Christmas might not be on your radar just yet, but when it comes to client gifting, it pays to think ahead.
The festive season is one of the best opportunities to strengthen business relationships, thank loyal clients, and stay top of mind going into the new year, but leaving it too late can lead to missed chances or underwhelming last-minute gestures.
So what makes a great client Christmas gift in 2025? Here’s a look at some of the best options, from traditional favourites to modern, flexible solutions, with some UK-based companies doing it well.
Gift Boxes: Personal, Professional, and Easy to Tailor
Curated gift boxes have become a go-to option for many businesses in recent years. They offer the perfect balance of thoughtfulness and convenience, and they’re easy to personalise for individual clients or entire teams.
Boxes might include anything from festive snacks and hot drinks to wellness items, branded keepsakes, or locally sourced treats.
UK based firm WellBox has cornered the market in Christmas gifts for clients. Of course, they offer seasonal collections as well as customisable and branded options, and they also provide fulfilment and direct shipping. Best of all, they are an ethically focussed business, doubling down on sustainability, and donating a portion of the profit from each gift to local charities and causes. Something your clients will love.
Luxury Hampers: A Classic for a Reason
If you’re looking to make a generous impression, a Christmas hamper rarely misses the mark. These often include high-quality food and drink items, think cheese, wine, chutneys, chocolates – and feel instantly festive.
Some companies offer themed or diet-specific hampers (vegan, alcohol-free, etc.) and allow for branded packaging or personalised notes.
A few UK hamper providers worth checking out include:
Fortnum & Mason – High-end, traditional hampers
BoroughBox – Artisan and independent food options
The British Hamper Company – International delivery available
WellBox – Price options to suit all budgets, as well as branded options.
Gift Cards: Flexible and Fuss-Free
For situations where you don’t know your client’s preferences (or want to offer maximum choice), gift cards can be a smart solution. They’re simple to distribute, work well at scale, and still convey appreciation when presented thoughtfully.
Some companies allow you to include a personalised message or pair the card with a small physical item to make it feel less transactional.
Look for gift cards from:
Popular retailers (John Lewis, M&S, Amazon)
Popular food retailers and coffee outlets (Costa, British Pub Card, Ask)
Experience gift cards (Odeon cinema, Airbnb, Go Ape!)
Top tip: WellBox also sells over 100 different gift cards, and as mentioned above, each time you purchase one, WellBox delivers to a local charity.
Charitable Gifts: Purpose-Driven Giving
For brands with strong ethical or community values, a charitable donation made in a client’s name can be a powerful gesture. Some companies offer donation certificates or combine the gift with a small token, such as a thank-you card or festive treat, to acknowledge the thought behind it.
This kind of gifting can work particularly well for clients who value sustainability, social responsibility, or minimalism.
Why Now is the Right Time to Start Planning
Even though Christmas still feels a long way off, the best client gifts – especially anything branded, bespoke, or bulk-ordered – require time to prepare. Planning now means:
Getting your recipient list right and making sure you haven’t missed anyone.
Avoiding stock issues and last-minute stress
Giving yourself time for approvals and customisation
Being first to land on clients’ desks (or doormats)
And with many suppliers, including WellBox and others, already opening up their Christmas ranges, there’s real benefit in securing your gifting strategy early.
Do’s and Dont’s
Whether you go with a traditional hamper, a thoughtful gift box, or a modern alternative like a gift card, the most important thing is to choose something that feels considered. A good client gift reflects your business values, your relationship with the recipient, and your attention to detail.
And if you’re not quite sure where to start, remember these top tips:
Don’t send junk or novelty items (many people are strongly against novelty Secret Santa style junk items that will end up in landfill within a week).
Do send useful or luxury items. Anything that can be consumed such as food, drink, or a gift voucher, is always appreciated.
Don’t opt for gift companies without a good track record. Poorly packaged and badly thought out gifts can do more damage than good.
Do opt for companies with a good track record on sustainability and ethics. When it comes to the corporate world, nobody wants to knowingly support companies with a negative impact.
We’ve mentioned WellBox already, but it’s a great example of a company doing corporate gifting right – professional, well-designed, and easy to work with. But whichever route you choose, the key is to start now. Future-you (and your clients) will thank you.
