Corporate gifting is a great way to show your appreciation and strengthen your relationships with your clients, employees, and partners. But it can also be a tricky and delicate matter, as different cultures, occasions, and preferences may have different expectations and norms.
How do you choose the right gift, the right time, and the right way to give it? How do you avoid offending, embarrassing, or disappointing your recipients? How do you make your gift stand out and reflect your brand and values?
In this article, we will share some tips and best practices on corporate gifting etiquette, the do’s and don’ts that can help you make a lasting impression and avoid any faux pas.
We will also show you how we, at TAPP Custom, can help you create amazing and personalized gifts that suit your budget, brand, and recipients. Whether you are looking for a one-time project or a long-term partnership, TAPP Custom can help you with your corporate gifting needs. Read on to learn more about corporate gifting etiquette and how TAPP Custom can help you.
Do Research Your Recipients’ Preferences, Interests, and Needs
One of the most important aspects of corporate gifting etiquette is to know your recipients well. A thoughtful and personalized gift can show that you care and appreciate them. You can also make them feel valued and special. But how do you find out what they like and dislike, what they need and want, what they are passionate and curious about?
There are several ways to research your recipients’ preferences, interests, and needs. You can:
- Ask them directly or indirectly. To learn more about your audience, you can have informal chats, ask for feedback through surveys or forms, or connect with them on social media. You can also inquire about their interests, preferred brands, or things they would like to have. Be careful not to be too intrusive or obvious, as you may spoil the surprise or make them feel uncomfortable.
- Use online tools or platforms. You can use online tools or platforms, such as Google, Amazon, LinkedIn, or Facebook, to find out more about your recipients. You can search for their profiles, reviews, posts, or comments to get a glimpse of their personality, style, or interests. You can also use online gift guides, blogs, or magazines to get some inspiration or ideas.
- Observe and listen. You can observe and listen to your recipients, such as their behavior, expressions, or remarks, to get some clues or hints about their preferences, interests, or needs. You can also pay attention to their office, desk, or home, and see what kind of items, colors, or themes they have or like.
By researching your recipients’ preferences, interests, and needs, you can choose a gift that is thoughtful and personalized and that will make them happy and remember you.
Do Consider the Occasion and the Message You Want to Convey
When giving corporate gifts, it’s important to think about the event and what you want to say. Different events might need different kinds of gifts, like celebrating, congratulating, saying thank you, or apologizing. You should also think about the tone and purpose of your gift, such as expressing gratitude, recognition, or appreciation, or building rapport, trust, or loyalty.
Some of the common occasions and messages for corporate gifting are:
- Celebratory gifts. Celebratory gifts are given to celebrate a milestone, achievement, or event, such as a birthday, anniversary, promotion, or launch. Celebratory gifts should be festive, fun, and cheerful, and reflect the joy and excitement of the occasion. Some examples of celebratory gifts are champagne, cake, balloons, or personalized cards.
- Congratulatory gifts. Congratulatory gifts are given to congratulate someone on a success, accomplishment, or recognition, such as an award, contract, or referral. Congratulatory gifts should be positive, encouraging, and supportive, and reflect the pride and admiration of the giver. Some examples of congratulatory gifts are trophies, certificates, plaques, or flowers.
- Thank you gifts. Thank you gifts are given to thank someone for their help, service, or contribution, such as a referral, testimonial, or feedback. Thank you gifts should be sincere, appreciative, and generous, and reflect the gratitude and value of the giver. Some examples of thank you gifts are chocolates, cookies, coffee, or gift cards.
- Apology gifts. Apology gifts are given to apologize for a mistake, error, or inconvenience, such as a delay, cancellation, or complaint. Apology gifts should be humble, sincere, and respectful, and reflect the regret and responsibility of the giver. Some examples of apology gifts are flowers, cards, or vouchers.
By considering the occasion and the message you want to convey, you can choose a gift that is appropriate and respectful, and that will communicate your sentiments and intentions.
Do Choose Quality Over Quantity
Another important aspect of corporate gifting etiquette is to choose quality over quantity. A high-quality gift can reflect your professionalism and reputation, and make a lasting impression on your recipients. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but you should avoid cheap or low-quality gifts that may break, malfunction, or fade easily.
Some of the factors to consider when choosing a quality gift are:
- Material and craftsmanship. You should choose a gift that is made with durable and reliable materials, such as leather, metal, or wood, and that has excellent craftsmanship, such as stitching, engraving, or printing. You should also avoid gifts that are made with flimsy or harmful materials, such as plastic, paper, or chemicals, or that have poor craftsmanship, such as loose threads, scratches, or smudges.
- Design and functionality. You should choose a gift that has a stylish and elegant design, such as a classic, modern, or minimalist design, and that has useful and practical functionality, such as a clock, a pen, or a mug. You should also avoid gifts that have a tacky or outdated design, such as a novelty, childish, or kitschy design, or that have useless or redundant functionality, such as a keychain, a magnet, or a coaster.
