Show your appreciation for your team year-round with our handpicked selection of corporate gifts, perfect for summer

In many workplaces, it’s traditional to hand out corporate gifts to your clients, partners, and employees at Christmas. As the season of goodwill, December is the ideal time to embrace gratitude and giving, showing appreciation for a year of hard work. But have you ever thought about changing things around, and giving out office gifts during the summer?

We think it’s an annual tradition waiting to happen. Take a look at our tips on making summer office gifts a hit at your workplace this year. Why not explore our selection of corporate chocolate gifts for a bit of inspiration, too?

Why corporate gifts are a good idea all year round

Gifts for employees and clients are the done thing for many organisations during December. During this festive period, when many people are preparing to wind down or enter their annual shutdown, there’s a feeling of celebration in the air.

As well as boosting morale, corporate gifts are an excellent way to say thank you to staff members and top clients. It can help strengthen business relationships and shows that you want to give back.

However, because such gifts are common at Christmas, they can sometimes appear insincere, or more of an obligation than a meaningful token of thanks. Recipients may even feel overwhelmed by the influx of well-meaning presents and goodwill gestures. As a result, they may not have the headspace to fully appreciate each one individually.

Giving your corporate gifts in summer will be far more memorable, simply because they will be unexpected, and won’t be competing for attention with a haul of other gifts amid the Christmas festivities. It will make sure your sincere gift is received as such, and help you to stand out from potential competitors. This can be especially beneficial when it comes to the next round of negotiations with partners or clients.

What makes a good corporate gift?

There are a few points to consider when choosing your corporate gifts. One of these, particularly when buying gifts for clients or partners, is whether the gift should be branded. After all, you want your recipient to know and remember who their gift came from but don’t want it to look like a sales tactic. Strike the right balance by selecting a gift from a brand known for great quality, luxury products. Consider having it gift-wrapped for a special touch, then send it alongside a branded card with a personal message inside.

A good corporate gift is also one that the recipient will actually use and enjoy, rather than simply looking impressive. We’ve all received novelty presents that may give us a chuckle but soon end up tucked away in a drawer or given away again. Likewise, gifts for show can end up creating clutter in the office, and ultimately be thrown away, representing a bad investment for you and damage to the environment, too.

We have to say, we think that luxury chocolate makes the best corporate gift because it ticks all these boxes — and more. A surefire winner, chocolate certainly won’t be tucked away and forgotten about. It makes for a sumptuous surprise that your recipient won’t be able to resist opening straight away.

Chocolate also allows for an element of personalisation and flexibility. You can go for a collection of classics or an assortment of flavours, depending on what you know about your giftee’s tastes.
What’s more, if you shop responsibly, chocolate can also be a perfect eco-friendly corporate gift. Once your recipient has polished off the contents, recyclable or reusable packaging will result in nothing going to landfill.

Summer-suitable corporate gifts for clients

Corporate gifts for clients are great for business. A thoughtful gift shows your client that you value the relationship you have built with them. It also gives them a great experience and creates a positive association with your business that will last long into the future. This strengthened relationship pays rewards not just in the form of continued business from your client, but also by ensuring they have nothing but good things to say about your business to others.

Chocolate makes a perfect summer corporate gift to bring instant joy. Buying a gift for a client you don’t know on a personal level can seem daunting. Alcohol or gift experiences, for instance, won’t be suitable for all. With corporate chocolate gifts from Hotel Chocolat, on the other hand, you’re sure to find something for everyone. 

Our luxurious chocolate hampers offer curated chocolate collections in a range of types and sizes, guaranteeing you will find something in our impressive range to suit every client. Why not treat their team to our Signature Cabinet? This generous collection makes for a truly showstopping corporate gift in which everyone will find something they love.

If your client is an individual or a smaller business, we have an array of large chocolate boxes and petite but perfectly formed hampers. Look no further than our Classic Cabinet or Chocolatier’s Table hamper for a luxurious chocolate gift that’s guaranteed to impress.

Corporate gifts for employees

Showing appreciation to your hardworking employees is the hallmark of a great business. Did you know that companies which reward their staff year-round are often the ones that see the most success? Much of that is thanks to their happy and motivated workforce.

Our large chocolate hampers make a great gift for the whole office, but for something extra special, why not choose an individual office gift for each person? Our small chocolate packs are an ideal option. Choose one or a selection for each team member based on what you know they will love. Have you got vegan or plant-based team members? We have plenty of vegan treats* to suit. We also have alcohol-free options for those who don’t drink

Alternatively, our alcoholic gifts bottle the best of the cacao flavour combinations we have been concocting at our two bars. Browse our decadent Velvetised Creams selection for a smooth, creamy drink with just a dash of alcohol. Or how about our gin liqueurs? Discover a range of handcrafted flavours perfect for office gifting.

*Please note that we believe our dark and Nutmilk chocolate is suitable for vegans. However, as it is made in the same environment as our milk chocolate, we cannot guarantee it is free from milk.

Surprise your team at the office summer party with corporate chocolate gifts

Does your business host a summer party for your employees? Maybe it’s time to consider it. The office Christmas party is a tradition for many. But we all know that the festive period is sometimes full of social engagements that can end up more of a chore than a fun occasion.

Why not shake things up this year by throwing an office summer party and presenting your gifts at the event? It’s guaranteed to make a lasting impression and will go the extra mile to show your gratitude to your team.

Corporate chocolate gifts from Hotel Chocolat

For a summertime surprise that makes a big impact, look no further than office gifts from Hotel Chocolat, with our corporate gifting service designed to make the process simple. Shop by budget and enjoy automatic high-spend discounts, and send corporate gifts to multiple addresses in a single order to keep the finances easy.

Plus, you can rest assured your gift will arrive presentation-ready every time, with neat packaging in a branded box with a free gift message included as standard. Or why not add a signature gift box or bags available for an elegant finishing touch? Of course, if you would prefer to talk to us to get your corporate gifts sorted, our helpful team are always on hand – simply submit your query using our online form or give us a call.