Frequent business travelers often resort to solving quick problems by using the company credit card for one-off items that may be unnecessary. Unless you work for a very small company with a tight budget, who cares, right? Large companies can cover those costs, no problem. Unfortunately, this kind of quick-fix mentality doesn’t just waste money—it’s not terribly sustainable, either. Business travel is already a huge contributor to global emissions, and every way we can actively reduce that impact is a good thing.
We’re not saying you should share a hotel room with your coworker who snores. (There are some things that should not be skimped on.) However, we are saying that intentional choices and well-planned travel habits can help improve your travel for both business and pleasure.
These are a few of our favorite corporate travel tips to make your next business trip more sustainable and more stress-free. And hey, you may get so used to traveling this way that you start saving more money and time on your personal vacations!
Business Travel Tip #1: Take extra time to plan your attire.
Why are some people great at packing and others always overpack? They could travel so much that they have packing down to a science. Or they could just be excellent planners.
What does a good packing planner do? They take extra time to accurately plan out their clothing. This practice includes considering which shoes, jackets, accessories, and bags will be the most widely used and the most appropriate for all aspects of the trip. Helpful tips when packing clothes for business travel:
Check the weather.
How cold or warm will it be? Is rain expected? Knowing the predicted forecast will help plan what jacket to bring, if you’ll need extra layers or lighter fabrics, if you’ll need shoes with good traction or waterproofing, etc.
Will you be mostly inside or outside?
Depending on the trip, you might be able to walk from your hotel to the convention center—or you might be inside chilly meeting rooms all day long. Understanding where the majority of your time will be spent will help you plan your clothing accordingly.
Will you be standing or sitting?
If attending a trade show, you’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing—high heels or brand-new shoes will not be comfortable all day. If you sit most of the day, are your pants comfortable, or will they pinch? Could anything ride up or wrinkle easily?
Choose muted / neutral colors.
Neutrals like black, white, grey, and beige are more likely to coordinate easily with various clothing combinations and match just about any shoes or outerwear, allowing you to pack light. With that said…
Don’t be afraid of statement pieces.
A bright neck scarf or tie, fun earrings, a unique, high-quality bag, or a well-tailored jacket are all excellent accents to neutral pieces that don’t take up much additional space in a bag. Statement pieces also provide the opportunity to start conversations (more on this later).
A great way to ensure you’re bringing everything you need is to try on everything you’re bringing ahead of time. Make sure different pieces go together and fit correctly, and decide on shoes. Can you transition a daytime outfit to a nighttime one easily? If you're bringing a backpack, can you bring a smaller matching bag or laptop tote to match your outfit for a post-conference happy hour?
Obviously, this strategy will differ between women and men. Still, the same concept applies: plan well, and you’ll be more comfortable overall, look more professional, and feel more confident when attending meetings or making new connections.
Business Travel Tip #2: Don’t buy - borrow!
Unexpected thunderstorm dampening your trip? Rather than buying a cheap umbrella that you’ll just end up throwing away later on, ask the front desk at your hotel, the convention center, or a tourist stop if there are any in the lost & found. Often, they’ll be happy to unload one!
Forgot your phone power cord? Considering this is one of the top items left behind at hotels, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if they have some lying around that will match your device. Traveling internationally and forgot a power converter? There’s likely a stock of these in the hotel lost & found, too.
Rather than immediately purchasing a new item to save time, consider the long-term impact these decisions make on the planet. Start defaulting to more sustainable borrowing practices on the road, and these habits can help you save money on personal trips, too!
Business Travel Tip #3: Split expenses & make connections.
Sharing a car ride is not only an excellent way to save money but also an opportunity to make a business connection. Are you attending a conference or trade show? Many people will be heading to and from the same areas each day. Sharing a trip allows you the chance to talk one-on-one—who knows where it could lead?
This tip also works well for ride-sharing to and from the airport. Splitting the ride not only saves money on costs, but you could also connect with a future client or customer—and it reduces carbon emissions. That’s a win-win-win!
Business Travel Tip #4: Stay healthy & FLY-drate.
Frequent travel can wreck your immune system, so bring a refillable water bottle (preferably a bottle with a good filtration system) and keep sipping throughout your flight. Stash a few Emergen-C packets in your carry-on bag and add to your water to boost immunity. Adding some flavor to your water can actually increase your urge to drink, and ensuring you stay hydrated on travel days is an excellent way to support health throughout your trip.
Bringing along an insulated mug for tea or coffee is another sustainable travel hack to save waste from single-use cups on the flight or at your destination. Bring your own tea bags or dehydrated coffee, and just have the flight attendant fill your mug with hot water. Starbucks now makes pretty decent coffee packets, and smaller roasteries like Huckleberry are beginning to follow suit with their fancier versions of instant coffee.
Business Travel Tip #5: Make commuting more fun.
Sure, you can take a car to or from your destination. But what about a bike instead? Many cities now have bike shares as an easy, cheap, green option for getting from point A to B. Exploring a new city by bike is more enjoyable, more sustainable, and great for getting some movement into your day.
We heard one story about someone who found an inexpensive used road bike on Craigslist and bought it upon arrival in a new city, along with a cheap combination bike lock. They rode it all week during their trip as their primary form of transportation. At the end of their trip, they locked it up to a bike rack, reposted it to sell on Craigslist, and then told the next buyer where the bike was located along with the combination to the lock. Now that’s a truly creative (and sustainable) travel hack!
Business Travel Tip #6: Pack smarter.
Even the newest travelers know about the woes of the dreaded TSA checkpoint. Experienced travelers know to keep their quart-sized liquids bag and laptop in easy-to-access places (or they forgo the hassle altogether with a TSA PreCheck or Clear membership). Whether you choose to carry-on or check a bag, there are some more clever ways to pack up daily essentials for professional travel to make your life easy:
Utilize custom tiny travel containers.
Sometimes, the pre-packaged travel containers don’t work for exactly what you personally need on a daily basis. An excellent hack is to go to an art supply store and find the section where they keep tiny storage containers for paint or crafts. Mix & match precisely what you need! (These travel capsules are a great company gift for frequent travelers, by the way.)
Don’t bring what your hotel can provide.
You can guarantee that your hotel or vacation rental will provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and maybe even lotion wherever you stay. Don’t waste space in your bag. If you like fancier products, choose one or two that really make a difference (such as high-quality conditioner), and prioritize bringing that product instead of all of them.
Get creative with cases.
Need vitamins or medications for just a couple of days? A great makeshift (and compact) pill case is using an old contacts case!
Business Travel Tip #7: Stand out.
Remember when we said earlier to pack a few statement pieces? Adding a few intentional accents to your outfit is a fantastic way to stand out amongst a sea of Patagonia vests. Something as simple as a bright-patterned neck scarf, a lapel pin branded with a funny or clever statement, or a high-quality hat or bag is enough to start a conversation with someone new. Give people something to comment on, and they’ll do the hard work for you!
Implementing these simple tips can make expert business travel easier, more enjoyable, and more sustainable. These ideas will increase your confidence on any business trip, help you save money, make less of an impact on the planet, and be more efficient and organized wherever you’re going.
Planning an onsite corporate event? Check out our onsite gifting offer.
]]>Whether your recipients are in-office professionals or digital nomads, finding the perfect laptop totes to give as corporate gifts (or purchase for yourself) is essential to ensure the longevity of use. From durable materials to extra organizational components, we’ve handpicked the best laptop totes available today.
The Best Overall Laptop Tote: The Moment Everything Tote
This laptop tote is part work bag, part travel bag - keeping everything together and organized precisely where you need it. It has a durable, water-resistant shell that will help keep your laptop safe and has the perfect amount of dedicated pockets to keep small items organized. Unlike other laptop totes, its base is minimally padded, allowing it to stand upright when packing.
Our team loves how stylish this laptop tote looks - it doesn’t come off looking like a typical work laptop bag. They love the minimalist design and internal water bottle sleeve.
The Best Waterproof Laptop Tote: RAINS Tote Bag Mini
The ideal laptop tote for all seasons (especially in rainy climates), the RAINS tote bag will give you peace of mind even in the wettest weather. Not only is it perfect as a laptop tote, but our team has used this bag for day trips, grocery shopping, and everything in between. It features a full-length coated zipper and a roomy main compartment with attachment rings inside for small items.
Our team appreciates that this laptop bag has extra long carrying straps (easy to slip over an arm) and a smooth, waterproof exterior that’s stylish and functional.
The Best Laptop Tote for Durability: Chrome Industries Barrage Tote
Chrome is a brand well-known for durable bags. That’s why our team praises the Barrage Tote as a quality laptop tote choice. It includes a welded, waterproof liner, a tough nylon shell, and two internal sleeves for laptops and tablets. It even has cargo netting on the outside that easily expands to fit additional daily carrying needs.
Our team that commutes by bicycle to work especially loves this laptop tote. It includes a stabilizer strap to go across the chest when the tote gets heavy (should they need to pick up groceries on the way home from work).
The Best Laptop Tote for Work: Bellroy Tokyo Tote
A good runner-up to the best overall laptop tote pick by Moment, the Bellroy Tokyo tote is made with water-resistant recycled fabric and environmentally certified leather. The pockets inside pop out to hold whatever you need them to, allowing extra capacity for organization for a full day of both work and play.
Our team appreciates the option of a larger size of this laptop tote (15L) and the range of colors it comes in. They have also mentioned that the fabric used on the straps gives this laptop tote some extra grip when carried over the shoulder.
The Best Stylish Laptop Tote: Canvas Duck Bag Tote by Baggu
Baggu’s Canvas Duck Bag is a more straightforward design and comes without many of the bells & whistles of the other laptop totes we tried. For example, you’ll need to bring your own laptop sleeve for padding, but there’s a small inner pocket for small items. Even better, you can throw the whole bag into the washing machine for easy care.
What we love most about this tote is how stylish it looks and how easy it is to sling cross-body with the long, adjustable strap. It’s also conveniently roomy when you need to stash an extra layer or book.
The Best Laptop Tote / Backpack Hybrid: United by Blue - (R)evolution™ Convertible Carryall
The best laptop tote that converts into a backpack is the (R)evolution™ Convertible Carryall from United By Blue. Carrying a whopping 25L, this tote comes with a 15” padded interior laptop sleeve, and external water bottle pockets so you can maximize space as much as possible. The backpack straps can easily be removed and tucked away; best of all, this laptop bag is made with 100% recycled polyester. This laptop backpack is available in a fun range of colors to fit any personality.
One C&T employee swears by this laptop tote/laptop backpack and has reported its ease of use, carrying capacity, and non-traditional backpack look are all features that make it the best, most convenient bag they’ve ever owned.
The Best Laptop Tote for Commuting: Timbuk2 Division Laptop Bag Deluxe
Whether commuting on foot, in the car, on public transit, or by bike, the Division Deluxe laptop bag by Timbuk2 will set you up for success. This laptop backpack is made from premium materials with a water-resistant bottom for added protection. It includes extra padding and ventilating mesh on the back panel to ensure your shirt stays dry even on a hot day.
Our team appreciates the luggage pass-through feature to make travel easier and the dedicated rear-access laptop sleeve for quick convenience.
The Best Bike Commuter Laptop Bag: North St Morrison Backpack Pannier
This laptop bag is made in Portland, Oregon by North St, so you know they understand how to build bags for the cycling community. This laptop tote is a backpack that converts to a pannier that commuters can strap to their bike rack, making it easy to carry everything they need to and from work, school, or anywhere life takes them.
Our team that commutes by bike loves that this laptop bag has a reflective accent strip, a built-in laptop sleeve, and the ease at which it converts to a pannier.
The Best Laptop Briefcase: Timbuk2 Closer Laptop Briefcase
This laptop tote is for people who don’t necessarily want to carry a briefcase but need to. With its upgraded modern design, this laptop bag is much more than the traditional briefcase. It includes handy pockets for all personal items and a separate padded back compartment for easy access to a laptop.
Our team loves the number of organizational pockets in this laptop tote, the ability to carry it cross-body like a messenger bag, and the external expandable pocket that can easily store a coffee tumbler when commuting to work.
The Best Slim Laptop Sleeve: Slim Pro Laptop Sleeve
When you need super-slim protection for your laptop, this sleeve is the best on the market. It’s made with premium, lightweight, breathable PU leatherette material and has a secure magnetic closure for easy access.
This laptop sleeve is a team favorite - we love that it can easily fit into any bag without adding extra bulk.
The Best Eco-Friendly Laptop Sleeve: Bellroy 16" Laptop Sleeve
A more earth-friendly option, this Bellroy laptop sleeve is made with Looma Weave recycled woven fabric. It also has a quilted microfiber lining for added protection and magnetic closure to avoid scratches.
Our team chose this laptop sleeve as an eco-friendly favorite because, through Bellroy’s partnership with 1% for the Planet, they donate 1% of the proceeds from this laptop sleeve to nonprofits helping protect the planet.
When choosing the best laptop totes, it is essential to consider both style and functionality. Finding a tote that combines a sleek and professional design with ample storage space and protective features will ensure that it meets the needs of busy professionals on the go. Additionally, opting for high-quality materials and durable construction will guarantee longevity and reflect the value placed on the recipients.
By selecting a laptop tote that perfectly balances fashion and practicality, you can provide a corporate gift that will impress and serve as a daily companion for years to come.
]]>Now that we’re kicking off 2024, company gifts and company swag trends are shifting toward a surprising future.
Our gifting experts compiled a list of the top upcoming corporate gift trends to keep on your radar in 2024.
In 2023, we noticed a continuing trend towards quality over quantity - and recipients preferring thoughtful, intentional gifts less frequently rather than getting cheap swag more often.
2024, this trend will continue, and there’s a growing desire for thoughtfulness and connection. Adding handwritten notes, custom boxes, and personalized or tactfully decorated items adds significant value to your corporate gift boxes. However, don’t overlook the value of high-quality and long-lasting gifts either.
Ultimately, in 2024, intentionality will beat out cheap and fast solutions every time.
As we’ve seen in recent years, people are beginning to make more intentional choices about where they spend their dollars. Even with product costs being higher than ever, surveys show that people are still willing to buy and use products from companies whose values align with theirs.
In the corporate gifting space for 2024, this translates to giving gifts with a clear message & value statement and supporting BIOPC companies, women-owned businesses, locally-owned or made, and socially responsible missions that align with your business.
When choosing company gifts, work with our gifting experts to find products from suppliers with a clear mission and vision for making a better future. Some corporate gifting categories we can curate your gifts from are:
Sustainable
Socially Responsible
Women Founded
BIPOC Founded
LGTBQ+ Founded
Local
Small Business
Made in USA
2024 brings the ongoing trend towards a more sober-curious lifestyle. Since non-alcoholic drinks are easier to ship, they’re easy to add to company gift boxes as part of a mocktail kit (or as standalone items).
More bars and restaurants are offering mocktails and non-alcoholic beers, and many predictions for the future are seeing this trend increasing. The online alcohol retailer Drizly found in their 2023 Consumer Trend Report that 45% of respondents to their survey said they're 'extremely likely or likely' to take part in a month-long alcohol-free challenge (such as Dry January or Sober October), which is a significant number.
The data shows that many people desire to practice (or simply try) a more alcohol-free lifestyle, and this is reflected in the corporate gifting trends for 2024.
The desire for nostalgia and throwback styles of the 90s and early 2000s are trending in a big way, and not just with millennials. Gen Z-ers are also enjoying throwback gifts from those simpler times.
Corporate gift boxes are an excellent opportunity to encompass a fun and nostalgic feeling for your recipients. Our gifting experts will help you curate a memorable gift box filled with happy memories and joy from the good ol’ days.
Data shows that 2024 will be more about real-life experiences than online shopping. With more people working remotely and an increased desire to connect with coworkers and loved ones in real life, gifting trends reflect that.
People desire more face-to-face connections and community than ever, and this trend should continue throughout 2024. Getting employees together for an all-team retreat or setting up special events throughout the year to support gathering is a great way to encourage these interactions.
Providing onsite gifting or corporate gifting pop-up shops for your team makes these kinds of gatherings even more memorable!
