Corporate gifts are given to accomplish one thing – to show appreciation: appreciation to an employee for all of their hard work this year, appreciation to a client for their business, or appreciation to a referral partner for a connection they made. But if you’re not careful, sometimes instead of feeling appreciated, a recipient may feel offended, unimportant, or unsupported. What gifts are the most common culprits in sending these unintended messages?  Check out our list! 

7 Things You Should Avoid in Your Corporate Gifts 1. Wine/Liquor 

Not all your clients, referral partners, and employees drink alcohol. This has always been the case, but as the sobriety movement grows, there is a higher chance your recipient will not partake in the libations you’ve sent their way.  Someone who lives a sober lifestyle may feel unsupported if you give them a gift of alcohol. 

2. Political Messaging 

You may think something is funny, and another person may find it offensive. Even if you believe you know your recipient’s political leanings, you may not know exactly how far right or left they lean, so it’s just best to avoid political messaging in your corporate gifts.  

3. Marketing Materials 

When someone opens your corporate gift, they should not feel like they are being sold. They should feel seen and appreciated. So, don’t use your corporate gift to communicate new products or include other promotional materials. Save those for another day so your recipient can clearly see your intention of showing appreciation.   

7 Things You Should Avoid in Your Corporate Gifts 4. Baked Goods 

Did you know 10% of people live a gluten-free lifestyle? If you’re getting baked goods, like cookies or pastries, there’s a good chance your gift could actually make your recipient sick. That’s not the ideal outcome of a corporate gift. Bonus tip – it’s best to avoid all high-allergen foods in your corporate gifts. 

5. Generic Gift Cards 

I’ve received about two hundred $5 Starbucks gift cards in my lifetime. I couldn’t tell you where a single one of them came from. If you are hoping your gift makes a statement and helps the recipient remember you and your company, a gift card to Amazon, Target, or Starbucks isn’t going to do that.  

7 Things You Should Avoid in Your Corporate Gifts 6. Anything Focused on Improving in their Role 

A book on how to be a better leader is a tool, not a gift. Even though this might be your favorite author, and this book changed your life, if you give this to a client or referral partner, the unintended message could be, “she doesn’t think I’m good at my job.” Yikes! If you’d like to give a book or class related to job performance, do it! Just don’t give it as a gift.  

7. Generic Branded Items 

If it’s an item you’d give away at a trade show, it’s not a great corporate gift. Promotional items like tote bags, phone chargers, mousepads, and branded t-shirts will not be memorable or appreciated. Giving these kind of items at holiday can make the recipient feel like an afterthought.  

At beCAUSE minded, our luxury branded corporate gifts fall into the wellness category. We intentionally select items that make people feel restored and recharged. Whether you’re gifting to an employee, a client, or a referral partner, we believe wellness gift boxes honor the human, not just the title they hold.   

 

Have you received a corporate gift that missed the mark? What was the gift and how did it make you feel?