Summary: Personalized corporate gifts, such as custom apparel, bags, and drinkware, create lasting recognition for employees and clients. Choose gifts based on the recipient’s needs, like hoodies for remote teams or premium jackets for clients. Simplify the process with one vendor, one order, and guaranteed delivery by December 18th. |
Christmas is approaching, and you may be wondering what gifts to give your employees and clients. Nearly 62% of employees receive generic gift cards. But gift cards tend to get spent and forgotten.
Here is what actually works: Personalized gifts that acknowledge specific contributions. This guide will provide four categories of gift ideas that fall under budget and arrive before December 18th.
Christmas Gift Ideas by Recipient Type (Not Product Category)
Most corporate gift guides organize by product: “ Here are t-shirts, here are mugs. “That’s backwards. You don’t think “ I need mugs.” You think, “ I need something for my remote team.”
Here is how to actually choose gifts based on who’s receiving them.
1. Remote Teams: Comfort + Visibility
Remote employees don’t see your office culture daily. Branded comfortable items keep them connected while working from home.
Best gift combinations:
- Budget option: Custom hoodie + branded mug
- Mid-range: Quarter-zip sweatshirt + drinkware
Premium: Hoodie + custom blanket
Hoodies
Hoodies strike a nice balance between casual comfort and tidy appearance. They are suitable for:
- Casual office days
- Remote work
- Leisure
They can be styled to fit corporate branding without being too formal or restrictive. You can even customize hoodies of reputable brands, such as:
- Budget-friendly: Gildan, Hanes, Port & Company (best for teams of 50+)
- Mid-range: Adidas, Carhartt, Holloway (durability + brand recognition)
Premium: Independent Trading Co., Lane Seven, North End (soft materials, modern fit)
Sweatshirts (Half and Quarter Zips)
Sweatshirts are comfortable, versatile, and appreciated clothing items. They offer a professional appearance for video calls.
Why remote teams prefer these:
- More polished than hoodies for client calls
- Easy temperature control (zip up/down)
- Layering a piece over t-shirts or thermals
Available brands are:
- Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer (professional styling)
- Carhartt, DRI DUCK (durability focus)
- Nike Golf, Ogio Endurance (athletic fit, moisture-wicking)
Drinkware (Sublimation Imprintable)
Custom drinkware gets used daily. Every Zoom call becomes brand visibility.
Options that work for remote teams:
- Frosted mixer glass: For evening unwinding
- White sublimation mug: Classic, dishwasher-safe
- Topeka funnel mug: Travel-friendly
- White sublimation mug: Keep drinking hot/cold for hours
2. In-Office Teams: Professional + Practical
In-office teams need items that work in professional settings while building team identity.
Best gift combinations:
- Budget option: Custom polo shirt OR t-shirt
- Mid-range: Polo + branded drinkware
- Premium: Polo + jacket +branded mug
Polo Shirts
Polo shirts are more polished than a T-shirt but less formal than a dress shirt. This makes them ideal for:
- Casual friday
- Client meeting
- Company events and trade shows
- Uniform alternative that feels less restrictive
Brand selection by industry:
- Corporate/professional services: Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer (refined styling)
- Tech/creative: Bella + Canvas (modern fit, soft materials)
- Active/outdoor industries: Nike Golf, Adidas Golf (performance fabrics)
- Budget-conscious/large teams: Port & Company, Cornerstone (solid quality at scale)
T-Shirts
Custom t-shirts are a perfect corporate Christmas gift for employees and clients.
Types available:
- Short sleeve: Classic option
- Long sleeve: Four-season wear
- Performance shirts: Moisture-wicking for active teams
- Tie-dye: Team events, company culture emphasis
- Women’s cut: Proper fit for female team members
When t-shirts work best:
- Large teams (50+) with budget constraints
- Casual workplace culture (startups, creative agencies, tech)
- Team-building events or volunteer days
- Internal milestone celebrations
3. Clients: Premium + Last Long
Best gift ideas:
- Small clients: Premium bag or jacket
- Mid-size clients: Bag + drinkware bundle OR premium jacket
- Major clients: Leather bag + jacket
Premium Bags
Bags are highly functional and used frequently in daily life, both professionally and personally.
They help stay organized with spaces for a laptop, documents, and personal items. They are useful for travel, meetings, and errands.
