Whenever you are giving a gift – be it a personal or corporate gift – you want to make sure that it is something that the recipient will like, enjoy and appreciate. With the popularity of online shopping, there is a plethora of options available when shopping for presents; everything from gift baskets to books and electronic gadgetry to jewellery can be purchased in stores or via the net and the many options available mean that selecting a memorable and appreciated gift is all the more possible.

There are endless reasons that we give gifts – birthdays, graduations, weddings, holidays and to say thank you. In the corporate world, gifts are commonly given to show gratitude, congratulate, acknowledge hard work and to farewell clients or staff. Trying to choose a gift in a professional context can be difficult and while corporate gift baskets and stylish office equipment often make ideal presents, there are some important facts about gift giving that should always be kept in mind.

In Australia, the giving of gifts in the corporate world is becoming increasingly common. Gifts are frequently given to say thank you and to foster goodwill and positive relationships. Gifts are commonly given when a deal or contract is finalised and they may also be given to acknowledge success and a windfall of some kind.

There is also a growing trend to acknowledge birthdays and special occasions within organisational contexts. Many of us can relate to cards being passed around for signing and collections being taken to contribute to a gift for a colleague that may be leaving the company, getting married, having a baby, retiring or taking long service leave.

In all of these situations, the giving of gifts is a sign of care and kindness as well as a contributor to good morale.

However, in corporate contexts it is important to be aware of some of the often unwritten rules around gift giving. Gift giving should never be, or be seen to be, bribery. It should never be perceived as a display of favouritism or a popularity contest.

In order to give gifts appropriately and gifts that people will be delighted to receive the following tips should be followed:

1. It is rarely appropriate to give staff members or clients promotional items of your business. It may be fine to include them with a gift that has been thoughtfully chosen but almost never ideal to give them as the fundamental gift. Remember that the gifts that are given say a lot about your company and its attitude toward clients and staff.
2. Similarly, the gifts that are given should not blatantly market and promote your company – Subtlety is essential. There is no denying that the giving of gifts can be an effective and useful way to market your company, but having your company logo emblazoned over everything that is given can seem cheap, insincere and tacky. If your logo is to be included, ensure that it is kept small and is subtly positioned and tastefully displayed. Better still, feature the logo on the packaging rather than the present itself.
3. Gifts for your staff and co-workers are just as, if not more, important than the gifts that you give to clients and people external to your business. Remember that gift giving is often significant in building morale and positive relationships and these are often critically important in-house.
4. Quality gourmet gift baskets that include delicacies and treats will always be popular and a highly appropriate gift. Gifts of this nature are appropriate for people that you know well and those you know less well – everyone loves food and corporate gift baskets filled with delicious goodies can be professionally and attractively arranged.
5. Before rushing out or off to purchase a gift, make sure you are aware of the company’s policy on gift giving. Many companies do have guidelines and policies in place to direct the buying, giving and presentation of gifts and have instituted these directives to avoid embarrassment, discomfort and inconsistency.

Corporate gift giving is now a popular practice for many businesses. If you follow some simple steps and tips for making an appropriate purchase, the gift that you select is sure to please the recipient and help to foster a positive perception of the company.