It’s no secret that corporate culture can get a bad rep. In fact, it’s really pretty understandable. After all, bottom lines and busy deadlines can sometimes get in the way of meaningful connections and conversations. However, we’re big believers in the importance of incredible corporate culture. It creates a positive impact in the workplace, but it also trickles into the rest of the real world, too.
Luckily, the holidays are a great time to invest in building corporate culture. There are so many opportunities for thanking your team and pouring into them through intentional gifting and gatherings.
Wondering how to creatively and thoughtfully pour into your people through holiday gifting this year? We’ve got you covered, Vestals style.
Why corporate holiday gifting is so powerful
At the end of the day, everyone loves feeling seen. It’s why corporate gifting is such a great idea, whether you’re gifting to your team, your clients or partners. From helping to strengthen relationships and encouraging employee/client retention to boosting morale and building brand equity, gifting opens up the opportunity window to promote loyalty, connection, and collaboration.
But, here’s the important thing to remember: not all corporate holiday gifting is, well, necessarily… appreciated. After all, we’ve all received a random branded magnet as a “gift” — and while it’s a nice thought, it’s not particularly memorable (or often wanted). The key is to be thoughtful with your gifting from the jump, and to curate gifts that feel intentional and practical — not like an afterthought to check something off a list.
(Luckily, you know us! We love sharing ideas.)
How to show genuine appreciation with elevated corporate gifts
We LOVE holiday party season over here (here are some of our tips for planning yours), and we PARTICULARLY love elevating parties to the next level. I mean, of course, we do! So, as you plan your Thanksgiving party (or just as you start thinking through gift ideas), here are some ways to make sure your gifting hits the spot:
- Think about your values: Deciding on what to gift can be hard, which is why zoning in on your values can be helpful. For instance, if one of your values is sustainability, go for locally sourced goods or eco-friendly materials. If one of your corporate initiatives is around wellness, include a massage gift card, a branded candle, or a yoga mat. If you value giving back, prioritize gifts bought from a team member’s side hustle (so special!) or ones that support a charitable cause. We could keep going, but you get it!
- Make it relevant and exciting: At the end of the day, we all have a LOT of stuff. When choosing what to give, remember that — and go for gifts that will be well-received and used, versus gifts that will end up shoved in a drawer. A good litmus test is thinking about what you’d actually enjoy receiving.
- Weave in your branding to the gift: It’s important to include your branding on a holiday gift (at least somewhere). After all, that’s kind of the point! However, avoid just throwing a massive logo on a product and calling it a day. Instead, look for ways to weave it in more subtly (like in the wrapping paper or with an embossed logo). Often, this is more impactful — and it’s definitely more luxe.
- Add something sweet: Order a box of our delicious famous Ginger Cookies today as a perfect accompaniment to every corporate gift… and as the perfect dessert for you, too. We won’t tell! Plus, we can work with you on special branded packaging.
Corporate holiday gifting ideas, Thanksgiving edition
And, now’s the fun part: choosing your gift! Here are some unique, elevated corporate gifting ideas, all with a little Vestals twist.
- Thanksgiving tablescape kits: Help your clients and your team create a beautiful Thanksgiving table with a tablescape kit — and curate a box of goodies that can make every celebration special. Here are some things you could include:
- Taper candles and votives to set the atmosphere (branding tip: they could be in your company colors)
- An elegant, branded wine stopper and branded bottle of wine
- A custom bouquet of flowers from Fresh Sends
- Pre-dinner snacks and desserts for grazing (we’d recommend nuts, Vestals’ Famous Ginger Cookies, olives, crackers, and dried fruit)
- A personal note wishing them a happy Thanksgiving (and a delicious meal)
- Texas treat basket: If there’s one thing we’re sure about, it’s that EVERYONE loves a really beautiful, tasty treat basket — especially if it comes with some Lone Star flair. Use an actual branded basket, bag, or cooler box to store (and reuse), and include things like this inside:
- Texas wildflower honey
- Fredericksburg wine (and cheese from a local dairy, of course!)
- A case of Shiner beer
- Gourmet sweet treats, like Texas pralines, delicious ginger cookies, and mini pecan pies
- Locally-roasted coffee (a few of our favorite roasters: Merit Coffee, Noble Coyote, and White Rock Coffee)
- BBQ sauces and rubs from iconic Texas spots like The Salt Lick
- A case of Dublin Dr Pepper (bonus points if you include a Dr Pepper sheet cake)
- Branded kit for a cozy night in: Relaxation is hard to come by this time of year, but so SO important. Show your team or clients you care by sending them a “night in” kit that includes things like:
- Gift card for a local pizza shop
- A branded crewneck sweatshirt and slippers
- Deck of cards (with your company logo)
- A richly scented candle or bath salt
- A collection of tea or bottle of wine
- A sweet treat, of course — like these cookies
- A signature holiday dish and cutting board: The amount of cooking that goes on around the holidays gives you ample opportunities for gifting! Send your team and clients something delicious — everyone appreciates a turkey or ham, no matter how cheesy it may seem — and give them the tools to elevate their own experience, too! Here’s what you could include:
- A gorgeous wooden cutting board (with minimal but impactful branding)
- A recipe card with an easy, delicious meal or treat (think: pizza with fig and prosciutto, turkey stuffing, holiday salad, pasta, yule log)
- Locally sourced olive oil, salt, and honey
- Thoughtful extras customized to the recipe (like a pizza cutter, salad bowl, or cheese knife)
- A box of our famous Ginger Cookies
And if you’re in the market for something elevated, but with an easier lift — we totally get that, too! Here are a few curated, standalone corporate gift ideas:
- Fresh Sends flowers (pro tip: their corporate gifting options offer gorgeous branded newspaper!)
- Artisanal holiday candle scents with branded matchboxes
- A handcrafted wreath
- A bottle of vintage champagne, packaged in a sleek, branded box
We hope this has you inspired and excited for the holiday season — gifting, parties, and all! If you’re planning a Texas corporate holiday gathering to go along with your gift, we’d love to help you elevate it with some delicious food. Get in touch with us today to tell us more about your vision and see how we can help.