Travel has been increasing yearly since the pandemic ended, and 2024 is trending no differently. People are excited to get out and explore the world, even just get outside more often in their home neighborhoods.
Give corporate gifts that support leisure and travel this year. Cameras, picnic blankets, outdoor gear, binoculars, hammocks, high-quality portable speakers, or branded travel bags are all excellent company gifts to consider giving in 2024.
More than ever, people are seeking more balance in their lives. Whether finding a balance between work and life or between family and alone time, people are becoming more aware of the benefits of caring for themselves - mentally and physically.
A few solid corporate gift ideas that support self-care and wellness are recovery tools from Therabody, therapeutic body oils from Wonder Valley, essential oil diffusers from Vitruvi, a Quiet Hours journal set, or comfy loungewear.
As mentioned earlier, the theme for 2024 revolves around finding a balance between work and life. This year, gifts that facilitate more quality time with family and friends or company gifts that support non-work-related values will be trending.
Consider giving company gifts this year that are unbranded - or instead, choose to put your logo on the gift box, a card, or custom tissue paper. Give company gifts that facilitate quality time with others, like these National Park playing cards, a classic board game like Scrabble, or a Solo Stove for them to gather around outdoors.
Predictions show a lot of value in using swag and company gifts to build deeper connections between colleagues, clients, and employees. You can utilize corporate gifts to connect remote and in-office workers, reinforce client relationships, and support a healthy company culture through gifts that bond teammates with one another.
Trends are pointing towards the desire for higher-quality swag gifts that support a culture of company and community but make less of an impact on the planet. Consider giving custom branded outerwear or high-quality hats branded with your corporate logo.
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As a recap, here are the new corporate gifting trends for 2024: adding a personal touch, supporting a bigger purpose, non-alcoholic drinks or kits, nostalgic gifts, onsite gifting experiences, travel & leisure company gifts, self-care gifts, non-work-related corporate gifts, and teambuilding gifts.
Take the time to curate valuable items for your employees, clients, and partners, and you'll maximize your ROI on corporate gifts. The critical thing to remember is that company gifts should be valuable and memorable to the recipient, so put their needs first. This will ensure your gifts are well-loved and used repeatedly for years to come!
Need advice on where to start on your company swag journey? Connect with one of our gifting experts through our contact page or browse our Buying Guide.
]]>In this article, we have developed a selection of the best corporate gift ideas for employees, designed to show appreciation and enhance employee engagement. From personalized items that show thoughtfulness and gratitude to practical gifts that promote well-being, these options are sure to leave a lasting impression.
The Best Employee Gifts: New Employee Welcome Kits
Employee welcome gifts are more than just a gesture of goodwill; they serve a crucial purpose in establishing a positive and welcoming work environment. Welcome kits demonstrate that the company values its employees from day one and sets the tone for a fruitful and engaging professional relationship.
By providing a thoughtful and personalized gift box to new hires, employers not only make their employees feel appreciated but also help foster a sense of belonging and loyalty. Additionally, welcome gifts can help employees feel more comfortable and motivated in their new roles, ultimately leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Here are some employee welcome gift boxes we’ve done in the past to get you inspired.
The Best Gifts for Employees: A Custom High-Quality Towel or Blanket
A high-quality towel or blanket can be a great gift for employees for several reasons. Firstly, it shows that employers care about their coworkers well-being and comfort. As holiday gifts, a cozy blanket can provide a sense of relaxation and warmth, especially during the colder months. Additionally, a high-quality towel is a practical gift that can be used both at home and for travel.
Lastly, such a gift can be personalized with your company logo, making it a thoughtful and meaningful token of appreciation.
Great Gift Idea for Employees: Travel Gifts
Gifts that encourage travel can be a fantastic way to motivate and reward employees. Travel gifts allow employees to explore new destinations and experience different cultures. This exposure can broaden their perspectives, enhance their understanding of the world, and encourage personal growth.
Travel gifts for employees are also a great way to encourage your team to take vacations so that they can return to work recharged and rejuvenated. Encouraging employees to take PTO is crucial for maintaining high productivity levels in the workplace. By prioritizing your employees well-being and allowing the opportunity for rest, employers can prevent burnout and maintain a more motivated workforce. Taking PTO helps foster a positive work-life balance, which is essential for employee satisfaction and overall engagement. When employees feel supported and are able to attend to personal matters, they are more likely to bring their best selves to work.
Browse our selection of travel gifts for employees.
Gift Idea for Employees: Custom Decorated Fleece or Puffer Jacket
A high-quality fleece or puffer jacket is a valuable holiday gift for anyone. When you choose to give gifts that are well-made, your employees will make that outerwear their go-to favorite item!
(Our employees love their custom C&T Branded puffer jackets by The North Face.)
By providing employees with a jacket branded with your company logo you can create a sense of belonging and unity within the company. It reinforces their connection to the organization and fosters a positive company culture.
Additionally, when employees gravitate towards wearing their favorite jacket decorated with your brand, it serves as a form of free advertising. They inherently promote your brand wherever they go, increasing brand visibility and awareness in the process. It also demonstrates that the company values its employees by giving high-quality custom outerwear.
Thoughtful Gifts for Employees: Branded Gear to Get them Through the Work Week
We all take a bag or backpack to work with us. Many employees also have a favorite travel mug or tumbler that they always fill up to take on the go.
If they already use these kinds of items to get them through the week, why not help them upgrade their work day essentials? Give employee gifts that will be used repeatedly, like high-quality Topo backpacks, MiiR travel tumblers, or Stanley Quenchers.
The Best Employee Gifts: WFH Comforts
Don’t forget about employees that work from home occasionally, or team members that are fully remote! Gifts that support a comfortable work from home set-up are excellent at boosting morale. These types of company gifts can also create a more comfortable and efficient remote-work environment that will reduce distractions and increase productivity.
Some great holiday gifts for remote workers, or work-from-home employees are these Cozy Moccasin Slippers, a massaging Therabody Wave Duo, focus-promoting Noise-Canceling Headphones, or the Fellow Stagg Stovetop Kettle.
These are a few more additional ways to support your work-from-home employees.
In conclusion, getting high-quality company gifts for employees is of utmost importance. These gifts serve as a tangible expression of appreciation and recognition for the hard work and dedication of your employees. They not only boost morale but also create a sense of belonging and loyalty within the company.
High-quality gifts demonstrate the value the company places on its employees' well-being and work satisfaction, leading to higher retention rates. Whether the gifts are personalized items or thoughtful gift boxes, the gesture will show that the company invests in a positive and rewarding work environment. Employee gifts can have a lasting impact on motivation, productivity, and overall job satisfaction in the long-term.
]]>On top of everything, did you remember to set aside enough time to select, decorate, approve, and ship your thoughtful holiday gifts? It could be too late if you are just starting this process in November!
Rather than add to an already stressful season, why not begin planning your holiday gift orders sooner rather than later?
The gifts will come across as thoughtful rather than obligatory.
Many gifts sent during the holiday season, especially from businesses, can come across as an obligation - an expected gesture. Making your corporate gifts thoughtful and personal takes a little extra time for selection and planning. Whether sending a gift earlier in the season or allowing additional time to ship early in the new year (rather than over the busy holidays) will ensure that your gifts are well-curated, thoughtful, and high-quality.
You’re spending a chunk of money on these company gifts. Why lower the impact by rushing things? Allowing for extra time helps ensure better gifts overall.
You’ll make a more significant impact.
Whenever your company gifts ship out or arrive to your recipients, planning now will allow you to choose gifts that show you genuinely care. If corporate gifts arrive early, folks will have a high bar set for any other gifts they receive this year. If they come right on time for the holidays, they’ll know you thought of everything this year! If they arrive early in the new year, it’ll be a wonderful and unexpected surprise.
Either way, planning corporate gifts now will help you make a unique and lasting impression.
Your investment will be safer.
Considering how much people travel around the holiday season and the chance of shipment delays due to weather or supply chain issues, why risk losing a valuable investment? The holiday season is the busiest time of year for shipping & receiving. Plan early, and you’re planning to increase the protection of your investment in company gifts.
You will get the gifts you want.
The pandemic significantly disrupted the supply chain, and many companies that make products that we sell are still recovering. Planning early will ensure that gift inventory won’t run out as orders increase during the busy holiday season.
The gifts can be more customized.
Rather than scrambling to figure out what to add to your company gift boxes, you’ll have your pick of a wide range of gift combinations! On top of that, you’ll be able to do even more customization - whether decorating products with your logo, adding a personal message printed on the inside of the box, including custom tissue paper, and so much more. Starting now will make it so you can customize your corporate gift boxes to your heart’s desire!
Stress will be less.
When has trying to complete a task at the last minute ever NOT been stressful? Add approvals, product ordering & shipments, turnaround time of any customizations, detailed packaging, and finally, shipping - that’s a lot to try and do accurately in a short amount of time. Our team is made up of gifting experts who will ensure your corporate gifting process goes smoothly, so why wait when you have a million other things to do during the holiday season? Contact us now, and we’ll help you cross ‘get holiday gifts’ off your list so you can get on to other (more important) things.
You will ensure positive brand values.
Not only will your gifts accurately represent what your recipients mean to you (and your company), but you will make recipients feel appreciated and valued. When recipients open your thoughtful gifts, they will elicit the intended reaction (joy, excitement, gratitude). Your investment in high-quality, sustainable corporate gifts will go much further when your gifts are appreciated and show how much you care.
At Clove & Twine, we have a straightforward ordering process to get your corporate holiday gifts completed from start to finish. It starts with browsing our selection of remarkable products. Once you are ready to talk details or get more ideas, give us a shout!
Need help figuring out where to begin? Check out our custom kits and gift boxes for packaging and product combinations to inspire you, or pop over to our Instagram page to see the latest trends in gifting.
Use this link to set up a free consultation, and we’ll walk you through our one-on-one gifting process.
]]>Choosing which corporate gifts to buy is part of the challenge in getting holiday orders placed. Whether working within a tight budget, fitting a wide range of personal tastes and styles, or suiting the needs of a picky executive, finding the perfect gifts can take some time. But what if you don’t have a lot of time to spare this holiday season?
This year, we have thoughtfully curated a special selection of gifts for our 2023 Corporate Holiday Gift Guide to support you through the process. Here are a few highlights that you can expect in our helpful holiday gift guide.
Get started today on selecting and ordering your corporate gifts. At Clove & Twine, we don’t just provide you with an amazing selection of remarkable gifts (although, we’re pretty good at that). We also provide a number of other services including:
Full corporate gift customization.
From branded products to gift boxes, and custom cards to tissue paper, we can customize your gifts and make them entirely unique to your company.
A personal touch for corporate gifts.
Our fulfillment isn’t accomplished through an automated system. Our employees personally pack every gift with care and attention, making sure every bow is tied, every card is written, and everything is packaged well. (They’re like elves but taller and with a more modern fashion sense.)
Shipping fulfillment anywhere.
Whether you prefer orders delivered to your office, or gift boxes shipped directly to an individual’s home or business address, we work with you to ship orders out when you want, wherever you need.
Our corporate holiday gift guide is a great starting point to help you find remarkable and unique gifts that recipients will not only love, but that they will cherish for years in the future.
Check out our 2023 Corporate Holiday Gift Guide, and let’s get started!
]]>Everyone knows how important it is to stay hydrated. We also know how wasteful single-use plastic water bottles are, which is why so many folks are reaching for reusable options for their daily hydration. With so many bottle options out there, people who are serious about their drinkware seek out the best. And that’s where Stanley Quenchers come in.
The Stanley Quencher Tumbler has become an internet sensation, trending across TikTok and other social platforms. The trending nature of the Stanley Cups has led to a devoted following of fans, causing it to sell out within hours of restocking, making it one of the most highly-coveted gift items of 2022 and 2023.
The viral Stanley Tumbler has gotten even more popular with the availability of customization. People love being able to get a personalized Stanley cup with their company logo or brand, whether with laser engraving or even multi-colored pad printing.
Luckily, you’re a savvy gifting pro and came to the right place. We stocked up on our Stanley inventory ahead of time, and have plenty Stanley cups available and ready to ship today! We aren't talking about pre-orders, folks. We have Stanleys right now, and we're shipping them out daily.
Stanley didn’t first get popular due to its resurgence on TikTok. Founded in 1913 by inventor William Stanley Jr., the Stanley company began with a humble portable bottle that combined vacuum insulation with the strength of steel. Over the past 100+ years, the name Stanley has become synonymous with quality drinkware and has seen many evolutions over the decades.
Over time, Stanley has continued to innovate. Stanley Quenchers have been the latest and greatest line to take the world by storm. Easily adaptable to modern daily life, these new Stanley cups have a handy FlowState Lid with a silicone seal around the straw’s base (developed to prevent spills). This convenient lid can rotate into three positions, and the vacuum-insulated cup keeps drinks cold for up to 11 hours and hot for 7. Stanley cups are even dishwasher-safe and specially designed to fit in a cup holder.
People love Stanley drinkware also because of its reusability. An emerging trend we’ve seen in 2023 (which will continue in future years) is focusing on sustainable gifts and supporting sustainable companies and initiatives. People know the damage climate change is causing, and they understand that each small daily change can make a big difference.
Stanley has created reusable, Built For Life™ products, reducing demand for disposable cups and bottles that end up being thrown away. They also developed the Stanley Quencher and other Stanley cups using 90% recycled stainless steel while maintaining all the features people enjoy, such as the large size, temperature-maintaining design, and ergonomic handle.
Social media has catapulted the new iteration of Stanley products into expansive success. The trend of seeking out Stanley cups has sustained over the past couple of years due to their ability to create high-quality products, and the overall enjoyment users have experienced.
One feature that reviewers love the most is its durability - the stainless steel material can withstand all the knocks and drops of daily use. They also appreciate fewer refills, as just one trip to the water station means hours of hydration. This kind of size usually comes with an unforeseen cost: the incompatibility of large water bottles with cup holders. People who receive the Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler as a company gift appreciate that it is designed thoughtfully to fit most cupholders.
The most common complaint about the cups? Stanley can’t keep up with demand! The Stanley Quencher, in particular, often sells out as quickly as it is restocked. At Clove & Twine, we have an inventory of 40oz Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tubmlers in Cream, Charcoal, Fog, and Black.
Yes, you can! Customize Stanley cups as company gifts to create a unique gift for your employees, clients, or partners. Our favorite decoration method is laser engraving Stanley tumblers; however, our corporate gift pros can provide various customization options to meet your needs.
Stanley stands the test of time. Choose between Black, Cream, Fog, and Charcoal colors for your custom Stanley Quenchers. Stanley uses high-quality components with thoughtful design, so your recipients will use their custom Stanley cups repeatedly throughout their lives.
Your recipients want customized Stanley Tumblers as their company gifts this year. In a hurry? Lucky you! We have Stanley Quenchers in stock, ready to be personalized with your company logo. Let’s get started!
]]>One thing is sure: company gifts should still be on your radar this year. During difficult times, it’s more important than ever to prioritize corporate holiday gifts. People need a little bit of joy and a reminder of how much they are appreciated.
Sure, we’re biased. We believe corporate gifting should always be a priority, no matter the budget. Thoughtful, remarkable gifts should be prioritized because we see the direct impact, such as:
The relationships that are nurtured between companies & clients.
The bond that is solidified between coworkers and colleagues.
The feeling of appreciation that drives valuable, meaningful connections.
We also believe that high-quality gifts should be accessible to everyone. We created a new and unique collection of affordable corporate gifts.
The pricing listed does not include decoration.
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #1: Recycled rPET Tote ($15 per unit)
The classic tote bag gets a modern, sustainable twist with recycled fabric and webbing made from plastic bottles. A great standalone company gift option!
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #2: Knit Mittens with Cozy Lining ($15 per unit)
Cozy winter mittens are a great item to add to your corporate holiday gift boxes. They are specially lined, making them toasty warm, too!
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #3: Custom Kinto Water Bottle ($16.50 per unit)
Lightweight and compact, this water bottle from Kinto is as stylish as it is budget-friendly. Durable, scratch-resistant, and customizable, it is the perfect addition to your holiday corporate gift boxes.
