Top 10 thoughtful corporate gift ideas for the festive season
With Christmas fast approaching, business leaders are preparing to show their appreciation with some high-quality corporate gifting. But your recipients will probably expect more than the usual bottle of bubbles or branded notebook. Meaningful Christmas corporate gifting is all about showing connection and – most importantly – giving them an experience they’ll enjoy.
Whether it’s your team, your biggest client, or a trusted partner, these 10 gift ideas strike the right balance of professional and personal to kick off the festive season on a high.
1. Best Restaurants Gift Card
Let’s start with the ultimate crowd-pleaser: a Best Restaurants Gift Card. Accepted at 400+ of Australia’s top dining spots, this is the gift that gives them complete choice – whether they prefer modern Italian in Melbourne, rooftop dining in Sydney or a long lunch out in their favourite wine region.
Gift cards can be purchased in either digital or physical format, so it’s a great choice for last-minute orders, bulk gifting or even co-branded Christmas corporate gifting. They’re valid for three years and can be redeemed at venues right around Australia – making them perfect for interstate clients or hybrid teams. Give them a reason to celebrate with a meal they’ll remember.
2. Curated food and wine experiences
Want to make things even more personal? Instead of sending a generic present, gift your team a curated experience. Through Best Restaurants Australia, you can hand-pick from a range of culinary experiences, including everything from private-dining packages to chef-run tastings, winery lunches and premium cruises. They’re the perfect mix of memorable and meaningful – especially to celebrate staff milestones or important clients.
3. Locally sourced gourmet hampers
Hampers might be a traditional gift, but when put together thoughtfully, they’re still a festive favourite. Choose from suppliers that make locally sourced, artisanal products, such as regional wines, handmade chocolates and small-batch preserves. Better yet, customise your hampers based on what you know the recipient will enjoy to show you’ve truly thought about them.
4. Digital subscriptions that inspire
Magazine memberships and e-learning subscriptions are a clever alternative that could involve business leadership publications, culinary masterclasses, meditation and wellbeing platforms or anything in between. These gifts cater to their modern interests while also encouraging a little work-life balance – something we could all use more of during the festive season.
5. Branded gift cards with a personal touch
If you’re set on a physical gift, don’t underestimate the power of personalisation. A branded Best Restaurants corporate gift card with your company logo is a small detail that will make a big impression. Add a festive message or suggest a restaurant to create a custom gift that feels truly special.
6. Wine or spirits with a story
Skip the bottom-shelf bottles and choose something with a bit more character. Look for wines or spirits from boutique Australian producers or limited-edition releases that include tasting notes or a story behind the label. You could even pair it with a dining gift card for the ultimate dinner-and-drinks combo.
7. Charitable donations on their behalf
For a more meaningful gesture, consider donating to a charity of your client’s or team’s choice. Many gifting platforms now allow recipients to support a range of causes they’re passionate about, creating a powerful moment of shared values while still embracing the spirit of giving.
8. Luxury stationery or deskware
For those who appreciate beautiful design, something like a high-quality pen or leather-bound notebook can be both useful and a memorable token of your appreciation. Choose timeless, practical pieces that elevate the everyday without being overtly branded or impersonal.
9. Team-building experiences
Turn your Christmas corporate gifting into a bonding opportunity by gifting team-wide experiences. Think group cooking classes, winery tours, private dinners or culinary cruises. They serve as both a celebration and a thank-you — and offer a great opportunity to bring your remote or hybrid team together for some meaningful face time.
10. The gift of time
Sometimes the most valuable gift isn’t a tangible thing – it’s permission to press the pause button. That could mean an extra day of leave or an afternoon of no meetings before dinner at a restaurant of their choice (hello, gift card!). Whatever you decide, giving your team time back during the busy season is a gift they’ll never forget.
Want to make gifting really count this Christmas? The heart of corporate gifting should be about your intention to connect and recognising the partnerships that got you through the year. After all, the most memorable gifts are the ones that are enjoyed – not stored in someone’s desk drawer.