2023 was a great year for your company.
You built strong business relationships with clients by giving them the perfect gifts.
And took existing partnerships to a whole new level.
Amazing stuff.
But the thing with gifts is the bar always goes higher.
If you gave your client a smartwatch, for instance, giving them the same gift again will show you didn’t put any thought into it. That’s not good for relationship building.
In corporate terms, gifting is ever-evolving.
As such, if you’re going to leave lasting impressions on employees, partners, or clients, you need to be up-to-date with what’s trending in the gift world.
You know, so you always have exciting ideas on what to give.
Luckily for you, that’s what we talk about in this guide.
It’s an exploration into the ‘gift space’ of 2024.
What would clients like to have this time around?
Or not want to have.
So without further ado, let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Trend #1: Sustainable Eco-Friendly Swag
Trend #4: Personalized Self-Care
Trend #1: Sustainable Eco-Friendly Swag
In recent years, most people have become more conscious about protecting our planet.
We’ve seen a rise in alternative energy. Electric cars. Eco-friendly brands.
In fact, after the pandemic, over 80% of adults said they’re willing to take action to combat sustainability challenges.
Another Statista survey published last year showed that 61% of people between ages 22 and 35 are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products.
The point?
More folks are becoming concerned about how the products they use affect the environment.
So giving sustainable gift options like the one below shows you know what’s trending.
Throw in additional stuff like tote bags and reusable water bottles and you’ll have the perfect corporate gift.
Not only does it show you’re inclusive, it tells recipients that you support local businesses. And wanna see less carbon in our atmosphere.
The bottom line? Getting sustainable company swag is a trend that will be around for a long, long while.
Trend #2: Experiential Gifts
Remember what happened right after COVID?
There was the ‘great resignation’.
People reflected on what was truly important to them. And thought “Well, creating memories with loved ones is more important.” Bonding with family. Doing what they love.
Many switched to remote work so they could be closer to family and create memories. Those things mean more in life.
Now, when you give people an experience to enjoy with their loved ones, it deepens the relationship they have with your brand.
You’re helping them accomplish a feat they and their loved ones will remember for a long time.
In return, you get brand loyalty and trust.
We’re not just saying that; there’s proof.
Research has shown that experiential gifts can improve a relationship way better than material gifts can.
High-quality corporate gifts like this will help their recipients create memories that last a lifetime. They get to take pictures and frame them. Have fun and build friendships.
Like Chris McQueen says, “What truly matters are memories … They help us bond.”
So, what makes experiential gifts a noteworthy trend?
Well, for one, most people associate gift-giving with ‘stuff.’ Experiential gifts, though, give recipients a new experience. A special moment they can cherish.
Those experiential gifts can be weekend getaways.
A trip to Disneyland with the family (a perfect corporate holiday gift by the way). An escape-room adventure. A scavenger hunt.
The possibilities are endless.
It’s a gifting strategy that can also foster team building.
Trend #3: Tech-Savvy Touches
Ah yes, gadgets.
Who doesn’t love them?
From the latest iPhone to a new gaming console, smartwatch, MacBook, and more. Our faces light up whenever we get new tech gadgets.
According to a LendingTree Survey, 77% of Americans say having the latest gadget is important for them.
Simply put, tech-related corporate gadgets are such a delight for many people.
The reason is simple. Gadgets are practical, stylish, and modern.
They show recipients you put a lot of thought into what to give them.
So it’s a trend that’s going to be around for a while, especially because new tech is always popping up now and then.
Oh, and by the way, the gadgets don’t have to be expensive.
They can be something simple like noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones, wireless chargers, laptop accessories, etc.
Here’s another idea: you can even throw in video messages with the gifts so they have a personal touch and leave lasting impressions on clients or employees.
By leveraging this trend, you can always find the perfect client gift or employee gift that they’ll appreciate.
Trend #4: Personalized Self-Care
In an episode of the McKinsey on Consumer and Retail podcast, Monica Toriello talked about how people around the world are becoming more interested in taking care of themselves.
In a survey they did, McKinsey found out how self-care has become a $1.5 trillion market.
So, what is self-care?
According to the survey, it’s centered around physical and mental health, nutrition, fitness, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness.
And about 79% of people surveyed believe wellness is important. Another 42% considered it a top priority.
Basically, self-care and wellness are things people are more passionate about than ever before.
That’s why it’s one of the top corporate gifting trends of 2024.
“So, what kind of self-care gifts can I give clients or employees?”
The options are endless.
From luxurious spa products to stress relief products, essential oils, meditation apps, therapy sessions, gym subscriptions, and spa memberships.
The idea with self-care gift sets is to show clients, partners, or employees that you’re concerned about their well-being and want them to maintain a good work-life balance.
It’s quite a thoughtful gift to give employees on work anniversaries, birthdays, etc.
And if you’re unsure about what would make a friendly gift, you can always go with gift cards from a popular wellness brand. This way the recipients can get things they like.
Trend #5: Quiet Luxury
And then, last but not least, there’s ‘quiet luxury.’
This latest trend embraces the minimalist approach. Instead of eye-catching gifts, you go for bespoke products.
Craftsmanship. Timeless designs. The kind that people can’t get enough of.
A quick search for the term on Google will show how it’s grown over the past year.
Quiet luxury goes beyond stuff. It can be food gifts. Curated wine-tasting experiences. Private cuisine.
Handmade chocolates. Handcrafted crochet. Without the company logo.
Essentially, something that’s rare and special at the same time.
A good example of a quiet-luxury appreciation gift is this gourmet cooler.
It’s rare and a great way to show employee appreciation too.
In a way, this trend is similar to experiential gifts. You’re allowing recipients to create memories.
And it also shows your brand’s commitment to supporting artisanal products and small businesses.
That brings us to the end of this guide.
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Take Advantage of These New Trends
Been looking for unique corporate gift ideas for the new year?
You should consider these trends the next time you want to give gifts.
They’re things people are becoming passionate about.
And guess what?
The more you focus on people’s passion, the more likely your gift will be a memorable one.
You like the sound of that, don’t you?
Now if you’re ready to find gifts that can help you stay ahead of the game in 2024, our gifting platform has a huge catalog for you to browse through.
We can even personalize them so they feel thoughtful to recipients.
All you have to do is click here to get started.
