Updated 9/21/21.
Gifts for your boss or business partners can be a tricky landscape to navigate. You want something personal, while still keeping a professional buffer.
Executive gifts should be classy, but they don’t have to be expensive. Depending on the kind of office environment you work in, your boss or business partner could more laid-back and may prefer a practical or funny gift over one that is more expensive. If you are in charge of ordering corporate gifts for several people, think about buying the same gift and personalizing it for each person.
Determine the budget, the occasion, and person you’re buying for when you start gathering ideas on the best gifts for business partners. If you’re having trouble thinking of what might be appropriate, check out this infographic that breaks down gifts by personality type.
This list is broken down by personality to ensure your gifts are both thoughtful and memorable.
With back-to-back meetings, this exec is always powered by caffeine.
Stainless Steel Camp Mug: whether they like coffee or tea, these stainless steel camp mugs are the perfect business partner gifts because they keep hot drinks hot for 8 hours and cold drinks cold for 16.
Rise and Shine Gift Set: this gift makes you look like one smart cookie. Each gift set includes a tasty pairing of cookies and coffee, plus lip balm and mints for the coffee breath. The trendy ceramic coffee mug is personalized with your company message, and can be seen through the clear gift box wrapped up with a beautiful bow.
Coffee or Espresso Maker: Though your boss may enjoy a regular cup of joe from the company coffee pot, it’s a nice thought to buy your caffeine-loving boss a coffee or espresso maker of their own to keep in the office or at home. There are several models on the market today that can whip up coffee shop-style drinks in no time.
Cheers to the executive who unwinds with a glass of vino.
Wine Opener Gift Set: this customizable set includes a stainless steel waiter corkscrew, a bottle pourer, wine stoppers, and a thermometer presented in a contemporary, retail-inspired wooden storage box. The all-in-one thank you gifts for business partners who love to cheers to their success.
Personalized Wine Bottle: Wine is the signature gift for most any occasion. If you’re celebrating a wedding, housewarming, or promotion, wine seems to be the top drink of choice. It’s not any different when it comes to holiday gift giving or special work milestones. Find out your exec’s favorite kind of wine and splurge for a nice bottle with a customized label. Most online sellers will do this for their own bottles, but if the winemaker your boss likes doesn’t provide that option, you can have one made and affix it on top of the original label. Or, you can pair the gift with a set of customized wine glasses for the total package.
They’re racking up frequent flyer miles thanks to business travel.
Headphones or Earbuds: If your boss travels a lot, consider giving headphones as a gift. Of course, these can be used at the gym, in the office, and at home, as well. A set of noise-cancelling headphones for long flights can be just the thing your boss needs to drown out the noise and concentrate on work or take a few hours to relax. Research different brands for the best value and make sure they’re portable enough to fit into a purse or a briefcase. That way your boss can take the gift with them wherever they go.
Business Card Holder: This is one of the best business partner gifts. While at meetings or trade shows, your boss can have business cards gathered neatly into their own holder, eliminating the need to rummage through pockets or bags to find them. It can also be used to collect the contact information of new acquaintances for safe storage and use for a later date. Get it customized with your company’s name and make sure they are a professional representation of your brand.
Always humming a tune, this exec is all about that bass.
Wood Bluetooth Speaker: for more premium gifts for business partners at an affordable price, reach for this awesome custom speaker. While they’re listening to music, they can also charge their phone by simply placing it on top of the speaker.
Duo COB Lantern Wireless Speaker: if they’re a music-loving adventure seeker, this combination speaker and lantern is a real “wow” gift. The light is released once you pull on the lantern’s handles and comes with batteries so they’ll be good to go.
Just call ‘em Chef because they always know the best recipes.
BBQ Set: sometimes, the best gifts for executives are those that help them take their mind off work. A good BBQ session can do just that and this set will let them know you care. Inside the personalized aluminum case they’ll find a spatula, tongs, and fork.
The Wall Street with Popcorn, Pretzels and Cookies: sweet tooths, rejoice! This gift combines popcorn, pretzels, and cookies in a set that is memorable and oh-so-sweet.
Alpha Soft Touch Pen with Stylus®: custom pens are still some of the best gifts for business partners because they’re useful and incredibly affordable. This is a great go-to when you want to pass out gifts to a larger group of partners or executives.
Pen & Flashlight Gift Set: don’t you want to be the one they’re thanking when they’re caught without lights? A flashlight attached to their keyring will always be helpful, and this beautiful pen is a favorite.
Office Wall Art: Although your executive team will mostly talk about sales, growth, and ROI, they still have interests outside of the office. Try to find what they are interested in. Is it architecture? Travel? Sports? Fashion? Pick a piece of understated wall art your boss can hang in the office to add some personality. An alternative would be to get an art piece for the desk or shelves, such as interesting bookends, engraved paperweight or award.
A Day to Relax: Wouldn’t it be great if we could literally package a day off and present it as a gift? Here is the next best thing that can help you with that endeavor. A gift certificate to a spa or a booked staycation are both thoughtful corporate gifts that say, “Thank you for your hard work. You deserve a break.” Everyone who works hard deserves a day off now and then to recharge before coming back to work.
Celebration Dinner: Maybe your boss doesn’t like the idea of “things” but would rather enjoy an “experience.” Plan a meal in their honor to show appreciation from your team. Add in personal touches like customized dinnerware, napkins, or a banner thanking the guest of honor. Many bosses like feeling the camaraderie with their employees and colleagues, so this is the perfect opportunity to get together and reflect on how far your boss has brought the team.
Personalized Gifts: No matter the kind of gift you choose, you always want it to have a personal touch. Turn a recyclable bag into one filled with goodies such as favorite drinks, artisan foods, and office items they can use.
Themed Gifts: For example, if your company is located where the sun always shines, send a beach-themed gift complete with a custom tote bag, beach towel, and bucket hat. It can be a fun way to remind them where you are and be used as a fun invitation to set up an in-person meeting.
Go Beyond the Coffee Mug: Custom coffee mugs are fantastic executive gifts, and will always be popular because it’s likely your business partners, clients or vendors drink plenty of coffee to buzz through their never-ending list of things to do. But a fun, unexpected alternative is a Moscow Mule Mug Gift Set. You can personalize it with their name, company, or another greeting or slogan. Coffee says, “We’re here to work” and Moscow Mules says, “Relaxation awaits you after 5 o’clock.”
Gift for the Weekend: One of the best gifts a client or vendor could receive is one that enriches heir weekend life. A grill and cooler combo set is convenient for camping, road trips, days by the pool, and pretty much any other adventurous excursion that has nothing to do with responding to emails, poring over spreadsheets, and worrying about time in the office. It’s not only a gift, but a nudge toward living a good work life balance.
Giving gifts for business partners has changed over the years. While there’s still tradition behind nice pen gift sets, explore all your options and choose something meaningful for the person you’re giving it to. No matter what executive gift you decide on, you can always add a special touch by making the gift personalized.
Think about the person on the receiving end of your gift and how they might respond to something generic versus one where there was thought put into it and a genuine thank you note from the team. Not only do you want the executive gifts to be well-received, you’ll want to feel good about giving them as well
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