Corporate Christmas Gifts: Branded Gift Ideas for Staff and Clients
Published
Corporate Christmas gifts are known to be one of the simplest ways to thank your team and your clients, and a well chosen branded gift keeps working long after the decorations are taken down. This guide covers the best Christmas gift ideas for staff and clients, branded gift boxes, custom Christmas jumpers, what to spend, the UK tax rules worth knowing and when to order so everything arrives in time.
At 1WorldPrint we brand Christmas gifts for businesses of every size across the UK and Europe, and deal with everything from a handful of hoodies for a small team to hundreds of gift boxes for clients and staff. Every order gets a dedicated Account Manager who replies within 15 minutes and a free visual proof within 30 minutes of ordering, so you can see exactly how your gifts will look before anything is produced.
Key points
- The best corporate Christmas gifts are useful, good quality and branded with a light touch.
- Staff love wearable gifts such as hoodies, sweatshirts and beanies, and practical gifts such as insulated mugs and bottles.
- Christmas jumpers with your own design are made cut and sew, from 25 units per design.
- Client gifts work best as a branded gift box with a few well chosen items.
- Branded gift boxes start from 10 units, so can work for small companies.
- Order by mid November to leave time for proofs, production and the December courier rush, and earlier for cut and sew jumpers, which often take 3 weeks or more.
In this guide
- Why Branded Christmas Gifts Work
- Christmas Gift Ideas for Staff
- Christmas Jumpers as a Staff Gift
- Christmas Gift Ideas for Clients
- Christmas Gift Boxes
- Christmas Gifts by Budget
- Christmas Gifts and Tax in the UK
- How to Make Christmas Gifts People Keep
- When to Order Corporate Christmas Gifts
- Corporate Christmas Gift FAQs
Why Branded Christmas Gifts Work
Short answer: a useful branded gift says thank you, reminds people who you are every time they use it and costs far less than most other ways of staying front of mind.
December is busy and the workload is at its peak, so a physical gift stands out. A Christmas card is opened once and thrown away or recycled, but a good mug, a warm beanie or a well made notebook is used every day well into the new year. For staff, a branded gift makes people feel valued and part of the team. For clients, it is a thank you for the year and a quiet reminder of your business whenever they reach for it.
- Gratitude. A thoughtful gift recognises the work your team and clients have put in all year round.
- Brand visibility. A gift used daily keeps your logo on desks, in kitchens and out on the street.
- Team culture. Matching hoodies or sweatshirts give a team something to wear together.
- Client loyalty. A gift box arriving at the right moment strengthens a relationship ahead of the new year.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Staff
Short answer: wearable gifts such as hoodies, sweatshirts and beanies, and practical gifts such as insulated mugs, bottles and notebooks, are the employee Christmas gifts people actually use.
The best employee Christmas gifts are things people would happily choose for themselves.
| Gift | Why staff like it | Best branding |
|---|---|---|
| Hoodies | Warm, comfortable and worn for years | Embroidered chest logo or a small print |
| Sweatshirts | A smart layer for the office and weekends | Embroidery |
| Beanies | A winter essential that suits every team | Embroidery |
| Custom socks | A fun gift knitted in your colours, from 50 pairs | Knitted design with a printed box or sleeve |
| Insulated mugs | Used every day at a desk or on the commute | Printed or engraved |
| Vacuum bottles | Hot drinks in winter, cold drinks in summer | Printed or engraved |
| Power banks | Useful for anyone who travels or works on site | Printed or engraved |
| Gift boxes | Several gifts in one, beautifully presented | Branded box and contents |
A hoodie or sweatshirt with a small embroidered logo is one of the most popular staff Christmas gifts we produce, because it doubles as something to wear together at team events. Our guide to work hoodies for teams covers the styles that last, and embroidery starts from just 8 pieces.
Christmas Jumpers as a Staff Gift
Short answer: a Christmas jumper is a fun staff gift that people wear and photograph every December, and a novelty item that can bring the office together.
A matching Christmas jumper turns the office party, a festive dress down day or the team photo into a shared moment. Staff keep them and wear them again the following year, so the gift keeps coming back every December.
Simple designs work best: a small logo, a festive slogan or a team name. Christmas jumpers with your own design are made cut and sew, and our all over printing page explains how it works. Cut and sew jumpers are not the cheapest gift, but the more you buy, the lower the price per jumper. All over printing starts from 25 units per design, and cut and sew jumpers are often 3 weeks or more to produce and deliver, so the earlier you order the better. Your Account Manager will confirm your delivery date when you order.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Clients
Short answer: a branded gift box with three or four quality items, such as a pen, notebook and insulated bottle, is the most reliable Christmas gift for clients.
