Winter gifting is a great opportunity to build stronger relationships. Yet, many businesses still treat it as a last-minute checklist item. The right gift builds emotional connection, strengthens relationships, and keeps your brand in arm’s reach, literally. If done wrong, it gets ignored, or worse, thrown out.
Here are five mistakes we still see brands make during winter, and how to fix them.
The mistake: Sending gifts or seasonal giveaways that don’t fit the season or the recipient’s lifestyle. Think of ballpoint pens, stress toys, or products that feel cheap and forgettable.
Why it matters: Customised gifts are tangible brand touchpoints. When they’re uninspiring, they dull your brand’s impact. During winter, people seek comfort, warmth, and practicality.
What to do instead: Select gifts that match both the season and your audience’s context. For example:
The mistake: Gifting items with high environmental impact, such as single-use plastic, mass-produced imports, or poorly packaged goods.
Why it matters: Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have.” 78% of global consumers say a sustainable lifestyle is important to them. Gifting that disregards this can subtly erode trust in your brand.
What to do instead: Choose merchandise with sustainability credentials such as:
The mistake: Sending a one-size-fits-all gift, without any personalisation; no name, no thoughtful packaging, no added context.
Why it matters: Personalisation isn’t a luxury. It’s a proven ROI driver. According to a recent study, personalised brand experiences can increase ROI by up to 8 times.
What to do instead:
The mistake: Starting the conversation in December, when stock is low, production windows are tight, and couriers are overwhelmed.
Why it matters: Last-minute gifting results in rushed choices, limited product availability, and a lot of stress. It also limits the ability to customise or co-brand properly.
What to do instead:
The mistake: Prioritising external gifting and overlooking employees, support staff, and stakeholders.
Why it matters: Your internal team is your brand. Gifting internally builds morale, loyalty, and a stronger workplace culture.
What to do instead:
Think of gifting as a long-term brand investment and a way to build stronger relationships. Choose meaningful products, plan ahead, personalise where you can, and include everyone who represents your brand, inside and out.
With the right strategy, winter gifting becomes more than a seasonal touchpoint. It becomes a memorable brand experience and a bridge to connect more with your clients and staff.
Want help planning your winter gifting campaign? We’re ready to partner with you! ????
