Missed Holiday Gifting? Why January Gifts Can Still Make a Big Impact
Holiday gifting is meaningful, generous, and often deeply appreciated. It’s a tradition rooted in celebration and gratitude, and it plays an important role in how companies show care at the end of the year.
At the same time, December is naturally full. Packages arrive daily, calendars are packed, and attention is pulled in many directions. Even beautifully chosen gifts can sometimes be received in the midst of everything else.
That’s where New Year gifting creates an added opportunity.
For planners, HR teams, and brand leaders, January offers a rare moment of clarity and focus. Teams are returning, inboxes are quieter, and people are more present. A thoughtful New Year corporate gift doesn’t replace holiday gifting. Instead, it builds on it, extending appreciation into a moment where it can truly land, reset expectations, and set a positive tone for the year ahead.
We helped Respawn Entertainment welcome employees back to the office with an etched logo pen, a debossed logo leather journal, a custom branded lanyard, and a welcome message!
Why January Gifting Feels Different
January is quieter — and that’s exactly why it works.
In the New Year:
People are more present
Appreciation feels unexpected
Gestures feel intentional, not obligatory
Teams are setting goals and resetting culture
A January gift says:
“We didn’t forget about you…we chose this moment.” That distinction is powerful.
Intentional Gifting > Obligatory Gifting
The most impactful gifting isn’t about checking a box. It’s about choosing the right moment.
A polished, practical gift: custom-branded notebooks and accessories make thoughtful New Year gifts for teams and clients.
New Year gifts stand out because they’re unexpected, well-timed, and received with more attention. In January, appreciation feels intentional rather than assumed.
For planners and companies, New Year gifting does more than say thank you; it sets the tone for the year ahead. It signals how you value relationships, how thoughtfully you show appreciation, and the kind of culture you’re building.
We’ve seen clients use January gifting to welcome teams back after the break, kick off annual planning, thank partners after a busy Q4, or reconnect with clients in a more human way.
For teams especially, timing matters. After the holidays, people return with fresh goals and renewed energy, and a thoughtful New Year gift reinforces culture at exactly the right moment: when people are re-engaging and recalibrating. It doesn’t need to be flashy. It just needs to feel considered.
Curious what intentional New Year gifting could look like for your team or clients? Request a quote and we’ll help you think it through.
Our Relax & Unwind Gift sets the tone for a calm and intentional start to the new year.
What Makes a Great New Year Gift?
Whether it’s an experience, a curated gift, or something interactive, the goal is the same: make the recipient feel seen.
One of the most effective ways to do that? Offer choice.
Why Choice Matters in Gifting
Choice transforms a gift from a one-size-fits-all gesture into a personal experience.
When recipients can select what resonates with them, whether that’s a food preference, activity, or style, the gift immediately feels more thoughtful. It acknowledges that people have different tastes, needs, and lifestyles, and that you took the time to account for that.
We’ve consistently seen higher engagement and appreciation when gifts include an element of choice. (One of our recent favorites was a Tiki-themed gifting suite with Demandbase!) People don’t just receive the gift; they participate in it.
Cheers to the new year! Our On the Rocks Margarita Gift is a bright way to celebrate new beginnings!
A Better Way to Start the Year
If your holiday gifting felt rushed, overlooked, or underwhelming, you’re not alone.
The good news? You don’t have to abandon gifting altogether — just rethink the timing.
New Year gifting creates space for appreciation to land, be noticed, and be remembered. And that’s what intentional gifting is all about.
Planning a New Year Gifting Moment?
If you’re exploring New Year gifting for teams, clients, or upcoming events, we’d love to help you create something thoughtful, memorable, and well-timed!
Reach out to us to get started!