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #4: Leave It Better Than You Found It Kit ($10 per unit)
Parks Project's mission is to leave it better than we found it by restoring our habitats to make the world a better place. The Clean Up Kit is a low-cost, creative, sustainable gift that allows recipients to give back! This is an especially thoughtful gift if your team plans a community clean-up event in the new year.
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #5: Ceramic Lidded Mug ($15 per unit)
Eliminate the need for single-use cups with this modern ceramic mug. This mug comes with a cork bottom and a range of neutral colors. Your recipients will use this company gift repeatedly!
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #6: Ocean Commuter 15" Computer Backpack ($42 per unit)
This Computer Backpack is made from recycled ocean plastic and features a laptop sleeve and padded, adjustable shoulder straps. Buying this company holiday gift for your recipients even helps donate funds to environmental nonprofits through 1% for the Planet. Who says sustainable can’t also be affordable?
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #7: Custom Baggu Baby Bag ($12 per unit)
This bag may have “baby” in the name, but it’s a bag for grown-ups. This best-selling reusable back from Baggu can hold up to 50 pounds and is made from recycled ripstop nylon. Your recipients will love this corporate gift (and use it all the time)!
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #8: Comet 5 Ultra Slim Power Bank ($19.50 per unit)
An ultra-slim portable power bank that packs 5000 mAh of power, this company gift can easily be branded with your logo.
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #9: Parks Project Minimalist National Park Playing Cards ($14 per unit)
A fun, unique, affordable company holiday gift, these cards allow recipients to enjoy the beauty of our National Parks. Made with eco-friendly materials, each face card showcases a graphic representing a different National Park, such as Zion, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Denali, and Mount Rainer!
Affordable Corporate Holiday Gift #10: Eddie Bauer Half-Zip Microfleece Jacket ($40 per unit)
Give the gift of warmth and comfort without the bulk (or the price tag). This microfleece jacket is lightweight and versatile, making it excellent as a standalone company holiday gift for your recipients.
Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, it's important to show appreciation to clients, employees, and business partners without breaking the bank. Budget-friendly corporate gifts not only help you stay within your financial limitations but also allow you to establish strong relationships.
The holiday season should be a joyful time to celebrate! We will help lessen any stress by curating remarkable, high-quality gifts for your recipients at affordable prices.
By selecting thoughtful and cost-effective corporate gifts, we can help you make a lasting impression while staying mindful of your budget. Shop the complete budget-friendly corporate gifts collection now.
Need more corporate gift inspiration? Flip through our latest lookbook.
]]>Wild One connects pets and people through thoughtful design and community. Their entire selection of pet essentials makes morning walks, commutes, and park visits easier and more joyful for your recipients and their dogs.
Here are a few custom dog gifts from Wild One for the dog lovers you want to connect with.
Personalized Dog Gifts: Wild One Leash
This leash is an excellent company gift for employees or clients with a dog (or dogs). A durable, waterproof leash easily allows recipients to change lengths. It’s dirt and odor resistant, easy to clean, and made with sturdy, high-quality hardware for long-term use.
Customized Pet Owner Gifts: Wild One Triangle Tug
With two shapes and two textures, the Triangle Tug is perfect for tug-of-war! Your recipients will love this custom dog gift, as it’s made with 100% natural rubber (reinforced for added strength), 100% natural cotton (with reinforced stitching), and BPA-free.
Custom Corporate Gifts for Dog Lovers: Wild One Mealtime Kit
Your recipients probably already have dog bowls, but they don’t have dog bowls like this. With sturdy food-grade stainless steel bowls and a placemat of non-toxic, non-slip silicone, their pup’s food set-up just got an upgrade. Oh, and the color options are cute, too.
About Wild One: Custom Dog Swag for Corporate Gifts
Wild One is all about connecting pets & people through thoughtful design and community. Their pet essentials make life easier and more fun for both your recipients and their dog(s). Everything they make is developed with a function-first perspective because “looks nice” only matters when paired with “works well.”
They’re aligned with their mission of constantly improving their products & practices, thinking sustainably, and bringing awareness to animal rescue. The ultimate goal of Wild One is to create simple, well-designed, safe products to make customers (and their pets) happier, build a strong community, and make the future a bit brighter.
Ready to begin your order of company gifts (or custom gift boxes) for the dog lovers in your company? Let’s get started.
]]>The other day, while sipping my morning cup of coffee, I thought about things I often take for granted.
The fresh water, straight from the tap that I boiled to make my coffee. The ice cubes I pulled from my freezer to cool my drinking water (which my refrigerator conveniently makes). The clean water that I brushed my teeth with.
My hot morning shower.
Using a toilet, in a private room.
Washing my hands and face with clean water.
The dish I washed in my sink after breakfast.
The list just kept going on and on.
Fresh water is so readily accessible to us that we have never known what our lives would look like without it. In 2014, when the water crisis happened in Flint, Michigan, the United States got a real glimpse into what would happen if our water infrastructure failed. And yet, many people all over the world have gone their entire lives without easy access to clean water - even for their most basic needs.
Water For People is working to help communities worldwide meet their essential water and sanitation needs. When I first met Julia Correia, the Senior Business Development Manager at Water For People, her excitement radiated when speaking about her work was tangible. It’s not every day that I get to connect with someone who is so genuinely passionate about what they do.
During our meeting, she explained that Water For People is working toward so much more than clean drinking water. They are working with communities to help:
Reduce the amount of time people have to spend walking miles to fill jugs of fresh water each day (so that they can go to school, take care of their families, rest, and work on other things)
Increase basic hygiene practices with hand washing stations
Give women and girls clean, private spaces when menstruating (many girls drop out of school when they get their periods)
Maintain pumps and toilets in communities
Train mechanics within communities to make long-term water maintenance repairs
Create sanitary services for hospitals, medical systems, and schools
Empower local governments to invest more energy and funds into their water infrastructure
Monitor where they’ve made improvements to ensure everything continues to run smoothly
Reduce & eliminate waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea
Improve safety when people need to find a bathroom during the night
It’s a good reminder that this also means more children grow up healthy and happy. This is the power of water. Helping people have access to clean water changes everything. From their personal lives, to their families, their communities, the local economy, their education, to their health & safety - clean water improves it all. Everything is connected.
Here is more from my conversation with Julia.
Clove & Twine: When compared to water issues in the U.S., it can be difficult to understand the challenges that countries around the world face. Can you give some additional insight into what it means for people that lack access to basic services like water and sanitation?
Julia Correia, Water For People: An example that hits home for many folks is its impact on children, specifically girls. Women and young girls are often the ones who are tasked with getting water, and when there is no water readily available in or nearby their homes, that could mean a long, sometimes treacherous journey. For kids, this journey can happen early in the morning before sunrise. Can you imagine having to get up, walk multiple miles in some cases to get water, and then have enough energy to pay attention during a full day of school? Only to return from school and repeat the same walk when you get home? That’s the type of burden young children are facing. And that’s how you start seeing the ripple effects that are created when communities lack access to water. As you said, everything is connected! Access to water means less time walking for water. More time to focus on school. More brain space and energy to pursue other studies or economic opportunities. More time for kids to have fun being kids!
For sanitation and hygiene, there are similar ripple effects. Globally, too many children are dying from preventable water-borne illnesses. As one example, in addition to the impacts of Cyclone Freddy, Malawi has been dealing with a cholera epidemic for the last year that was initially sparked by water and sanitation issues caused by previous cyclones.
On a global level, people without a toilet spend over 250 million hours EACH DAY finding a place to go to the bathroom. For women, this also means making sure that place is safe. It’s hard to conceptualize that amount of consideration just to go to the bathroom, but it’s A LOT of time and mental energy wasted. People are putting their health, time, and economic development at risk when they don’t have access to water and sanitation. It’s an everyday burden.
C&T: We noticed “Everyone Forever” on your website & mission statement. What does that phrase mean?
WFP: The ‘status quo’ before 2010 wasn’t as focused on the sustainability of the systems being built, which needed to change. You could go to a system created a few years ago that was often no longer in use. A minor issue could quickly render a system unusable, and local communities weren’t always trained to maintain water systems.
Everyone Forever evolved from a vision to an actionable, proven model where we’ve shown how we can focus on reaching everyone in an area with water and sanitation services AND focus on how those services are being sustained into the future - that’s the Forever part.
Everyone Forever also represents our commitment to equity. Within districts where we work, there are often more remote, dispersed communities. These communities are often less prioritized because water solutions are typically more expensive and can require specialized technology. When we commit to reaching Everyone Forever in a district, we also mean partnering with these rural communities so they are included. We want ‘Everyone’ to really mean everyone.
C&T: We know that Water For People works in nine countries, impacting millions of lives. Why did you choose these specific regions of the world?
WFP: When we implemented Everyone Forever as a model and not just a vision, this was also a time when we wanted to narrow the geographic focus of our work intentionally. We realized we couldn’t have the depth of impact we wanted if we were spread out over too many countries and cultural contexts.
The nine countries where we currently work are Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and India. Tanzania is the newest country program where we started working last year!
Each of these countries has large portions of the population who need reliable access to water and sanitation services. Simultaneously, there are opportunities within local, regional, and national governments to partner to maintain services for future generations.
Water For People doesn’t always want to be an active player in the countries where we work. We want to support capacity exchanges and mutual learning so governments and local community groups can sustain these services long after Water For People stops working there.
C&T: You work specifically with water & sanitation, but other equally pressing issues exist in many of these countries. Why is water so vital?
WFP: Water is a foundational human right - connected to so many other parts of life. When you talk about water, you have to talk about climate change. The countries where we work are among some of the lowest contributors to global emissions, yet they face the highest risk of increased weather events caused by climate change.
When you talk about water, you have to talk about women’s rights. Women and girls often carry the literal and figurative burden of getting water, hindering their ability to pursue higher education and economic development opportunities. Women are most impacted by the problem, and they need to be central in the solution.
When you talk about water, you have to talk about economic development. Whether it’s the time to pursue economic opportunities or how water availability impacts the success of financial endeavors, water is part of the conversation. For example, farming practices can impact water sources in the same way that household sanitation practices can.
C&T: Women comprise over 75% of Clove & Twine, and supporting women’s needs is very important to us. What does improved water resources & sanitation mean for women and girls specifically?
WFP: I know I already touched on this, but it’s an integral part of our work that’s worth reiterating! The lack of access to clean water and sanitation disproportionately impacts women and girls. One aspect I haven’t mentioned is how we work in schools to promote better access to menstrual hygiene products and education. In many areas where we work, it is common for girls to stop going to school regularly or stop going altogether when they get their period. Schools often won’t have pads or tampons available, and the bathrooms can be shared between boys and girls without a dedicated, private space for girls on their period.
When we work with schools, we want to ensure the physical infrastructure is there to help girls stay in school even when they have their periods, AND we want easy access to information. This means that all students, not just girls, learn about menstruation. It becomes a more approachable topic when students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to have the conversation.
C&T: I know you’ve traveled a lot with Water For People. I’m sure you’ve seen so many lives transformed. What is one of your favorite moments from these experiences?
WFP: That’s a tough one! A theme for all of my trips has been meeting with and learning from our country staff. Our teams in each country where we work are the reason I can discuss this impact with you. They build the relationships in their communities, influence national policies, and pave the way for a better future. When I’ve met with government officials and community members, they each emphasize how important their partnership is with Water For People, and they’re not talking about me and my team! They’re talking about the collaboration with our local country team, and that’s really special.
C&T: What keeps you personally excited about the work that you do?
WFP: I get excited by a big challenge, and we definitely have a huge one in front of us! It doesn’t mean tackling a problem as significant as the world water and sanitation crisis is always easy, but it requires us to continually learn and innovate. That learning spirit is core to who Water For People is, and I think most of the problems our world faces need our collective creativity and bravery to think differently. We know more people need to be at the table. The voices of communities most affected by these problems need to lead the solutions, but historically, they’ve been left out. I can feel the conversation shifting in the sector, and I think that’s the only way we will solve these global challenges. Witnessing the transformation in how we think and tackle big issues is exciting!
Reading about how Water For People has changed lives is truly inspiring. Visit their website to read stories from real people.
We are thrilled to continue partnering with this company through donations aligned with our 1% for the Planet membership. Visit their website to get involved or email donate@waterforpeople.org.
After speaking with Julia and learning more about Water For People, I wake up each morning to start my day with more gratitude than ever. I am so thankful for every ounce of clean water that is so readily accessible to me.
Beth Bogdewiecz is the Senior Creative Marketing Manager at Clove & Twine. Learn more about the Clove & Twine story and connect with us on LinkedIn.
]]>In this guide, we will provide some helpful corporate gifting tips and ideas to help you select the perfect thank you gifts for any occasion.
Corporate Gift #1 | Thank You Gift Ideas for Employees: Custom Corkcicle
Corkcicle creates innovative barware and continues to push the boundaries of stylish beverage containers. Crafted from stainless steel with proprietary triple insulation, Corkcicle drinkware keeps drinks cold for up to 25 hours or hot for 12 without freezing or sweating. Complete with your company logo, custom Corkcicle products make great corporate gifts for employees. Add a Corkcicle product to your custom company kits!
Corporate Gift #2 | Thank You Gifts for Event Attendees: Sunski Sunglasses
Sunski makes their sunglasses the right way, without shortcuts. They use polarized lenses and high-contrast optics to enhance vision. Brand them with your company logo to give quality gifts at events that your recipients will love! Their plastic-free packaging and recycled frames mean you can feel terrific about the sustainable thank you gifts you give to your event attendees.
Corporate Gift #3 | Client Thank You Gift Idea: Wonder Valley Olive Oil
Wonder Valley Olive Oil elevates any meal through its bright, herbaceous, peppery flavor and delivers a delicious dose of polyphenols, the powerful antioxidant associated with longevity of life. It’s a decadent client gift that goes above and beyond by showing how much you care!
Corporate Gift #4 | Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Employees: Atomic Habits Book
Give employees a book that will help them improve their daily lives and work. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach your recipients exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. A fantastic team gift to add to an employee welcome kit or as a thank you gift for clients.
Corporate Gift #5 | Thoughtful Corporate Thank You Gift Idea: JBL Clip 4 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
What employee or client wouldn’t love a durable little speaker by JBL? Your recipients can clip this high-quality speaker onto their bag and take it to the beach, park, pool, slopes, trails, patio - or anywhere else life takes them! Waterproof, dustproof, and up to 10 hours of playtime, it’s the perfect idea for team gifts or branded as client thank you gifts.
Corporate Gift #6 | Custom Thank You Gifts: Moleskine Notebooks
One of our best-selling notebooks, Moleskine makes classic corporate gifts. Easy to brand with your company logo, these notebooks make excellent take-home gifts for events or added to a gift box for clients.
Corporate Gift #7 | Unique Thank You Gift for Clients: Vitruvi Glow Diffuser
The Glow Diffuser creates the perfect amount of gentle mood lighting while scenting your recipient’s home naturally. At a lower price point than other diffusers, it’s ideal when you’re looking for budget-friendly corporate gifts that are also remarkable. This diffuser is a beautiful and unique corporate gift that makes a great thank you gift for clients or employees.
Corporate Gift #8 | Corporate Thank You Gift Idea: ENO Hammock
Corporate gifts that support fun activities outside of work are gaining popularity. That’s why we love recommending hammocks as corporate gifts - they’re unique and definitely memorable! This hammock comes in a softball-sized stuff sack that’s great for recipients that are enthusiastic outdoor lovers or simply enjoy lounging in the backyard.
Corporate Gift #9 | Team Thank You Gifts: Custom Polaroid GO
Need to commemorate a special teambuilding event? Look no further than the Polaroid GO. Customize this gift with your company logo, and your team members can snap pictures at the event while taking home a memorable keepsake. Isn’t it great when one company gift can do it all?
Corporate Gift #10 | Client Thank You Gift Idea: Loftie Alarm Clock
By far one of the most extraordinary new corporate gifts we have available, this alarm clock does much more than a wake-up call. This clock has a dimmable display, nightlight, two-phase alarm, and custom content like guided meditations and relaxing sounds. Want your clients to have your company in mind every time they wake up? We have you covered.
