Trends in corporate Christmas gifts in 2022: The most popular business gifts of 2022 and what role sustainability plays in corporate gifting

Over the pandemic, we saw an 80% increase in the search for the term “online gift” with an employee gift box being used to connect teams working virtually. HR teams are always looking for ways to increase employee happiness and team cohesion and gifting is often their go-to strategy. The need to bring people together has led to a shift in the gifts corporates have opted for which corporate gift hampers becoming more personal helping to develop business relationships. We have pulled together a list of the latest trends in corporate gift hampers. Instead of taking a look at the traditional options such as branded USB sticks, mugs, and keyrings, if you are looking to excite your team and evoke a feeling of appreciation you should think about offering some meaningful corporate gift hampers. While keeping that in mind, let’s look at some of the latest trends that we can see in corporate gift hampers as of now.

Will more or fewer companies purchase corporate Christmas gifts in 2022?

Is corporate Christmas giving on the decline? Or will more companies choose to splurge on gifts this year than in previous years due to it being one of the most cost-effective HR strategies? While it’s impossible to predict the future, one thing is certain corporate gifting budgets will not match those of 2020. During the pandemic when Christmas parties could not take place, corporates spent these budgets on more expensive corporate gifts instead. Now parties will be back in full swing, and corporate gifting budgets will still exist, but not to the extent as before.

The number of companies buying corporate Christmas gifts has steadily increased over the years. Last year in November and December 2021, gift giving was up 8.4% on 2019 levels. A 2018 survey by the National Retail Federation found that 67% of consumers expect to receive a gift from their employer this holiday season—a figure that’s up from 63% in 2016 and 59% in 2017. According to HR news, 88% of employees want to receive a gift from their employers this Christmas.

It is not yet known how the cost of living crisis will affect corporate gifting. On one hand, giving a corporate gift is one of the most cost-effective HR strategies and is often cheaper than an office Christmas meal. Many staff members will be expecting a Christmas gift, especially if they have received one in previous years. On another hand companies facing increasing costs with the rise of inflation may struggle to find a budget.

In Christmas 2022 Corporate Gift hampers that tell a story will be more popular

One of the most unique ideas for corporate gift hampers is to offer gifts with an inspiring story. This can be a story of how this gift is transforming communities, planting trees, or providing jobs for individuals with barriers to employment. Social Stories Clubs have created an employee gift box where every product inside creates an impact. For example, chocolates that support reforestation projects, soaps empowering individuals with disabilities, and fruit drinks that are made from wonky lemons. The social stories behind each product included in the gift are shared in a story booklet included inside their corporate gift hampers.

Companies will want to give Sustainable Christmas gifts with an impact

The world is moving towards eco-friendly gifting. That is where you can think about giving sustainable gifts, which can create an impact. This is because workers want to work for companies that care about sustainability and gifting a gift is a great way to demonstrate the company also shares this value. Choose sustainable corporate gift hampers with sustainable packaging options. This could be a reusable hamper or a recyclable and biodegradable employee gift box. Sustainable hampers should also have the carbon offset from deliveries. To make sure waste is reduced select sustainable gift hampers with consumable products such as food, drink, and soaps or reusable products such as tote bags and coffee cups. Another tip for sending corporate gifts is to include your company’s CSR goals in a note included inside their sustainable employee gift box. This can help the team understand that this shared value of sustainability runs throughout the organisation.

Companies are not just giving Christmas gifts to the office but are also sending gift hampers for virtual Christmas parties to companies with remote workers

Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, we could see the world going virtual. Even now, we can see how numerous companies are keeping work from home the norm. This is to reduce costs, and time spent to travel, and is also better for the environment. This means Christmas parties could also be virtual, especially if the whole team is scattered around the UK. To help those who are joining an event virtually feel more connected companies will send gifts. They will send sustainable hampers with a journal, pens, a snack and a drink to be enjoyed throughout the event. They may opt for more Christmassy gift items and include mulled wine in their Christmas hampers.

Corporate gift hampers sent from small businesses and social enterprises

In the cost of living crisis, many larger corporates want to support smaller social enterprises and are voting with their wallet. Choosing a corporate gift is a great opportunity to support small businesses and social enterprises. This leads to a positive knock-on effect on the community and local economy. Social enterprises, such as Social Stories Club, are providing job opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment and are creating high-quality sustainable hampers for employees and clients. Many corporates are recognising the power they have to make an impact by incorporating social enterprises into their supply chain and are actively looking to purchase from social enterprises.

Using an employee gift box as a way to connect with staff working from home

If your employees are working from home, it can be challenging to come up with creative ways to ensure they still feel a part of your team. Many staff no longer want socials on zoom. Working from home can create distance between your company and your employees but a thoughtful corporate gift can make your team still feel appreciated and recognised for their hard work.

What are gifting companies doing to encourage more sales?

However, when it comes to gifting practices, there’s little doubt that the way we shop is changing. Online shopping is increasingly popular among consumers and retailers alike, and many companies are now offering free or discounted shipping to entice customers to make their purchases online instead of at brick-and-mortar stores. That means employees who want a gift will not have to spend as much time hunting for a store or waiting for it to arrive at home. And if you have a company credit card, you can often get a discount or earn points when you purchase.

Why is sustainability so popular? Because sustainable hampers reflect your companies values

What are your company values and do your team know about these values? Most businesses in today’s world have company values and are interested in promoting these internally and externally. Many corporates have CSR goals that their team have no idea about. A great way to demonstrate your values to your customers is through a sustainable corporate gift hamper. These make the perfect gifts for companies that value their team, sustainability, customer first, and kindness. If your company is adhering to lowing carbon emission practices and sustainability, yet you purchase a generic employee gift box that does not reflect these values, there could be a mismatch.

An example of a sustainable Christmas gift box - Pick-Me-Up

The Pick-Me-Up gift is the perfect present for employees and clients alike. The contents of this gift box include Twin Pack Earl Grey Tea, which contributes to educational infrastructure improvements in tea-growing regions, as well as Sea Salt & Caramel Chocolate (55%), which empowers local cocoa farmers by providing them with company ownership and a fair price for their cocoa, Triple-milled Organic Soap made by a collective of artists living with epilepsy and learning disabilities that designed the packaging. Also in this sustainable Christmas gift is a bar of Divine chocolate with Ginger & Orange (70%), which provides cocoa farmers with company ownership and a fair price for their cocoa, and a bar of Chocolate and Love Dark Chocolate with Orange (65%), which contributes to reforestation efforts and minimises waste by using innovative packaging. Flourish NI (a Northern Ireland-based anti-trafficking charity) provides hot chocolate stirrers for this Christmas gift box to help people achieve a brighter future.

Conclusion

These are the latest trends in corporate gift hampers. Sustainable hampers have been growing in popularity and are a great strategy to help those working remotely feel appreciated and a part of the team. Sustainable gift hampers are a great way to show employee appreciation and at Social Stories Club we specialise in these hampers. We are a social enterprise and our gifts are changing the world. The products inside each have an inspiring social story of how they are making a difference in the world such as tote bags supporting rescue dogs and nuts building schools. We offer a variety of corporate gift hampers which are great for clients, employees, and events. If you are looking for a sustainable Christmas gifting supplier for corporates, get in touch with our team at Social Stories Club by booking a 1:2:1. There are options to build your own gift hamper, options for bespoke corporate gifts, branded corporate gifts, pre-curated corporate gifts, and gifts for clients.