Introduction
Corporate gifting refers to companies giving gifts to employees, clients, partners, and other stakeholders as a sign of appreciation or goodwill. It’s a common practice across industries and cultures. Companies may gift items for holidays, as incentives or rewards, during special events, or just to build rapport and say “thank you.”
Personal care gifts are a popular corporate gifting category for several reasons:
- They have universal appeal. Just about everyone uses personal care products like soap, lotion, lip balm, etc. These make great gifts that anyone can enjoy.
- They support health and wellness. Many personal care items promote self-care, grooming, and hygiene. Gifting these shows recipients that you want to contribute to their well-being.
- They’re associated with pampering and luxury. High-end soaps, creams, fragrances, and more can feel indulgent and special. They send the message that recipients deserve to be pampered.
- They’re thoughtful without being too personal. Personal care gifts are appropriate for professional relationships. Things like nice shampoo and skincare products make recipients feel valued but aren’t overly intimate gifts.
- They align with branding. With custom labels and scents, personal care gifts offer branding potential. Companies can promote their brand through useful self-care items recipients will enjoy.
- They’re versatile. Personal care gifts work for any demographic – men, women, young, mature, eco-conscious, and more. There are options to suit anyone.
Overall, gifting personal care items is an effective way to show employees and partners that you appreciate them while supporting their wellbeing and your brand. The gifts feel luxurious but not overly personal, making them suitable and memorable tokens of gratitude.
Types of Personal Care Gifts
Personal care gifts are a thoughtful way to show appreciation to employees, clients, and partners. When selecting personal care items for corporate gifting, there are a variety of options to consider across bath and body, skincare, haircare, oral care, grooming tools, and aromatherapy products.
Bath and Body
Bath and body care items like soap, lotion, candles, and bath bombs make excellent gift choices. Opt for lightly scented or unscented soaps and lotions that provide a little luxury without being overpowering. Handmade artisanal soaps from local producers can also make unique corporate gifts.
Candles and bath bombs in clean, fresh scents can help recipients relax and unwind. Popular scents include lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla, and light floral or citrus notes. Choose candles in glass containers or other high-quality materials.
Skincare and Cosmetics
Small sets of skincare products or cosmetics like lip balm, hand cream, facial masques, and lotions are appreciated personal care gifts. Select reputable skincare brands that use quality natural ingredients. Stay away from specific anti-aging products and instead opt for illuminating serums, gentle cleansers, vitamin C creams, and hydrating masques that benefit all skin types.
For makeup, tinted lip balms and oils in universal shades make for foolproof gifting. Mini eyeshadow palettes, blush compacts, and makeup brushes also work well. Focus on multipurpose, wearable shades that suit a range of complexions.
Oral Care
Everyone needs toothpaste and toothbrushes, making oral care a practical personal care gift. Opt for toothpaste from brands known for premium formulas, like Marvis and Tom’s of Maine. Bamboo or charcoal toothbrushes also elevate the gifting.
Dental floss and whitening products help take oral care to the next level. Consider kits with floss, picks, mouthwash and whitening strips or pens.
Considerations for Selecting Personal Care Gifts
Selecting the right personal care gifts requires some thought to ensure you choose options suitable for the recipient. Here are some key considerations when selecting personal care gifts for corporate gifting:
- Allergy and Sensitivity Concerns – Be mindful of common allergens and ingredients that may cause skin sensitivities when selecting bath, body, and beauty products. Select hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested options whenever possible. Avoid heavily fragranced items as well.
- Gender Preferences – Men and women often have differing preferences when it comes to scents, textures, brands and colors of personal care products. Research typical preferences for your target gender.
- Budget – Personal care gift sets can range dramatically in price. Set a budget that aligns both with your corporate gifting goals and the recipient. Luxury items may be suitable for VIP gifting to top clients while budget-friendly sets work for employees.
- Target Audience – The role of the recipient is key. For employees, comfortable self-care items may be appreciated. For clients, premium pampering gifts send a message of luxury.
- Branded vs Generic – Branded personal care items often have more perceived value as gifts, while generic unbranded items may be seen as cheap. Aim for branded gifts within budget.
- Natural/Organic Options – Many consumers appreciate natural ingredients and environmentally-friendly organic options. Cater to this preference with natural bath and body care where possible.
Personalization and Branding
Adding your company’s logo and branding to the personal care gifts you give is a great way to boost your brand awareness and provide recipients with a memorable keepsake. When recipients use a branded gift in their day-to-day lives, like a monogrammed towel or branded moisturizer, they will be regularly exposed to your logo and reminded of your company.
Some popular customization options for personal care gifts include:
- Engraving metal items like mirrors, nail files, tweezers, and jewelry with your logo. Engraving provides a polished, professional branding opportunity.
- Monogramming cotton items like robes, slippers, towels, and cosmetic bags. Monograms subtly incorporate your logo in a classic style.
