The Vendor Gifting Gap: Only 1 in 5 U.S. Adults Have Received a Gift From a Vendor or Service Provider.

Packed with Purpose | October 21, 2026

Gift icon representing 19%

19% of U.S. adults received a corporate gift from a vendor or professional service provider.

An accountant helps a business owner navigate a demanding year. An attorney guides a client through an important transaction. A financial advisor helps a family plan for the future. Each relationship is built on trust, personal attention and reliable work.

A thoughtful gift offers another occasion to acknowledge that relationship. Yet new 2026 corporate gifting research finds that only 19% of U.S. adults have received a corporate gift from a vendor or professional service provider they work with or use.[1]

Among those recipients, 86% agree that a gift that gives back is more memorable than a generic one.[2] For professional services firms, that’s an opportunity: few clients expect a gift, so a thoughtful one that gives back can truly stand out.

What the Vendor Gifting Gap Means for Professional Services

Most people have never received a gift from a vendor or service provider they work with. For accounting practices, law firms and financial advisors, that makes a thoughtful gift an easy way to stand out and thank clients for their trust.

Start with the relationship you want to recognize. Perhaps a client has worked with you for years, reached a meaningful milestone, or partnered closely with you to complete a complex project.
Those moments provide a natural reason to reach out. A specific thank-you shows the client why you are thinking of them and what you value about working together.

Explore the 2026 State of Corporate Gifting Report for the full findings on what recipients value and how gifts shape business relationships.

Why Gifts That Give Back Can Make Client Appreciation Memorable

A gift that supports a cause gives the recipient a story to discover. An assortment of treats might introduce clients to a maker creating jobs or a small business supporting its community. That story adds meaning to your thank-you, and makes your gift one they’ll remember.

Make the connection easy to see. Share who made the product and how their work creates an impact. A short, specific story gives clients something to remember and a reason to share it with others.

Hands holding open a booklet over a bountiful gift

Client Gift Ideas for Accountants, Attorneys and Financial Advisors

Choose an occasion that fits your practice and the individual relationship.

Accounting firms: after tax season or year-end close, thank your clients team for their preparation and responsiveness. A shareable assortment works well for an office where several people contributed to the work.

Law firms: When a major matter or transaction closes, acknowledge the client’s partnership. A personal note can recognize the effort involved while keeping the tone appropriate to the relationship.

Financial advisors: A client anniversary or personal milestone is a natural reason to connect. Use what you know about the recipient’s interests and preferences to guide your gift selection, within your firm’s gifting policies.

Build a Thoughtful Client Gifting Program

Begin with a manageable group of clients and a clear reason for each gift. Set a budget that includes delivery, confirm recipient details, and assign someone to coordinate the timing and messages.

A consistent process still leaves room for a personal touch. Consider dietary preferences, whether the gift is going to a team or individual, and the details that make each note feel personal and relevant.

Packed with Purpose makes the process easy, handling curation, branding and shipping. Each gift features products from purpose-driven businesses and includes a Stories of Impact Booklet that introduces recipients to the people and causes behind the items, giving recipients a way to further connect with their gift.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vendor and Client Gifts

Sources and Methodology

[1] 2026 State of Corporate Gifting Report, Chapter 2. Research commissioned by Packed with Purpose and conducted by The Harris Poll. Base: all U.S. adults surveyed (n=2,007). Respondents could select multiple gift sources. The vendor category includes professional service providers respondents work with or use, such as agencies, financial advisors, accountants, and attorneys.

[2] PwP analysis of PwP/Harris Poll survey data. Weighted cross-tabulation of recipients who selected a vendor or professional service provider as a gift source (n=365). The 86% figure combines strongly and somewhat agree that a gift supporting a cause is more memorable than a generic one. It concerns attitudes toward gifts generally; it does not measure recall of a specific vendor gift.

The survey was conducted online in the United States from July 23 to 24, 2026, among 2,007 adults ages 18 and older, including 1,133 corporate gift recipients. Percentages are weighted and rounded.