Corporate Christmas gifts are not just a nice tradition. They are an investment in relationships with clients, partners, and employees—and one of the most powerful brand tools. The difference between an anonymous bottle of wine and a thoughtful gift is whether the client will remember you in January.

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According to a Deloitte survey, Christmas gifts and benefits are among the top three forms of non-financial motivation – not only for employees, but also for business partners. And a meaningful gift has an added advantage: it acts as a long-term brand carrier.
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So how do you choose a gift that won't disappear along with the Christmas cookies, but will remain present throughout the year? Here are 5 tips based on data and practice:

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‍1. Think about visibility

In marketing, the mere exposure effect works – the more often we see something, the more positively we perceive it. That's why gifts that are visible every day are worthwhile.

➡️ Example: A wooden wireless desktop charger. Functional, elegant, and your brand will remain in the client's field of vision for up to 5 hours a day. That's over 1,000 hours of visibility per year – compared to a banner that disappears in a fraction of a second.

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2. Avoid "consumer oblivion"

Classics such as wine, chocolates, or cheese baskets are appreciated, but they usually disappear within a few days. The value is short-lived, and the brand is not associated with the gift.

According to a survey by the PPAI (Promotional Products Association International), people remember a brand associated with a durable gift for up to two years on average, while for food it is less than a month.

➡️ Example: Designer car perfume. Drivers spend an average of 300 hours a year in their cars (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2022). That's 300 hours when your brand is present in their environment.

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3. Do the math

Every company tracks the return on investment in marketing. The same goes for gifts – just think in terms of "cost per impression," i.e., the cost of display. If you're interested in long-term relationships, the math speaks clearly in favor of meaningful gifts.

• Banner ad: average display time < 1 second (Google, 2020).
  
  
• Company merchandise: hundreds to thousands of hours of use.

➡️ Example: Wireless wooden charger = thousands of hours of your brand's presence right on your customers' desks.

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4. Create long-term value

We bet you're already inundated with claims of sustainability and greenness without any tangible evidence. That's why we're giving you a simple guide on how to see through these claims and shop wisely. Ask yourself how practical the gift or promotional item is, how long it will last, and whether it's something that's a bit redundant.

According to the British Promotional Merchandise Association, 79% of people keep promotional items that they consider useful.

➡️ Example: Try not to rush when making your selection. The result will be fewer "cheap pens" and more thoughtful, quality items that will last. One good product will last for years – saving the environment, your budget, and giving you a good name.

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5. Surprise with form

A gift is not just the product itself. It is the overall experience – from opening the package, through the moment of surprise, to how the gift connects with your brand.

For example, when we were preparing a campaign for Cloudflare, it wasn't just about creating a designer item with a logo. The entire process – personalized packaging, the accompanying campaign story, and the context of when and how the gift was delivered – created a unique brand experience that resonated much more strongly with the target audience than a classic "giveaway."

Ways to turn a gift into an experience:

• Personalize the entire package, not just the product (wrapping, card, message).
  
  
• Distribution as a moment of surprise – a gift delivered at an event or at an unexpected moment.
  
  
• Connection to the brand story – a gift as part of a larger campaign, followed up with communication and follow-up.

➡️ Example: A Christmas gift that is not just a thing, but triggers a little story. The client not only receives something, but also experiences a moment that they associate with your brand – whether it's a special unboxing, a shared experience at an event, or a product with a "second life."

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Bonus tip: Be sincere

Imagine you receive a gift from your business partner. What would make you happier? A pile of low-quality promotional items with a logo, or two or three well-chosen, high-quality items that you will use? In short, would you rather see that someone gave you a lot, or that they invested a lot of energy and really thought about you?

Companies that think of gifts as long-term brand carriers gain something much more valuable than a short-term "thank you." They gain a natural presence in the world of their clients.

👉 Not sure where to start? Take a look at our sustainable car fragrance: treed Christmas

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