Discover insights, trends, and cultural intelligence for the global gifting landscape in our 2025 corporate gifting report.
Key Takeaways:
- Corporate gifting has evolved into a powerful business strategy, with personalization, wellness, and sustainability at its core, delivering measurable ROI and deeper engagement.
- The market’s rapid growth is being fueled by hybrid work models and automation, making scalable, tech-driven gifting solutions more essential than ever.
- To succeed globally, brands must not only choose thoughtful gifts but also navigate cultural nuances with care, ensuring relevance and respect in every region they serve.
Corporate gifting in 2025 is no longer just a seasonal nicety, it’s a strategic business tool. With global and U.S. markets valued at $920 billion and $312 billion respectively, gifting has evolved from monogrammed pens to curated experiences, sustainable products, and hyper-personalization. This corporate gifting report explores the dominant trends shaping corporate gifting today, the most coveted gift categories, and the critical cultural nuances every global brand should know before tying the bow.
The Market: Big, Busy, and Booming
In 2025, the global corporate gifting market continues its rapid expansion, with forecasts estimating growth from approximately $840 billion in 2024 to around $920 billion in 2025, nearing $1.25 trillion by 2029, driven by hybrid work trends, sustainability-focused personalized items, data‑driven gifting platforms, and DEI initiatives. Companies are increasingly investing in digital e-gift cards and experience-based gifts while relying on automated, compliant B2B gifting solutions to streamline operations and strengthen relationships.
Key Trends: Welcome to the Age of Meaningful Gifting
1. Personalization is the New Standard
From snack boxes to engraved gadgets, custom corporate gifts are increasingly tailored to individual preferences. According to Giftpack and Gifting 101 (2024), 89% of companies report higher ROI on personalized gifts compared to generic ones.
2. Sustainability is a Must
Eco-consciousness is now a baseline. Companies are investing in sustainable corporate gifting solutions made from recycled materials or items that support social causes (SmartGift, 2024). Recycled notebooks, carbon-neutral shipping, and plastic-free packaging are all in vogue.
3. Digital Gifts & Experiences
Digital gift cards, virtual event passes, and online experiences are growing faster than any other category; e-gift cards alone are projected to grow at 9.4% annually from 2023 to 2028 (MarketsandMarkets, 2023).
4. Wellness is the New Wealth
Corporate wellness gift ideas promoting physical and mental wellbeing are booming, ranging from massage kits to sleep aids to subscriptions for mental health apps (Forbes, 2024). It’s not just thoughtful, it’s strategic too.
5. Tech-Forward Gifting
From wireless earbuds to smart notebooks, gadgets are high on the gift list, especially in remote and hybrid workplaces (Inkwell Global Marketing, 2024).
Top Gift Categories: What’s in the Corporate Cart?
Top corporate gifting categories reflect a shift toward personalization and purpose, with tech gadgets, wellness items, and sustainable business gifting leading the way. The categories of this corporate gifting report not only align with employee values but also enhance brand perception and engagement.
| Category | Highlights |
| Branded Swag | Practical promo products (e.g. drinkware, tech accessories) account for over 30% of corporate gift spend globally (GiftAFeeling, 2023). |
| Gift Cards & Vouchers | The most popular corporate gift in the U.S., used by over 50% of companies (Incentive Research Foundation, 2022). |
| Gourmet Food & Beverage | SnackNation and Loop & Tie report that food boxes and artisanal treats are perennial favorites. |
| Experience-Based Gifts | Around 39% of gift programs now include experiences such as tickets, travel, or virtual events (IRF, 2022). |
| Wellness Products | Employee gifting often includes sleep kits, fitness tools, or wellness subscriptions (Forbes, 2024). |
| Tech Gadgets | Portable chargers, smart bottles, and remote work accessories remain highly sought-after (Giftpack, 2024). |
Cultural Intelligence: Think Globally, Gift Locally
United States & Canada
In the United States and Canada, corporate gifting tends to be pragmatic and professional in nature. Gifts are generally expected to be useful, tasteful, and aligned with the company’s brand values. Extravagant or overly personal items may make recipients uncomfortable, as modesty and appropriateness are highly valued. The most appreciated gifts as per corporate gifting reports are those that are functional, thoughtful, and reinforce business relationships without overstepping professional boundaries (Commisceo Global, 2023).
Europe
Cultural expectations around corporate gifting vary significantly across Europe, making attention to nuance essential. In Italy, there is a strong appreciation for artisanal, locally made items that reflect quality and craftsmanship. German business culture favors high-quality gifts that are understated rather than flashy, often reflecting a practical and reserved approach. In the United Kingdom, recipients may appreciate a subtle touch of humor, but the overall tone should remain professional and refined. Across the continent, it is crucial to consider local etiquette, such as appropriate occasions for gift-giving and proper presentation (Commisceo Global, 2023).
Asia
In many Asian cultures, gift-giving is viewed as a formal and symbolic act, often governed by deep-rooted traditions. Presentation plays a vital role, gifts should be wrapped elegantly and offered with both hands as a sign of respect. Symbolism is also key; for instance, the color red is associated with luck and prosperity in China, while in Japan, the emphasis is on quality and presentation, reflecting the importance of respect and harmony. Certain items, such as clocks (which can symbolize death) or sharp objects (which suggest severing relationships), are considered inappropriate and should be avoided. Understanding and respecting these customs is essential to ensure the gift is received positively (Commisceo Global, 2023).
Middle East
In Middle Eastern countries, generosity is a deeply valued cultural principle, and corporate gifts are often expected to reflect this. High-end items such as premium dates, luxurious sweets, and beautifully packaged goods are commonly exchanged and warmly received. However, it is imperative to be sensitive to religious and cultural norms. Items that contain alcohol or pork products should be strictly avoided. Moreover, gifting should be timed and presented with care, often with a high level of formality and hospitality (Commisceo Global, 2023).
To Sum Up
As the corporate gifting industry continues to expand, so do the opportunities to use gifting as a strategic tool for nurturing relationships and elevating brand presence. With platforms like Giftsenda, businesses can simplify and scale their gifting efforts, seamlessly integrating with CRMs and tools, like Albato or Zapier, to automate campaigns, send personalized gift invites, and track performance effortlessly. By embracing streamlined, data-driven gifting, companies can stay ahead in a competitive landscape while freeing up time to focus on what matters most: building lasting, meaningful connections.
Sources
- Coresight Research (2022). Corporate Gifting Market Forecast.
- Research Nester (2023). Global Corporate Gifting Market Analysis 2023–2028.
- Giftpack.ai (2024). Corporate Gifting Trends and ROI Insights.
- SmartGift (2024). Sustainable Gifting: What Employees Really Want.
- Forbes (2024). Top Gifting Trends in the Workplace.
- Inkwell Global Marketing (2023). Creating Company Swag your Employees Will Want to Use everywhere They Go
- Incentive Research Foundation (2022). U.S. Corporate Gifting Preferences Survey.
- Loop & Tie (2024). Impact Report
- Commiseo-Global: Country Guides
- GiftAFeeling (2023): The Biggest Study on Corporate Gifting Stastistics Ever
