10 Signs Your Company Needs a Better Corporate Gifting Strategy

Corporate gifting shouldn’t be an afterthought. It’s not just a nice-to-have or an “HR thing”—it’s a relationship tool. Whether it’s used for client retention, employee appreciation, or brand loyalty, how your company gives (or doesn’t) says a lot about your values.

So, is your corporate gifting strategy actually doing anything for you? Or is it just… there?

Here are 10 telltale signs your company’s approach to gifting might need some serious work—and what to do about it.

Introduction on what free writing is

Think of gifting like free writing. When people overthink it, it ends up stiff and bland. But when companies “write” without a filter—meaning, when they gift with intention instead of defaulting to the same old stuff—that’s when the magic happens.

Free writing doesn’t mean sloppy. It means natural, unforced, authentic. The same goes for gifting. If you’re just sending things to check a box, people notice. And they probably won’t care.

1. You Only Gift During the Holidays

If your corporate gifts only go out in December, congrats—you’re exactly like everyone else.

Sure, holiday gifting is fine. But it's expected. And expected gifts don’t make much impact.

Instead, the best gifting strategies are year-round. They recognize milestones, wins, and relationships—not just the time of year.

2. People Don’t Remember Your Gifts

Can you recall the last gift your company sent to a client? What about your own team? If you can’t remember, chances are, they don’t either.

Forgettable gifts usually fall into one of these categories:

• Generic swag

• Low-quality items

• Overly branded stuff

• Zero personalization

If your gifts are more clutter than delight, it’s time to rethink.

3. You Don’t Track Who Gets What

Flying blind is a fast way to waste money. A proper gifting strategy includes tracking: who got what, when, and why.

Otherwise, you risk sending the same person the same item twice, or worse—leaving someone important out entirely.

Good gifting is about timing, balance, and relevance. And you can’t hit those marks without keeping records.

4. Your Team Has No Idea What the Budget Is

Another red flag: nobody knows what the company actually spends on corporate gifts, or who’s in charge of approving them.

When budgeting is vague or centralized in a black box, teams either overspend or play it too safe. A clear, realistic budget lets teams plan meaningfully, not just react.

Tip: Break down budgets by department, team, or client tier. Gifting becomes a tool—not a wildcard expense.

5. Everything You Send Has Your Logo All Over It

Yes, branding matters. But if every gift looks like an advertisement, it doesn’t feel like a gift—it feels like marketing.

Subtlety is key. A small tag, an engraved logo, a branded box—all okay. But a giant company name on a hoodie sleeve or a water bottle? That’s not generosity, that’s self-promotion.

6. You’re Not Using Data to Personalize

Gifting without personalization is like sending the same LinkedIn message to everyone—forgettable at best, annoying at worst.

You don’t need to go overboard. Just a little context goes a long way. Use CRM data, LinkedIn notes, or even public interests.

Is your client a coffee snob? Send beans from a local roaster. Does your employee love plants? Ship them a tiny succulent kit.

The best custom Corporate gifts always feel like they were picked just for that person.

7. Employees Are Jealous of Client Gifts (or Vice Versa)

Here’s an awkward one. Ever had employees see a client gift go out and think, “We don’t even get stuff like that”?

Or maybe the reverse: your team gets cool swag, but clients only receive PDFs.

Your gifting strategy should be holistic. Everyone involved in your company’s success—clients, employees, vendors—should feel appreciated.

Different tiers? Sure. But don’t neglect one group while spoiling the other.

8. You’re Not Getting Any Feedback

Great gifts spark reactions. People post them, talk about them, or at least reply with genuine thanks.

If your gifts are going out into the void with no response? That’s not good.

Either the gifts aren’t hitting the mark, or you’re not creating a memorable enough experience.

Add a note. Include a call-to-action (“Share your unboxing!”). Create a moment around the gift. That’s how you make people feel something.

9. Gifting Is Seen as “Extra” Instead of Strategic

This one comes down to mindset. If gifting is treated as fluff, it’ll be the first thing cut when budgets tighten. But if it’s seen as part of your relationship-building strategy, it’ll drive real ROI.

Client loyalty. Employee retention. Brand storytelling. That’s what strategic gifting supports.

Companies with smart strategies treat gifting the same way they treat marketing, onboarding, or customer service—as an intentional part of the business.

10. You’re Still Using Outdated Gifting Platforms

Clunky spreadsheets. Manual shipping. Random Amazon links. If your system feels like it’s from 2011, that’s hurting your impact.

Modern gifting platforms let you automate, personalize, and scale gifting while tracking ROI. Whether you use tools like Sendoso, Alyce, or something simpler, upgrading your system can make your whole program smarter—and easier to manage.

Subheading: Fixing Your Gifting Game Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Not every company needs a full-blown gifting department. But every company can benefit from being more intentional.

Start small:

• Build a calendar of key gifting moments

• Segment your recipients (VIPs, new hires, vendors)

• Set a modest budget

• Keep a record of what’s been sent

Over time, you’ll see which gifts spark responses, which moments matter most, and what kind of ROI gifting actually brings.

Subheading: Make It About People, Not Just Packages

What works in gifting is what works in relationships: authenticity, timing, and care. When your gifts reflect those things, people feel it.

Because at the end of the day, gifting isn’t about stuff—it’s about showing people they matter.

Subheading: The Competitive Edge Nobody Talks About

Want a client to renew without hesitation? Want an employee to recommend your company to friends? Want a vendor to prioritize your project? Thoughtful gifting makes it easier.

Most companies are so focused on the numbers, they forget that loyalty comes from feeling valued. And no spreadsheet will tell you that directly.

But the next time a client says, “That gift you sent? That meant a lot,”—you’ll know it worked.

Conclusion

If you saw your company in more than a few of the signs above, don’t stress. The good news is that better gifting is totally doable.

Start by shifting your mindset: gifting isn’t fluff—it’s fuel for relationships. Then build a strategy around that idea. Keep it human, useful, and timely.

Because the companies that stand out today aren’t just the ones with the best products or slickest branding. They’re the ones that make people feel something.

And there’s no easier way to do that than through thoughtful, well-timed, corporate gifts.