- Printing your logo on items like water bottles, tumblers, and shower caddies provides bold, visual branding.
- Adding branded hang tags and labels to gifts like candles, diffusers, and bath salts gives a personalized touch.
- Using branded packaging like custom boxes, tissue paper, ribbons, and gift bags ensures your logo makes an impact when recipients first receive your gift.
When exploring customization, keep minimum order quantities in mind. Engraving and monogramming often require orders of just 12-25 pieces. Printed logo items like water bottles may require 100+ piece orders. Packaging customization can sometimes be done at lower quantities. Discuss options with your corporate gifting company to determine the most strategic way to personalize within your budget.
The right branded enhancements make your gifts unforgettable. With some customization, recipients will appreciate the gift’s stylish presentation and be reminded of your brand every time they use it.
Top Personal Care Brands for Gifting
When selecting personal care gifts, it’s usually a safe bet to choose products from well-known and reputable brands. Some top personal care brands that make great gifting options include:
Bath and Body Products
Lush – Known for their handmade bath bombs, bubble bars, bath oils, soaps, scrubs, and more. Lush products are beautifully packaged and make an indulgent gift.
The Body Shop – Offers body butters, fragrance mists, hand creams, soap, and bath products featuring ethically-sourced ingredients. Their gifts sets are popular for the holidays.
Aveda – High-end hair and skincare brand that uses plant-based and organic ingredients. Their hand relief creams and stress-fix body lotion make soothing gifts.
Skincare
Clinique – Prestigious brand best known for their 3-Step system. Clinique gift sets with travel-sizes and skin care minis are a classic gift choice.
Kiehl’s – Specialize in natural skincare made with unique ingredients like avocado, almond, and calendula. Kiehl’s sets are beautifully packaged for gifting.
Fresh – Offers luxurious skincare and body products with natural ingredients like soy, roses, and cucumber. Fresh hand creams and lip treatments make thoughtful gifts.
Oral Care
Colgate – Leading oral care brand known for toothpaste and electric toothbrushes. Colgate gift sets are affordable and practical.
Quip – Offers stylish electric toothbrushes and subscription plans for brush head refills. Quip is a great gift for the design-conscious.
Marvis – Luxury toothpaste brand from Italy that comes in unique flavors like jasmine and ginger. Marvis makes an upscale upgrade to typical oral care gifts.
The reputations these brands have built for high quality and efficacy make their personal care items desirable gifts that recipients will be happy to receive. They check the boxes for both effectiveness and indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present/Package Gifts
When gifting personal care items, presentation is key. You want the recipient to have an exciting unboxing experience that makes them feel special. Here are some creative ways to present personal care gifts:
- Gift bags, boxes, crates: Choose fun and unique packaging like cloth gift bags, hat boxes, or wooden crates. This elevates the gift from a plastic bag to something noteworthy.
- Tissue paper, ribbon: Don’t just stuff a gift inside packaging. Use coordinating tissue paper, shred, or crinkle cut paper to cushion the items. Top it off with a beautiful bow or ribbon.
- Notes, cards: Include a personalized note or gift tag that makes it clear you selected this gift just for them. Signed notes add a human touch.
- Themed packaging: Tailor the packaging to the occasion or holiday. Use holiday gift wrap, decorative tins, or cellophane bags tied with raffia.
With a bit of extra effort, you can turn a basic gift into a memorable unboxing experience. Surprise and delight gift recipients by presenting personal care items in creative, beautiful packaging. This shows you value them and made an effort to make the gift special.
When to Gift Personal Care Items
Gifting personal care items is a great way to show appreciation, celebrate milestones, and make someone feel special. Here are some of the most common occasions when personal care gifts make an impact:
Holidays
The holiday season offers many opportunities for corporate gifting. Consider sending personal care gifts to clients, employees, and business partners for celebrations like:
- Christmas
- Hanukkah
- New Year’s
- Valentine’s Day
Tailor your gift selection to the specific holiday. For Christmas, focus on pampering sets with seasonal scents like cinnamon and pine. For Valentine’s Day, heart-shaped soaps or lotions send a lovely message.
Client Gifts
Gifting personal care items is a thoughtful way to nurture client relationships. Send a gift basket after signing a contract, landing a big account, or to say thank you after an event or meeting. Upscale bath and body collections make clients feel valued.
Employee Recognition
Reward and recognize employees with self-care focused gifts. Personal care items show you appreciate their hard work while also promoting health and wellbeing. Popular options include gift cards to luxury spas, makeup and skincare sets as spot bonuses, or monthly subscription boxes.
Company Events
Have a major company event coming up like a product launch, grand opening, or milestone celebration? Commemorate the occasion by gifting attendees branded personal care items like hand creams, lip balms, or scented candles.
Timing Considerations
When selecting the right time to send personal care gifts, consider:
- The recipient’s schedule – Avoid sending client gifts during busy seasons or employees gifts when they have big deadlines.
