Hospitality News & Business Insights by EHL

How To Choose the Right Corporate Gifts?

Written by Morgane Dumollard | Aug 19, 2025 12:54:59 PM

Giving a corporate gift is not just a mark of generosity, it's a gesture that counts. It expresses your gratitude, strengthens professional ties and leaves a lasting impression far beyond the simple object offered. Whether it's to thank your employees for their commitment, build customer loyalty or maintain a special relationship with your partners, choosing the right corporate gift is an invaluable opportunity to enhance your brand and share your values.

 

But how can you be sure of making the right choice? A gift must be elegant, relevant and meaningful. It should reflect the attention you pay to your professional relationships and offer a genuine experience to its recipient. What if, instead of an impersonal object, you opted for a refined and authentic attention, capable of creating a lasting memory?

In this article, we'll help you find the ideal corporate gift to suit every professional relationship:

What Type of Corporate Gift to Choose Depending on the Recipient?


A successful corporate gift isn't chosen at random. For it to be appreciated and memorable, it must be adapted to its recipient. Giving a gift to an employee, a customer or a partner means different things to different people, and requires a different approach. Here are our tips for making the right choice, depending on the relationship you wish to strengthen.

A Corporate Gift for your Teams: Value and Motivate

Your employees are the driving force behind your company. Offering them a gift is a powerful way of recognizing their commitment and boosting their motivation. A good corporate gift for teams should be:

 

Personalized: a gift that matches employees' tastes and preferences shows sincere care:

  • A quality notebook with pleasant-touch paper and a neat binding. Choose a model in leather or recycled materials, with the option of personalizing it with the employee's first name or your company logo.
  • A practical office accessory to enhance comfort and efficiency at work. For example, an ergonomic computer stand, a beautifully designed LED lamp, or a mouse pad with integrated wireless charging.
  • A wellness experience to promote relaxation and productivity. This could be a voucher for a massage, access to a spa, a subscription to yoga classes or a day of rejuvenation at a spa.

 

Experiential: offering an experience rather than just an object has a stronger impact.

  • If your recipient is a food lover, what could be better than an immersion in the world of top chefs ?
  • Offering a cultural outing is a great way to propose a moment of discovery and escape. This can take different forms, depending on individual tastes: a guided tour of a museum or art foundation, tickets to a concert, play or opera, or an exclusive visit to a craft production workshop.
  • A gastronomic experience to awaken the senses and create a convivial atmosphere. Several options are available, such as a wine tasting at a local winery, or a chocolate experience to discover the secrets of Switzerland's master chocolatiers.

 

Gourmet and refined: a gourmet box or a "panier garni" is a sure-fire way to please everyone.

 

📌 Tip: consider giving your gifts on a special occasion like the festive season, a company anniversary or after a successful project to recognize collective efforts.

A Corporate Gift for your Customers: Build Loyalty and Leave a Lasting Impression

A gift for a customer should be more than just a thoughtful gesture: it's a strategic way of strengthening your relationship and leaving a positive impression. A good customer gift should be:

 

Refined and upscale: a customer will appreciate a quality gift that reflects the seriousness and image of your company .

  • A local product such as a box containing a selection of local gastronomic products, a bottle of exceptional local wine or a tasting at a local winery will associate your brand with a pleasant, convivial moment.
  • A locally-made artisanal or limited-edition item, such as a scented candle or a carved wooden accessory, can underline your commitment to authenticity and quality.
  • An object that is both elegant and useful is more likely to be kept and appreciated. This could be a premium pen, an organic tea tasting box or a set of designer glasses, for example.

 

Original and memorable: avoid gifts that are too common and likely to be quickly forgotten. Opt for a surprise that will awaken the senses and remain engraved in the memory.

Representative of your brand: a gift must be consistent with your identity and values.

 

📌 Tip: offering a customer gift on the occasion of a successful collaboration, a partnership anniversary or at the end of the year is an excellent way of maintaining a relationship of trust.

A Corporate Gift for your Partners: Maintaining Collaboration

Partners play a key role in your company's development. Giving them a gift is a way of expressing your gratitude and strengthening your professional relationships.

 

Elegant and meaningful: a partner should receive a gift that shows your consideration.

  • An objet d'art that reflects an attachment to cultural heritage, such as admission to one of Switzerland's many museums, or a gift voucher for live arts such as opera, cinema or theater.
  • A top-of-the-range office accessory.
  • A gourmet gift.

Exclusive and rewarding: a premium gift reserved for your strategic partners demonstrates the importance of your collaboration. Offering a rare product or a privileged experience strengthens your bond.

Committed and responsible: in a world where CSR values are becoming increasingly important, offering a responsible gift is an appreciated gesture.

 

📌 Advice: a gift offered after the signing of a contract, a professional event or a successful partnership leaves a lasting, positive impression.

Giving a Corporate Gift is More than Just a Formality

A corporate gift is a powerful tool for nurturing professional relationships, asserting your corporate identity and expressing your values. Whether it's for your staff, customers or partners, the right gift is the one that creates emotion and leaves a lasting impression. By focusing on quality and personalization, you can transform a symbolic gesture into a genuine relational experience.