5 Etiquette Rules for Giving Corporate Gifts
Corporate Courtesy: 5 Etiquette Rules for Giving Corporate Gifts
Giving gifts is a smart business practice. Business promotional products and corporate gifts can help strengthen your relationships with clients, partners, employees, and other key connections.
That’s because gifts show appreciation and they can help you stand out. However, corporate gift-giving has etiquette rules. Make sure to follow these five rules the next time you give corporate gifts to avoid faux pas and get maximum impact.
Determine If Gifts Are Acceptable
Before spending money on corporate gifts, find out if the recipient’s company allows employees to accept them. Many organizations have strict policies prohibiting employees from accepting gifts over a certain dollar value.
Other companies ban gifts entirely to avoid conflicts of interest or legal issues. If a policy permits modest gifts, ask about any dollar limits. You don’t want a well-intentioned gift to cause trouble or get rejected.
For best results, err on the conservative side if you’re unsure. A small, inexpensive gift is better than an inappropriate lavish one.
Make Gifts Relevant and Thoughtful
Never give generic corporate gifts that feel like an afterthought. Rather pick a relevant, thoughtful item that shows you value the person and relationship. When selecting a gift, consider the recipient’s hobbies, interests, and background.
For example, if the person is a coffee lover, you can get them a nice coffee mug or tumbler, or even a new latte recipe they might want to try.
And if you know the person is a sports fan, get them tickets to an important game or team merchandise. Little personal touches go a long way. They make the gift feel special and meaningful rather than generic corporate swag.
Avoid Personal Gift Appearance
While gifts should be thoughtful and personal, you want to avoid anything too personal that could seem unprofessional or make people uncomfortable. Steer clear of overly intimate items like perfumes, clothing, joke gifts, or alcoholic beverages.
Instead, the gift should be appropriate in a business setting rather than something you’d give a friend or romantic partner. And since you want to keep a polished, professional appearance at all times, opt for a more reserved gift choice if you’re in doubt.
Time Gifts Carefully
The timing of giving a gift matters. You don’t want it to look like an attempt to unfairly influence decisions or like you’re giving a bribe.
Give gifts around conventional gift-giving times like the winter holidays, a work anniversary, retirement, the closing of a big deal, etc. Those natural occasions remove any unethical appearance. Giving at random other times can seem suspicious.
Include a Handwritten Note
A personal, handwritten note is an essential part of giving a corporate gift. Without it, the gift loses meaning and impact. It shows no thought went into it beyond ordering a generic item.
The note should be short and polite but add that personalized touch. Mention your professional relationship with the recipient. Thank them for their work, partnership, loyalty as a customer, or whatever warrants the gift.
Keep it positive but sincere. Don’t gush with over-the-top praise. A few genuine sentences are enough. The handwritten element is key for adding a warm, personal touch.
Give the Right Impression
Follow these five etiquette rules to ensure your corporate gifts give the right impression. They’ll strengthen bonds instead of creating awkwardness or negativity. They’ll become personal tokens of appreciation rather than attempts at bribery or obligation.
Remember, etiquette rules like these ensure gift-giving is an appreciated business practice, not a faux pas.
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