- Brand and reputation. You should choose a gift that has a reputable and trustworthy brand, such as a well-known, established, or popular brand, and that has a positive and consistent reputation, such as a high-quality, customer-friendly, or eco-friendly reputation. You should also avoid gifts that have a dubious or unknown brand, such as a generic, counterfeit, or obscure brand, or that have a negative or inconsistent reputation, such as a low-quality, customer-unfriendly, or eco-unfriendly reputation.
By choosing quality over quantity, you can choose a gift that will reflect your professionalism and reputation, and make a lasting impression on your recipients.
Do Customize and Personalize Your Gifts
Another important aspect of corporate gifting etiquette is to customize and personalize your gifts. Adding your recipients’ names, initials, logos, or custom messages can make your gifts more unique and special. You can also choose gifts that match your recipients’ personalities, styles, or hobbies. TAPP Custom can help you create amazing and personalized gifts that suit your budget, brand, and recipients.
Some of the benefits of customizing and personalizing your gifts are:
- It shows that you put effort and thought into your gift. Customizing and personalizing your gift can show that you put effort and thought into your gift, and that you care and appreciate your recipients. It can also make your gift more memorable and meaningful, and stand out from other generic or boring gifts.
- It reflects your brand and values. Customizing and personalizing your gift can reflect your brand and values, and communicate your message and vision. It can also enhance your brand awareness and recognition, and create a positive association and impression with your recipients.
- It suits your recipients’ personalities, styles, or hobbies. Customizing and personalizing your gift can suit your recipients’ personalities, styles, or hobbies, and products like communication boards help your working environment and make them feel valued and special. It can also cater to their needs, preferences, or interests and make them happy and satisfied.
TAPP Custom can help you customize and personalize your gifts, such as adding your recipients’ names, initials, logos, or custom messages, and choosing from different colors, sizes, shapes, and materials. TAPP Custom can also help you create amazing and personalized gifts that suit your budget, brand, and recipients.
Do Respect the Cultural and Religious Differences of Your Recipients
Another important aspect of corporate gifting etiquette is to respect the cultural and religious differences of your recipients. Different cultures and religions may have different norms and expectations regarding corporate gifting, such as the meaning, value, color, or symbolism of certain gifts. You should also avoid gifts that may be offensive, inappropriate, or insensitive to your recipients’ beliefs or values.
Some of the factors to consider when respecting the cultural and religious differences of your recipients are:
- Meaning and value. You should choose a gift that has a positive and respectful meaning and value, such as a gift that signifies luck, prosperity, or friendship, and that has a reasonable and appropriate value, such as a gift that is neither too cheap nor too expensive. You should also avoid gifts that have a negative or disrespectful meaning and value, such as a gift that signifies death, misfortune, or rivalry, or that has an unreasonable or inappropriate value, such as a gift that is too cheap or too expensive.
- Color and symbolism. You should choose a gift that has a favorable and harmonious color and symbolism, such as a gift that has a bright, cheerful, or neutral color, and that has a positive, auspicious, or meaningful symbolism, such as a gift that represents love, peace, or wisdom. You should also avoid gifts that have an unfavorable or disharmonious color and symbolism, such as a gift that has a dark, gloomy, or aggressive color, or that has a negative, unlucky, or offensive symbolism, such as a gift that represents hate, war, or death.
- Number and quantity. You should choose a gift that has a suitable and lucky number and quantity, such as a gift that has an even, round, or auspicious number, and that has a sufficient and generous quantity, such as a gift that is enough for the recipient and their family or colleagues. You should also avoid gifts that have an unsuitable or unlucky number and quantity, such as a gift that has an odd, irregular, or inauspicious number, or that has an insufficient or stingy quantity, such as a gift that is not enough for the recipient or their family or colleagues.
- Timing and delivery. You should choose a gift that has a proper and timely timing and delivery, such as a gift that is given before or on the occasion, event, or deadline, and that is delivered personally, directly, or discreetly, depending on the culture and relationship. You should also avoid gifts that have an improper or untimely timing and delivery, such as a gift that is given after or far from the occasion, event, or deadline, or that is delivered impersonally, indirectly, or publicly, depending on the culture and relationship.
By respecting the cultural and religious differences of your recipients, you can choose a gift that is appropriate and respectful, and that will avoid any offense, embarrassment, or disappointment.
Bottom Line
Corporate gifting is a great way to show your appreciation and strengthen your relationships with your clients, employees, and partners. But it can also be a tricky and delicate matter, as different cultures, occasions, and preferences may have different expectations and norms. That’s why you need to follow some basic rules and guidelines of corporate gifting etiquette—the do’s and don’ts—that can help you make a lasting impression and avoid any faux pas.
But you don’t have to do it alone. You can also rely on the help of a professional and experienced corporate gifting company, such as TAPP Custom. TAPP Custom can help you create amazing and personalized gifts like signage banners, etc. that suit your budget, brand, and recipients. TAPP Custom can also offer you quality, variety, customization, service, and value that can make your corporate gifting experience easy, fun, and rewarding.
Whether you are looking for a one-time project or a long-term partnership, TAPP Custom can help you with your corporate gifting needs. Contact TAPP Custom today and let them help you with your corporate gifting. You will be glad you did.
