150 Days to the Holidays: Why Now Is the Time to Start Your Corporate Holiday Gifting Plan

Planning for the holidays in July might feel early, but seasoned HR, Marketing, and Customer teams know better. Q4 gets busy fast, and gifting often becomes a last-minute scramble that misses the mark. Whether you’re exploring corporate holiday gifts for employees or seeking business holiday gifts for customers, now is the time to get ahead.

With 150 days to go, there’s time to create a holiday gifting strategy that’s thoughtful, impactful, and stress-free. If you’re looking to strengthen employee and customer relationships with corporate holiday gift ideas, starting early pays off. 

Here’s how to get ahead, and why it matters. 

‍Why Early Planning Makes Business Sense

‍Align early on holiday gift budget and strategy

Getting ahead gives your team time to align on key details like gifting goals, approval process, and budget allocation without competing with year-end deadlines. The earlier you start internal conversations, the smoother your gifting rollout will be. 

‍Snappy makes it easy to scope and manage gifting campaigns with flexible budget tools, curated gift collections, and advanced scheduling options so that you can plan with confidence. 

‍Simplify execution with a clear gifting plan

A little planning now means fewer decisions later. With Snappy, you can launch employee and customer gifting campaigns that are thoughtful, personalized, and low-lift. From automated gift sends to branded digital unwrapping experiences, Snappy takes care of the gifting logistics, from sourcing to delivery, so your team can focus on other high-priority Q4 initiatives. 

Need to send globally? Snappy’s platform supports gifting in 100+ countries with local fulfillment and tailored options for each region. 

‍Your Corporate Holiday Gifting Quick Start Checklist

To move from “we should do this” to “it’s already done,” here’s where to start: 

• To start: Define your gifting goals. Are you aiming to increase employee engagement? Elevate customer loyalty strategies? Accelerate prospec
• Confirm your audience, gift volume, and shipping regions
• Establish your budget and approval process
• Explore curated gift collections aligned to your brand and recipient preferences
• Schedule and automate your gift sends 

Snappy’s dashboard gives you real-time visibility into gift claims, thank you notes, and campaign performance so you can track ROI and see the impact of every gift.

‍Avoid These Mistakes With Corporate Holiday Gifts

Even the most well-intentioned holiday gifting plans can go sideways if you wait too long or overlook key steps. Here are the most common missteps to avoid:

Last-minute planning: Limited inventory and rushed choices can result in underwhelming gifts or delivery delays. 

‍Generic holiday gifts: One-size-fits-all options often end up in junk drawers, or worse, the trash. 

‍Lack of tracking: If you don’t know who claimed their gift or how it was received, you’re missing out on valuable feedback and performance metrics. 

‍Ignoring international nuances: Failing to account for local preferences or regulations can alienate global recipients.  

The good news? All of these are avoidable with the right partner. 

‍How To Personalize Business Gifts At Scale

Personalized business gifts don’t have to mean extra operational work for internal teams. With Snappy, companies can deliver thoughtful, customized corporate gifts at scale. 

• Segment by Audience: Choose gift collections based on roles, regions, or occasions. 
• Let Recipients Choose: Snappy’s choose-your-own-gift model eliminates the guesswork and guarantees delight. 
• Add Personal Touches: From custom branding to fun digital unwrapping experiences, each gift feels specially curated for your recipients. 

Scalable personalization is win-win: recipients feel seen, and your gifting team keeps things efficient.

‍2025 Gifting Trends To Watch

Snappy’s gifting experts have their fingers on the pulse of what will be HOT this holiday season. The biggest shift they’re seeing? A move toward curated, experience-led, and personalized gift experiences that build long-term impact, not just momentary delight. 

Here are the biggest trends we’re seeing this holiday season.

‍Trend: Experience-Based Gifts

• Give employees or customers something they’ll remember with experience-forward gifts. From cooking classes to spa visits to travel-inspired options like Snappy’s Catch A Flight Collection, these gifts tap into a growing desire for connection and memory-making. 

