Corporate Gifting With a Social Purpose

BUSINESS · UNITED KINGDOM

Corporate Gifting With a Social Purpose

What makes a business gift land, social enterprise suppliers, tax and logistics

Corporate gifts are frequently forgettable, and the ones people remember have either genuine quality or a story behind them. A gift with both does more work than an expensive generic one.

What actually lands

Something consumable and good rather than another branded object. Recipients keep very few promotional items, and most end up in a drawer or a bin, which is a poor outcome for both the budget and the environment.

Food, drink and small useful items are used. Plastic novelties are not.

The story matters

A gift produced by a social enterprise — employing people facing barriers to work, or funding a specific programme — gives the recipient something to read and something to say about it.

Ask what the social impact actually is. A named organisation, a stated figure and published reporting are checkable; vague language about giving back is not.

Branding lightly

A small card or a swing tag explaining who sent it and why works better than a logo printed across everything. Recipients keep tasteful items and discard advertising.

Dietary and cultural needs

Check allergens, alcohol and dietary requirements before sending food. A hamper containing something the recipient cannot eat reads as carelessness rather than generosity.

Offer an alcohol-free option as standard rather than on request.

Tax and policy

Business gifts have tax consequences that vary by country, with limits on deductibility and rules about gifts to clients and to staff. Check with an accountant before a large spend.

Many organisations have policies capping what employees may accept, so confirm before sending to a regulated sector.

Measuring whether it worked

Ask a sample of recipients what they thought rather than assuming. A short reply is more useful than any supplier testimonial and usually changes what you order next time.

Track what was actually delivered, since failed deliveries are common and reflect on you rather than the courier.

Employee gifts

Choice is valued more than surprise for staff. A small selection to pick from, or a voucher, avoids sending something unusable.

Be consistent across the team, since visible differences cause more damage than the gift is worth.

Budget and quantity

Setup and personalisation dominate short runs, so doubling a quantity frequently adds far less than double the cost. Decide the total budget first and divide it rather than pricing one gift and multiplying.

Order a sample before committing to a large run.

Logistics

Collect delivery addresses early, allow for home working, and order well ahead of December when couriers are at their least reliable.

Check packaging is recyclable, since that is noticed.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop Social Stories Club? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop Social Stories Club — official site

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