Packed with Purpose | October 12, 2025
1 in 2 people say corporate gifts increase their desire to keep working with a sender
The best client gifts make appreciation feel personal. They give you a way to say, “We value this relationship,” through something the recipient can enjoy and a note that shows you paid attention.
That feeling can carry into the working relationship. In the 2026 State of Corporate Gifting Report, 50% of people who received a corporate gift said the gift made them want to keep working with the sender. Among those gifted by a prospective business contact, that number rose to 52%.
Explore the 2026 State of Corporate Gifting Report for the full findings on what recipients value and how gifts shape business relationships.
A milestone achieved. A fifth year of working together. A referral that helped your business grow. Each is a reason to reach out with a thank-you that feels personal.
Start there when planning client gifts. What has this person or team contributed to your business? What do you value about working with them? Let those answers guide the gift and the message that accompanies it.
For example, an agency might send a shareable gift basket after a demanding launch, with a card thanking the client team for its responsiveness and collaboration. A professional services firm might mark five years of working with a customer by recalling an early milestone in its note.
The care shouldn’t end when the gift arrives. A gift is one moment of appreciation. Attentive service and reliable follow-through are what keep clients coming back year after year.
Start with something the recipient will enjoy. In the survey, 59% said a gift feels thoughtful when it’s something they would use or enjoy. Nearly half valued high quality (48%) or a gift chosen specifically for them (47%).
Put those preferences to work by considering how the recipient will experience the gift. Will a team share it in the office? Will it arrive at an individual’s home? Do you know any dietary preferences or interests that can guide the selection?
Personal relevance can also come through the message. Mention the collaboration you appreciated or the achievement you are celebrating. A carefully chosen assortment paired with a specific and personalized thank-you gives the recipient a clear sense of why you thought of them.
Gifts that give back add another source of meaning to a thank-you. They connect your appreciation with the people, businesses, and causes the gift supports.
The story behind a gift gives people something to remember and share. In the survey, 78% of corporate gift recipients said they think more highly of a company whose gift gives back, and 76% said they are more likely to tell others about a gift that gives back.
Make the story easy to discover. A note about the makers or people behind the gift adds meaning to your thank-you and gives recipients one more reason to feel good about receiving it.
Packed with Purpose corporate gifts tells these stories for you. Our products come from small businesses and organizations creating positive impact across the U.S., and each gift includes a Stories of Impact Booklet that introduces recipients to the people and causes behind the gift.
Build your gifting calendar around moments that give you a natural reason to connect. For clients, those might be a milestone achieved, a business anniversary, a referral, or year-end appreciation. For a prospective business contact, a gift might follow a substantive conversation or thank them for taking part in an event.
Match the message to the relationship and occasion. An established client may appreciate a nod to your history together. A newer contact may respond best to a simple thank-you for their time or insight.
Keep track of each occasion, the gift you sent, and how the recipient responded. Over time, review those responses alongside account engagement and renewals to see where gifting strengthens your relationships most.
Your next client gift starts with a simple question: what would make this person feel appreciated? Use what you know about the relationship, then let the research help you choose a gift they will enjoy receiving.
Read the full 2026 State of Corporate Gifting Report to explore what recipients value and apply the findings to your next client gifting program.
About the Research
The Harris Poll conducted the survey online in the United States on behalf of Packed with Purpose from July 23 to 24, 2026, among 2,007 adults ages 18 and older, including 1,133 who have received a corporate gift. Percentages are weighted. Respondents could select multiple gift sources and experiences, so recipient groups overlap. The relationship findings concern corporate gifts generally and are not tied to a particular gift source. They reflect reported experiences and willingness to continue working together; the study did not measure actual renewals or revenue.