Choosing the perfect corporate thank you gift requires careful consideration of the recipients and their lifestyle, the occasion, the messaging you want to convey, and your brand image. Corporate thank you gifts should always be high quality, functional, and tasteful (but you’re already on our website, so no problem there). It's always a great idea to incorporate your company branding, even if subtly, into your company or client thank you gifts. Finally, don't underestimate the power of a personalized message or note. With these tips in mind, you can be sure to make a lasting impression with your corporate thank you gifts!
Are you ready to get started with your next order of high-quality corporate gifts? Let’s go!
]]>Lockton wanted to work with a gifting company that could not only give them the dedicated attention that they needed but one that would continue to adapt and grow their gifting to increase reach and engagement.
Lockton Companies Inc. is the world's largest privately held insurance brokerage firm, providing insurance, risk management and people solutions. Lockton operates from 130+ locations and transacts business in 140+ countries around the globe.
Lockton's strong entrepreneurial culture brings something extraordinary to the insurance business. Their methods empower local partners with the focus and freedom to do what is right for each business and draw on global resources to deliver the best results.
Lockton puts employees first, and they have been awarded numerous accolades for their workplace culture. They were named one of America's Best Large Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes in 2022.
Lockton came to Clove & Twine needing a rebooted Company Store. Being the largest private insurance company in the world, they needed an online store that set them apart from other firms and reflected an elevated experience with their rebranding.
Utilizing a company store in the past, Lockton understood the value of this branded gifting platform for their business. Unfortunately, their previous store was outdated and had a lot of old stock in inventory. After using our services for a few company gifts and being happy with the outcome, they decided to entrust our team with making their new store better than ever.
Lockton also wanted to create an in-person shopping experience for their branded company gifts. We worked with them to develop unique and memorable gifting events through expertly-managed custom pop-up shops.
"Clove & Twine has been an outstanding partner for our company store transformation. They excel in the world of corporate gifting and bring fresh ideas to the table for on-brand swag that our people are excited to receive. The entire process has been smooth from selecting products, building a storefront, and reviewing analytics that make decision making and growth incredibly easy. We love working with Katelyn and the entire team, they are incredibly responsive, flexible, and they make gifting fun!" - Lisa McBride, CMP, AVP, Director, Meetings & Events for Lockton Companies
Because of their new branding, Lockton sought specific products to list on their store website that accurately showcased their values. We needed to develop a company store page that:
Had a more comprehensive selection of elevated gifts
Had a unique collection of eco-friendly and sustainably responsible products
Ensured new brand consistency across the website
Allowed people to utilize a streamlined interface, giving them a simple ordering and shipping experience
Empowered employees to use their best judgment for what gifts to select and send to their clients and partners
Supported employees in choosing gifts for themselves that suit their individual preferences
Categorized products to create a more enjoyable online shopping experience
The ability to ship to multiple different locations, all over the world, with minimum return shipments
We also were tasked with creating a pop-up store experience that:
Made event attendees excited about event gifts
Showcased a wide variety of offerings for all different tastes
Was well-organized and well-managed by our staff
Was visually appealing, with a natural flow for shoppers
Included seamless ordering and shipping process
Made attendees feel special and appreciated
Clove & Twine met and exceeded expectations through a collaborative and ongoing partnership with Lockton Companies. Our team successfully developed:
A fresh and current platform that Lockton’s employees are excited about
A custom-curated collection of bespoke products, easily able to suit many different tastes
A stock of high-quality branded items with a focus on sustainability
A streamlined method for fulfilling shipments
A reliable ongoing method to execute corporate gifts for employees and colleagues
A memorable and exciting pop-up shop experience
Since we offer product curation unlike any other, we provided Lockton with the latest & greatest trending brands to keep their store refreshed and exciting for their team, clients, and partners.
“Thank you Katelyn [at Clove & Twine] for always going above and beyond to help fill crazy requests! Your flexibility and willingness to always help me is remarkable! Not to mention the products you recommend are always the best! You make my job so much easier, we are so lucky to work with you!" - Google Review from Ashlynn, HR Representative at Lockton
Lockton was thrilled with the success of the launch of their new & improved company store. The outcome of this project included:
The ability to handle and execute a high capacity of orders with unique requirements
Providing employees and clients with high-quality, thoughtful, and eco-friendly branded gifts that they will use repeatedly
Excellent customer service
Safe data collection of employee & client shipping information
A sleek, valuable user experience
“It has been a great partnership, and Katelyn, Carly, Grace, and the whole C&T team have been nice to work with.” - LinkedIn comment from Elizabeth, Head of Marketing, North America, Lockton Re
After analyzing the results of their company store and pop-up shops, we found significant results:
Pop-up events resulted in large spikes in company store sales. When people can see and touch products in person, their desirability increases.
We found a 226% increase in sales from the previous year. As company store awareness/advertising increases, the store's success saw a rapid increase in sales and orders. Within the first several months, evidence of solid growth is apparent.
We found a 163% increase in orders from the previous year.
We saw a 22% increase in average order value. Brand loyalty increases as clients have had time to use their first round of products. More people became willing to spend more on higher-quality gifts.
The custom pop-up shops have been an ongoing addition to Lockton events, and the feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. We continue to provide our event experts to support their onsite gifting needs. The Clove & Twine team has helped them host seven pop-up gifting events as of April 2023.
Lockton wanted an expertly curated company gift selection for their employees and partners and an up-to-date, curated inventory that reflected their brand and positive workplace culture. Clove & Twine is at the forefront of high-quality, sustainable, and innovative corporate gifts, which is why our partnership has been such a natural fit.
“Shoutout to Katelyn [at Clove & Twine] for being the best account exec in the game!” - LinkedIn comment from Erin, Senior Talent Marketing Specialist at Lockton
Learn more about our services:
On-Site Gift Experiences
Corporate Gifting Platforms
Why invest thousands of dollars in cheap corporate gifts that will just get donated or thrown away? Choose quality over quantity, and your recipients will keep and cherish their gifts. The best corporate gifts reflect your company's values, and make employees, clients, and partners feel genuinely appreciated.
This list includes plenty of new corporate gift ideas to consider when deciding what to get your recipients. Whether new hire gifts, team gifts for employees, company swag, or clients gifts, we will help you curate thoughtful and memorable gifts that everyone will love.
The latest addition to our full selection of Ocean Bottles, the Ocean Bottle GO makes hydration more effortless than ever for your recipients. This sustainable corporate gift idea can also be branded with your logo. Even better? With each Ocean Bottle you buy, you’re funding the collection of 1,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles before they enter the ocean.
Sleek and functional, recipients will love using this real wood Qi charger for fast wireless charging at home and the office. Brand them with your company’s logo and include them in your new hire gift boxes!
Another great corporate gift idea, this tech bag has been wildly popular lately with our clients. Recipients can keep their essential tech gear in one easy-to-organize bag for work travel or personal vacations.
This Weekend Bag by RAINS is an excellent company gift for top performers, clients, and partners. The sleek design is a modern interpretation of a durable and waterproof gym or overnight bag. Learn more about RAINS and their sustainability practices.
It doesn’t get more perfect than this for company team gifts: fully customizable outerwear. Mix and match the colors for sleeves, panels, and zippers, add your logo or remove the hood, and even add pockets - the possibilities are endless!
We recently had a booth set up for an exceptional Onsite Gifting experience. Our team provided sample coats to try on with interchangeable features. With iPads, each person got to mix and match pre-selected colors and features of their unique corporate event gifts. They could see samples, touch them, try them on, then curate an outerwear piece they designed themselves. It was a truly memorable addition to the event!
Exceptional sound in a small package, these portable speakers by JBL make excellent corporate gifts for all music lovers. They are easy to carry, waterproof and dustproof, and hold up to 12 hours of battery life. Your recipients will be thrilled.
Need a corporate gift that everyone will find handy? Reusable bags are all the rage - especially since people are paying more attention to sustainability. We love Baggu’s reusable bags; they’re durable and easy to fold up and take everywhere.
Vitruvi diffusers were developed as an alternative to the standard (often toxic) home-scenting products & candles. The diffusers are excellent as client gifts or employee anniversary gifts, as they double as decor! Vitruvi’s 100% pure scents are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from synthetic fragrances and ingredients.
Puffin coozies are a new, fun way to connect with your clients - whether as promotional gifts or as client thank you gifts. These drink coozies are as FUN as they are functional, making them a memorable gift that your recipients will be sure to hold on to.
A giant soft and cozy blanket? Yes, please. The Big Blanket Co Original Stretch blanket is 10’ by 10’, making it large enough to cozy up under for a Netflix marathon or a campfire snuggle sesh. The specially formulated blended fabric regulates temperature so your recipients won’t get too hot or cold.
A creative and unique client thank you gift idea is the Custom Polaroid Go. Order these cameras to send to your top clients, available to customize with your company logo. These cameras are corporate gifts that are anything but ordinary and sure to make an impression!
The latest product from Nomadix is the new Bandana Towel, otherwise known as “the most versatile bandana out there.” These bandanas make excellent corporate gifts, especially for company events, as they’re made from UPF 50+ MicroSuede material to absorb sweat and protect from the sun. Recipients will love the range of uses of this corporate gift!
This backpack is an easygoing adventure buddy for your recipients. Lightweight and colorful, the Cotopaxi Luzon Backpack is perfect for an unstructured approach to adventures! Customize this backpack with your company logo, and it’s ideal to send after corporate events to guests, as client thank you gifts, and as employee anniversary gifts.
Support the well-being of your recipients by gifting them these heated neck wraps as company gifts. Many people have a lot of stress and tension in their necks, and this neck wrap helps soothe discomfort. They are wonderful for employee wellness gifts or client thank you gifts.
Here is where you can find more creative employee gift ideas, and this is where you can find our top recommendations for client gifts.
People can tell when you put in extra effort to ensure corporate gifts are thoughtful and intentional. We are experts in the corporate gifting field, and our team will provide you with access to the top trending corporate gifts. Need your items branded with your logo? No problem. We specialize in custom, branded company gifts that are sustainable, responsible, high-quality, and remarkable.
]]>We have all heard the basic advice on being more green: bring your reusable bag to the store, refill your water bottle, reduce, reuse, and recycle. But what if you’re already living a relatively sustainable lifestyle and want to step up your game? What if you're hoping to encourage your company and colleagues to join in on your efforts to be more sustainable?
Here are some sustainability tips for how you and your company can start this year in the green for Earth Month! These are excellent initiatives to begin in April and continue all year round.
Now a common term in describing any effort related to sustainability, “green” is a term that encompasses all actions that can benefit the environment. Unfortunately, many companies are hitching onto the sustainability trend rather than taking real action to create change - misleading customers through misinformation.
A great way to be greener this earth day is to understand which companies to trust - and make an educated decision about where you decide to devote your dollars. Here is more information about sustainable labels, their meaning, and how to avoid greenwashing. For more details about greenwashing and how to spot it, check out this greenwashing guide from EcoWatch.
Giving sustainable corporate gifts goes beyond supporting businesses that are making responsible decisions when creating their products. These gifts are durable, high-quality, and lasting - ensuring that recipients will use them repeatedly, well into the future. These company gifts also help recipients live more sustainably, whether by bringing their own straw, refilling a treasured water bottle, or reducing toxic free radicals in their homes.
Eco-Friendly Company Gift: Vitruvi Stone Diffusers
Vitruvi diffusers were developed as an alternative to the standard (often toxic) home-scenting products & candles. The diffusers double as decor, and their 100% pure scents are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from synthetic fragrances and ingredients.
Eco-Friendly Company Gifts: Glass Infuser Water Bottle by Grosche
We have partnered with Grosche to donate 20% of our proceeds from items sold to support implementing and maintaining water filtration systems in countries without access to clean drinking water.
Eco-Friendly Corporate Gift: Sukk reusable straws
To reduce plastic waste (and chuck the need for poorly functioning paper straws), Sukk developed a sustainable, extendable, retractable, compact drinking straw small enough to fit on a keychain.
Eco-Friendly Corporate Gifts: GOT BAG Hip Bag
Made entirely from ocean plastic, GOT BAG is doing incredible things for our blue planet. They created a network of over 2,000 Indonesian fishermen to recover the plastic they pull in with their nets and recycle it into the durable, waterproof materials that make up these innovative bags.
Eco-Friendly Swag Gifts: Prodir QS40 Pens
We take resources from the earth; why not give it something back? Prodir worked with nature rather than against it by developing the QS40 True Biotic pen. A combination of sustainability with quality design, this pen is 100% natural, biodegradable, and compostable.
Many places are offering citywide composting capabilities now (Denver just announced they will be starting a new program), which is a massive step in the right direction toward doing more with organic waste. At Clove & Twine, we use Scraps Mile High to compost organic materials at our office. We’re proud to share that in 2022, we diverted approximately 3.4 tons of organics from going to a landfill through composting with Scraps.
Find a local composting service and start giving your organic waste a chance to give nutrients back to the soil - whether at home or the office.
To minimize transportation-related emissions, shop at farmer's markets and local markets, or sign up for farm delivery services. It'll benefit the planet, and you'll get produce that’s fresh and more nutrient-dense.
While grocery shopping, avoid plastic as much as possible. Don’t put your produce in a plastic bag - your two apples will make it to the register just fine! Rather than buying bagged carrots, get the wild & free ones. According to this assessment from the World Wildlife Fund, we could be eating up to a credit card-sized portion of plastic each week. Why contribute to that?
Grab a few friends and host a t-shirt drive to collect 100% cotton shirts to donate to Marine Layer’s ReSpun program. You'll even get a credit you can use towards new high-quality tees!
Encourage employees and coworkers to ride a bike to work at least one day a week! According to a recent study, if people chose to get to work by cycling or e-bike instead of driving, they could reduce their individual transportation-related emissions by 67%.
Looking for unique gifts for top sales team members, important clients, or employee anniversary gifts? We can work with Hurley and Sole Bicycles to customize bikes with your company logo and colors.
We are so proud to donate to these incredible businesses through our partnership with 1% for the Planet. They are all working hard to make the world a better place, and through our partnerships, we hear about the big difference our contributions make.
Petition to get your company to become a 1% for the Planet member or get involved as an individual. Everyone is responsible for leaving this planet better for future generations.
Clothing and fast fashion are massive contributors to climate change. Consider changing your personal shopping habits, or the apparel you give as company gifts to be high-quality over high-quantity. Look into the brands you are buying from. Do they have good practices? Are the materials they use natural (like cotton, wool) or plastic (polyester)?
Certain brands take pride in repairing apparel or have a take-back program, such as Patagonia, Cotopaxi, and The North Face. Birkenstock soles can be replaced and given new life. Marine Layer has their ReSpun shirt recycling program.
On a personal level, you can have a clothing swap with friends (we have them regularly with the C&T team!) or buy secondhand.
Paper products can easily be reduced both at the office and at home. Here are some easy ways to reduce your use of paper products:
Use rags and cloth napkins instead of paper towels
Install a bidet at home (hey, TP is pricey!)
Use paper grocery bags to wrap gifts
Go paperless for bills
Take notes on a tablet that converts everything you write into a digital form (instead of in a notebook or on a notepad)
Get a digital business card with a QR code (rather than wasteful printed business cards)
Processed foods aren’t only tough on the digestive system. Much of the food we buy in stores, like deli meats, frozen dinners, and bagged meals, have some amount of plastic in their packaging. A lot of water is wasted when processing meat, palm oil, bananas, and almonds too.
Use these water calculators to see how much water is used to process foods. You may be surprised! Now consider how much meat you consume each day. Do you eat meat with every meal? According to the New York Times, it takes 2,110 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. Lentils, in contrast, require approximately 190 gallons of water per pound.
On top of that, the carbon emissions and pollution that comes from livestock farming is absolutely shocking. Eating less meat each week is a wonderful, simple way to make an impact (and maybe get a little more vegetables in your diet, too)!
At home, start doing Meatless Monday. At the office, fill the cupboard with sustainable plant-based snacks. We can all do our part by making small changes - and we may even get a bit healthier because of it!
Here is where you can find more information about our Sustainability Practices here at Clove & Twine.
