It’s ideal to get a headstart on holiday gifting a few months in advance to ensure everything is finalized, approved, and delivered in time for December. If you’re doing branded products, try to finalize product selection by the end of September. This gives a reliable delivery window for production time and helps you avoid shortages. By mid-October, have all your designs finalized and vendors/logistics partners identified.
Many companies decide to give employees gifts in-office before the holiday break. However, if you decide to mail gifts directly to their homes, ensure all HR system addresses are updated. If you have international employees, make sure to accommodate them and have alternative options available in case overseas shipping is problematic.
Keep in mind that food items, edibles, and liquor can be delayed until the end of October or mid-November. Similarly, if you aren’t customizing or branding your items, finalization by the end of October is recommended. The first week of December is when items should start shipping out to employees’ homes. If you are gifting in-office, timelines can be delayed since all merchandise will arrive in-house. The earlier you plan in advance for corporate gifts, the easier the busy holiday months will be for your company.