, timing, along with a few other factors, does play a critical role!

When talking to other gifting pros, many will say that giving gifts around the holidays isn't ideal--that holiday gifts are to expected and you're better off sending a "surprise and delight" another time of year. Although I agree, sending gifts at holiday time is ideal for many businesses so let's embrace the reality of countless companies and offer our guidance here!

In this blog I will talk about a few things to consider when you've added "Holiday Gifting" to your to-do list this season. 

1. Know Who You're Gifting

Understanding who you're gifting is essential in determining the when and what. Client and employee gifts will have different delivery schedules and budgets, so be sure to tailor your gift-giving strategy to your specific recipient. For example, you might choose to send holiday gifts to clients in advance since they will be shipped worldwide, allowing ample time for delivery before the holiday rush while you may opt to provide your holiday gift to employees the same day as your holiday party. Your client list may be a lot shorter than your employee list which may allow for an increase in budget as well. If the gift cost is too high or too low, a physical gift may not even be worth it (yes--I said that). If we are talking about intentional gifting and true relationship building, we want to consider everything here!

2. Avoiding the Last-Minute Rush

It's never too early to start planning for holiday gifts! Beginning to inquire well in advance can help you avoid the chaos and stress of last-minute preparations. We have clients reach out as early as June to begin conversations to get the holiday design process started.  Delays in gift procurement and assembly can lead to potential logistical issues (that we will overcome, but still who wants that extra added stress). Early planning allows you to secure the best products, personalize items, get on our production calendar and ensure timely delivery.

3. Factor in Shipping and Delivery Times

If your recipients are spread across different locations or countries, shipping and delivery times become crucial so we build in cushion to accommodate any delays. Collecting addresses and validating this information takes time so we account for this during our production phase as well. In peak seasons, it's important to account for any potential delays by starting early to ensure that your corporate gifts reach their destinations on time!

4. Budgeting

Starting early also allows us to source the best products and packaging within your budget paraments without having to settle for alternative products that may be at a higher price point due to inventory being out of stock. By securing gifts well in advance, we also do not fall in the window of having to pay rush fees if we come close to your delivery date!

Gifting requires careful planning, time management and some serious logistical mastery. By creating a gift strategy and avoiding last-minute rushes you can ensure that your gifts make a lasting, feel-good impact with your recipients. Thoughtful and timely corporate gift-giving can strengthen relationships, foster goodwill, and elevate your brand in the eyes of recipients.

Are you ready to work with us? Let us help you create beautiful and intentional corporate gifts that leave a lasting impression long after the holidays gave passed!

If you're ready to get started now click here!

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