The world of work isn’t just about business, boardrooms and the bottom line.
It’s about maintaining good professional relationships with the people who contribute to its success. As such, spending a little on your workforce or client base shows them they’re valued. Whatever you spend will likely be returned in new business, greater staff loyalty, and general output. Just look at the wonders it worked for Scrooge (in the end).
Tales of bosses lavishing gifts on hardworking staff occasionally trickle into the news. In 2021, Spanx founder Sara Blakely secured her place in the Great Bosses Hall of Fame by giving each of her employees two first-class return tickets to any destination, plus $10k to spend when they got there. This came after the shapewear label confirmed a major deal with Blackstone, the private equity firm.
Over in Hollywood, Keanu Reeves reportedly presented the dozen-strong Matrix Reloaded stunt team with a Harley Davidson each to thank them for their efforts while filming.
And Taylor Swift bequeathed bonuses totalling more than $55m to staff on her 2023 Eras tours: caterers, riggers, truckers, dancers, sound technicians and more.
It is extraordinarily generous behaviour, but you don’t have to be an A-lister or in the FTSE100 to show your employees how much they’re valued. A similar level of appreciation can be conveyed with a well-chosen corporate gift.
Unlike shopping for friends or family, it’s best to keep your selection broad with fan favourites like hampers and alcohol-free where appropriate to avoid alienating teetotal staff. Food, tech and luxury stationery are typically safe bets.
Whether you’re looking to splash out on staff end-of-company-year or Christmas gifts or looking for a token to mark a promotion, end-of-probation or retirement, we’ve rounded up thoughtful ideas to get your sincere thanks across.
We’ve taken care to choose great ideas across price brackets to make it easy to find something within budget, whether you’re heading up a big business or a smaller enterprise.
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Best gifts for corporate clients
Fieldbar Drinks Box Cooler with Interchangeable Straps
A bottle of Champagne will look better delivered in this scratch-proof vintage-style cooler from Fieldbar. Holding up to 10L, it can hold up to two wine bottles plus two cans of beer.
Buy now £180.00, Harrods
The Fortnum's London Gift Box
A gift from Fortnum's never fails to excite. This bundle is perfect for international clients, giving them a taste of the Royal grocer if they haven't had a chance to cross the Mayfair threshold in person.
Presented in a handsome gift box, the package includes F&M’s Piccadilly Blend Coffee, Earl Grey and Royal Blend teas and Pistachio & Clotted Cream Biscuits. Sweets are covered too with British Lemon Boiled Sweets, a pot of Strawberry Preserve and a drum of Sea Salted Truffles.
Buy now £85.00, F&M
Snowdonia Cheese Co. Sweet & Savoury Afternoon Tea Hamper
Afternoon tea wrapped up in a smart black wicker hamper - who can resist? From the makers of the addictive Black Bomber cheese comes this balanced afternoon tea spread, perfect for client gifting. Start with the savoury cheese, crackers and chutneys before moving on to the sweet tea, chocolate truffles and jam.
Buy now £45.00, Snowdonia Cheese Co.
Longchamp Le Pliage extra large travel bag
- Weight: 445g
- Size: 55 x 40 x 23cm
- Capacity: 21.7L
The beauty of Longchamp’s cult Le Pliage bag range is its ability to fold into itself and become less than A3 in size. This has made the piece a go-to for globetrotters the world over, especially if you are planning on a shopping spree when you reach your destination. It comes in a variety of sizes and colours and is crafted in a canvas material with leather handles so it will stand the test of time.
Buy now £160.00, John Lewis
Roberts Revival iStream 3L DAB+/FM Internet Smart Radio with Bluetooth
A retro design with contemporary functions, this Roberts radio is the perfect gadget to keep around the house or office.
The vintage 50s-look body is armed to the teeth with the latest tech, including a smart radio that can broadcast web radio as well as DAB+ and FM stations. It can transform into a Bluetooth speaker and play her favourite tracks from Spotify and Deezer, all with crystal clear audio.
Available in a range of bright and muted shades.
Buy now £199.99, John Lewis
Antler Clifton Cabin with Pocket in Woodland Green
Size: 56 x 35 x 23cm
Take everything you need for a long weekend in Antler's Clifton case, which comes in cabin size as well as larger options for the hold. The ribbed design is crafted from a hard yet light shell with plenty of zips and compartments to organise your things. A double TSA lock keeps your stuff secure while allowing security access should they need it.
Our favourite feature is the front-facing expandable pocket which makes essential documents and gadgets easy to access without unearthing all the carefully packed contents of the main compartment.
Buy now £165.00, Antler
Best gifts for staff
YETI Rambler
Hosting a company away day and looking for a momento that won't blow the budget? Enter YETI, makers of coolers and travel cups. Its Rambler design comes with a slider to prevent spills and is vacuum-insulated, keeping hot or cool temperatures from escaping. Well made and from a trusted brand, this is a gift that few will leave to gather dust.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Sony MDR-ZX110AP On-Ear Headphones with Mic/Remote, Black
A great pair of headphones is a universally loved gift, and this pair from Sony are among the best budget buys in the game. They’re light, fold flat, and feature an in-line remote so you can forward, pause and play without reaching for your phone. There’s also a mic to make taking work or private calls a doddle.
Buy now £14.99, John Lewis
Amazon Gift Card
Do you have a mixed bag of a workforce to buy for? Put them in the driving seat with an Amazon gift card, which can be loaded up with a custom amount or set from £20 - £150. The card can be sent via email or text message and comes with a variety of cover illustrations for the occasion. It’ll come in useful for major sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday or renewing their Prime subscription.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
Malin + Goetz Best Sellers Travel Kit
A modest offering like a boujee travel beauty kit will be appreciated by business travellers. This set of six features Malin and Goetz’s bestsellers including a Grapefruit Face Cleanser, Vitamin E Face Moisturizer, Bergamot Hand and Body Wash, Vitamin B5 Body Moisturiser, a Peppermint Shampoo and Cilantro Conditioner.
Buy now £34.00, SpaceNK
Jo Malone Lime, Basil and Mandarin travel candle
Rare is the beauty-lover who doesn’t squeal in delight at one of Jo Malone’s signature cream and black boxes. While many of the fragrance houses’ bestsellers come with hefty price tags, this candle in one of its most popular scents is a tidy £25, making it perfect for handing over to the colleague who lights up your 9-5.
The 60g travel size also comes in Peony and Blue Suede, Pomegranate Noir, and English Pear and Freesia scents, while the standard 200g candles cost £50.
Buy now £28.00, Jo Malone
Hampers.com Curry Night Indian Beer Hamper
We Brits have almost as much reverence for a cracking curry as we do for a Sunday Roast, so who wouldn't adore a hamper fizzing with delicious takeaway flavours? This bundle is far healthier with a chicken tikka spice mix to make your own curry, Howdah Snack's addictive Bombay Mix, masala-dusted nuts and two cans of Naan Laager's, beer made using wonky, unsold naan bread.
Buy now £39.00, Hampers.com
Smythson 2025 Soho Weekly Diary in Panama
Get them excited for the year ahead with a luxury diary from - who else? - Smythson. This Soho style is available in a selection of colours and can be personalised with initials. Smythson also offers a corporate gifting service so if you have something specific in mind or want to chat about a bulk order, they can help.
Buy now £185.00, Smythson
