Corporate Gifting Trends: Embracing Sustainability and Green Practices

Introduction:

In today's world, sustainability has become a significant concern for individuals and organisations alike. Corporates are increasingly adopting environmentally friendly practices, and this shift extends to corporate gifting as well. Gone are the days of traditional gifts that often end up as mere clutter. The latest trend is to embrace sustainability and green practices in corporate gifting, promoting social responsibility while leaving a positive impact. This blog will explore the top corporate gifting trends that align with sustainability goals and target the socially conscious corporates. Whether you’re looking at corporate gift trends for your sustainable Christmas hampers for employees or just a one off ethical corporate gift for a client, this blog will help you find unique gifts for those who care about sustainability. Join us as we delve into the world of meaningful and eco-friendly gifts.

Gifts by Social Enterprises:

A social enterprise is a type of business that operates with the primary objective of addressing social or environmental issues. These enterprises are distinct from traditional for-profit businesses because their primary purpose is to create positive social impact rather than maximising financial profits for shareholders. Social enterprises combine commercial activities with a strong social mission and reinvest the majority of their profits back into their social or environmental goals.

Key features of social enterprises include:

• Social and/or Environmental Mission: Social enterprises are driven by a clear and measurable social or environmental mission. Their activities are focused on addressing societal challenges, such as poverty, unemployment, homelessness, environmental sustainability, or community development.
• Financial Sustainability: Social enterprises generate revenue through the sale of goods, services, or other commercial activities. They aim to be financially self-sustaining and reduce dependency on grants or donations.
• Reinvestment of Profits: Unlike traditional businesses, social enterprises prioritise reinvesting the majority of their profits back into their social or environmental mission. Profits are channeled toward furthering the enterprise's social goals, expanding services, creating employment opportunities, or investing in community development.
• Ethical Business Practices: Social enterprises adhere to ethical business practices, such as fair trade, environmentally sustainable operations, and responsible employment practices. They often prioritise the well-being of their employees, communities, and the environment.
• Community Engagement: Social enterprises actively engage with their communities, involving stakeholders in decision-making processes and seeking to address local needs. They often collaborate with other organisations, public bodies, and individuals to maximise their impact.

Examples of social enterprises in Scotland include Social Stories Club - a prominent social enterprise gifting company based in Scotland. With a strong commitment to social impact and sustainability, they have reimagined the corporate gifting landscape, offering a unique range of handcrafted products that tell inspiring stories while empowering marginalised communities. Let's explore how Social Stories Club exemplifies the essence of a social enterprise gifting company.

One prominent trend in corporate gifting is supporting social enterprises. These enterprises are dedicated to making a positive social or environmental impact. By choosing gifts crafted by social enterprises, corporates can contribute to various causes, such as empowering marginalised communities or supporting fair trade practices. Social Stories Club, an ethical gifting platform, offers a wide range of handcrafted gifts made by social enterprises, ensuring that your gift has a positive social impact.

Gifts Companies that Pay the Living Wage:

The concept of a living wage revolves around the idea that individuals should earn an income that enables them to meet their basic needs and maintain a decent standard of living. Unlike the minimum wage, which is often the legally mandated lowest wage that employers must pay, a living wage takes into account the actual cost of living in a specific geographic area.

The living wage is calculated based on factors such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, education, and other essential expenses. It aims to ensure that workers can afford not only their basic necessities but also participate in their communities, support their families, and have some discretionary income.

The specific calculation of a living wage can vary depending on the location and standards used. Various organisations and researchers analyse regional economic data, cost-of-living indices, and factors like family size to determine an appropriate living wage for a particular area.

The concept of a living wage is rooted in social justice and the belief that individuals who work full-time should earn enough to support themselves and their families without relying on public assistance. It recognises that adequate compensation is crucial for reducing poverty, promoting economic stability, and enhancing overall well-being.

Advocates for the living wage argue that paying workers a fair wage not only benefits individuals and their families but also has positive effects on businesses and the economy. When workers earn a living wage, they are more likely to have higher job satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and increased productivity, which can lead to better business outcomes.

Implementing a living wage often involves collaboration between policymakers, employers, and labor organisations. Some cities, states, and countries have enacted legislation to establish minimum wage standards that reflect the local cost of living, aiming to ensure workers are paid a wage that meets their basic needs.

Overall, the concept of a living wage emphasises the importance of fair compensation, economic justice, and creating an environment where individuals can thrive financially and have a dignified quality of life.

Corporates are increasingly conscious of the ethical practices of the companies they associate with. Opting for gifts from companies that pay a living wage demonstrates a commitment to fair labor practices and supports businesses that value their employees. By choosing gifts from Social Stories Club, you are assured that the artisans and craftspeople behind these products are paid fair wages, empowering them to sustain a decent quality of life.

Sustainable Gifts that Offset Carbon from Delivery:

Carbon offsetting is a practice aimed at reducing the net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by an individual, organisation, or activity. It involves taking steps to compensate for the emissions produced by supporting projects or activities that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

The process of carbon offsetting typically involves the following steps:

• Measuring Emissions: The first step is to measure the amount of carbon emissions produced by a particular source or activity. This can include direct emissions from burning fossil fuels or indirect emissions from electricity consumption, transportation, or manufacturing processes.
• Identifying Offset Projects: Once the emissions are measured, the next step is to identify and select offset projects that have a verifiable and measurable impact on reducing or removing greenhouse gases. These projects can include renewable energy initiatives, reforestation and afforestation projects, methane capture from landfills or agricultural activities, or investments in energy-efficient technologies.
• Calculating and Purchasing Offsets: Using established methodologies and calculations, the emissions that need to be offset are determined. This information is then used to calculate the number of carbon offsets required to neutralise or balance out the emissions. These offsets can be purchased from certified organisations or projects that generate offsets, usually in the form of carbon credits. The revenue generated from the sale of these credits helps fund the ongoing operations of the offset projects.
• Verifying and Monitoring: It is crucial to ensure the credibility and integrity of offset projects. Independent third-party verifiers assess and validate the projects to confirm that the claimed reductions or removals of greenhouse gases are accurate and comply with recognised standards. Ongoing monitoring ensures that the projects continue to deliver the expected environmental benefits over time.

