Christmas

The optimal time is July–September. Here is why: suppliers of premium goods (wines, delicacies, quality textiles) are sold out of their most attractive lines by November; printing capacities are fully booked (lead times of 4–6 weeks); and custom design work (branded packaging, engraving) requires time for proofing rounds. Clients should receive their Christmas gifts by 15 December so they can open them before the holidays. For large orders of 500+ pieces, start planning in August. For standard catalogue Christmas gifts (calendars, gift sets, wines with a logo) October is sufficient. Prices typically rise by 20–30% after the first of November as suppliers capitalise on peak demand, so ordering early generates significant savings.

For clients: gift hampers with wine, cheeses and delicacies in a wooden box; premium sets (leather diary with a pen in gift packaging); Christmas puzzles featuring a corporate motif; branded chocolate gift sets. For employees: Christmas hampers with local delicacies, wine accessories sets, quality textiles (sweatshirts, fleece jackets). For VIP partners: champagne bottles in a wooden box with a laser-engraved logo, leather briefcases and wallets, and more.

I recommend traditional motifs — snowflakes, fir branches, stars — executed in a modern, minimalist style. Use your corporate colours with accents of gold, silver or red to create a festive atmosphere. Combine the message 'Merry Christmas + company name' in an elegant, non-excessive decorative font. Avoid an overload of Christmas elements, kitsch motifs and overly bold colours. The trend of recent years is minimalism — a simple snowflake paired with the company logo in neutral tones. For premium gifts, I recommend partial UV varnishing or hot foil stamping in gold or silver for an elegant festive impression. The key is that the design feels timeless, not like a 'typical Christmas pattern from 2010'.

Divide your budget according to the recipient hierarchy. Employees — mid-range spend per person covering quality textiles, a gift set or a voucher. Standard clients — a slightly higher tier covering branded wine, a gift set or a calendar. VIP clients and top partners — premium spend covering luxury gift hampers, leather items or exclusive wine. Always plan a 15% reserve for late additions — forgotten clients, new employees. Tax deductibility: consult applicable tax regulations in your country, as gifts for clients below a defined threshold are typically tax-deductible, while higher-value items may fall under representation expenses. For employees, gifts up to an annual limit are often a non-taxable benefit — check current rules with your tax advisor. Personalised gifts featuring the recipient's name feel more individual and are worth considering even for the standard client tier.

The key is to align the event style with your corporate identity. For a Christmas party, we recommend: name badges or lapel pins featuring your company logo; shot glasses or mulled wine cups with a laser-engraved logo (an ideal keepsake for guests); lanyards in a festive Christmas design for suppliers and partner guests; branded Christmas hats for a photo booth area; and photo frames pre-printed with the current year and your logo. For online Christmas gatherings with distributed teams, consider postal gift packages containing small treats — chocolate, tea, a miniature spirit — for every colleague joining remotely. Event catering enhanced with branded table accessories (branded napkins, logo candles) adds a premium feel. Plan a minimum of 6 weeks in advance — all items must be in stock before the event date.