Five Trends for Corporate Gifting in 2019

The holiday season has quickly come upon us, meaning it’s time to think about finding the right gifts for everyone on your list. For corporate America, this means many businesses are thinking about their corporate gifting programs and how to properly convey a feeling of gratitude for their employees, customers and partners.

Every year, gifting is a little different and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the best practices for corporate gifting. Rymax Giftstagram is the perfect gift guide that offers wide-ranging selections for colleagues, employees, customers and peers. Our goal is to help make gifting fun and stress free by providing the season’s trending products from the most in-demand brands.

One thing that’s important to keep in mind is that gifts sent to colleagues or prospective business partners should reflect their personal hobbies or lifestyles. For example, someone who loves the outdoors would really enjoy a product that encourages hiking or camping. The item will not only be used frequently by the recipient, but a recollection of your thoughtfulness will be attached to the experience each time, as well.

In addition to ensuring gifts meet the needs of recipients, we’ve included five corporate gifting trends below that are likely to shape gifting in the business world during the 2019 holiday season.

1) Innovative Technology

Tech is always a go-to for gifting both as rewards for team members and to business associates. Throughout the years, different technology products have been popular as gifts. Increasingly, the gift to give is smart home technology. Bluetooth and Smart home speakers, for example, have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Many other smart home products are also big hits. Items such as the Nest home thermostat always go over well. Streaming devices are also safe bets, especially ones that are 4K-capable, which is an upgrade for most people.

2) Premium Consumer Items

You almost can’t go wrong with giving a watch as a corporate gift. The same goes for a high-quality pen. These are both ideal professional gifts and are generally luxury items that people wouldn’t buy for themselves. While premium retail products may be more expensive than generic or custom-branded alternatives, they are not cost-prohibitive in business gifting situations.

It can be easier to pick gifts for team members as you are likely to know them better than you know external associates. Bags, fragrances and sunglasses can all make strong gifts. Premium retail continues to be a popular choice in gifting because the options are high-quality.

This trend fits in with some of the other trends. For example, a premium brand for golf equipment is higher on the lists of 2019 corporate buyers than equivalent generic brands.

 3) Home Furnishings

Home is another popular category for gifting in 2019, not just when it comes to smart home technology, but with more traditional home items, as well.  Whether gifting a throw from UGG or the annual holiday ornament from Swarovski, people like receiving gifts that can be displayed in their homes and enjoyed time after time.

4) Sports, Games and Outdoors

There are plenty of golf players in the corporate world. A new putter or a golf bag can make great gifts.

Name brands like Callaway are known for their quality. For anyone who has expressed an interest in golf but does not currently play, a starter set can be an ideal option.

Health and fitness products are huge right now as people become more health conscious. Items like fitness wearables from Garmin and exercise equipment like a yoga kit from Gaiam can be big hits. Hiking, camping and other outdoor products like those offered from BioLite are similarly top choices for more fitness and outdoor-focused people.

Consumers today want experiences. While it isn’t always easy to give an experience, products that support them make great gifts. Whether you are giving a fun game or a lifestyle product, items that help provide experiences are more popular than ever.

5) Travel Gear

In the same vein of experiential gifts, travel items are a go-to currently. Many businesspeople need to travel for their work, so luxury travel products can be both practical and enjoyable. For example, a good quality carry-on bag can make traveling easier and less stressful. Convenience products such as portable chargers also help to resolve some of the headaches associated with flying.

Travel-friendly products also encourage people to travel. Items such as video cameras can also help them get more from their personal travels. Bluetooth earbuds like the Elite True Wireless earbuds from Jabra or the Apple AirPods are similarly great for both at-home and travel use.

Seeing the world is one of the most common aspirations, especially among young people. Gifts that can support that dream are very meaningful.

Finding the Best Gifts

Successful corporate gifting programs require effort and strategy in order to leave a lasting impression with your peers. Aside from the trends mentioned above, it has become quite popular to consider the timing of gifting – such as incorporating gifting experiences all year round, versus only practicing gifting during the holiday season when gifts are typically expected. Doing this can create more of a surprise factor and shows consistent gratitude which, in turn, makes you and your company stand out from the rest.

Rymax Giftstagram features the hottest products from today’s most desired brands with tons of recommendations for your corporate gifting needs.  With over 15,000 products in our rewards catalog and over 450 brand partnerships including ones for all the latest trends, Rymax can help you find the ideal gifts. Contact us today to learn more.