Corporate Gifts - What to choose this Christmas?

Christmas is often a time of year when the headlong rush into the season of goodwill can make choosing the most appropriate business gift a headache. Often, for simplicity and speed, the individual is forgotten and a blanket approach is taken preferring to choose a generic gift for all customers.

However, there is a strong move towards giving personalised promotional gifts this Christmas. After all, it is the perfect time to remind customers that they are valued and appreciated.

A well thought out gift gives the impression that someone has really thought about and cares for the recipient.

According to Kevin Ross, Director of Corporate Gifts Co., the leading supplier of quality silver and leather promotional and business gifts: “Customers are more than just names on a database … they are individuals too. So, when they receive a gift, they will respond as people receiving a token of appreciation from another person. A personal connection is made, building goodwill and loyalty.”

Ross went on to say that with the ability to customize large volumes a company such as Corporate Gifts Co. can engrave a logo and an individual's name on each gift to give that personal touch.

“It is an old cliché, but it really is the thought that counts – even more so at Christmas. Customers are tired of the huge choice of off-the-shelf products and as a result, bespoke products are experiencing a real comeback.”

As a result, the demand for bespoke items has returned. Customers are now looking for a custom-designed item or something as simple as bespoke packaging which adds to the experience of the recipient and delivers a real wow factor when the gift box is opened.”

Chocolates and confectionery too fall into this category and with statistics indicating that the confectionery industry is worth over £5 billion in the UK alone, of which chocolates makes up £3 billion, and with an average of just under 200g of chocolate being eaten per person per week, it is clear to see that one of the main attractions of using it as a promotional tool is its huge popularity with the population at large.

The appeal of chocolate is virtually universal and, for this reason, it remains one of the most popular promotional items or giveaways used by brands and their agencies. Why? The gift of chocolate has a wonderfully high perceived value, everyone likes to receive them and, uniquely packaged, can really make any company stand out from the crowd.

Peter Martin, Managing Director of House of Sarunds, a leading continental chocolate and confectionery supplier, said: “This makes it suitable for almost any type of gift. Whatever the specific business sector or profile of the target audience, there is a chocolate or confectionery product that fits the bill.”

While chocolate gifts are most obviously associated with Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter and other gift-giving or celebratory occasions, its broad-based appeal means it can be used as gifts all year round – whether it is an off-the-shelf product or a bespoke item.