Gift-giving is a wonderful experience. It brings joy, shows appreciation and thoughtfulness, and boosts positivity for both the recipient and the giver. But, what about corporate gift giving? While giving gifts in the business world can do just as much good, one must stop to think about the rules around corporate gift-giving etiquette.
If you’re ready to buy a corporate gift but aren’t sure about the etiquette or ethics around it, this post is for you. Read on to learn more about giving and receiving corporate gifts with confidence.
Is it Ethical to Give Gifts While Doing Business?
It can sometimes seem unethical to accept or give corporate gifts, and it’s good if you’ve ever felt this way. It means that you have business values and are an honest person. In the end, the main concern when it comes to giving gifts while doing business is the intent behind the gift. If it is meant to curry favor with someone, it is clearly an unethical gift to give or receive. However, if a gift is simply meant to show gratitude, without the expectation of something in return, then it’s probably okay.
Can Employees Accept Gifts from Customers?
Unless there is an explicit rule, law, or policy in your company that prohibits employees from accepting gifts from customers, it is okay to do so. Similar to the rule above, employees shouldn’t accept any gift that is meant to make them do something for the person giving it to them.
Some companies and individuals like to use rules surrounding accepting gifts from customers to make things clever. Examples include not accepting gifts valued at more than $25, reporting “significantly expensive gifts” to HR, and only accepting gifts that can be shared with the whole office.
The Dos and Don’ts of Corporate Gift Giving
Looking for the specifics of how and how not to give a corporate gift? Keep reading to see our lists for the dos and don’ts of corporate gift giving.
The Dos of Corporate Gifting
- Make it personal.
- Get creative.
- If giving to a group, choose something everyone will like.
- Genuinely show your appreciation.
The Don’ts of Corporate Gifting
- Be promotional.
- Spend too much.
- Spend too little.
- Slack off on showing appreciation for the rest of the year.
How Do You Respond to a Business Gift?
If a customer sends you a gift, and you’ve decided that it’s appropriate to accept, you should send a “Thank You” email, at the very least. Something even greater that you can do is give the person a call or thank them in person if you’re going to see them within the next day or two.
If you receive a gift that you decide is not appropriate to accept, you should first report it to your supervisor and your HR office. They will prompt you on how to handle the gift itself. To inform the person that you cannot accept their gift, send them a note or give them a call explaining how much you appreciate the token, but that you are unable to accept it due to company policy. They should be understanding and feel assurance that you recognized their appreciation for you.
Ethical Business Gifts at Reward Your Appetite
At Reward Your Appetite, we prioritize the things that matter most: good company, elegant experiences, and delicious food. Our thoughtfully designed coffee table book, “Entertaining and Celebrating: An Elegant Feast For Every Season” is filled with beautiful images and easy guides that take you through the steps of planning elegant gatherings for your family and friends. It makes the perfect item for ethical corporate gift giving.
Reward Your Appetite offers several other experiences that are perfect for a holiday business gift. Please have a look at our shop and blog to learn more about how you can bring elegance, delight, and fellowship to corporate gifting.
