Corporate Gift Giving

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat/Please put a penny in a poor man’s hat,” says an old English rhyme. Translated into modern American, this means: Now is the time for all good men to consider corporate gift giving. Corporate gifts are an institution to promote good will among those we work with and, by golly, they do, they do, showing, on both sides, that human nature is not all that bad. Sensitive souls may shudder that a commercial note has crept into Christmas, but I’ve never known anyone to turn down a present because of sensitivity. So, let’s see what nice things are available to those of us who want to show good will to others come Christmas. There is no limit on what you can spend on giving, but there is one on how much is tax deductible, about which more later. But before I tell you about the gifts, a few words on how to give.

Obviously, the recipients of corporate gifts are not personal friends or intimates. Nevertheless, any gift should be given as to a friend, chosen as to tastes or needs, delivered preferably at home, with a handwritten note or card. The selection of a gift should keep the family as a whole in mind whenever possible. Liquor, of course, is always welcome, but so are those super frozen steaks you can order by mail, or a membership in a fruit-of-the-month club which will provide gorgeous fruit for three or six or twelve months, or good wine or champagne or any delicacies one would not treat oneself to in the course of everyday life. I think private and corporate givers both underestimate the joy of edible presents (or drinkable ones). Many people have all the personal possessions they want, or if they don’t, prefer to buy them themselves. (Have you ever liked a lampshade somebody gave you?) But luxurious edibles or potables, that’s something else; you can always include gorgeous candy for the children.

NH

About the Author

Nika Hazelton

Featured Tags

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat/Please put a penny in a poor man’s hat,” says an old English rhyme. Translated into modern American, this means: Now is the time for all good men to consider corporate gift giving. Corporate gifts are an institution to promote good will among those we work with and, by golly, they do, they do, showing, on both sides, that human nature is not all that bad. Sensitive souls may shudder that a commercial note has crept into Christmas, but I’ve never known anyone to turn down a present because of sensitivity. So, let’s see what nice things are available to those of us who want to show good will to others come Christmas. There is no limit on what you can spend on giving, but there is one on how much is tax deductible, about which more later. But before I tell you about the gifts, a few words on how to give.

Obviously, the recipients of corporate gifts are not personal friends or intimates. Nevertheless, any gift should be given as to a friend, chosen as to tastes or needs, delivered preferably at home, with a handwritten note or card. The selection of a gift should keep the family as a whole in mind whenever possible. Liquor, of course, is always welcome, but so are those super frozen steaks you can order by mail, or a membership in a fruit-of-the-month club which will provide gorgeous fruit for three or six or twelve months, or good wine or champagne or any delicacies one would not treat oneself to in the course of everyday life. I think private and corporate givers both underestimate the joy of edible presents (or drinkable ones). Many people have all the personal possessions they want, or if they don’t, prefer to buy them themselves. (Have you ever liked a lampshade somebody gave you?) But luxurious edibles or potables, that’s something else; you can always include gorgeous candy for the children.