High End Incentive Gift Ideas

Why are luxury brands entering the gifting space?A night of luxury brands is the event where you can see just why. 

Corporate gifts are growing in value and use, so says the leading trade body, the British Promotional Merchandise Association. The UK promotional merchandise sector is now worth over £1bn with branded pens and bags as the most widely used products.  Research conducted over the years from the BPMA, suggests that when asked what are the criterion for a successful branded product, recipients say that having something that is high in quality and memorable are the most important.

 

High end gifts are ideal for loyalty programmes, work anniversaries, incentives for top performers or gifts for top clients.  Also packaging is playing a bigger role now in the final presentation as is individual personalisation on products.  Having a recipients name engraved on a pen for example, has far impact.

The average person keeps a branded gift for approximately 2.5 years longer if useful and memorable. Director general of the BPMA comments “ The UK branded gift market has shown signs of a resurgence in recent years as organisations need to keep their message and brand front of mind. For example the average person drinks around 1,500 cups of tea and coffee a year so a branded mug still has a place as an ideal gift, but buyers are more discerning about quality than ever before. Sometimes, if budgets are stretched people will invest more in a higher spec product with less quantity.

Commenting  director general of the BPMA, Gordon Glenister said, “The world we live in today is overcrowded with communications and peoples attentions spans are getting shorter, so companies need to create stand out and generate loyalty – what better way to do that than a branded “quality “ gift.

One person told me recently, they were once given a beautiful leather folder by a supplier, and they have kept it for over 20 years, its almost become sentimental.

 High End Incentive Gifts – Ideas

• An approved sabbatical
• A trip locally – see experiences or choose a mini break
• A trip abroad – What about a trip on the Eurostar?
• A trip to a business villa or property in a different city
• Gift vouchers towards things to do on extra annual leave
• Travel gift vouchers can be used to present the extra time off
• You could also wrap up a novel, a book and some sunglasses/ sun cream as a quirky nod to the extra time off!
• Perhaps they want to get away but struggle? Maybe a rail card or a fuel card could help?
• You could also consider Micro Annual leave – every day bonuses such as arriving 15 minutes later in the mornings or having an extended lunch.

A bottle
If can be a wonderful gift if someone is a real wine aficionado to recieve a custom vintage wine, although picking can be the thing most people tend to find complicated and confusing. Perhaps the idea of a bottle of wine could be tied in with an experience of wine tasting? Vintage ports can also be a great idea and are readily available. Why not deliver with a gift hamper of cheese and biscuits?

Ideas:
• A bottle of port with cheese and crackers
• A vintage wine or champagne
• A personalised fine dining experience complete with alcohol
• A personalised bottle
• A vintage from their start date of employ/ present date to be enjoyed later
• An alcoholic hamper
• A range of spirits and a cocktail making kit/ book
• A paid for night out as a team
• A ‘make your own gin’ day
• A whiskey/ wine tasting experience
An event or an experience


An event or an experience is a great way to commemorate years of hard work. For example at Sodexo people who have been with the business for 20 years are treated to a cruise on the Bayeaux London on the Thames, as well as a trip on the London Eye.
You might choose to treat colleagues to a reward they can enjoy with a chief executive or their team, or something they can enjoy with a loved one. An event really is unforgettable and this can be a lot of fun to choose! What about diving with sharks, or scuba, segway – even a bungee? Makes sure you know the person really well (and keep an eye out for potential medical issues) and an event could be something everyone enjoys.

Ideas:
• High tea
• Champagne dinner
• Make your own gin
• Cinema tickets
• Subscription services
• Whiskey tasting
• A cruise or boat trip
• Day trip/ weekend break – UK or Europe
• Sporting or ‘bucket list’ activity
• A long lunch
• Hosted buffet
Personalised items

Pens and watches used to be the ‘gold standard’ in long service and the branding of a stunning Parker pen, a moleskin notebook or a beautiful timepiece would be well worth working towards. In today’s digital world it may seem like something a bit past it’s prime, but the key is personalisation. If your employee really would love a stunning watch, or prides themselves on attending each meeting with a beautiful jotter, then anything personalised is the gift that will really deliver. Use someone accredited by the BPMA – they uphold a strict code of conduct that members must adhere to so you can be sure they are to a good standard.

Ideas:
• A moleskin notebook or a book that’s important to them
• A Parker pen
• A branded watch – eg designer with an inscription
• Branded leather goods
• A leather suitcase or briefcase
• Sunglasses case
• Travel card holder
• Branded cufflinks or a broach
• A silk scarf with initials

Gadgets and Games


If you worry that a pen wouldn’t hit the mark, what about a gadget? From speakers or a TV to a laptop or a tablet, a gadget could be one to consider. However, consider the longevity of a piece. We all have a drawer full of tech that is long past it’s sell by date that was once our pride and joy!
Ideas:
• A fitness watch or a bike
• A special watch – eg suitable for diving
• Gadgets particular to a hobby – eg an indoor golf screen, a projector for the home
• A subscription – eg Netflix, Spotify, a magazine, National Trust / local sight seeing spots

We hope this has given you some great ideas!