Corporate Gifting

Corporate gifting is more than just holiday hampers—it’s your employer’s way of recognizing your hard work and making you feel valued.

This employee-focused glossary breaks down what corporate gifts are, why they matter, how they work, and what you should know about gift cards, taxes, and the best types of gifts to receive at work.

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What is corporate gifting?

Corporate gifting is when your company gives you a gift—physical items, experiences, or gift cards—to show appreciation for your contributions. These gifts may be given during holidays, work anniversaries, or as part of employee recognition programs.

It’s a thoughtful gesture that reflects appreciation for your efforts.

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What are corporate gifts?

Corporate gifts are the actual items or services you might receive from your employer. They can include branded notebooks, tech gadgets, wellness kits, personalized thank-you boxes, or gift cards. These gifts are meant to acknowledge your hard work and celebrate milestones.

Why is corporate gifting important for employees?

Corporate gifting helps employees feel recognized and valued. A meaningful gift can:

Boost morale and motivation
Make you feel seen and appreciated
Strengthen your connection to the company
Create moments of celebration in your work life
Improve job satisfaction and team spirit

It’s more than a perk—it’s part of building a respectful and rewarding workplace.

Who at the company decides or buys corporate gifts?

Gifts are usually arranged by the HR, employee engagement, or people operations team. Sometimes your manager might select or personalize a gift for your work anniversary or specific achievement. In larger companies, gifting platforms automate and manage the process to ensure timely and consistent recognition.

How does corporate gifting work for employees?

You may receive gifts on:

Your birthday or work anniversary
Festive holidays or Employee Appreciation Day
After completing a major project
As part of a team-wide or company-wide recognition event

Some companies use platforms where you can redeem your gift from a selection, while others may send items directly to your home or desk.

What are good corporate gifts for employees?

The best gifts are those that feel personal, thoughtful, and useful. Examples include:

Tech gadgets (earbuds, smart bottles)
Desk accessories or home-office kits
Wellness and self-care boxes
Personalized thank-you items
Experience gifts (e.g., spa, subscriptions)
Branded swag that’s actually stylish and functional

Gifts that reflect your interests or offer everyday value tend to make the strongest impact.

Employee pulse surveys:

These are short surveys that can be sent frequently to check what your employees think about an issue quickly. The survey comprises fewer questions (not more than 10) to get the information quickly. These can be administered at regular intervals (monthly/weekly/quarterly).

One-on-one meetings:

Having periodic, hour-long meetings for an informal chat with every team member is an excellent way to get a true sense of what’s happening with them. Since it is a safe and private conversation, it helps you get better details about an issue.

eNPS:

eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) is one of the simplest yet effective ways to assess your employee's opinion of your company. It includes one intriguing question that gauges loyalty. An example of eNPS questions include: How likely are you to recommend our company to others? Employees respond to the eNPS survey on a scale of 1-10, where 10 denotes they are ‘highly likely’ to recommend the company and 1 signifies they are ‘highly unlikely’ to recommend it.

Based on the responses, employees can be placed in three different categories:

Promoters
Employees who have responded positively or agreed.
Detractors
Employees who have reacted negatively or disagreed.
Passives
Employees who have stayed neutral with their responses.

How to get into corporate gifting (as an employee-related program)?

You don’t need to do anything to “get into” corporate gifting—but if your company doesn’t yet have a gifting program, consider suggesting it to HR. Share how thoughtful gifting can support employee morale, loyalty, and engagement. If you’re in HR, consider platforms that allow personalized and automated gifting at scale.

Are corporate gifts taxable for employees?

Yes, sometimes. Cash gifts and high-value items may be treated as taxable income. However, small, occasional gifts—like holiday hampers, branded merchandise, or gift cards under a certain value—are usually considered de minimis (non-taxable) in many countries. Your HR or payroll team typically handles any necessary reporting.

Can your company gift you money directly?

Yes—but if your employer gives you money or a cash-equivalent (like a high-value gift card), it’s usually considered part of your income and taxed accordingly. Small rewards may be tax-exempt, but large cash gifts will likely be included in your payslip or bonus calculation.

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