It’s that time of year again. You want to impress your clients, go above and beyond for your employees, and thank your amazing partners. This year may have been a crazy one, but that makes it all the more important to show up and share your appreciation with meaningful, sustainable corporate gifts for the holidays.
In 2018, Forbes reported that 57% of corporate gift recipients said that “gifts can impact their opinion of a business partner both positively and negatively.” In the past, giving a gift at all might have made you stand out as thoughtful, without having to think too much about the gift itself. Today, corporate gifs are expected, so it’s important to choose a product that won’t quickly end up in the junk drawer, and instead will be something they’ll be proud to keep, show off, and talk about.
So, how do you choose the perfect gift, without blowing your budget? You want to give them something useful, without going too boring. Adding your logo is important, but you don’t want to be cheesy! You want to stay affordable, but also give something high quality that they’ll keep and use regularly.
At EarthHero, we help you do all of those things, while also protecting our planet. We do the work, curating products that have been vetted as best in class options for sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and that give back to causes that promote a healthier future.
So, how to choose? Here are a few things to look for when shopping for the perfect corporate gift.
Make it unique and useful
The day of branded coffee mugs and paperweights is over. You want to steer clear of the gifts that your recipients may have received in the past. So, how do you choose a gift that stands out? Ask yourself: “Would I want to receive this?”
A great corporate gift has two qualities: it’s unique and it’s useful. A coffee mug is useful, but it isn’t unique. On the other hand, a custom designed paper weight might be unique, but in the age of PDFs and emails, it’s not very useful!
Dig a little deeper to cut through the clutter and give a gift that will constantly remind them of your thoughtfulness. This tablet stand made from recycled chopsticks is not only useful, but it has an incredibly cool story behind it! Every time they use it, they will think about you and your company, and they’ll smile.
Make it memorable
Picture this. Your client has invited a handful of her business partners over for a dinner, and they all share appetizers on this bamboo serving tray. Your logo is engraved in the corner, without detracting from the sleek design and high-end look of the tray. When they ask about where your client got it, she raves about the thoughtful gift, and tells them about you, and your company, in the process! A high quality referral from an enthusiastic customer: the best marketing you can get.
There are two ways that you can achieve this kind of marketing through your gift. The simple solution is to add your logo! We’re not talking front-and-center, in-your-face branding. Instead, go for a subtle design that matches the look of the gift. Engraving can be an awesome way to achieve a classic, streamlined design. Embroidery is also a beautiful option, and can look beautiful on a pair of these stonewashed linen hand towels! At EarthHero, we work directly with you to achieve a beautiful design and create beautiful, sustainable corporate gifts.
The other way to achieve memorability through your product is to choose an item that aligns with your business services. Are you a tech company? Opt for some wireless phone chargers to show them the latest in sustainable technology! Do you work with solar? How about a pair of high-end sunglasses to remind them of you every day?
Make it meaningful
Did you know that 87% of consumers will purchase because a brand advocates for a cause they believe in? By aligning your gift with a sustainable cause, you’re associating positivity with you and your company. There are plenty of questions that you can ask to determine if a product is sustainable:
- Is it made from renewable or recycled materials?
- Is it made locally, and if not, how does the company ensure ethical practices?
- Is it packaged responsibly?
- Does it give back to a good cause?
- Does it help the recipient live more sustainably?
By answering these questions, you’re creating the “why” behind the gift. This can change a mundane seeming item, like a pen or a notebook, into a thoughtful gift that your client will talk about and appreciate.
At EarthHero, you can browse sustainable corporate gifts that have already been vetted, so you don’t have to! We make it easy to learn about the brand behind the product, as well as highlight all of the sustainability benefits of each product.
However, make sure you avoid a common mistake when giving a gift with meaning. Don’t just assume that your client will know that their new notebook is the first carbon-negative notebook in the world–tell them! You can do this one of a few ways.
- Make sure the packaging includes educational information about the sustainability of the product
- Follow up with an email explaining why you chose this particular gift (this is a great way to re-open conversations!)
- Include a note with your gift explaining what makes this gift unique and special (we can do this for you!)
This may seem like a lot of work, but don’t worry! We’ve curated a list of unique, useful, memorable, and meaningful gifts in an easy-to-shop gift guide. All of the products in this guide can be custom branded. But, that’s not all! You can browse 8,000+ products at EarthHero.com to find the perfect sustainable corporate gifts for your recipients. For any questions, reach out to Hannah Hester at [email protected].