Ready to shop for sustainable corporate gifts for your clients, partners, and coworkers? Here is our collection of eco-friendly company gifts.
]]>Giving employee gifts is a great way to onboard new hires (through welcome gifts), celebrate work anniversaries and birthdays, say “thank you” for their hard work, and support a positive work culture.
If you’re looking for creative employee gift ideas, look no further! These 12 company gifts are excellent teambuilding gifts, employee thank-you gifts, or holiday gifts for employees or coworkers.
Super soft and super sustainable, Marine Layer’s Sunset Pullover Hoodie is a wonderful company team gift that can be used and worn all year round. Brand it with your company logo or team graphics and build solidarity among coworkers and employees.
What is one of the best gifts a new employee can get? How about a reusable, high-quality mug branded with their new company’s logo that they can start using every morning? Giving branded MiiR drinkware is an excellent way to welcome new hires to the team.
This Qi Power Bank has been one of our best-selling company gift items over the past year, and for good reasons - it’s versatile, powerful, and easy to decorate with your logo. Start your employees with a gift that empowers them to collaborate with the whole team!
Another super popular employee gift from last year, these Moleskine notebooks are excellent branded gifts for welcoming new team members to your company. Get their first meeting with the new crew started right with a notebook they will love to use.
AllMade makes sustainable budget-friendly t-shirts that you can customize for your team. These shirts are soft, comfortable, and perfect for daily wear by coworkers or employees.
Excellent anniversary, birthday, or promotion gifts, Ember Mugs are high-end gifts that employees will absolutely love. Designed for working from home or the office, these smart mugs allow employees to set their exact drinking temperature so that their coffee or tea is never too hot or too cold.
Portable, waterproof, and brandable with high-quality sound performance, the JBL Clip 4 is a fantastic thank-you gift idea for your employees. This speaker is easy to clip to a bag (or anywhere, really) and has up to 10 hours of play time so that your team can take it along on any of their personal or professional adventures.
Can you imagine your team going out in matching outerwear branded with your company logo and colors? Our new white-label outerwear makes that dream a reality. Immediately bond your team with one another by gifting them matching employee jackets.
Another great gift idea for your employees: high-quality polarized sunglasses from Sunski. An excellent employee welcome kit could include these sunglasses, a Nomadix towel, and a custom MiiR mug!
Oh, did we already mention Nomadix towels? At Clove & Twine, we love giving Nomadix products as new-hire gifts because the resounding feedback from our team has been 100% positive. This towel is versatile, quick-drying, and compact, making it the go-to for employees to use daily.
If you haven’t started seeing Cotopaxi everywhere, you might live under a rock. They are one of the hottest brands in the corporate gifting space right now! We love this Cotopaxi hip pack so much that we frequently give them as company gifts to our C&T team members. Because each bag is unique (Cotopaxi uses upcycled materials), it’s a gift you can order in high quantities while ensuring each recipient gets something different!
Want to support your employees in kicking back and relaxing? This hammock packs into a softball-sized stuff sack, making it easy to take along on any outdoor adventure. These are the perfect gifts to add to gift boxes for the holiday season or as employee thank-you gifts for anniversaries.
Are you looking for more ideas for employee gifts or corporate gifts? Our team will help! Browse our buying guide or submit a request for a curated corporate gifting experience.
]]>Our team has curated a selection of new client gift ideas to kick off your 2023 corporate gifting season.
The ultimate celebration of your relationships with your clients is COUP - an inspired and unique corporate gift. A bottle of craft Champagne and a modern custom message is housed within the ultimate storage and travel case. The minimalist design is sleek and sure to “wow” your recipients. Want to go the extra mile? Get the case that includes Champagne flutes and a metal saber.
COUP is the perfect client gift to make a lasting impression. Elevate your corporate gifting to elite status.
Fellow’s brewing tools are beautifully functional, making them excellent client gifts that will be displayed proudly and used repeatedly. Powerfully precise and delightfully intuitive, their award-winning gear is used by industry professionals and home baristas alike. From perfectly balanced kettles to sleek insulated mugs, their designs make classic keepsakes that your clients will use and love for years to come. Give functional, well-designed client gifts that reflect your company’s values.
Looking for a client gift that your recipients can use throughout every facet of their lives? The Original Puffy outdoor blanket is a packable, portable blanket that goes everywhere they do. With a ripstop shell and insulation made from 100% recycled materials, it's warmer and more durable than ever. Clients can take this gift to the park, on camping adventures, on a beach vacation, and everywhere in between.
The RUMPL blanket is a client gift idea that is unique, customizable, and easy for recipients to use in everyday life.
A brand new unique corporate gift idea is Bala Bangles. These versatile and stylish accessories add a constant but comfortable resistance to workouts, making them a fun client gift for enhancing all of their daily activities. Use KitBuilder to create a client wellness box, and Bala will be an excellent addition.
Designed for home or office, the new Ember Mug² is a trending client gift that does much more than simply keep your recipient's coffee hot. The smart mug allows them to set an exact drinking temperature so their coffee is never too hot, or too cold. Brand these mugs with your company logo, and your clients will remember your values while sipping their morning cup of joe.
Therabody’s mission is to provide effective, natural solutions to help people take charge of their daily wellness. Our team noticed Theraguns were very popular in 2022, which means these are quickly becoming the industry's most highly desired corporate gifts. Any of their products make great high-quality client gifts.
Corkcicle continues to push the boundaries of stylish beverage containers. Corkcicle drinkware keeps drinks ice cold for up to 25 hours or hot for up to 12 without freezing or sweating. Complete with your company logo, custom Corkcicle products make great client gifts. Even better? Corkcicle also donates a portion of their profits to charity: water, a non-profit that brings clean water to people in need.
The next generation of power banks, the MagCube will super-charge your recipient’s devices. This gift has a built-in display stand and magnetic snap-on technology and can easily be branded with your company logo. This client gift is a crowd favorite that your recipients will use frequently and repeatedly.
Another trending corporate gift in 2022, this tech bag is an essential gift for your clients. They keep all their tech gear in one easy-to-organize bag for wherever work or life takes them!
These concrete candles have a gentle, natural fragrance that won’t overwhelm your recipients. Your clients will love these candles' simple, modern design and relaxation-promoting aromatics. Add them to a client thank you gift box or send them as standalone gifts.
The ultimate on-the-go yoga companion, these state-of-the-art yoga mats are designed to reduce slipping, so recipients don’t need a mat and towel for their daily practice. Your active clients will love this unique corporate gift.
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When choosing client gifts, it is important to select a corporate gift that is both thoughtful and appropriate. Consider your client's interests, personal preferences, and style. Consider how practical the gifts are, as practicality often translates to usability - making client gifts more likely to be kept and cherished.
With the right thoughtful client gift you can show your appreciation and increase client loyalty. Ready to get your sustainable client gift order started? Connect with our corporate gifting experts.
]]>Our team of gifting experts compiled a list of the top upcoming corporate gift trends on the horizon for 2023.
The consensus is that in 2023, corporate swag will become less about cheap hand-outs and instead be replaced by quality corporate gifts that are intentional and thoughtful. Shep Hyken, a national keynote speaker said: “It is rare in our very fast-paced and digital world to see people pay attention to details, such as by sending a handwritten note or a personalized gift; instead, many things are taken for granted.”
Think personalized company gifts, custom gift boxes, and handwritten thank-you notes. The future of gifting is slowing down and giving more intentionally.
There’s a new trend towards a more sober-curious lifestyle, and since N/A drinks are easier to ship, they’re easy to add to company gift boxes as part of a mocktail kit (or as standalone items). More bars and restaurants are offering mocktails or alcohol alternatives, and many predictions post-pandemic are seeing this trend increasing. According to Forbes, in 2022, the sales of no- and low-alcohol beverages grew more than 7% across ten key global markets. The market was at about $8 billion worldwide in 2018, and by the end of 2022, that number surpassed $11 billion in market value, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.
A 2019 Global Ad Impressions study found that 46% of people have a more favorable opinion of a company if the branded corporate gift they receive is environmentally friendly. Their updated 2022 study (a global survey conducted of over 39K individuals) found that 45% of suppliers said that their clients asked for more environmentally-friendly and socially responsible products in 2021.
Keep in mind, sustainability is not synonymous with greenwashing, and it’s important to know the difference. Research shows that these claims matter to those receiving gifts. The future trend of company gifting and branded swag is moving toward genuine sustainability.
Gen Z-ers are passionate about political issues and want to work for companies (and buy products from companies) whose values align with theirs. In the corporate gifting space, this translates to giving gifts with a clear message & value statement and supporting BIOPC companies, women-owned companies, and LGBTQIA+ initiatives in ways that align with your business.
When choosing company gifts, work with our gifting experts to find products from suppliers whose values are aligned with yours - and your recipients.
A new & emerging trend in company swag is “nostalgia.” Millennials are reaching the age when comfort comes from seeing their childhood memories resurface, and Gen Z-ers love the throwback style and trend.
Think about how your company gifts or corporate gift boxes can encompass the feeling of simpler times. The next couple of years will be all about reflecting with nostalgia.
Suppliers are beginning to develop products in broader swaths of color, making the more muted less desirable and a palette of color pops more on-trend. However, a word of caution when working with color - the trend doesn’t point towards clown-like primaries. Think creative pops of secondary colors or even throwback neons.
2023 is seeing evidence that points towards the desire for memorable experiences over just simply gifts. This includes offerings such as onsite event gifting and gifts that encourage relaxation and travel. Leisure gifts are also on-trend, as these corporate gifts support employees and clients going out and experiencing life. Think about giving gifts such as cameras, outdoor gear, hammocks, speakers, or dopp kits.
Think of an “experience gift” as a company gift that supports recipients in either going home with new memories or creating their own memories with the gifts you give them.
The higher trend of travel and post-pandemic-lockdown-life means remote workers are increasing their movement to other locations, whether for a week or a year. More mobility means more employees and clients find value in gifts such as high-quality backpacks, power banks, and journals.
Now that more people are working from places outside of the office, company gifts that support travel and remote work are becoming more desired than ever.
Now more than ever, people want gifts from new, up-and-coming brands designing innovative items that are sustainable, creative, and unique. Recipients don’t want the same old cookie-cutter corporate swag done repeatedly for the past 40 years. They seek out burgeoning brands and are excited about high-tech innovation.
Find company gifts that break the mold, and your recipients will treasure them forever.
Along with the sobriety trend, the 2023 post-pandemic future is causing people to lean towards finding more balance throughout their lives. Whether through better work/life balance, more exercise, or taking care of mental health, people want gifts that support a healthier way of life.
Corporate gifts that support meditation, fitness goals, work-from-home, and comfortable apparel that can easily transition throughout all aspects of life are all in high demand.
The future points towards using swag and company gifts to build deeper connections between colleagues, clients, and employees. You can utilize corporate gifts to connect remote and in-office workers, reinforce client relationships, and support a healthy company culture through gifts that bond teammates.
Trends are pointing towards the desire for higher-quality swag gifts that support a culture of company and community but also make less of an impact on the planet.
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Need advice on where to start on your company swag journey? Connect with one of our gifting experts through our contact page or browse our Buying Guide.
]]>Do you think of a broad group of professionals?
A particular demographic?
A list of names and email addresses?
A bunch of people browsing online whose attention you’re trying to grab?
A lead to win, a click to capture, a check to receive in the mail?
However you categorize your clients or customers, the main goal is to keep them happy and returning to you. The way to retain your clients, your customers, and your team depends on how valuable the service, product, or exchange is that you provide to them. Right? It’s a simple way to boil down the complexities of running a successful business.
But why are there some companies that stand apart, when hundreds of their competitors are seemingly doing the same thing? Why do some companies retain great talent, and others have high turnover? Why can some companies find success solely on referrals, and others struggle to generate enough leads every month? How do some companies build customer loyalty when others struggle to maintain that attention and connection?
Although there are a number of comprehensive answers to these questions, there is an all-encompassing and fundamental truth that runs throughout: success is built upon healthy relationships.
Companies nurture those relationships by establishing trust, building strong communication channels, creating an engaged employee base, and gaining a deep understanding of the needs of their clients, partners, and customers. The foundation of this kind of relationship-building starts by connecting with the individual person behind the group, title, or email address.
No matter how much we personify companies, your company is not a person. However, YOU are a person, your CLIENTS are people, and your TEAM is made up of individuals. It may seem ridiculous to point this out. Of course you’re people. But in this world of personification, it’s good to remember that people are what make and build companies; it is not companies that make people.
That is why relationships and the fostering of relationships is so important. As people working in a business, we should treat our customers and clients not as a nameless, faceless entity - but as a friend, as ourselves, as we would want to be treated. This is what sets extraordinary businesses aside from others - they nurture the growth of the individuals that make up their company, that devote a huge chunk of their lives to making it successful every single day. This is a key way to build employee loyalty. These businesses include people that see not only the individual in every team but the individual in each customer or client.
The greatest value comes from connecting those individuals, whether by fostering team bonding internally or by making the effort to devote attention to clients and customers on a deeper level.
An excellent way to foster connection and build relationships is through company gifting. Corporate gifting builds loyalty by showing employees, clients, and partners that they are valued and appreciated. This can create a positive impression of the company (and those individuals that work for your company) and foster strong relationships with people who have contributed to its success. Company gifts also boost morale in the workplace, and branded team gifts can create a deeper bonding between coworkers. These gifts act as a reminder that their hard work is an important component of the bigger purpose.
However, not all gifts are built the same - and thoughtful corporate gifts go much further than cheap tchotchkes, generic gift cards, or mass emails.
In his book, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman describes the value of time and effort over the “thought” that supposedly counts more. He calls this “The Efficiency Trap” - in an effort to check things off our to-do list, get our work tasks done, eat lunch, send emails, send corporate gifts, and get on with our lives, we neglect the fact that sometimes being more efficient ends up costing us something other than money: the value of the experience.
We know that it’s easier to just send a mass “thank you” email to clients all at once or to send an e-card for someone’s birthday. However, if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of this kind of convenient solution, you know that getting a handwritten letter is much more meaningful. The intent is diluted, and therefore the message is diluted. As Burkeman says, “It isn’t really the thought that counts, but the effort — which is to say, the inconvenience.”
Now, consider the relationships you have with the people you’re the closest with in your life. Do they like the Instagram story you posted about your trip to Italy, or do they meet you for coffee to hear all about your experiences - maybe even pick you up from the airport?
We’re not saying you should start providing airport rides and hosting individual catch-up sessions with customers and every single person you work with. (Hey, if you have the time, go for it!) But these are important factors to consider when you’re making an intentional decision - like sending a gift - and maximizing the meaning behind it.
Ultimately, the best way to think about corporate gifting is to shift the focus away from being a thoughtless action to check off your to-do list. Instead, think about the individuals behind your email list and target demographic. Consider each member of your company as a unique person, with hopes, needs, and wants - and a desire for appreciation and connection.
Use corporate gifting as a way to shift your focus towards the relationships you want to cultivate and grow, with the people you value the most.
]]>You want to give outerwear as a company gift, but you don’t want something that looks like everything else out there.
You are planning a special event and want to give attendees a memorable gifting experience.
You want to give your team a unique branded gift that is extra special.
With this offering, you can design high-quality custom outerwear in any way you like for your company gifts. Mix and match the colors for sleeves, panels, and zippers - add your logo, remove the hood, or even add pockets - the possibilities are endless!
We provide the components of each sustainable outerwear piece; then you customize everything to fit your unique needs for corporate gifts.
We have a wide selection of colors to choose from to accurately showcase your brand through your outerwear. A few customization options available:
Add a hood
Increase down-fill
Add pockets
Add heat-press logo
Custom color panels
This service allows you to create each outerwear piece in your vision with a set selection of colors or features for your recipients. Alternatively, you can give event guests the option to create their own custom outerwear through a Design Lab experience.
The Design Lab experience gives your event attendees the chance to easily click-and-customize their outerwear gifts using our design software on an iPad or tablet. Afterward, we’ll drop-ship their creations after the event ends or ship directly to your headquarters.
