Laying the Groundwork: How to Strategically Plan Your Corporate Holiday Gifting

Laying the Groundwork: How to Strategically Plan Your Corporate Holiday Gifting

When it comes to corporate holiday gifting, success starts well before the first string of lights goes up. While most companies wait until the fourth quarter to begin holiday prep, savvy businesses use the late summer months—August and September—to plan ahead, secure the best inventory, and build a program that’s both thoughtful and efficient.

This early planning phase isn’t about buying gifts yet; it’s about setting the foundation for a stress-free and successful season. Here’s how to approach the brainstorming and budgeting phase of your corporate gifting strategy.

Before you dive into gift options or vendor research, take a step back and clarify your "why." Your goals will shape every decision, from budget to packaging to delivery.

Ask yourself:

• Are you recognizing loyal clients for another year of partnership?

• Are you expressing appreciation to employees for a year of hard work?

• Are you using gifting to reignite relationships or generate new business?

• Do you want to reinforce your company’s brand or values through gifting?

Your answers will help you decide not just who should receive gifts, but also what kind of gifts are most appropriate—practical, luxurious, festive, branded, or personal.

Tip: It’s perfectly fine to have multiple goals, but keep them clear and organized. For example, you might want client gifts to feel luxurious and memorable, while team gifts feel warm and personal.

2. Determine Your Gifting Tiers

Once your goals are defined, it’s time to segment your recipients. Not all gifts need to be equal—nor should they be. Creating tiers allows you to align gifting value with the significance of each relationship.

Here are some typical tiers to consider:

• Tier 1: VIP Clients or Partners
  High-impact gifts that feel elevated. Think luxury food & wine sets, personalized items, or premium branded gifts.

• Tier 2: Regular Clients or Team Leads
  Thoughtful and polished, like gourmet gift boxes, wellness kits, or home-themed bundles with branded packaging.

• Tier 3: Employees, Vendors, or New Clients
  Practical and cheerful options that show appreciation—snack boxes, coffee-themed kits, or small-batch local favorites.

Be sure to tailor the presentation and messaging for each tier. Tier 1 might include a handwritten card, while Tier 3 could feature a custom-printed note with your holiday greeting.

Tip: At Small Batch, we help clients design tiered gifting programs that align with their brand while feeling personal to the recipient.

3. Set Your Budget—Comprehensively

Once you have a clear picture of who you're gifting and how, it's time to lock in a realistic budget. And remember: it’s not just about the gift itself.

Your corporate gifting budget should include:

• Cost of each gift (based on tier)

• Shipping & fulfillment (domestic and international rates may vary)

• Packaging (branded boxes, ribbons, tags, etc.)

• Customization (personalized touches or branding)

• Taxes (especially on higher-value gifts or food items)

• Vendor service fees (if using a gifting partner or concierge)

Early planning gives you the chance to compare vendors, evaluate custom options, and avoid costly last-minute upgrades or rush shipping.

Tip: Don’t forget to include a buffer—usually 10–15%—for unexpected costs, additional recipients, or last-minute changes.

4. Build Your Recipient List Early

The last thing you want is to be chasing down addresses in December. Use July and August to compile your recipient list so that everything is in place before the rush.

Start by:

• Reviewing last year’s list and identifying changes.

• Segmenting your list by recipient type (clients, team, vendors, prospects).

• Gathering updated addresses, especially for remote employees or clients who may have changed locations.

• Capturing preferences where possible—do they avoid alcohol? Have dietary restrictions? Prefer minimalist packaging?

If your team is large or your client base spans multiple time zones or countries, this step is especially crucial. The more you can standardize and confirm now, the smoother the gifting process will be later.

Tip: Use a shared spreadsheet or CRM integration to track gift recipients, addresses, tiers, budgets, and delivery timelines.

Bonus: Involve the Right Team Members

Even if one person is leading the initiative, effective holiday gifting often requires coordination across departments.

Now is a great time to:

• Loop in marketing for branding and messaging ideas

• Get finance on board for budget approvals

• Check with sales or account managers for insights on client preferences

• Coordinate with HR if you’re also sending employee gifts

Early involvement ensures fewer surprises and more buy-in as the season approaches.

Why Planning Early Matters

Think of this summer planning window as your secret weapon. By early planning to brainstorm, set goals, tier your gifts, and finalize your recipient list, you’ll be ahead of the curve—and your gifts will show it.

This preparation phase ensures that once September rolls around, you can focus on sourcing, customization, and execution, rather than scrambling for ideas or second-guessing your choices.

Next Steps

If you’ve completed the July–August phase, congratulations—you’re in a prime position for a low-stress, high-impact holiday gifting season.

In the next blog post, we’ll explore September’s planning phase, where we cover vendor selection, sampling, and design approvals.

Need help with strategy, tiered gift curation, or logistics? At Small Batch, we specialize in managing the entire holiday gifting experience—from the first brainstorm to final delivery.

Let’s start planning—because a great holiday gift doesn’t just show up. It’s carefully and thoughtfully prepared.