Picture this… a sea of generic mugs, pens, and stress balls collecting dust in everyone’s desk drawer. It’s not cool.

What makes someone want to keep your gifts? Well, number one is to get creative. Who is your audience—employees or clients? As for number two, you need to have options.

Imprint Engine is a global brand experience partner. Meaning… a ton of access to high-quality and versatile products like swanky massage guns and carefully woven fabrics from brands like Organic Cotton, CUTS, Nike and more.

Whether you’re recognizing employees, gifting clients, or need merchandise for tradeshows and community appearances, we’ve got you covered. Before we reveal our favorite creative corporate gifts in 2024, let’s highlight all the sweet benefits of corporate gifting.

Why is Corporate Gifting Important?

The mother of all questions. Let’s look at our current work world…

You’ve got employees scattered all over the place. Mark’s working from his beach house in California, Pam’s holding down the fort at the Denver office, and your client Crystal? Good luck tracking her down as she jet-sets across the globe.

The point is, it’s all about connection. Breaking down the barriers of the modern-day world.

You want to give gifts that people will use and appreciate. The key is to personalize them and ensure they’re high-quality. Often subtly.

When done right, corporate gifting can be a game-changer. It can:

Strengthen relationships
Build morale
Boost productivity
Help you stand out

Want to learn more? Discover the full impact of corporate gifting on your business relationships in our blog.

Creative Corporate Gift Ideas for 2024

Ready to take your corporate gifting to the next level? That’s our specialty. Check out these creative corporate gift ideas that everyone, from new hires to long-term clients, will love.

Custom Apparel for Every Occasion

When our team explored ‘gifting’ on Reddit (a goldmine of marketing research), low-quality apparel gifted by corporations was among the top complaints.

As a result, we are not surprised that branded clothing trends in 2024 are all about elevated basics with a premium feel. Think soft-touch t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, versatile custom sweatshirts, and sleek polos that recipients will wear to really up your gifting game.

1. Baseball Hats

Are you looking to keep your branding subtle? Custom baseball hats are a hit! They’re appropriate for everyone from your tech support heroes to your sales department MVPs. We really like the vintage feel of this pigment-dyed cap. Our client, Jane Street, did a great job subtly promoting their brand with a gray-white logo on this hat. It’s a total league upgrade over typical corporate swag if you ask us.

2. Sweatshirts

A cozy hoodie is a must-have for the office, especially if you’re in a city with wild temperature swings.

Hoodies like these are perfect for layering when the weather can’t make up its mind. Zip-up or pullover, you can’t go wrong. Here are a few options we love at Imprint Engine:

3. Polos

Our quarter-button-down polos are the perfect choice for a polished, comfortable, and breathable look. They’re ideal for your management team, executives, event staff, and golf-loving clients who enjoy challenging themselves on the green. Some favorites include:

4. T-shirts

Forget scratchy, ill-fitting tees—premium fabrics and modern fits in classic colors are where it’s at. Treat your team to soft, lightweight options like the women’s Marine Layer Signature Crew or the men’s 100% cotton Ascolour Classic Tee, crafted from recycled beach wood. These tees are comfy and stylish, but they also score major points with your ethics committee.

Custom Tech & WFH Gadgets

In this age of remote work, tech gadgets and home office goodies are the way to your employees’ hearts. A couple may surprise you. Check out our top picks:

5. Custom Webcam Cover

Enhance your team’s digital security with the Razor Webcam Cover, a go-to custom tech accessory. This sleek cover offers privacy with a simple finger swipe, making it perfect for video calls, and ensures confidentiality when needed. Its ultra-slim profile lets you easily shut your laptop, combining practicality with convenience.

6. Rupt ULTRAZ Noise-Canceling Headphones

Screaming kids in the living room? Snoring seat mate on your flight? Rupt ULTRAZ Noise-Canceling Headphones can help with that! You get an impressive 35 hours of wireless playtime or 30 hours with active noise cancellation. It’s the perfect gift for anyone needing a wall of quiet to crush their work.

7. CableCatch

Another super creative corporate gift idea is the CableCatch, a nifty cord organizer from Imprint Engine. It has room for four cables, snuggled in a silicone holder right where you need them. No more hunting for your iPhone charger or the perfect Zoom light! The CableCatch is a must-have for anyone craving a tidy workspace.

8. Theragun mini

One of our favorite products to gift is the Theragun mini. Show your team you prioritize their well-being with this compact, portable massage gun that delivers relief on the go. It aids recovery, sleep, mobility, and stress relief and promotes relaxation and self-care. Who doesn’t need that? It features three speeds, interchangeable attachments, and a 120-minute battery life. The Theragun mini may be small, but it’s mighty at showing your team you care.

Stylish and Durable Bags for Work and Play

Check out our top picks that nail the trifecta: durability, style, and versatility. These bags are built to last and look great doing it.

9. Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe

A really creative corporate gift idea, the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe is a top-notch choice. It features a ventilated back panel, padded straps, and convenient luggage pass-through for seamless travel. With ample pockets and a customizable design, it’s suitable for commuters and travelers alike. It’s just one of the many backpacks we can add your branding to, ensuring a gift that’s sure to get plenty of mileage.

10. Chrome Industries Hondo: The Ultimate Urban Backpack

The Chrome Industries Hondo is a trusty sidekick for conquering the urban jungle. With its comfy straps, a snug laptop compartment, and handy pockets for phones and shades, this backpack is ready for anything. Whether you’re hustling to an appointment, impressing clients, or just always on the go, the Hondo won’t skip a beat. This bag is for a fast-paced city slicker who needs a dependable pack to keep up with their daily grind.

Building an Effective Corporate Gifting Strategy

Picking the right gifts is just the start. To make your corporate gifting count, you need a plan. Here’s how to do it right:

Partner With a One-Stop Shop

We’ve streamlined the process from concept to delivery, ensuring your ideas are brought to life by our in-house artists and delivered right to your doorstep. What separates us from the herd? Our global account management team, spanning 3 continents, is always on standby to offer you unwavering support. Plus, with our IEX platform, you can effortlessly automate gift selection and distribution, keeping your brand’s narrative consistent globally. That’s the Imprint Engine promise of quality, trusted by leading brands (hey Google!) for creating exceptional experiences.

Plan Ahead for Stress-Free Gift-Giving

Give yourself a solid 2-3 months to plan ahead. That way, you can let your creativity run wild and make sure your gifts show up right on time. No last-minute scrambling, no stress. Boom.

Create a Budget Plan

Real talk: crunching numbers isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. But trust us, when you do, the payoff is sweet (hello, better relationships!)

Here’s what to consider when you’re budgeting:

How many people are on your list?
What kind of gifts you’re giving (clients vs employees, for example)
Any extra costs for shipping or customization.

Want all the juicy deets on stretching your budget? Check out this how-to guide on making your money go further.

Build Your Brand Experience With Imprint Engine

What you want is items that will resonate with people. Knock, knock. This is where we come in.

It’s not just about having a cool backpack or new tech gear. You must know what designs people want, use, and more. We’re here to help you figure it out. Your checklist is ready, so let’s make it happen.