Corporate gifts are given less often than inexpensive promotional or advertising gifts. As opposed to the latter gifts, which are often more informal items, corporate gifts are usually reserved for more formal events or special occasions. Giving corporate gifts is an excellent way of building stronger relationships with clients, business associates and employees, and there is a wide variety of occasions on which it is appropriate to give these types of gifts.

A Thank You to Clients or Associates

Giving corporate gifts to the people you do business with makes good sense. You achieve two purposes here. First, you show your clients and associates that you appreciate their continued business and company loyalty. Second, a well-chosen gift will continue to serve as a reminder of both your company and of your generosity and thoughtfulness in giving the gift. Give corporate gifts to business associates when they place a large order with you, refer a new client to you, during the holiday season, and perhaps when very valued clients celebrate personal events such as a wedding anniversary or the birth of a child.

Employee Promotion or Retirement

Corporate gifts are definitely not just for clients. They're a valuable way of showing your appreciation to your employees, too. You'll not only make them feel like valued members of your team, you'll also help improve their morale and productivity, too. Corporate gifts can be given to employees on a wide variety of occasions. For example, you can mark the promotion of a valued employee by giving them an item they'll find useful in their new position. More personal gifts should be given on occasions such as the retirement of a member of your staff, or on occasions such as a marriage or wedding anniversary.

Personal Events

Whether it's for clients or for employees, giving personal gifts at certain times is an ideal way to show that you care not only about the work they do for you, but also about their lives outside of work. Giving personal gifts during the holiday season and at special personal events is a great way of doing this. A bottle of wine or a selection of edible gourmet goodies for the holiday, an elegant photo frame for someone who is celebrating the birth of their first child, or a leisure gift such as golfing tools and accessories are ideal choices.

Company Milestones

Celebrating important milestones within your company is a great way of allowing your employees to share in the achievement of your business goals. They've put in the hard work to achieve these goals just as you have, so allowing them to share in the triumph is important. Consider distributing gifts when your fledgling company reaches the five year mark, for example, or when you meet an important sales goal. A gift for an employee who secures a lucrative client deal is a great motivator for all your staff?they'll see that great rewards can be achieved by someone who puts in the hard work, and will respect the fact that you are willing to show your appreciation in this way.