Client gifts should feel premium and personal rather than promotional. A single quality item can work well for a large client list, while key clients deserve a box that feels like a well thought out present. Think about where the gift will live: on a desk, in a kitchen or in a bag.
- Desk sets. A branded notebook and pen in a presentation box, from our notepads and pens ranges.
- Drinkware. An insulated mug or vacuum bottle with your logo engraved for a premium finish. You can see engraving in action on our water bottles page.
- Tech. A branded power bank or wireless charger for clients who are always on the move.
- Wearables. A quality beanie or scarf, embroidered with a small logo.
- Premium umbrellas. A branded umbrella makes a strong gift on its own for key clients.
For more inspiration, see the most popular promotional products our clients reorder, or browse the full promotional merchandise range of around 90,000 products.
Christmas Gift Boxes
Short answer: a branded Christmas gift box turns a few useful items into a real present, with your logo on the box and on everything inside.
Gift boxes are our best selling corporate Christmas gift, because they work for staff and clients alike. We pack and brand everything in one place, so the box arrives looking like a gift rather than a delivery of loose items. First impressions matter.
| Box | What is inside | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas pillow packs | Smaller seasonal packs, such as a printed bauble, pen and chocolate bar | Larger teams and client mailing lists |
| Ashford gift sets | An insulated bottle, A5 notebook and pen, coaster, mint tin and chocolate bar | Key clients and partners |
| Mood gift sets | A branded notebook, coffee cup and motivation cards | Staff rewards and thank yous |
| Welcome and desk sets | A notebook, pen and vacuum bottle | New starters and client desks |
| Clothing boxes | A hoodie, beanie or socks with a notebook or mug | Teams who want something to wear |
Our branded corporate gift boxes start from 10 units and are ready in 5 to 8 days, with a free visual proof. Our guide to corporate gift box ideas walks through every set in more detail, and our eco friendly range allows you to add greener contents such as recycled notebooks and bamboo pens.
Get a Christmas gifts quote or call 0208 064 1315
Christmas Gifts by Budget
Short answer: set a budget per head first, then choose the gift or gift box that fits it, from a simple branded pen to a full gift set.
| Budget | Gift ideas |
|---|---|
| Low cost per head, for large teams and mailing lists | Branded pens, notebooks, Christmas pillow packs, socks or a printed mug |
| Mid range, for most staff and clients | Insulated mugs and bottles, power banks, beanies or a small gift box |
| Premium, for key clients and long serving staff | Embroidered hoodies, premium umbrellas or a full gift box set |
Quantity matters too. The more you order, the lower the price per item, so ordering for staff and clients in one go often brings the cost of both down. Our guide to keeping printing costs low explains the other factors, such as the number of print colours and branding positions.
Christmas Gifts and Tax in the UK
Short answer: staff gifts costing 50 pounds or less can be tax free trivial benefits, and branded client gifts can be tax deductible up to 50 pounds per person per year, but always check with your accountant.
Two sets of HMRC rules are worth knowing before you choose your corporate Christmas gifts. This is a summary rather than tax advice, and the rules can change, so please ask your accountant to double check that this information is still up to date.
- Gifts for staff. Under the trivial benefits rules, a gift can be tax free for the employee if it costs 50 pounds or less, is not cash or a cash voucher, is not part of their contract and is not a reward for their work or performance. Directors of close companies are limited to 300 pounds of trivial benefits a year.
- Gifts for clients. Gifts to clients can be tax deductible if they carry a conspicuous advertisement for your business, cost no more than 50 pounds per person in a year, and are not food, drink, tobacco or vouchers.
This is one reason branded merchandise is so popular at Christmas: a mug, notebook or power bank with your logo clearly on it can meet the rules for client gifts, while a hamper of food and drink cannot. You can read the detail in HMRC’s guidance on business gifts.
How to Make Christmas Gifts People Keep
- Brand with a light touch. A small, tasteful logo gets used far more than a huge one. Tone on tone printing and engraving look premium.
- Choose quality. A few quality items are remembered longer than a bag of cheap ones.
- Personalise it. Names on hoodies and sweatshirts make a gift feel personal. DTF transfers and embroidery handle individual names well.
- Think about the season. Beanies, hoodies and insulated mugs suit the winter months.
