As 2025 comes to a close, many companies are reviewing what worked — and what didn’t — in their corporate gifting strategies. From onboarding kits and event giveaways to festive appreciation gifts, corporate gifts remained a powerful branding tool throughout the year.
In this 2025 corporate gifts review, we look back at the key trends, best-selling product categories, and real-world insights on what companies actually reordered, kept, and valued. These lessons are especially useful for businesses already planning their 2026 corporate gifting strategy.
Corporate Gifts Trends 2025: What Companies Chose More Often
One clear takeaway from the corporate gifts trends 2025 is that practicality mattered more than novelty. Companies focused on items that recipients could use repeatedly, rather than one-time giveaways.
Key trends we observed include:
Preference for functional daily-use items
Cleaner, minimalist branding instead of loud logos
Increased demand for eco-conscious materials
Gift sets curated around purpose (welcome kits, event kits, festive packs)
These trends influenced purchasing decisions across industries, from corporate events to internal employee engagement.
Best-Selling Corporate Gift Categories in 2025
Based on reorder patterns and enquiry volume, several categories clearly stood out in 2025.
Apparel That Employees Actually Wear
Branded apparel such as round neck tees, polo shirts, and lightweight jackets remained top performers. Neutral colours and subtle logo placements made these items wearable beyond work events, increasing long-term brand exposure.
You can explore these popular categories here:
Drinkware for Everyday Visibility
Drinkware continued to be one of the safest and most effective corporate gift choices in 2025. Items like tumblers, flasks, and travel mugs offered daily visibility, making them a strong branding investment.
See why this category continues to perform well:
Bags for Events, Conferences & Onboarding
From tote bags to foldable bags and backpacks, bags performed especially well for corporate events and employee onboarding. Companies valued items that were practical, easy to distribute, and reusable beyond a single occasion.
Related reads:
What Worked in 2025 (and Why)
Looking beyond product categories, several strategies consistently delivered better outcomes:
Early planning helped companies secure better pricing and avoid rush orders
Consistent branding across multiple gift items strengthened brand recall
Purpose-driven selection (onboarding, appreciation, events) improved perceived value
Quality over quantity reduced wastage and negative feedback
Many companies who reordered in 2025 were those who aligned their gifts with a clear objective rather than choosing items at the last minute.
Common Corporate Gifting Mistakes Seen in 2025
Despite good intentions, several mistakes appeared repeatedly:
Selecting trendy items with limited real-life usability
Over-branding that discouraged recipients from daily use
Underestimating production and delivery lead times
Choosing products without considering storage or distribution logistics
These insights offer valuable lessons for companies planning corporate gifts in 2026.
What This Means for Corporate Gifts Planning in 2026
The insights from this 2025 corporate gifts review show that effective corporate gifting is no longer about price alone. It’s about relevance, usability, and brand alignment.
Companies preparing for 2026 should:
Define the purpose of each gifting campaign early
Allocate budgets in advance
Focus on proven categories with strong engagement
Work with experienced suppliers who understand timelines and branding
For additional perspective on why branded merchandise continues to matter, you may find this article useful:
8 Benefits of Branded Merchandise to Your Business
2025 reinforced one key lesson: corporate gifts are most effective when they are thoughtfully planned and genuinely useful. By reviewing what worked this year, companies can make smarter, more strategic gifting decisions in 2026.
If you’re already planning ahead, now is the right time to start the conversation.
Planning corporate gifts for 2026? Speak to our team for tailored recommendations based on your goals, budget, and timeline.