The Design Lab is a unique gift-building adventure we can provide along with our on-site gifting opportunity. Contact us to learn more.
Let your brand be the star of your company gifts with fully custom outerwear that your recipients will love.
Your company & your vision as high-quality apparel
Our partner manufactures your outerwear with 25+ years of experience creating apparel for some of the most well-known brands around. They intentionally make products that stand the test of time with a streamlined, user-friendly customization platform.
Ethical and environmental responsibility are built right in
The company we partner with builds your outerwear with the most environmentally-sound materials. They also are committed to ensuring the highest level of safe, respectful, ethical practices for their employees. We intentionally chose to work with this reputable partner to help you build and customize corporate gifts that you can genuinely feel good about giving.
Begin your adventure in creating your own custom, sustainable outerwear today.
]]>Seeing these words on websites and labels can get a bit confusing. Now that people are starting to care more about whether or not the products they buy are eco-friendly, many companies are greenwashing their products to retain customers and boost sales.
Sadly, greenwashing is deceptive and all about marketing. Companies have seen sustainability as a trend and a marketing opportunity rather than a call to action in making real changes to support a better planet. They may make claims with catchy terms, green labels, or intentionally misleading “environmentally friendly” claims with no certification or validation requirements.
This article from EcoWatch is an in-depth resource about greenwashing, how to spot it, and how to avoid falling into the greenwashing trap.
This post will help you make informed decisions about which companies support your goals for more sustainable purchases.
Sustainability refers to the environmental impact a company makes. Sustainable companies will often take actions such as:
Offsetting emissions
Donating to environmental non-profits
Utilizing solar or wind energy for production
Recycling, up-cycling, or reusing materials
Reducing water waste or water pollution
With that said, if a company says they are “sustainable,” no certification is necessarily required to make that claim (see more about what the term means below). They should, however, be able to back-up any claims of being sustainable.
Be sure to dive further into their practices and see what other actions they take to impact the planet less. A good general rule is that if a claim includes the word “certified,” it generally requires a vetting process.
1% for the Planet
This certification connects companies that promise to give the equivalent of 1 percent of their gross sales with environmental charities that need funding and support. It helps businesses direct their time and dollars toward sustainability goals. Certification is required in order for brands to use the 1% for the Planet logo.
Climate Neutral Certified
This certification verifies brands that commit to reducing and offsetting carbon emissions. It incentivizes companies to change their practices to be more sustainable and lower greenhouse gases. Climate Neutral Certification gives businesses the ability to move towards a net-zero future. Brands may use the “Climate Neutral” logo when they are in the process of becoming certified along with specific language that explains their commitment. However, the “Climate Neutral Certified” logo (featured at the bottom of this page) can only be used once emission offsets have begun and brands are fully certified.
Cradle-to-Cradle Certified
Cradle-to-Cradle Certification ensures a positive impact on people and the planet, helping companies innovate materials in safety and sustainability performance. This label requires paid and reviewed practices for certification. It ensures that the company uses safe materials for humans and the environment, enables a circular economy through regenerative products, and protects clean air, water, and soil.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
This standard defines requirements to ensure textiles' organic status, from harvesting raw materials through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing and labeling to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer. Companies must be fully vetted to receive this official certification.
Green
Now a common term in describing any effort related to sustainability, “green” is a term that encompasses all actions that can benefit the environment. It is a broad descriptor that can be used for anything, such as architecture, fashion, beauty products, construction, and textiles. No certification is required to label a product ‘green.’ Read more about greenwashing and green-labeling specifications.
Eco-Friendly or Eco-Conscious
These terms are interchangeable in describing products, procedures, or companies that make decisions that lower their negative impact on the planet. The FTC Green Guides say that for a product to be properly labeled as "eco-friendly," the packaging must explain why it is environmentally responsible. Therefore, this may be a better choice than going with a company claiming to be “green.”
Sustainable
This term is a bit broader than “eco-friendly” and represents a wider scope of initiatives from environmental impact to social and economic benefits worldwide. Some companies that claim they are sustainable are more “sustainable” than others that identify with the same term. Although there is no precise measurement for a company’s level of sustainability (unless they are in some way certified sustainable), people can use this as a starting point for a deeper dive into their business practices to learn more.
Social responsibility is an additional component of a company's values and is not necessarily synonymous with sustainability. Other aspects to consider of reputable brands you work with or buy products from:
Do they provide fair wages and safe working conditions throughout their sourcing and manufacturing?
Do they partner with companies that treat their workers fairly?
Certified B Corporation
B Corp businesses meet the highest standards of performance, accountability, and transparency in social and environmental responsibility. Companies must pass a rigorous assessment of governance, workers, community, environment, and customers and focus on continuous improvement and long-term resiliency.
Fair Trade Certified
Fair Trade Certification requires all businesses to hold standards that support community and individual well-being, empowerment, and environmental stewardship. It includes requirements that protect workers' rights, fair labor, and sustainable land management.
Ethically Made or Ethically Sourced
Ethical practices can cover anything from using a certain percentage of recycled materials in products to not working with facilities that use child labor. Ethical practices are important, but be sure to understand the foundational values of the companies making these claims. Since the terms lack specific certification processes, the terms are often used for marketing purposes.
Artisan
The term “artisan” refers to items created outside industrial production facilities. Often these products are handmade or with only a small amount of automation by skilled workers who can be paid more for their craftsmanship (although that is not guaranteed). This claim alone does not require certification to be used on a label, unless it is specifically connected to an artisan-based certification process.
When it comes to product production, almost everything created makes some negative impact on our environment. Whether through using energy or water to develop and ship products or creating waste byproducts, all business processes impact the planet in one way or another.
This is why it is so important to vote with your dollars. Choose to work with and buy from businesses working to lower their impact on our planet’s finite resources. In the corporate world, we hope that our efforts inspire others to take action to reduce and offset any negative environmental impact.
Learn more about our commitment to sustainability and how we are making important decisions now for a better future.
Answer: They will both receive a company holiday gift from you.
Does finding a gift that they will both love seem daunting? It doesn't have to be.
Custom gift boxes are fantastic for this reason. Not only are they a fun way to showcase your brand with packaging customization, but you can curate gift boxes with an array of remarkable goods that will excite all of your recipients.
Who doesn’t enjoy getting a whole box filled with goodies?
One thoughtful gift is terrific. A box filled with multiple gifts takes your intention (thanks, appreciation, celebration, or anything in between) to the next level.
Selecting thoughtful products is the first step to ensuring your recipients will love their custom gift box. Here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself while you’re selecting items for your holiday gift boxes:
How would I feel if I received this gift item?
How do I want my recipient to feel when they receive this gift?
Is it essential that these items are decorated with my company logo, or will they be more valued without branding?
Are these gifts appropriate for the occasion?
Do these gifts reflect our company’s values and culture?
Do these gifts effectively communicate how I feel about my recipients and how I value them?
Next, consider your gift packaging to really turn up that WOW factor. The box and packaging can be simple and sleek or as remarkable as the gifts themselves. Watch the video below for a custom gift box we developed for TPH by Taraji.
Customization options are endless, so let your imagination run wild! From elegant craft cardboard boxes to laser engraved wooden slide boxes with leather attachments, all can be decorated with your company logo and color scheme.
Pro tip: Ask us about printing a special message inside the box.
Regarding packaging materials - choose from wood excelsior, paper shred, or tissue paper packing materials to make kit items a little more special (and safe). We can even include a thoughtful branded card or handwritten note in your custom kits.
Excellent gifts ignite joy and happiness in the recipient. They are long-lasting items that people will love, cherish, and use over and over again.
Our team of gifting experts know how to turn a gifting conundrum into a memorable success. Get started building your custom gift boxes with KitBuilder.
]]>The excitement of a free gift quickly fades when attendees open their goody bag and find that it’s filled with… well, junk. One of our colleagues came back from an event recently with a cheap grocery bag filled with:
A standard plastic pen
A stack of random business cards and flyers
A novelty paracord
A branded keychain with a rubber charm
A stick of generic lip balm
A mini bottle of hand sanitizer
Is this the best we can do?
Many events are huge, and only a small portion of that budget is set aside for a high volume of “swag” bags. (As we have mentioned before, we really don’t like the word swag for several reasons.) However, there are better ways to do event gifts.
The pandemic has changed our lives dramatically, and in-person events are expected to only gain momentum in the coming months. Post-pandemic, we are beginning to fully understand the impact of our actions. We are assessing how we did things before, how those processes and systems can be improved, and how we can make changes to make life better now and in the future.
The truth is, many people would rather not even get cheap swag at an event. This is a conundrum, however - how do you make the event memorable? How do you mark the event's occurrence with attendees in a way that lasts? How do you make better choices for the branded gifts you do give?
Choose QUALITY over quantity.
Does every attendee need a goody bag, or can you get fewer high-quality gifts for the people you really want to make an impression on? Casting a wide net is one tactic, but if you put your company’s logo on an item, choose items that represent your brand effectively and align your logo with quality.
Remember your impact on the planet.
A 2019 Ad Impressions study found that 23% of corporate gifts are tossed in the trash. This study also revealed that 46% of recipients have a more favorable opinion of a company if the gift they receive is environmentally friendly. Not only does the product reflect well on your recipients, but also your company’s values.
Contemplate the recipient’s needs.
In the same Ad Impressions study, 55% of branded gifts were given away or donated. Sure, that still gives your brand exposure. But your brand in front of the right people with a more intentional message (especially one that communicates value) is much more impactful.
The bottom line is this: choose better event gifts, and you have more opportunities to make a better, longer-lasting impression.
Karst Stone Paper Pocket Journal
Sukk Extendable Stainless Steel Straw
Allmade Unisex Tri-Blend Crewneck T-Shirt
We now offer Onsite Gift Experiences to elevate your next exclusive company retreat. Take corporate event gifting to the next level by adding our full on-site solution. Contact us to learn more!
Now that’s a slogan we fully support.
It was also the slogan of the Ninth Summit of the Americas, held in Los Angeles earlier this year. The City of LA tasked us with curating amazing welcome bags for all attendees - which included delegates, white house staff, world leaders, and the president of the United States. (Hey, when the White House needs remarkable, sustainable gifts, we were ready to step up to help.)
We had the opportunity to partner with some truly great local LA companies for this project and learn more about who they are and what they’re doing. We had some specific requirements to develop the gift bags for the attendees of this important event. The gift bags needed to:
Be 100% Made in America
Contain items from companies based in and around the LA area
Have an emphasis on sustainability
Be mainly from companies that are owned or run by: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or minorities
Have a cool, vibrant esthetic that embodies LA and LA communities
Tell a story
On top of finding and partnering with businesses that checked all of the points listed above, we had a super fast turnaround requirement (only three short weeks from start to finish). Each detail had to be thought out meticulously, and our team needed to fly out to LA to fulfill the gift order in person.
Although these were significant challenges, the gifts were an overwhelming success. We were impressed by how an entire community came together to build what was needed to complete this project. Every single person hustled to make these gift bags work, and every company stepped up their team efforts to work with us and make the gifts successful.
“The money spent for these gifts went right back into the community, and we’re really proud of that. Not only did these gifts positively impact everyone that received them, but they also helped move the needle for the small companies that made them.”
- Alisha Hieb, Chief Gifting Officer at Clove & Twine
Clove & Twine met the criteria they required for this event, as we are a sustainable, women-operated business. We also have a huge focus on high-quality gifts, and we are always willing to go the extra mile with every detail for sustainable practices (even down to packaging and shipping).
Our team of gifting experts gained a profound understanding of the client's needs. We dove deep into the culture of LA - not surface-level or touristy LA - but where community and innovation happen every day. We made sure the gifts were colorful, eclectic, diverse, sustainable - and most importantly, that they told the story of this incredible and vibrant city.
We could check every box on their requirement list, and we were proud of having the capability, support, and team cooperation to pull everything off quickly and effectively.
Here are a few stories of the businesses we partnered with on this project.
Women-owned | AAPI-owned | Made in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
Rewilder developed a remarkable backpack made from salvaged airbags and upcycled materials. Rather than beginning with an idea or design, the Rewilder team chooses materials first to allow the rescue of these textiles to guide how they will be reused.
About Rewilder:
Owners Jenny & Stephanie came from unique backgrounds - Jenny in architecture and Stephanie in science & advertising. They both were driven to create thoughtful, resourceful items by using or repurposing materials creatively to give them new life.
They founded Rewilder with a sustainable mission: to find the wealth in waste, to make upcycling scalable, and to use intelligent design to show the potential in all materials (not just conventional ones). They want consumers and brands to see the value in materials that are often discarded - materials that just need the opportunity to be showcased.
About the backpacks:
The bags Rewilder created to encompass the gifts for this event were made from both scraps and rejected airbag fabric. They made the trim and handles using rejected seatbelts, and the lining is automotive mesh, used to cover the foam of car seats. For this particular project, they repurposed vintage LA metro tokens for the zipper pulls.
About their process:
Jenny and Stephanie both love making useful items out of the unexpected. They are always on the hunt for beauty in trash, and are constantly looking for new ways to upcycle what others discard or ignore.
Rewilder continues to find ways to reduce their waste throughout every step of their manufacturing process so that they don’t contribute to creating additional waste during production.
Rewilder works mainly with small businesses and minority-owned vendors to support community infrastructure. For this project, they worked with the Jose Luis Studio. Jose Luis (pictured left) previously worked as Rewilder’s lead production manager, and now that he’s managing his own family-run shop, Rewilder continues to partner with him to bring projects to fruition.
Woman-owned | Made in Los Angeles, CA
Further included a natural soap that they derived from making biofuel. How it works: artisans pick up used oil from LA restaurants and then process it in their warehouse. The biofuel from the oil is used for cars, and the glycerin goes into making Further’s glycerin soap. The natural soap is then taken back to the restaurants that provided the oil. Further has created a perfect, sustainable circle from waste to reuse with their unique products.
Woman-owned | Latina-owned | Made in Los Angeles, CA
Hedley & Bennett included their aprons as a part of these event gifts. They are on a mission to inspire and empower creativity and confidence in the kitchen. The founders of Hedley & Bennett have worked hard to develop the most durable, high-quality, and stylish aprons and kitchen supplies in the world. They do a beautiful job of designing products that are as stylish as they are functional.
“If you only ate at the Los Angeles restaurants whose chefs sport Hedley & Bennett aprons, you’d be eating at some of the finest places the city has to offer.” - The New York Times Magazine
Made in Downtown Los Angeles, CA
Homeboy Industries provided cookies for the gift bags. They started in 1988 as a social enterprise created to improve the lives of former gang members in Eastern LA. Since then, the entire company has evolved into the world's largest gang intervention, rehab, and re-entry program.
The bakery program is the first of their enterprise programs, which employs many Homeboy Industry trainees. They are working to create a positive impact on families and communities not only in LA but all over the world. Who knew cookies could do so much good?
Woman-owned | Black-owned | Made in Compton, CA
Lot XI added their unique fair-trade bath tea to this gift and identifies as a community-conscious urban apothecary. Their products are curated and crafted by hand, using environmentally safe and organic ingredients. They also purchase fresh ingredients from local farmers and pride themselves in supporting other local entrepreneurs.
Woman-owned | Black-owned | Made in Los Angeles, CA
Torch included a candle as a part of these gifts. Torch candles do more than just brighten up a room - they are a vehicle for people to deliberately and purposefully shift their daily thinking. Each month they donate a percentage of their sales to charities within their communities that are making positive changes.
The other awesome companies we worked with:
LIBERTY: reusable water bottle (100% recyclable, made in America)
CANDLESSENTIALS: candle (woman-owned, black-owned, LGBTQ+ owned, made in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA)
CANYON COFFEE: instant coffee (woman-owned, made in Beachwood Canyon, Los Angeles, CA)
CASTLEPILLAR: LA postcards (woman-owned, Latina-owned, made in Northeast, Los Angeles, CA)
COMPARTÉS: chocolate bar (LGBTQ+ owned, made in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA)
ELIQS: sparkling water (made in South Bay, CA)
GRAF LANTZ: canvas tote bag (LGBTQ+ owned, made in Silver Lake, LA)
HEREAFTER: wooden journal (women-owned, AAPI-owned, made in Torrance, CA)
All of the businesses that we collaborated with on this project put energy, hard work, and craftsmanship into their creations. We were so impressed with how they stepped up their production to make everything come together!
