How to Easily Create a Corporate Gifting Program

Is consistency in corporate gifting a challenge for you? You might start with great intentions, but other priorities often take over. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—few businesses have both a clear gifting strategy and plan in place to fuel a corporate gifting program. 

Before we show you how simple it can be to develop your own, let’s take a moment to clarify the difference between a gifting strategy and a gifting plan. It’s a distinction you’ve likely encountered in other areas of business—much like the difference between a marketing strategy and plan or a sales strategy and plan. Understanding the unique role of each is key to creating a more effective, streamlined approach to corporate gifting.

Gifting Strategy vs. Gifting Plan

A gifting strategy is the high-level foundation of a meaningful gifting program, aligning with a company's goals, brand values, and relationships. It answers the "why" behind gifting—such as enhancing client retention, boosting employee morale, or celebrating milestones—and considers the audience, timing, and desired outcomes. By focusing on objectives, a strategy ensures gifts align with the company’s mission, communicate a consistent message, and foster long-term loyalty. 

A gifting plan, on the other hand, is the tactical roadmap that executes the strategy. It defines the "what," "when," and "how," covering details like gift selection, budgets, logistics, and tracking results. It may include a calendar of key dates and contingencies for last-minute needs. Together, a thoughtful strategy and a detailed plan ensure a seamless gifting experience that drives meaningful connections and measurable outcomes.

Creating a Corporate Gifting Strategy and Plan Made Simple

Developing a corporate gifting strategy and plan doesn’t have to be overwhelming. To streamline the process, we’ve created a free, downloadable worksheet that combines the essentials of both into easy, actionable steps. Depending on your goals, you can complete this exercise in as little as 30–60 minutes for a simple plan or dedicate a couple of hours to craft a comprehensive program. The key is to avoid overcomplicating the process, especially if you plan to outsource execution. 

Start with your gifting strategy by defining the "why." Are you enhancing client relationships, recognizing employees, or celebrating milestones? Clarify your goals to ensure alignment with your company’s mission. Next, identify your audience—knowing who you’re gifting helps tailor meaningful, impactful gestures. Once you’ve nailed down your objectives and audience, set a budget and gifting cadence, whether quarterly, annually, or tied to specific events. Choose gifts that reflect your brand and resonate with recipients, and consider partnering with a gifting expert or company like Oak City Gifts to simplify the process. 

With your strategy in place, your gifting plan translates it into actionable steps. Map out key dates, like holidays or anniversaries, and establish budgets for each gift type to maintain consistency. Decide how to handle logistics: Will you manage in-house or outsource to a service like Oak City Gifts? Outsourcing can save time and ensure high-quality execution, from gift selection to delivery. Don’t forget to track outcomes, whether through feedback or improved client and employee engagement, to measure the impact of your program. 

Example Strategy & Plan

Here's an example of a simple gifting strategy and plan created using the steps from our free download. This example is based on a mid-size business scenario but can easily be scaled and adapted for businesses of any size:

Need Help?

If you need guidance, our team can help you build your strategy and plan. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our strategic gifting experts to get started. Let us handle the details, so you can focus on building meaningful connections through thoughtful gifting!