- Lead time for personalization and branding – Factor in production time if you plan to customize gifts with logos or names.
- Holiday shipping deadlines – Order early to ensure timely delivery before holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
With thoughtful timing, personal care gifts demonstrate you value relationships and milestones all year long.
Personal Care Gifting on a Budget
Gifting high-quality personal care products doesn’t have to break the bank. With some savvy shopping and bulk ordering, you can find great items at affordable prices. Here are some tips for personal care gifting on a budget:
Look for Affordable Yet Quality Products
Instead of the most expensive, premium brands, look for more affordable yet still reputable options. For example, brands like Nivea, Dove, Olay, and Aveeno make quality lotions, soaps, and shower gels for under $10 per item. You can also find unbranded options on sites like Etsy made with natural ingredients at lower costs. Focus more on ingredients, quality, and presentation versus paying for a luxury brand name.
Buy in Bulk
Purchasing bulk quantities of a single item can bring down the per unit costs. Look for options where you can order a case pack of a single product. Or check out wholesale distributors that offer volume discounts or bulk combo packs. This allows you to gift a cohesive self-care package while getting the best value.
Partner with a Wholesale Supplier
Building a relationship with a wholesale personal care supplier can provide more flexibility on bulk ordering, custom branding, and discounted pricing. They may offer additional services like gift basket assembly and corporate gift account management. This allows you to elevate gifting while optimizing spend.
With some strategic planning, budget-friendly gifting of crowd-pleasing personal care items is very achievable. The key is focusing more on the presentation, personalization, and convenience rather than expensive products.
Measuring ROI of Personal Care Gifts
When choosing gifts for employees, clients, and business partners, it’s important to consider the return on investment (ROI). Though the benefits of gifting personal care items may seem intangible, there are measurable ways to gauge the impact.
Improved Recipient Sentiment
- Send follow-up surveys to recipients asking about their satisfaction with the gift and its usefulness. High satisfaction levels indicate the gift choice resonated.
- Monitor social media for mentions, photos, and comments about receiving the gifts. Favorable posts demonstrate you selected an appreciated item.
- Look for increased participation and enthusiasm at company events or meetings after gifting special care packages. This shows elevated morale and goodwill.
Increased Employee Retention/Satisfaction
- Note employee retention rates before and after implementing a gifting program. Higher retention demonstrates that gifts boost satisfaction.
- Review employee satisfaction surveys to see if company gift-giving moves the needle on engagement and happiness. Improved survey results validate the gifting.
Stronger Client Relationships
- Gather client feedback on how much they valued receiving personal care gifts. Strong enthusiasm reveals an effective tactic for deepening connections.
- Track contract renewal rates and expanded business among clients who received gifts versus those who did not. Higher renewal and expansion rates signal gifting succeeded.
Brand Awareness
- If the gifts feature company branding, monitor brand mentions, tags, and engagement rates on social media when recipients share. Increased brand activity shows amplified awareness.
- Conduct surveys asking recipients what company gave them the branded gift. High attribution rates indicate branding cut-through.
Thoughtfully tracking ROI can confirm the value of gifting personal care items and help refine gift selection and targeting for maximum impact. Measure against clear KPIs like sentiment, retention, and awareness to optimize future gifting campaigns.
Summary & Final Tips
Corporate gifting of personal care items can be a great way to show appreciation, build relationships, and promote your brand when done thoughtfully. Here are some key takeaways:
Recap Main Points
- Personal care gifts like soaps, lotions, and grooming items are popular corporate gifts that people enjoy receiving. Focus on selecting high-quality, useful products.
- Consider the recipient demographic and preferences, timing of the gift, and your brand image when selecting personal care gifts. Go for universal crowd-pleasers or learn individuals’ favorite scents and products.
- Look for opportunities to add personalization and branding through custom packaging, labels, notes, or including company swag. This makes the gift more memorable.
- Presentation matters – go beyond just handing over a product. Creative gift basket/box packaging makes it special.
- Monitor reactions to gifts and use post-event surveys to measure ROI and impact on brand perception or other goals.
Top 5 Tips for Selecting and Gifting Personal Care Items
- Choose unisex fragrances and products with wide appeal when gifting groups. Targeted personalization works better for individual gifts.
- Seek out gift sets or samplers that allow recipients to try a variety of products before purchasing favorites.
- Pay attention to ingredient sensitivities – many people have fragrance or ingredient allergies. Offer non-scented options.
- Add a handwritten note or brand message to make it more personal and highlight the intent behind the gift.
- Present the gift nicely – it shows you value the recipient’s experience. Consider decorative boxes, tissue paper, gift bags, or other creative packaging.
Gifting high-quality personal care products shows clients, employees, and partners you care. With some extra thought and personalization, it can leave a great impression of your brand.