Corporate gifting has become more than just sending a box of cookies during the holidays-it’s now a strategic extension of your relationship management efforts. In 2025, intentional, personalized gifts are being used to strengthen emotional connections with clients, recognize employees, and engage remote teams.
According to Knack's Business Gift Survey, 89% of C-suite executives believe that business gifts help build stronger relationships, and 83% say gifting delivers a positive ROI. But for your gifting to be effective, it must be aligned with your goals-and that starts with understanding the different types of corporate gifts.
Why Are You Gifting?
Ask yourself:
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Why am I gifting in the first place?
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How will this help my business?
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What do I want the recipient to feel or do?
Once you’ve defined your goals, it becomes easier to choose the right gifting strategy. At Lavender + Pine, we’ve worked with hundreds of companies across industries-and in our experience, corporate gifts fall into three main categories: Appreciation, Informational, and Promotional.
1. Appreciation Gifting
Appreciation gifting is all about expressing gratitude. This type of gifting is not about brand exposure-it’s about genuine human connection. Unlike promotional gifts, appreciation gifts typically exclude company logos and are designed to make the recipient feel valued.
Best for:
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Client thank-yous
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Employee milestones
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Celebrating birthdays or work anniversaries
Example:
You want to celebrate a client’s birthday with a thoughtful, beautifully packaged gift. Instead of promotional swag, you choose a custom-curated box with local treats, a handwritten card, and no branded items. This builds emotional equity and reminds them why they love working with you.
See our Client Appreciation Gift Boxes
2. Informational Gifting
Informational gifting is especially valuable for virtual events, trainings, and educational cohorts. These gifts serve a purpose-they equip the recipient with tools and resources to participate, stay engaged, or get the most out of your program.
Best for:
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Virtual workshops and webinars
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New hire onboarding kits
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Program or course participants
Example:
You're hosting an 8-week virtual DEI program. Ahead of the first session, you ship participants a custom box containing a printed workbook, a planner, a supplemental reading book, and a coffee shop gift card. This reduces barriers to engagement and boosts participation from day one.
3. Promotional Gifting
Promotional gifting includes items with your company branding or messaging and is typically used for marketing, awareness, or product launches. These gifts are effective when done right-avoiding gimmicks in favor of well-designed, useful products that recipients will actually enjoy.
Best for:
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Product or service launches
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Rebranding initiatives
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Media kits and PR boxes
Example:
You’re launching a new beverage line and want to create buzz among investors and partners. You send a branded gift box featuring your three new beverages, a reusable bottle with your logo, and a travel-friendly branded straw set. It’s cohesive, memorable, and ties directly into your brand’s message.
Learn more about our Custom Corporate Gifting Services
Hybrid Gifting: Mixing All Three
You can absolutely blend all three types in one thoughtfully designed gift.
Example:
Your company is hosting a weekend retreat for employees or clients. You provide a branded tote at check-in that includes:
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Itinerary and printed event materials (Informational)
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A branded portable charger and notebook (Promotional)
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Local snacks and a spa gift card as a thank-you (Appreciation)
This kind of hybrid gifting welcomes guests, keeps them informed, and leaves a lasting impression-all in one package.
Browse our Welcome Gift Boxes for Events
Why Having a Gifting Strategy Matters
Without a clear reason or goal, gifting can fall flat-or worse, feel impersonal or transactional. A strong gifting strategy ensures your money is well spent and your recipients feel the impact of your thoughtfulness.
Whether you’re looking to boost retention, celebrate success, or drive engagement, knowing your gifting "why" is key.
Working with a professional gifting service like Lavender + Pine means you don’t have to do it alone. We’ll help you:
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Choose the right type of gifting for your goals
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Customize every detail for your recipients
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Handle all logistics, from sourcing to delivery
Ready to Create a Gifting Experience That Works?
From curated gift boxes to fully custom programs, we make it easy for you to gift with purpose.