Trend: Wearable Brand Loyalty

• When branded merchandise is done right, it’s a guaranteed hit. Think cozy, stylish, and high-quality items from The North Face, Marine Layer, Nike, Moleskine, Thule, and more. When employees or customers love what they wear, your brand gets seen and appreciated far beyond the office.

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‍Trend: Wellness & Self-Care Gifts 

• Help recipients prioritize themselves with wellness gifts. Products like Theraface kits or customizable spa sets make them feel cared for, something employees and customers alike value during the busy holiday season. 

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Trend: Elevated Home Essentials 

• Treat them to something for their home. Beautifully designed home upgrades like Smeg appliances or Ember temperature-controlled mug add everyday luxury in unexpected ways. 

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‍Trend: Tech-Forward Surprises 

• Smart gifts are on the rise, literally. Cutting-edge tech like Ray Ban Meta smart glasses combines function with style, perfect for the gadget-lover or forward-thinking leader on your list. 

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Trend: Luxury Gifts That Leave a Lasting Impression

• When you need to wow, go timeless. Citizen watches and other heritage luxury items provide a premium, enduring touch that communicates value and appreciation to top employees and customers. 

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‍Trend: Festive & Fun Favorites

• Make spirits bright with seasonal sips and snack kits. Craftmix cocktails offer mix-at-home fun that adds festive flavor to any celebration. 

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‍Trend: Gifts That Give Back

• Show your brand’s values in action with donation-focused gifting. Whether you choose to support causes your company cares about or let recipients choose where to donate, these gifts deliver emotional and ethical impact. 

Trend: Travel & On-the-Go Essentials

• Whether they’re commuting or jetsetting, items like Dagne Dover bags and wellness kits offer everyday convenience with elevated style. These are ideal for busy professionals and frequent travelers alike. 

With Snappy, you can select from over 250,000 gift options or build your custom collection, so every gift feels personal, premium, and perfectly aligned with your recipient’s interests. 

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‍How Holiday Gifting Impacts Retention and Loyalty

Gifting isn’t just about celebrating the holidays; it’s about fostering appreciation and gratitude. Whether you’re focused on improving employee motivation or customer stickiness, a strategic gifting program can make all the difference. Meaningful holiday gifts for employees can help them feel recognized and valued, while clients who receive thoughtful gestures are more likely to renew, refer, and engage. 

Snappy's 2025 Workforce Study uncovered that motivated employees: 

• 34% engage more deeply with customers and clients.
• 30% become more creative and innovative.
• 17% are more willing to take on new projects.
• 16% are more likely to collaborate with colleagues.

And from our Customer Loyalty Study: 

• 91% of customers show a preference for loyalty programs that allow them to choose their gifts, highlighting the value of personalization. 

Whether you’re gifting for morale or marketing, early planning ensures you deliver moments that matter and results that last. 

‍The ROI Of Thoughtful Holiday Gifts

Corporate holiday gifting isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a proven business strategy. By building it into your broader engagement, retention, and revenue goals,  you turn every gift into a growth opportunity. Here’s how:

• Holiday gifts for employees boost morale, reduce turnover, and enhance workplace culture. 
• ‍Holiday gifts for clients improve satisfaction, builds loyalty, and drives renewals. 
• Prospect gifting increases meeting conversion rates and shortens sales cycles. 

With measurable impact through Snappy’s platform analytics, you can track how gifts translate into business outcomes, making your holiday program as strategic as it is effective. 

‍The Takeaway

Corporate gifting is more than a year-end to-do. It’s an opportunity to drive engagement, reinforce relationships, and show appreciation at scale. Starting early doesn’t just make it easier, it makes it more effective. 

With 150 days to go, you still have time to plan, personalize, and deliver a holiday gifting experience that reflects your brand and resonates with your employees, customers, and prospects.

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