- Add a message. A short printed note in the box turns a branded item into a proper thank you.
- Go greener. Recycled, organic and reusable products show you have thought about the gift, see our guide to sustainable merchandise.
When to Order Corporate Christmas Gifts
Short answer: order by mid November so there is time for proofs, production and delivery before the December courier rush.
| Item | Standard turnaround from approved artwork |
|---|---|
| Printed and embroidered clothing | 6 to 7 business days |
| Branded gift boxes | 5 to 8 days |
| Pens and lanyards | 5 to 7 working days |
| Mugs | 7 working days |
| Notebooks and water bottles | 7 to 9 working days |
| Cut and sew Christmas jumpers | Often 3 weeks or more to produce and deliver |
Those times start once you approve your visual proof, so allow a few days before that to choose products and collect sizes, and a few days after for delivery. Couriers are at their busiest in December, which is why we recommend placing Christmas orders by mid November. Cut and sew Christmas jumpers are often 3 weeks or more to produce and deliver, so the earlier you order the better. If you are later than planned, ask about express printing, which is available on many products.
Not sure what can be delivered in time for Christmas? Speak to your Account Manager about timelines. They will happily talk you through your options and help you choose gifts that will be with you in time, so get in touch as early as you can.
Businesses that order every year can apply for a credit account with 30 or 60 day terms through our client registration page, which makes Christmas ordering simpler.
How to Order Corporate Christmas Gifts
Four steps from first enquiry to delivered order, with one point of contact the whole way through.
Tell Us What You Need
Send over your logo, the gifts you have in mind, how many staff and clients you are buying for, your budget per head and the date you need everything by. A dedicated Account Manager will come back to you within 15 minutes with pricing and options.
Place Order
We send a free visual proof within 30 minutes of you placing your order, showing your logo on each gift so you can see exactly how everything will look.
Printed and Embroidered In House
Your order is printed or embroidered, then checked piece by piece by our own team.
Delivered To Your Door
Tracked delivery using the most reliable couriers in the UK, with shipping into Europe and worldwide whenever you need it.
Corporate Christmas Gift FAQs
What are the best corporate Christmas gifts for staff?
Wearable gifts such as embroidered hoodies, sweatshirts and beanies are the most popular, followed by practical gifts such as insulated mugs, vacuum bottles, power banks and branded gift boxes.
What are good Christmas gifts for clients?
A branded gift box with a pen, notebook and insulated bottle is the most reliable client gift. For key clients, a premium umbrella, power bank or engraved drinkware also works well.
What is the minimum order for branded Christmas gifts?
Branded gift boxes start from 10 units, embroidered clothing from 8 pieces, custom socks from 50 pairs and printed mugs from 36 units and cut and sew Christmas jumpers from 25 units per design. Most other promotional products start from 25 units.
When should I order corporate Christmas gifts?
We recommend ordering by mid November. Clothing takes 6 to 7 business days and gift boxes 5 to 8 days from approved artwork, and couriers are at their busiest in December. Cut and sew Christmas jumpers are often 3 weeks or more to produce and deliver, so the earlier you order the better. If you are not sure what can be delivered in time, your Account Manager will happily talk you through your options.
Can you personalise gifts with names?
Yes. We can add individual names to hoodies, sweatshirts and other clothing with DTF transfers or embroidery.
Do you make custom Christmas jumpers?
Yes. Christmas jumpers with your own design are made cut and sew, starting from 25 units per design. They are often 3 weeks or more to produce and deliver, so the earlier you order the better.
Do you offer eco friendly Christmas gifts?
Yes. Our eco friendly range includes recycled notebooks, bamboo pens, reusable bottles and organic cotton clothing, and these can all go into a branded gift box.
Will I see a proof before you produce our gifts?
Yes. You get a free visual proof within 30 minutes of placing your order, showing your logo on each gift, and nothing goes into production until you approve it.
Final Thoughts
The best corporate Christmas gifts are useful, well made and branded with care. Wearable gifts and quality drinkware are perfect for staff, a branded gift box is hard to beat for clients, and ordering by mid November takes the stress out of December.
Tell us who you are buying for, your budget per head and your deadline, and your Account Manager will suggest gifts that fit. Email hello@1worldprint.co.uk, call us on 0208 064 1315 or request a quote, and see what our customers say on Trustpilot.
Ready to order your Christmas gifts?
hello@1worldprint.co.uk · 0208 064 1315
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