Keeping in mind proper gift-giving etiquette, the following corporate gift ideas allow for you as the giver to add your own personal touch while being sensitive to the culture, gender, and values of the recipient. Perhaps the most common gifts given include food, flowers, plants, and gift baskets. When giving food items, such as chocolates, fruits, or meats and cheeses, make sure you do your research on the food preferences and allergies of your recipient. It would be embarrassing to give a vegetarian an assortment of meats, a lactose intolerant an assortment of cheeses, or one with a nut allergy an assortment of chocolates and nuts. Additionally, some food more than others spoils quickly; some flowers and plants are more difficult than others to care for and might die easily.

Remember gifts should be given with intent and sincerity. For this reason, one sure-fire corporate gift idea is a gift certificate to a bookstore, music store, or kitchen- or office-supply store, which would be specific yet indistinct enough for someone to choose his/her most needed or desired object. You might also consider a certificate for play, concert, or sports tickets. Magazine subscriptions also make great gifts since you might choose one that fits your recipient’s hobby or career. Finally, a donation (of unsaid amount) to someone’s favorite charity would similarly demonstrate your thoughtfulness.

Giving corporate gifts, especially, one must be sensitive to gender and hierarchy. It is inappropriate to give personal items (lingerie, beauty supplies), expensive items (watches, purses, and clothing), cash, or “gag gifts” (with innuendos or suggestive content) to employees or clients. Moreover, it is tacky to give products displaying your own logo, products your company makes, or “typical” holiday gifts, such as fruit cake or poinsettias. Be careful also giving gifts that suggest to your employees that they should work harder, such as motivational books or office supplies. Likewise, be careful when giving alcohol: a nice wine may be appropriate to a colleague or loyal client but beer or hard alcohol is rarely considered within the lines of etiquette.

Corporate Gift Ideas: Employee Bonuses

When considering employee bonuses on your list of corporate gift ideas, it is best to tie the bonus to employee achievement of company or personal goals. It is also best to give to each employee, since any bonus can be used as incentive for harder, more efficient performance and employees who feel left out may react negatively during the holiday and post-holiday seasons, times often when more work and hours are essential to company success and production. Even if company goals are not set ahead of time, make sure to tell each employee the reason(s) you feel s/he is deserving of this bonus. Similarly, if a bonus is not given, explain to the individual(s) why s/he or they is or are not receiving one that year. Employees will respect your honesty and generally improve performance in order to achieve their bonus at holiday time.

Notes:

• gift certificate
• charitable donation
• food
• show/concert tickets
• books/magazines/subscriptions/cd/dvds
• gift baskets
• flowers/plants
• technological accessories
• employee bonuses: think about everyone, tie bonus to company/employee goals and performance
• avoid: alcohol, personal items, items with logo, own products, holiday ephemera, gifts from the boss, expensive gifts, cash, gag gifts