Even with this project's short turnaround time, we delivered these gifts earlier than expected. The final event gifts really hit the mark, and the overwhelming success came from how this community of artists came together to complete it - and how cool the resulting gifts were!
It was a testament to the small artisans who could band together and deliver in such a short timeline.
We are so proud of the success of this project.
Do you have an upcoming event that you need sustainable company gifts for?
]]>If you can relate to any of these scenarios, you may be feeling the symptoms of burnout - and there's a good chance that your employees are feeling it too.
According to a survey from 2021 of 1,501 adult workers in the U.S., employees reported:
a lack of motivation, energy, and interest in their work (29%)
emotional exhaustion related to work (32%)
physical fatigue related to work (44% - a 38% increase since 2019)
Although the coronavirus pandemic can take a portion of the blame, the truth is that many people have been working far beyond their physical and mental capabilities for some time. Folks are experiencing burnout, and it’s taking a significant toll on their motivation.
How do you keep employees motivated when they’re already mentally fatigued? How do you ensure that employees feel supported and engaged in maintaining productivity?
1) ASK THEM WHAT THEY NEED.
Often managers will assume what employees need rather than asking. Unfortunately, those assumptions will miss the mark. Managers aren’t living the same day-to-day work lives as their employees (and vice versa). Having open and honest conversations with employees can be a challenging part of the process. Still, it’s crucial to discover the root of any issues, whether within the company or between colleagues and managers. Communication is key for gaining a clear understanding of where effective changes can be made.
If you’re concerned that employees may feel intimidated to give honest input, send a survey that allows them to select from multiple-choice answers anonymously. The feedback you receive is a great place to start.
2) SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE POSITIVE BALANCE AT WORK.
Rest is just as important when it comes to motivation and productivity. One study used a program application to measure the time employees spent on various tasks and compared that data to their productivity levels throughout the day.
The results were interesting, albeit unsurprising: those scrupulous about taking short, intermittent breaks throughout the work day were significantly more productive. This was compared to their coworkers who clocked long, unbroken hours in front of their computers.
Many employees feel guilt or shame about taking breaks, especially when the culture of work considers rest “lazy” or unproductive. When employees see their coworkers or supervisors working late or eating lunch at their desks, it’s a silent communication about the values that are expected of them. Communicate to your team that your work culture supports breaks, and work to remove any negative stigma at your company that is associated with rest.
3) STRENGTHEN YOUR PTO POLICY.
In 2020, American workers still left about one-third of their paid time-off unused in the throes of a pandemic when stress was higher than ever. At the same time, over 60% of respondents reported that they desperately needed a vacation.
In a New York Times piece, Ariela Safira, CEO of the mental health care start-up, Real, spoke about her decision to give employees a week off every quarter.
“We live in this world that’s like, work work work until we’re nearly burned out, and then we take a vacation...The point of vacation isn’t to save your burnout. Offer yourself preventive care."
- Ariela Safira, for the New York Times piece “Take a Vacation. Boss’s Orders.” by Emma Goldberg
Offering more PTO or mandatory time off (as long as people aren’t doing work when they’re supposed to be resting) is something to consider offering to increase productivity. If there is concern about employees abusing a more open policy, consider the stat above again - many employees do not take their vacation time. If it supports their health, and their ability to work and function well in their job, then what is there to lose from giving it a try?
4) REMIND THEM ABOUT THE "WHY."
A dentist will always ask you if you are flossing when you go for a teeth cleaning. You guiltily say no, but you flossed that morning before your appointment. The dentist tells you that you really should floss, then sends you on your way. Does that make you feel motivated to start flossing? Probably not.
Now consider: what if your dentist had explained the purpose of flossing, why it’s so important, and then gave you tips and tools to help you succeed?
This is an important way to view work and motivation. Why does this work matter to the company? What does it mean for the employee when the company does well or when the employee performs well? Why is their work important to other team members and co-workers?
Supporting employees with foundational reasons as to why their role is important, then giving them ways to succeed in that role will go a long way in helping productivity and reaching goals.
5) PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.
Does your company health plan cover online or in-person therapy? If not, it may be worth looking into other tools or subscriptions that support the mental health of your employees. Burnout can also be linked to an employee’s personal history, such as issues with perfectionism, people-pleasing, the need to overachieve or overperform to prove their worth, and the belief that working longer hours equates to a better status.
These tendencies can be navigated with support from professionals.
6) SUPPORT EMPLOYEES OUTSIDE OF WORK.
Burnout, fatigue, and decreased motivation isn’t just a symptom of work itself - it is also connected to everything that goes on outside of work, such as:
Getting kids ready for school before work, coordinating pick-ups and drop-offs, and getting them to doctor’s appointments
Frequently working late from home
Lack of healthy meal planning due to fatigue
Lack of exercise due to fatigue
Poor sleep habits
Not enough connection to work values
Many companies may see these struggles as a problem of the employees rather than something an employer should solve. However, the day-to-day busyness of modern life is a struggle that many workers share. If you want to boost motivation and ensure the dedication and loyalty of your employees, consider what changes you can make to support more balance.
Changes to make in the workplace to help employees outside of work (as solutions to the problems listed above):
Flexibility with time in-office and working remotely
Communicate company values, and encourage respect for “working” hours and “off-work” hours, or encourage scheduled email sends for things that can be handled the following day
Provide an array of healthy snacks at the office
Start a monthly wellness challenge to encourage more exercise with healthy competition between colleagues
Consider allowing flexible work hours to promote more natural sleep that works with their chronotype: allow employees that are natural “night owls” to begin work slightly later and work a bit later, and “early birds” to start slightly earlier and leave work earlier
See above for why the “why” is important
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It grows over time and compounds as we take on more and more while continuing to ignore signs of fatigue. If employees constantly feel tired or unmotivated, we must reexamine company practices and take action to support a healthier work environment. When burnout is addressed head-on, it can be reversed and lead to more motivated employees.
Employees are whole people leading full lives - not cogs in a machine built solely for work. When you offer them a work atmosphere that promotes a healthier balance in their everyday lives, they can devote more energy to their work and feel more fulfilled at the same time. Happy employees are happier people, more productive workers, and more valuable to your business.
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Employee work anniversaries
New baby celebrations
Birthdays
Company or team milestone anniversaries
Top client gifts
Corporate holiday gifts
Thank you gifts
Sympathy / comfort gifts
Early holiday gift orders (trust us, it's never too early to think about the corporate holiday gifting season)
Whatever reason you’re searching for great corporate gifts, you can be sure that the options you find with us are going to be memorable, thoughtful, remarkable, and sustainable.
These are the new companies we are now partnering with, and a few of our favorite featured products.
(Item pictured: Men's El Garibaldi Robe)
When we met the folks with California Cowboy, we found the last robe your recipients will ever want or need. Lined with soft & absorbent terry cloth, these robes function as a towel and a fashion statement. Their thoughtful design includes a dry pocket for safe tech storage, a loop for sunglasses, a bottle opener, and a large back pocket, big enough to carry around a bottle of champagne. How often your recipient will need to bring along a bottle of champagne is entirely up to them.
(Item pictured: Cotopaxi Bataan Hip Pack)
Cotopaxi designs and develops outdoor gear that is sustainably focused and dedicates a percentage of their revenues to nonprofits working to improve the human condition. Cotopaxi focuses on developing durable, earth-gentle gear and they make purposeful choices to make products as circular as possible. They aim to use repurposed, recycled, and responsible materials for all products by 2025, and have even launched a platform for repairs and resale to encourage long-term use of their products.
(Item pictured: Single Speed Fixed Gear Bicycle)
Why not have a little fun with a completely customized bicycle? Solé believes that a bicycle should be more than just sporting equipment - it should be an extension of your life, and your brand. Their fashion-forward bicycles can be designed in your company’s vision from the ground up, customizable with your logo and brand colors. Whether you're in small business looking to outfit the office with communal transportation or a large corporation looking for a unique and effective marketing tool to engage customers, we have you covered.
(Item pictured: Stone Diffuser)
Started by siblings Sara & Sean Panton, Vitruvi diffusers were developed as an alternative to standard (often toxic) home scenting products. The diffusers double as decor and 100% pure scents and are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from synthetic fragrances and ingredients. They created better products for people and the planet and use 100% recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable packaging. They look beautiful, smell wonderful, and make a unique corporate gift.
(Item pictured: Milano Stone Moka Pot Coffee Maker)
In the very beginning when Grosche set out to start their business, they knew it was always going to be about much more than just beautiful drinking vessels. Every product they sell funds their safe water project, helping communities in need have consistent access to clean drinking water. They use their business model to support as many sustainable practices as possible, including planting trees with Trees for the Future, generating income with their own banana plantation, diverting 91% of their waste from landfills, and proudly having a negative carbon footprint.
When you order Grosche products through Clove & Twine, you're giving more than just a high-quality gift. We have partnered with Grosche to donate 20% of our proceeds from items sold to support implementing and maintaining water filtration systems in countries without access to clean drinking water.
When you give Grosche products to your recipients, you're also giving the gift of clean drinking water to people in need by choosing Clove & Twine.
(Item pictured: Rolltop Got Bag)
The world’s first backpack made entirely from ocean plastic, Got Bag is doing incredible things for the earth. They created a network of over 2,000 Indonesian fishermen to recover the plastic they pull in with their nets and recycle it into the durable, waterproof materials that make up these innovative bags. Their recycling process - and all production steps - have the lowest possible negative impact on people and the environment. Their bags are also thoughtfully designed with various colors and styles to suit any taste.
(Item pictured: Sukk Extendable Stainless Steel Straw)
To reduce plastic waste (and chuck the need for poorly functioning paper straws), Sukk developed a sustainable, extendable, retractable, compact drinking straw small enough to fit on a keychain. Their entire business was built on an eco-friendly foundation - from stainless steel straws to vegan leather carrying cases, and from recycled paper packaging to compostable shipping bags, they make products that look good and make you feel good about giving.
(Item pictured: RAINS Curve Jacket)
As an original outerwear and lifestyle brand, RAINS has reimagined the classic rubber raincoat into a contemporary urban design. They blend a neo-Scandanavian aesthetic with signature fabrics made from innovative and sustainable materials. They have longevity built into their foundation and work to be ethically responsible all the way through their supply chain. RAINS does a beautiful job of merging high-end style and functionality with a thoughtful and sustainable business model. Rainwear never looked (or felt) so good.
We now are updating our list of new products every week! Find your new favorite memorable corporate gifts.
A great way to make your gift extra special and memorable is by sending your corporate gifts in custom gift boxes - tailored to match your company’s unique brand. Start building your corporate gift boxes by using our KitBuilder platform. It’s the easiest, most seamless step-by-step process for building your remarkable company gifts.
Why are my employees leaving?
How long have they been unhappy?
What did we do wrong?
What did we do right?
Are we not paying people enough?
Are my managers as adept as I believe them to be?
Are people fostering discontent without me realizing it?
How can I make my company’s culture better?
Although the concept of corporate culture developed around the 1980s, the idea of enhancing a company’s character through its practices didn’t hit a stride until closer to the millennium. With a global pandemic and the complete shift that occurred in the way people work and live, the conversation about company culture has been reignited.
Employees are now seeing that it is possible to live a more balanced life in a way that supports their needs and their happiness. Work-life balance for employees is a significant factor in a healthy company culture, and finding that sweet spot is one of many ways to help reduce turnover.
Company culture is how a company functions within the workspace and the combination of behaviors and values that create a particular experience for everyone who interacts with them. At its core, company culture cultivates an atmosphere of positive engagement and encourages growth.
A company’s culture helps to define what behaviors are acceptable clearly and fosters trust between leaders, employees, customers, and clients.
This HubSpot article polled 500 marketing professionals (at B2B and B2C businesses) who wanted to learn more about the reasons behind the high turnover rates at their companies. The analysis ultimately showed that:
41% left because of a lack of work-life balance
37% cited a lack of flexible work schedules as a reason
As mentioned earlier, this is only one component that builds a foundation of a healthy company culture. Employees also cited a lack of remote work options, not enough opportunities for career growth, and burnout.
"Your employees aren't leaving just because they've found better opportunities elsewhere. They're leaving because this is the first chance they've gotten to re-balance the scales of their own wellbeing and success, scales that you and your company swung out of whack during the pandemic." - Lily Zheng, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategist & Consultant
A toxic work culture occurs when a company prioritizes practices without the well-being of its workforce in mind. Often policies are outdated or continued simply because that’s how it’s always been done - without a reexamination of whether or not those policies are still practical or relevant.
An old way of thought is that maximizing employee hours in the office increases productivity when in reality the opposite is proving to be true. Iceland even gave a shorter work week a try to see how it impacted productivity and employee wellness, and the results were overwhelmingly positive. The study was conducted between 2015-2019 on 2,500 workers in Iceland (over 1% of the total workforce) and examined a 35-36 hour workweek without a reduction in pay. A few results:
Productivity and service either remained the same or improved
Employee happiness and well-being dramatically increased
There were fewer indicators of stress and burnout
Certain older policies may still be effective, but the point is to make a thorough examination to determine effectiveness. Avoiding change can be a significant roadblock to growth as a company.
Employees are not spokes in a machine that only exist to tirelessly work to fulfill a company’s needs. They are intricate and complicated humans that have their own lives, dreams, and families - and should be treated as such. Getting feedback from employees and having an open conversation about work-life balance is a great place to start if company culture needs improvement.
“Determine what behaviors and beliefs you value as a company, and have everyone live true to them. These behaviors and beliefs should be so essential to your core, that you don’t even think of it as culture.” – Brittany Forsyth, VP of Human Relations, Shopify
Signs of an unhealthy company culture to look for:
A lack of clearly defined core values
Clearly defined core values that managers are ignoring
High turnover rate
A lot of employee gossip
Unhealthy co-worker competition
Employees that rarely take lunch breaks
Employees that regularly stay late or work weekends
Often employees are absent or late
Employees aren’t rewarded, celebrated, or praised
There are negative reviews of your company on public forums
A lack of giving initiatives by the company (to the community, non-profits, and other programs that share your company’s values)
“There’s no magic formula for great company culture. The key is just to treat your staff how you would like to be treated.” – Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group
Featured image: the C&T team celebrating 5 years as a company.
There are several elements that contribute to a healthy company culture. If you’re already asking the questions at the top of this post, then this is an excellent time to examine how to improve upon the points listed here.
These are the top 8 things that matter the most to employees when it comes to company culture:
Employees feel respected and appreciated.
This is the highest predictor of whether or not a company has a healthy culture. Employees want to feel supported, treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect and have their ideas taken seriously. Period.
Unethical practices are handled appropriately.
Having those difficult conversations now will lead to a more devoted workforce in the future. If practices aren’t aligned with core values, those situations need to be dealt with, not ignored.
Leaders are supportive and follow core values.
When company heads and managers follow core values, they lead by example and instill trust, integrity, and consistency. Rather than throw roadblocks in the way of work progress, they help to remove them. They adapt to support employees’ unique needs, respect schedules, and respond as peers rather than superiors.
Good benefits and perks.
In one survey examining what factors contribute to a higher company culture score, benefits ranked 2x higher in importance than compensation. The same survey also showed that even small, thoughtful perks (like good coffee at the office) could result in a big jump in culture rating.
Appropriate compensation.
Although benefits rank higher, compensation still matters. A 2019 study found that 44% of families in the U.S. did not earn enough to cover their living expenses. And this was before the pandemic.
Growth and development.
A healthy corporate culture encourages further education and learning and provides growth opportunities.
Security.
Anxiety about layoffs, downsizing, or automation means employees aren’t feeling secure with how they factor into the future with the company.
Communication.
Open and clear communication allows for transparency in operations, helping to foster trust within a company. This also helps quell any fear or discomfort that comes from reorganizations.
