hen you're thinking about corporate gifts this holiday season, consider what employees might love to use and wear all year round. Whether you’re welcoming new employees, giving team appreciation gifts, or just giving for the holidays, 2023 corporate gifting has shifted away from unthoughtful giveaways, to gifts that are intentional and sought after by employees.
Whether your budget-conscious or able to offer more premium products, the main goal is curating a collection that employees will want to wear or carry with them time and time again.
In this article I've put together six different looks, using products featured in our newest Winter Style Guide. Each one falls within several different budgets and keeps in mind the dominant themes of 2023 which include: comfort, experience seeking (think travel, entertainment, or new experiences in their everyday life), sustainability and wellness. Now, let’s get to gifting!
Gifting Look Under $40 MSRP
If you’re on a tight budget – that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. I've curated an entire look under $40 and it's far from boring.
I started my look with a comfy sweatshirt in this purple shade, which is a very popular color and should also be going into 2024. Crewnecks have been trending upwards over the past several years against the ever so popular hoodie, so I had have this sized up one or two sizes for that perfect, in-style roomy oversized look.
To complete this budget-friendly ensemble, consider adding a versatile neutral tote – which continues to be a top online searched item year over year.
Gifting Look Under $65 MSRP
If you're able to invest a bit more, this outfit is an excellent choice for the woman who can work from anywhere - better known in 2023 as the "digital nomad." It merges comfort and style, perfect for both working from home and casual get-togethers with friends.
To begin, I chose a boxy, cropped, sweatshirt that complements the ever-popular sweatshorts perfectly. This ensemble also serves as an ideal transitional look, bridging the gap between warmer and cooler seasons.
To complete the outfit, I added a fanny pack, aka “the belt bag,” as an ode to the 90’s/00’s trend resurgence. These days, it’s being worn around the chest. This bag makes a perfect utility gift that will undoubtedly be worn time and time again.
I would argue a majority of women in America own some form of fanny pack that they use almost daily. Therefore, branding on this item is likely to result in repeated exposure and impressions.
Gifting Look Under $80 MSRP
This mid-range priced look is perfect for the experience seekers, looking for the next big adventure. I started this look by outfitting our graphic designer, Malcolm, with a Quikflip hoodie.
It’s the perfect outdoor essential, because it’s a sweatshirt that conveniently turns into a backpack, which is especially useful for weather that's constantly changing throughout the day. This specific backpack version features Slide&Bite™ technology, with adjustable backpack straps for extra security and comfort.
Then, I paired this with a garment dyed long sleeve shirt, with a unique dying process. The style is far from new – but it has gained even more popularity in 2023, with the vintage look and feel of the garments. Now more than ever, people want that lived in look, without it - well - actually being lived in.
Gifting Look Under $100 MSRP
I would describe this elevated women's look as the most versatile. It can be styled for various occasions, either dressed up or down, and offers multiple ways to wear it. I began by incorporating the vest, which is an essential item for any capsule wardrobe. I opted for a unisex piece that features the current trend of larger baffling, making it an excellent layering option for the colder seasons.
To layer under the vest, I chose a long sleeve baby tee. The popularity of baby tees continues, and this cream-colored option is perfect for layering under your favorite outerwear pieces or wearing solo. To complete the look, I added a cozy, neutral beanie, with a furry pom-pom on top. Its versatile color makes it ideal for strolling around town or for that après-ski look on the slopes.
For an Unlimited Budget
With an unlimited budget, the range of possibilities is endless. I've assembled an outfit for both him and her, featuring a selection of premium brands that are highly sought after. These name brands are ideal for co-branding and are sure to be worn repeatedly in all different stylish combinations.
The Unlimited Budget for Her
For the women's look, I wanted to incorporate what many women wear in their day-to-day lives – athleisure. Whether it's for working from home, running errands or going to the gym, athleisure has become an integral part of the everyday lifestyle for most women, making up a majority of their wardrobe and it only continues to rise.
An excellent choice for a women's corporate gift, would be a multi-functional athleisure set. This matching set stands out for its high-end appeal: featuring sustainable properties, buttery soft texture, impeccable fit, and the iconic Champion logo - which makes the gift feel more premium.
This outfit is great on it’s own, but for additional warmth and style, I added this cream-colored jacket which, incorporates two trending products - sherpas and cropped silhouettes. It is a perfect piece that can be dressed up or down. To round off the look I added another sustainable touch. The adidas dad cap. It's the ideal choice when you want a hassle-free hairstyle.
The Unlimited Budget for Him
For the men’s look, I also aimed for maximum versatility. This outfit is perfect for various occasions and can be mixed and matched to create several different looks. In 2023, comfort is key, but looking effortlessly stylish is equally important.
For this one, I chose an adidas crewneck, with an elevated and unique inside-out fleece texture, giving it a retail-inspired feel. What's even better is that it's made entirely from recycled materials, which is becoming a bigger priority for consumers. Our exclusive collection of adidas fleece has expanded a lot in the past couple of years, so if your clients love the "three-stripe life," definitely add some of our hoodies, joggers and quarter-zips to your pitch decks too.
Next, I incorporated a pair of joggers that match the elevated look of all of your favorite retail brands. For added warmth, I completed the look with a two-tone Columbia puffer jacket that any employee will love wearing time and time again.
Moving onto accessories, I added a trendy hat with unique laser cut perforated sides, which give it added breathability. To round off this outfit, I included an Oakley bag. This bag is exceptionally versatile and spacious, accommodating everything you need for your daily office routine or your next exciting adventure.
Oakley backpacks have been extremely popular among companies looking for that premium gifting item, not only because of the name recognition, but also because of their quality. For 2024, we've expanded the line even further, so your clients will be excited they can get their hands on an Oakley bag at every price level now.
Make Them Feel Appreciated
When considering corporate gifting in 2023 and beyond, it's crucial to look outside the traditional holiday season and focus on what employees truly desire year-round. The shift in corporate gifting trends emphasizes intention and providing gifts that employees genuinely value.
Regardless of your budget, the key goal is to curate collections that employees will love to wear or carry repeatedly. Whether you're looking to spend under $40, $65, $80, $100, or have an unlimited budget, there's a thoughtful gift option for every occasion and every employee. It's all about recognizing the importance of making employees feel appreciated with gifts that fit into their lifestyle.