Corporate Gifts Online
The Buyers Guide

Looking for corporate gifts online and starting to wish it wasn’t so confusing? We’ve put together a guide just for you…containing helpful advice on gift selection, ordering, and pricing.

Gift choice

Before you start your search, it’s better to have an idea of what you want. There’s so much choice available these days, narrowing it down first will enable you to secure the best gifts quickly and easily. So you can avoid spending hours browsing. To do this we need to ask - what exactly makes a successful corporate gift?

The recipient

Of course, buying corporate gifts online should be all about the recipient.  What do they want?  What do they need? What would they find useful? If being thoughtful is the key, you’re disadvantaged from the start because there’s a good chance you don’t know the receiver personally. 

Your challenge then, to find a gift that’s universal…something anyone would love? Yes, but it’s also possible to jot down certain characteristics of a company or group that will help you. 

For example:

• Is the company traditional/conventional or young/vibrant?
• Does the organisation have strong values?
• What’s the company building like?  Contemporary, industrial, bright, luxurious?
• Do staff travel often, attend conferences, or do they spend most of their time in the office?
• What do they use in their day to day jobs, what would make life easier for them?

What it says about you

Whatever gift you choose, it is a reflection of your organisation. Therefore it helps to think about what your gift says about your company and brand.

• A gadget says fun and innovation.
• A classic desk top diary is a conservative choice.
• An umbrella says you’re practical and you care.  

3 Golden rules

Practical gifts are best - when something is used for long periods of time, it acts as a constant reminder of the bond between your organisation and employees, clients, or suppliers.  

Make it count – if you’re buying corporate gifts for Christmas, it’s important that yours stands out from the rest.  Even if you choose a conventional item, make sure it’s in a unique style or colour. 

Don’t be too extravagant - it can be considered unethical.  Your gift should be memorable, but not because of the price tag.

Order quantities

Buying corporate gifts online is fine if you’re only looking for a handful of low-value items. But, if you need large numbers, you may not get very far. Approach one or two specialist suppliers that can handle volume orders. A professional wholesaler will offer a complete service with expert help and advice to make your job much easier. You’ll get generous bulk discounts and be able to trust they can meet delivery deadlines. 

Branding and personalisation

Companies are moving away from designer gifts bought from illustrious retailers. The new trend is to choose items that are branded or personalised. Rather than checking out luxury department stores, widen your search to see what a promotional product wholesaler can offer. With full printing and engraving services, you’ll be able to secure bespoke gifts at a fraction of the cost. Plus, you can include Christmas messages, marketing slogans, the recipient’s name, your logo and even graphics.

About quality

If you’re looking for corporate gifts online in large quantities, be aware that quality varies considerably. Don’t be tempted to go with the cheapest supplier and never place an order without seeing a sample. A simple pen box set from one company could be completely different than what you’d get from another. Give yourself plenty of time and if necessary, purchase a selection of gifts to judge quality. If you’re having items printed or engraved - make sure you are happy with the standard.      

Tax implications

Corporate gifts for employees and clients that bear the business name are tax deductible up to the value of £50.00 per person per year. Food, drink, tobacco items are excluded. VAT is also reclaimable to the same value. If you are in any doubt, seek advice from a professional. 

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