By participating in carbon offsetting, individuals and organisations take responsibility for their carbon emissions and support projects that contribute to the overall reduction of greenhouse gases. It allows them to mitigate their environmental impact, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to the global efforts to combat climate change.

It's important to note that carbon offsetting should be seen as a complementary strategy to reducing emissions at the source. The primary focus should always be on adopting energy-efficient practices, transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing sustainable transportation options, and minimising waste. Carbon offsetting should be utilised as part of a comprehensive sustainability strategy to achieve long-term climate goals.

Reducing carbon footprint has become a priority for companies worldwide. When selecting corporate gifts, it's essential to consider their entire life cycle, including delivery. Choose gifts that offset carbon emissions from transportation by partnering with companies that employ sustainable delivery practices or invest in carbon offset programs. Social Stories Club offsets carbon emissions from its gift deliveries, ensuring that your gift arrives sustainably and with a reduced environmental impact.

Gifts with Low Waste Packaging:

As we become more aware of the environmental consequences of excessive packaging waste, opting for gifts with minimal packaging is a rising trend. Consider choosing gifts that are packaged in eco-friendly materials, such as recycled or biodegradable packaging. Social Stories Club prides itself on using sustainable packaging materials, allowing you to present your gift while minimising waste and ecological harm. 

Social Stories Club uses either a reusable hamper made out of paper rope, or biodegradable, recyclable cardboard box which is low waste. Instead of using plastic peanuts for filler, wood wool sources from sustainable timber forests are used instead. This makes the packaging low waste and the filler compostable. 

Gifts with Interesting Stories:

 Corporate gifting is an opportunity to engage and connect with clients and partners on a personal level. Choosing gifts that come with unique and compelling stories can create a memorable experience for the recipient. Social Stories Club curates gifts with interesting narratives, sharing the stories of the artisans and communities behind each product. This adds a meaningful and personal touch to the gift, fostering a deeper connection between the corporate giver and the recipient. These stories can be read in the story booklet included with each gift. It is exciting to read how the tea you are drinking helps to educate vulnerable girls in tea growing regions. 

Building Your Own Gifts for Corporates:

Customisation is key when it comes to corporate gifting. Building your own gifts allows you to tailor them to the recipient's preferences and align with your company's values. Social Stories Club offers a Build Your Own Gift option, enabling corporates to curate bespoke gift boxes that reflect their unique brand identity and sustainability goals. By creating personalised gifts, you can make a lasting impression while supporting social and environmental causes. If you would like your staff to choose their own gift get in touch and we can either issue them a unique pre-paid link, or a gift card code. If you would like us to create you a bespoke corporate gift for you, please book a call today.

Gift recipients often love the opportunity to select the products inside their gift hamper for several reasons:

• Personalisation: By allowing gift recipients to choose the products, the gift becomes more personalised and tailored to their preferences. It shows that the giver has put thought and consideration into selecting a gift that aligns with the recipient's tastes, interests, or needs.
• Flexibility and Choice: Selecting the products allows the recipients to have a say in what they receive. They can choose items that they genuinely desire or find useful, ensuring that the gift is not only meaningful but also practical.
• Discovering New Favorites: Gift hampers often include a variety of items, which gives recipients the chance to explore new products they may not have tried before. This element of surprise and discovery can be exciting and enjoyable, adding to the overall gift experience.
• Empowerment and Engagement: Allowing gift recipients to choose their products empowers them to actively participate in the gift-giving process. It creates a sense of engagement and involvement, making them feel valued and respected.
• Customisation: Some recipients may have specific dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences. By selecting their own products, they can ensure that the items meet their individual requirements, making the gift more inclusive and suitable for their needs.
• Ownership and Satisfaction: When recipients have the freedom to choose, they feel a sense of ownership over the gift. This ownership enhances their satisfaction and enjoyment of the items they receive, fostering a positive connection with both the gift and the giver.
• Reflecting Personal Style: By selecting the products themselves, recipients have the opportunity to reflect their personal style or aesthetic preferences. They can choose items that align with their tastes, allowing them to create a gift hamper that truly resonates with their individuality.

Overall, allowing gift recipients to select the products inside their gift hamper enhances the overall gift-giving experience. It adds a personal touch, empowers the recipients, and ensures that the gift is well-suited to their preferences and needs. This level of customisation and engagement fosters a stronger connection between the recipient, the gift, and the giver.

Branded Gifts:

Branding is an integral part of corporate gifting. By selecting branded gifts, you not only reinforce your company's identity but also promote your commitment to sustainability. Social Stories Club offers the option to add your company logo or message to their curated gifts, ensuring that your brand is associated with ethical practices and environmental consciousness. Find out about our branded corporate gifts here.

Conclusion:

As sustainability continues to gain momentum, embracing green practices in corporate gifting is becoming essential. By opting for gifts from social enterprises, companies that pay the living wage, and those with sustainable delivery practices, corporates can make a positive impact while building meaningful relationships. Choosing low waste packaging, gifts with interesting stories, and even building your own gifts allows for customisation and personalisation. With Social Stories Club as your partner, you can create unforgettable gifting experiences that align with your company's values and demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Head over to our corporate gifting page for more information today.