5 Corporate Gift Trends for 2023 (That Won’t Go Out of Style Anytime Soon)

Because your clients, guests and staff deserve so much better than a mug…

Gone are the days of generic gifts. 

In this competitive employment market, a standard logo mug, tote bag or plaque aren’t going to cut it as corporate gifts to help retain, celebrate and motivate staff or customers. To retain the best workers amidst this evolving labor force, more and more companies are offering extra incentives to show their employees they care, including more flexible schedules, mental health services, additional paid leave and upgraded gifts, according to an analysis by Harvard Business Review. 

“Gifting is used as a tool to spread company culture and express appreciation,” explains Amy Nebons, owner and creative director of BOCS DSM in Des Moines, Iowa.

And as the digital landscape has forged a more level playing field for customers and offered more competition for nearly every industry on the planet, it can feel tough to cut through the clutter and make your brand stand out as worthy of investment and loyalty.

In both cases, “the trend is shifting toward quality over quantity and really focusing dollars on the top-tier customers or places that are potential revenue-driving efforts, like prospect gifting and referral gifting,” Nebons adds.

Now that you know what to avoid (we’re looking at you, cookie-cutter certificates and cheap T-shirts), read on to study up on what’s new and next in corporate gifting, whether you’re rewarding a staff member, trying to lure in a customer or are hosting an event.

5 Corporate Gift Trends That Won’t Go Out of Style Anytime Soon

Personalization

Sure, it’s efficient and easy to send out an email blast with digital Starbucks gift cards to your team or client mailing list. But that doesn’t make nearly as much of an impact as something that helps the recipient feel “seen.” What if they don’t drink coffee? Or perhaps they brew their own at home or have a local shop they prefer? 

“Avoid generic gifts or gift cards when you really want to make an impression. A big trend is focusing on high-quality items that are personalized to the recipient,” Nebons says. 

These should be less about company brand, like the aforementioned branded merchandise, and more about the recipient’s genuine satisfaction with the gift, Nebons says.

Take time to get to know your employees or clients, and aim to select items that align with their passions. Art gear, travel essentials, electronics, golf accessories, outdoor equipment and cooking tools can all be thoughtful ways to support their out of office pursuits.

Quality Over Quantity

Rather than purchasing dozens or hundreds of the exact same water bottle to pop on your team members’ desks or act as a welcome gift at an event, the latest trend in corporate gifting: less is more. 

“I always recommend quality over quantity. Avoid cheaply made bulk items with your logo on it. Instead opt to save that money and put it toward higher quality gifts to your top tier,” Nebons suggests. 

If you’re strategic about who you gift, you can allocate more dollars to each package to really make a statement. 

A Good Theme

Think of this like “the total package.” One thoughtful item is good. But a few that fall under the same umbrella concept is even better.

“Curated gifting, essentially, creating a package of thoughtful and unique items that work together to create a theme, is important and has proven to be impactful,” Nebos says. “This allows you to integrate premium design and presentation.”

Plus, if you’re having a virtual event or have a hybrid workforce, this allows each person to get in on the same festive fun as those at the headquarters.

Wellness

As we inch our way out of the pandemic, a growing population of Americans are examining their relationships with everything from exercise to alcohol to sleep. Sleep masks and teas, a yoga mat and block set or a smoothie kit, cookbook and blender are all thoughtful ways to support the health of those in your circle. 

The sober curious movement has never been louder and prouder, so instead of a bottle of bubbly or whiskey, consider a “mocktail kit, and allow the recipient to make the choice. Out with the alcohol when it comes to gifting to a large group,” Nebons says.

Experiences

Life is about much more than work and the constant “hustle.” Give your employees and customers permission to get out and enjoy life with something they can either use or learn from in their free time. When you offer a spa package, host a cooking class for your team’s families, share speakers and tickets to concerts or any other interactive option, you offer a gentle reminder that life isn’t about “all work and no play.”