Beginner's Guide to Custom Corporate Gifting: 10 Questions to Ask and Key Terms to Know

Posted by Catherine Weis on May 11, 2025

So you've been asked to organize your company's next round of gifting — for clients, employees, or maybe even a big event. Cue the slight panic. What should you send? How much should it cost? Where do you begin? Don't worry, you're in the right place.

Corporate gifting, especially custom gifting, can feel overwhelming if you’re new to the process. There's a long list of lingo to know, plenty of moving parts, and likely quite a bit of pressure to get it right. But here’s the good news: when done well, corporate gifting can build real connections, boost engagement, and help your company align with its values.

Today, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about custom corporate gifting. From the key terms that will help you sound like a seasoned pro, to the must-ask questions that will save you time (and stress), you’ll walk away from this guide with the knowledge and tools you need to create a memorable corporate gifting experience for every recipient on your list.

5 Corporate Gifting Terms You Need to Know

Before you dive in, let’s decode some of the most common gifting terms so you can sound like you’ve done this before (even if you haven’t).

Corporate Gifting: The practice of sending thoughtful, branded, or custom gifts on behalf of a company to clients, employees, or partners to build goodwill and connection.
Custom Gifting vs. Branded Gifting: Custom gifts are chosen or created with the recipient in mind (think: a curated wellness box for a team who’s just wrapped a big project). Branded gifts tend to focus on company swag — logoed mugs, pens, and so on.
Kitting & Fulfillment: The behind-the-scenes magic that brings it all together. It includes assembling gifts, branding packaging, and managing shipping logistics so gifts arrive perfectly packed and on time.
Gifting Platform: Think of it as your company’s own mini-Amazon for gifting. Only authorized users of your choosing can log in, choose from an array of hand-picked gifts you’ve stocked, confirm recipient details, and hit send. Behind the scenes, the platform handles personalization, tracking, and doorstep delivery, so even the biggest gifting runs feel effortless.
Gifting Concierge: A real human who helps you brainstorm, coordinate, and execute your gifting vision — because Google searches can only take you so far.

10 Questions to Ask When Planning Custom Corporate Gifting

These questions will help you vet potential partners and avoid last-minute surprises.

What kind of experience do they have? Look for a provider that has worked with companies like yours and can show examples of past projects.
Do they offer a broad range of customizable products? You want more than just branded water bottles. Think artisan goods, wellness kits, gourmet treats, and lifestyle items.
How does their process work? A step-by-step roadmap from kickoff to delivery ensures nothing gets lost in translation.
What’s the typical turnaround time? Some gifts require extra lead time (especially small-batch or personalized items). Know your deadlines and ask what’s doable.
Can they work within your budget? A good partner will reverse-engineer a gift box that feels luxurious even at lower price points.
Can they handle the quantity you need? Whether it’s 50 or 5,000, make sure they’re equipped to scale.
Who is the gift for, and what do they care about? The better you know your audience, the better the gift can reflect your company’s thoughtfulness.
Do they offer a gifting platform? This is a game-changer for ongoing programs or when giving recipients choice.
How hands-on is their support? You want a partner who communicates clearly and often, especially when things get busy.
How will you know if your gifting worked? Talk to your provider about tracking impact through feedback, engagement, or repeat business.

What Is Custom Corporate Gifting?

Think of custom corporate gifting as your chance to send a message — without saying a word. It's not just about putting your logo on a product; it's about creating a curated experience that reflects your brand values and shows the recipient you put thought into the moment. When done well, it says, "We see you. We appreciate you."

What Is a Gifting Platform and Why Might You Need One?

If you're juggling spreadsheets and tracking shipping manually, a gifting platform is about to become your best friend. It’s a digital dashboard that helps you manage multiple gifts and recipients effortlessly.

From letting employees or clients choose their own gifts to automating delivery for special occasions, a platform helps you scale thoughtful gifting without sacrificing the personal touch.

What Does Kitting and Fulfillment Actually Involve?

Here’s where the magic happens behind the scenes. Kitting and fulfillment is the process of taking your selected items, arranging them beautifully, packaging them with care, and shipping them out. It turns a collection of products into a cohesive, elevated gifting experience — without you having to pack a single box.

What’s the Difference Between Custom and Branded Gifting?

Branded gifts put your logo front and center. Custom gifts put your thoughtfulness front and center. Branded mugs, pens, and notebooks have their place, but custom gifting goes deeper. It’s about tailoring the gift to your recipient’s tastes, interests, or needs while still reinforcing your brand in a more subtle, meaningful way.

When Are the Best Times to Send Corporate Gifts?

The calendar is full of opportunities to show appreciation. Plan ahead for:

Holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year’s)
Employee milestones (work anniversaries, promotions, birthdays)
Client thank-yous (onboarding, renewals, major wins)
Big events (conferences, product launches, virtual summits)

Gifting at the right moment helps you stay top of mind and makes the gesture feel even more intentional.

How Do You Measure the ROI of Corporate Gifting?

A thoughtful gift does more than delight your recipient. It builds relationships, connections, and loyalty with clients, employees, and colleagues.

To measure corporate gifting ROI, look beyond the dollar signs:

Are client relationships growing stronger?
Is employee morale or engagement improving?
Are recipients sharing their excitement on social or in meetings?

Great gifting leads to retention, loyalty, and stronger brand recognition — all of which are measurable in their own way.

Real-World Wins: Corporate Gifting That Actually Worked

Still feeling unsure how all this plays out in the real world? Let’s make it tangible. Below are two examples of custom gifting programs that made a lasting impression. Showing how companies like yours have created thoughtful, on-brand experiences that made a real impact.

AppFolio: Custom Employee Gifting

AppFolio wanted to celebrate their employees in a way that felt fresh and meaningful — something that encouraged fun, movement, and quality time with family. Together, we created a custom pickleball gift box complete with branded paddles, a hat for outdoor play, and a personal popcorn popper for an at-home treat.

It was a hit. The response from employees was so enthusiastic that AppFolio placed a second order of 100+ more sets. The gift reflected their brand values — wellness, sustainability, connection — and employees felt seen and appreciated.

Discover how we brought this custom employee gift to life.

NBC Universal Studios: Tiered Gifting Done Right

NBC Universal needed a way to thank event planners year-round, but without the stress of managing everything manually. We helped them build a custom gifting platform with three tiers of post-event relaxation gifts, from cozy neck wraps to full spa-inspired boxes with candles and branded blankets.

Each box was aligned with their brand’s emphasis on quality and care. The platform made it easy to manage orders and track fulfillment, while a dedicated account manager kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Explore how to make your own thoughtful tiered gifting strategy a reality.

Why Choose Bestowe Gifting?

At Bestowe, we combine beautifully curated, high-quality products with personalized service that makes your job easier. Whether you're gifting 25 or 2,500, our team handles the details, designs with intention, and makes sure every box delivers on your brand promise.

Ready to create a gifting experience that leaves a lasting impression? Reach out to our gifting concierge today, and we’ll collaborate with you to bring your vision to life.