Here are premium bag options:
- Tote bags: Client-facing professionals, conferences
- Laptop/computer totes & backpacks: Tech clients, consultants
- Duffel bags: Frequent travelers, sales leaders
Why bags work for clients:
- Functional
- Visible
- Durable
- Professional
Gift Bundles
Create a bundle of high-quality items like:
- Bags
- Drinkware (mugs)
- Clothing
Pack them in branded boxes or premium gift bags. Add a personal note that mentions special achievements.
For example: “Thank you for three years of partnership. Your referrals brought us four new clients this year. Looking forward to 2026 together.”
4. Sales/Travel Teams: Portable + Durable
Sales and travel teams need items that survive airports, hotels, client meetings, and frequent use.
Best gift combinations:
- Budget option: Branded mug + duffel bag
- Mid-range: Backpack + jacket + drinkware
- Premium: Premium travel bag + performance jacket
Bags for Travel Teams
Custom duffel bags are the perfect gift choice for teams that travel often. They are practical for carrying laptops, documents, and personal items while on the go.
Key features:
- Hidden front RFID blocking pocket: Protect passport and credit cards from electronic theft
- Front zippered organizational pocket: Easy access to travel documents and essentials
- Large main compartment: Ample space for clothing and equipment
- Detachable padded shoulder strap: Comfortable carrying for extended periods
- Trolley sleeve: Slide over luggage handles for easy airport navigation
- 18-inch size: Meets carry-on requirements for most airlines
Jackets
Jackets for travel teams need to be:
- Packable
- Weather-resistant
- Lightweight
- Professional
Recommended brands:
- Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer (professional styling + durability)
- Carhartt, DRI DUCK (heavy-duty for extreme weather)
- Ogio, Champion (athletic performance + packability)
Drinkware
Mugs are perfect for staying hydrated during long sales calls. Custom drinkware with subtle branding is both practical and promotional.
5. General Team Gifting: Universal Appeal
Some gifts work for everyone regardless of role or location. Use these when you have mixed teams or want simple gifts.
T-Shirts
Customizable T-shirts work for any team. They are affordable for larger orders. Custom T-shirts are an easy way to show appreciation and build team spirit.
Best uses:
- Company-wide gifts (100+ employees)
- Team-building event uniforms
- Milestone celebrations (company anniversaries, major wins)
- New hire welcome packages
Hoodies
A cozy hoodie is always appreciated by any team. It offers comfort while showcasing the brand. You can customize it with a fun design or team-specific message for extra meaning.
Why hoodies have universal appeal:
- Comfortable for all body types
- Works in any climate
- Perfect for all ages
- Gender-neutral styling available
Drinkware
Custom drinkware can be given to anyone, whether they work remotely or in the office. It is practical, widely used, and makes an effective gift that keeps your brand visible.
Order Personalized Corporate Christmas Gifts From The Apparel Pro
You have a list of people to whom you would like to give the best corporate Christmas gifts this year. The deadline is December 18th, and you need business Christmas gifts that acknowledge specific contributions without spending weeks coordinating orders from multiple vendors. This is where The Apparel Pro comes in. We handle the customization work for you.
You select the item:
- T-Shirts
- Hats
- Polo Shirts
- Hoodies
- Jackets
- Or Drinkware
You provide the personalization details, names, project references, completion dates, or branded messages.
We print, package, and deliver everything in one shipment.
Our design platform lets you add text, logos, or custom artwork to products from brands like Nike, Carhartt, New Era, The North Face, and many more.
Free delivery options are available with rush delivery for tighter deadlines. No setup charges. Design assistance included.
Start designing your custom gifts today and get them delivered before December 18th!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a good Christmas gift for employees?
A good choice of christmas gifts comes down to three core principles: thoughtfulness, utility, and uniqueness. Here are some examples of Christmas gifts, such as a personalized drinkware items or customized hoodies.
Q2: What can I give my clients for Christmas?
Consider custom t-shirts, hoodies, bags, headwear, drinkware, etc.
Q3: What is a cheap Christmas gift?
You can opt for a basic short-sleeve T-shirt. It can be customized and ordered in bulk to give to your employees and clients.
Q4: How can I customize artwork for my products at The Apparel Pro?
Here is the step-by-step process:
1. Log in to the platform.
2. Go to the products category.
3. Choose the one you want to buy.
4. Select a particular product.
5. Choose the color.
6. Start designing.
7. Upload your text, image, logo, or any design of your choice.
8. Choose quantity and review the price.
9. Submit your order.
NOTE: Make sure your artwork is high resolution, formatted correctly, and you have considered color and placement.
Rush Delivery: As soon as November 17