We have to admit, we had a bit of a rocky start before developing Clove & Twine's culture code. The company heads decided to take a cold hard look at what they needed to change in order to shift company culture by reexamining their goals and reflecting upon past practices. They assessed their priorities and restructured in a way that would support putting people-first and a positive future of growth.
We asked our Chief Operations Officer, Devin Hieb, to get his take on this concept. This is what he said:
“Company culture is vital because it provides people a deeper level of fulfillment and purpose when employee and company values and needs are aligned. It fosters better relationships and builds a community rallying around a common goal.
We value company culture so much because our people are foundational to C&T. By prioritizing culture, we recognize that our people are the reason we are here and work to ensure that they feel known, valued, and have purpose.
The first and second company values we have are people and service. We care most about people. Thus the second value is clear: we want to make people’s lives better - in essence, to serve them. We have seen relationships thrive, happiness increase, and a more profound sense of belonging emerge by serving our people through culture. From a business perspective, this leads to increased productivity, employee retention, and even repeat client rates. This is all due to value alignment - people working towards something they care about with a team that supports and cares about them.”
- Devin Hieb, COO at Clove & Twine
Featured image: the C&T team having breakfast together, celebrating the opening of our new offices.
Active participation from the very top is vital in moving towards any kind of positive change. Collaborate with leaders to assess core values, and create a clear understanding of what those mean to the company and employees.
Next, assemble a team that will help support healthy company culture practices. HR is an obvious department; however, some companies don’t have a designated HR person or may require additional support from other team members.
Clearly define, refresh, and communicate expectations to your company, and have it visual and available for reference. Consider a team meeting or training session to answer any questions. Understand steps to take in addressing any conflicts of these values.
Determine future planning of company culture health check-ins and how to adapt and improve. The team supporting HR with company culture will manage this and stay diligent with accountability and appropriate actions. Strategy for a healthy company culture should be constantly evaluated and adaptable with growth and changing times.
Weave company culture initiatives into every aspect of the company, such as future planning, business strategies, and internal and external communications. A healthy company culture isn’t just a component of your business - it is the foundation on which your business lives, grows, and thrives.
Here is where you can find additional helpful tips for creating a healthy company culture.
Some of that plastic gets recycled. More of it ends up in landfills, and polluting rivers and oceans. A few more frightening facts:
It is estimated that plastic bottles take 450 years to break down in landfills.
Plastic breaks down into tiny particles that re-enter the environment through water and soil rather than fully decomposing.
Humans consume a credit-card-sized amount of plastic every week through simply eating and drinking.
Every molecule of plastic produced in the world since 1907 still exists in the environment
Recycling certainly is better than doing nothing, but with the rate at which we’re using plastic, a more significant impact is made by reducing our dependence on it. Refilling a high-quality, reusable water bottle is a great place to start.
If you haven’t heard about the trouble with heavy metal contamination in tap water (such as lead), you may want to get caught up. Prolonged exposure to lead has been linked to severe short and long-term health issues, and it’s a serious problem that consumers should be wary of.
If you’re reading this post, it’s probably safe to say that you care about giving eco-friendly corporate gifts. It’s also probably safe to say that you want to give gifts that support a healthy lifestyle for your recipients.
Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have partnered with LARQ to offer you a unique corporate gifting solution that is not only safe for the environment, but supports the health and overall wellness of your recipients.
LARQ has a motto: you are what you drink. So drink brilliantly. They go above and beyond standard water filtration with science-backed solutions for purification, giving you and your recipients the safest, best-tasting water.
For LARQ, healthy, safe water has always been synonymous with sustainability. Their innovative approach to hydration products helps to improve water quality and allows for the convenience of safe water anywhere - so purchasing a single-use plastic bottle never has to be an option.
Their sustainability efforts as a company are aligned with the planet in mind and have included:
Becoming members of the 1% for the Planet network
Partnering with CarbonFund to support carbon-neutral shipping and returns
Planting 586,000 trees through reforestation projects
They intend to keep on adding to these initiatives, which we fully support as a sustainably-focused company.
For more information and up-to-date resources on LARQ, visit the LARQ website and basq by LARQ.
LARQ products make thoughtful and unique corporate gifts. Their sleek design and array of practical uses make LARQ products the perfect gifts for your recipients. LARQ’s water filtration products can be decorated with your company’s logo to ensure an association with value and sustainability.
Another fantastic feature: LARQ water bottle lids are interchangeable. If you give a Filtered Bottle, recipients can upgrade their gift in the future by ordering a separate PureVis™ Cap (which, as you’ll remember, uses UV light to neutralize up to 99% of bacteria). This flexibility allows recipients to customize their LARQ bottle to fit their individual lifestyles.
Give your recipients the gift of pure, clean water anywhere they are. LARQ water bottles and pitchers are thoughtful and remarkable corporate gifts that any recipient can use and love repeatedly.
Because of microplastics that get into our food systems, humans consume about a credit-card-sized amount of plastic every week.
It is 94% more efficient to use recycled aluminum than virgin / new aluminum.
The revolution of sustainability will be relational through connection and collaboration.
The future of this planet is within our communities and the power we find there.
Our privilege, connections, and access to other communities are our superpower as a sustainable business - we need to leverage these things and take action now.
These were just a few eye-opening facts our team learned at the 1% for the Planet Global Summit this year. Over three eventful days, we were energized by inspirational discussions, activities, and the connections we made with other passionate folks working hard to make the world a better place.
We had the opportunity to attend a beach cleanup hosted by the Surfrider Foundation in Los Angeles. We helped collect 57 pounds of trash from the Santa Monica Beach in just a couple of hours. A lot of the garbage that we picked up was practically weightless too. We gathered so much plastic that was bound for the ocean, which could have stayed there for generations impacting ocean animals and other organisms. It was a stark realization of how much trash ends up in our waterways every day.
After German Lopez with The New York Times interviewed climate change experts for his article "Against Despair," he had reason to hope. The overall consensus is that progress has definitely been made worldwide in fighting climate change - and that there is still time to do more.
According to the New York Times, although continued global warming is inevitable, if world leaders meet their current promises to fight climate change then it is possible to slow its progress. A hard stop does not look in the cards, but slowing global warming is certainly possible as long as leaders keep their promises.
Fear is one way to get people to wake up, pay attention, and start taking action. But when that fear becomes ingrained in our psyche, we can feel helpless and paralyzed when attempting to move forward. Pollution and energy problems can seem too big, and individual impacts can sometimes feel like a drop in the bucket.
However, as we learned at the summit, individuals do matter. Communities can work together and create a collective approach that makes a powerful difference. When individuals support a cause, they make real change.
"I am excited to create positive changes for a better future with all of you, and make a meaningful impact along the way. We may not get it right the first time, but we must take action to help our planet now, no matter how imperfect."
- Devin Hieb, COO at Clove & Twine (in a recap email to our team)
We’re taking action now. There is no “planet B” - we’re kind of in love with this one. We built this company on the foundational concept of giving meaningful, thoughtful gifts rather than cheap swag or tchotchkes that ultimately end up in a landfill. We also partner with like-minded suppliers and brands that have a passion for sustainability and developing high-quality, lasting products.
In 2021 we joined 1% for the Planet and began donating $1 from every shipment sent to One Tree Planted. Since $1 plants one tree, we are proud to say that we helped plant over 22,000 trees last year - and we hope to plant even more than that in 2022.
As inspired by the summit, we started our own Sustainability Squad internally at C&T! These are the new initiatives we’ve already started rolling out in our office:
Working towards joining Climate Neutral this year!
We installed energy-efficient appliances in our kitchen
All lights are on timers and motion sensors to switch off when not in use
We take advantage of the beautiful Colorado sunshine - using overhead lights as little as possible, and taking advantage of large windows as a natural light source
No use of plastic in our packaging (such as plastic tape)
Reusable & washable bamboo “paper” towels in the kitchen
No single-use plates, cups, or utensils
Carbonated water on tap (rather than aluminum cans)
We open the garage door for a natural breeze in the summer whenever possible
Energy-efficient power strips for computers
Plenty of office plants (to filter air and boost happiness)
Refillable Blueland soap, dishwasher tablets, and surface spray
Composting through Scraps and recycling
We have a lot more planned for the future, and have big plans for the years ahead with adapting our business to be as sustainable as possible.
If we just keep taking and never give anything back in return, we will have nothing in the end. We have to step it up. As a company, as individuals, as members of the Clove & Twine team, and as humans on this earth, we will speak louder and support the things we care about and that truly matter.
We aren't ready to give up on this planet.
We hope that sharing some of the actions we’re taking will inspire you. As we learned at the Summit: Change starts with us. It starts small and grows out.
Although many virtual or hybrid events are probably here to stay (due to convenience, lowered cost, and allowing for a broader scope of attendees), many people are itching to get back to enjoying the new normal of in-person company meetings and events.
This is especially true of special events that include travel for elite business partners and executives. There is something remarkable about flying off to a tropical destination, enjoying the luxury of resort stays, and indulging in all of the special corporate perks.
Planning an in-person event this year? Here are some event trends to consider planning for in the upcoming year:
According to an article by Social Tables, it will be important when planning future top-tier events to make choices that have less of an impact on the planet. Sustainability is the responsibility of all of us, and surveys are showing that employees and partners value companies that make eco-friendly practices a priority.
Designate someone on your team to be the head of sustainable efforts and have them research and coordinate event-focused sustainability practices. Connect with the event venue ahead of time to see what decisions can shift to promote an eco-friendly atmosphere. These are some great ways to improve your business's overall sustainability practices.
Event safety, especially regarding health and wellness, is no longer an expectation - it’s a necessary way to plan for any future events. Thorough cleaning of spaces & event locations, incorporating outdoor areas, table spacing, and flexible booking policies will be vital in ensuring the safety of guests and increasing comfort and enjoyment.
We know how much work goes into corporate event planning, especially luxury top-tier corporate events or retreats. From hotel arrangements to travel coordination and catering to event management, your job is not easy. There are high expectations, and small decisions can make or break the success of an event.
Looking to experts for support will be very helpful in making your life easier. For example, hiring someone to assist with your corporate event gifting needs is great - but what if you’re left in charge of managing those gifts and ensuring you have the correct amounts & proper sizing? Or what if you need items branded - even shipped to attendees afterward?
With our onsite gift experiences, we manage all aspects of your event gifting from start to finish. While many companies can check a few requirements, we can do it all - such as:
Pre-event corporate gifts
Post-event gifts
Unbranded onsite gift experiences
Branded event gifts
Custom corporate gift boxes
Room drops
Drop shipping to attendees
… and everything in between.
We are your one-stop corporate event gifting specialists. Rather than going to multiple different places to find the solution for your onsite gift experience or coordinating with multiple vendors, our team does everything for you, from start to finish. Visit our onsite gift experience page for more information about how we will make your life easier and your event elevated.
Smaller, more curated experiences.
With higher-end corporate events, the guest list is already carefully selected. When considering the additional space needed for health & safety concerns, that list may need to be whittled down a little further. If your guest list is set, splitting events into multiple smaller experiences may be another option.
Event planners can go the extra mile to make the event special for those attending, such as choosing a well-organized onsite gift experience and paying extra attention to unique food selections. If certain people elect not to attend - whether due to safety concerns, schedule conflicts, or otherwise - send a unique custom gift box to communicate their value to your company.
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When it comes to creating a memorable corporate event experience, a little extra forethought goes a long way. Rather than taking on every aspect of planning yourself, delegate work wherever possible to make your life a little bit easier.
Our onsite gifting experience is sure to take your special corporate event to the next level.
You may have picked out your clothes the night before, or asked a parent to make sure to pick up the most trendy school supplies. Maybe you felt some nervousness and anticipation, and had thoughts running through your head like:
Will I make some new friends?
Will the work be difficult?
Do I have all of the supplies I need?
Will I like my teachers?
Who will I sit with for lunch?
Will people think my new sneakers are cool?
Replace ‘teachers’ with ‘bosses,’ and these thoughts don’t differ much from starting a new job. (Hey, some folks are really into their sneakers.)
Nervousness aside, it is up to you to make your new employees feel welcomed and set up for success on day one.
Aside from the obvious, making employees feel welcome on their first day is an investment in their future with your company. According to Ariana Moon, the Director of Talent Acquisition for Greenhouse, having a solid onboarding plan is vital for the long-term retention of employees.
According to Moon, industry surveys show that over 85% of new hires will decide whether or not they want to stay with a company during the first six months of their employment. She says, “That number can be traced back to the onboarding experience. 69% of employees will stay for longer than three years if their onboarding experience is good, while 1 in 5 will leave within 45 days if it’s bad.”
Those are significant statistics, especially since losing employees is so costly. In an article from Hubspot, lower turnover rates point to a company culture that is healthy and thriving. When considering the long-term success of your business, this component is vital. Losing just one employee can cost tens of thousands of dollars - even up to two times that employee’s salary. When you factor in productivity loss & training time, and vacancy cost (how many days the job hasn’t been filled combined with the job’s daily value), the costs add up quickly.
You can take plenty of steps to ensure that employees feel welcomed and supported during their onboarding process. Communication of company values, clear expectations about duties and reporting, and even basic info about time-off requests and corporate holidays are excellent starting points. However, you can go the extra mile with new employee gift boxes or company logo items for employees and help solidify their bond as a part of your team.
These are a few ideas for unique corporate gifts for employees. (Keep in mind, these ideas are not only great new employee gifts, but they are also wonderful to celebrate current employees - whether for an anniversary or promotion.)
Did you know that 46% of people have a more favorable opinion of a company if the gift they receive from them is environmentally friendly? Well, we can help with that. This kit is for the ever eco-aware, or even the environmentally-friendly-curious. A sleek Miir backpack, insulated reusable Miir bottle, and Karst stone notebook for recipients to take on their next travel adventure. Sustainability is here to stay!
Merino & Cork Beanie
New employees will love this 100% natural, unbelievably soft beanie. Customize them with a unique tag with your company logo, and give new hires a warm welcome. (Literally.)
We handpicked the items for this kit with Mother Earth in mind since each company included is devoted to developing sustainable products and practices. Not only do all of the companies that made the items in this kit donate 1% of their proceeds to environmental nonprofits, but they also use eco-conscious materials and support recipients in making less waste with reusable, long-lasting gifts. Share your value of sustainability with new hires, and give a gift that gives back!
These concrete candles are made with natural, clean-burning soy wax, are environmentally friendly, and have a stylish, modern look. The scents available are gentle and delightful, making them an excellent low-cost welcome gift for new employees.
Encourage your new employees to enjoy the great outdoors with this special deluxe kit. Whether they end up adventuring abroad or simply taking a relaxing weekend at home, this kit will be sure to bring more joy (and convenience) to any outdoor experience. It's basically sunshine in a box!
Marine Layer Afternoon Hoodie
Responsibly-made and oh-so-soft, this hoodie is guaranteed to become a favorite among your employees. Get it branded with your company logo and you'll have a team shirt that everyone will be stoked to wear!
MiiR Pourigami & Camp Cup Gift Set
Give new hires or long-time employees the gift of great coffee, anywhere. The Pourigami is the world's smallest, most durable portable travel coffee dripper - so pair that with the classic insulated MiiR Camp Cup and you have an amazing, remarkable gift.
Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless Headphones
With up to 22 hours of rechargeable battery life and Bluetooth connectivity, Hesh 3 Wireless is designed with a noise-isolating fit for comfortable all-day listening. Whether employees are working from home or the office, the design and quality make this the perfect over-ear headphone for any situation for maximum focus & productivity.
Solid Wood Laptop Stand
This premium laptop stand, handcrafted in solid wood and hard steel, will help boost employee comfort and productivity. It raises laptops to an ergonomic position reducing eye and neck strain, and creates easy storage for a keyboard & mouse. The perfect gift to start new employees off right.
Designed for home or office, this mug is a unique corporate gift that does more than simply keep your recipient's coffee hot. The smart mug allows them to set an exact drinking temperature, so their coffee is never too hot, or too cold. This mug is a fantastic employee welcome gift, and can easily be branded with your company logo.
Create custom gift boxes for employees with our new KitBuilder platform.
New employee swag is just one component in starting your hires off on the right foot. Read more about ways to create a company culture where employees can continue to grow and thrive.