How to Give Great Group Gifts (and not screw it up)
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Time to read 3 min
If finding the right gift for one person is hard, gifting to a group is basically an Olympic sport. Whether you’re shopping for employees, clients, or event guests, group gifts bring a unique set of challenges: different personalities, preferences, dietary restrictions, budgets... the list goes on.
That’s why so many brands play it safe with gift cards, branded mugs, or generic snack baskets. But the truth is, great group gifts do exist—and with a little strategy, you can absolutely deliver something memorable, inclusive, and on-brand (without pulling your hair out).
Here’s how to do it.
Rule #1: Treat packaging like part of the gift
This isn’t fluff. When you’re sending group gifts, you’re also making a brand impression—especially when recipients are opening them at the same time, or sharing photos internally or online. That first visual hit matters.
Thoughtful packaging doesn’t have to mean luxury-level spend. It just means the experience has been considered end-to-end: is it setting the tone for the occasion? Is it cohesive and on-brand? If a recipient feels that you spent time on a beautiful presentation, you're already ahead of the game.
Example: Calendly’s Employee Holiday Gifts
Calendly wanted to send a group gift to 600+ employees. Instead of defaulting to “whatever fits in a poly mailer,” we designed a custom packaging suite - including the mailer box, chocolate bar wrappers and gift card - using original artwork in the brand's colors.
By using an unexpected, unique theme (“snowy disco holiday”) that was woven throughout the entire gift in a way that felt very Calendly, the gift set a decidedly fun and festive tone immediately upon arrival - and it didn’t break the bank!
Rare Assembly
Rule #2: Offer recipients a choice
Want to dramatically increase your odds of success for group gifts? Let people choose. It doesn't have to mean full-on customization or chaotic logistics—just offering a little control can go a long way.
And with tools like GiftHub (psst - it's FREE!), you don't have to worry about chasing down people's selections or keeping track of who gets what.
Example: NFR Employee Appreciation Gifts
NFR wanted to let employees select their appreciation gift while maintaining an element of surprise. We accomplished this by designing group gifts with 4 distinct themes: The Coffee Lover, The Self-Care, The Sweet Tooth and The Home Chef - but didn’t tell them exactly what was in each set. This meant that recipients got something they liked while preserving the excitement of unboxing a (semi) mystery package.
Example: Mindbody Holiday Gifts
Mindbody's recipients got to choose between three themed gift boxes or an Uber Eats gift card. We created realistic mockups of each option so they knew exactly what they were getting. Recipients selected their gift and submitted their address via a branded GiftHub, making the whole process easy for the recipient and the sender.
The takeaway: group gifts don’t have to be one-size-fits-all. A little choice = a lot more impact.
Rule #3: Make your group gifts as inclusive as possible
This is where good intentions go to die. Group gifts are tricky because they have to work for a wide range of recipients—without accidentally making anyone feel excluded or overlooked.
Luckily, there are a few easy ways to avoid the usual traps:
✓ Avoid alcohol (unless there's an opt-out):
- We’ve said it before: when it comes to group gifts, don’t assume everyone drinks. Either provide a choice between alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, or stick with something everyone can enjoy.
✓ Choose universally usable Items
- Not everyone has a bathtub, a coffee grinder, or a wine key in their kitchen drawer. Choose items that don’t require special tools, setups, or personal preferences to enjoy. Think shower steamers instead of bath bombs, pourover packs instead of whole bean coffee, or tea bags over loose leaf. Lower friction = higher satisfaction.
✓ Watch out for gender bias
- Avoid group gifts that feel overly masculine or feminine—both in product selection and packaging. Yes, men enjoy skincare. Yes, women like tools. Just keep things feeling modern, neutral, and aesthetic-forward, not dated or stereotyped.
Final thoughts
There’s no such thing as a perfect group gift—but there is such a thing as a smart one. With the right packaging, a little recipient choice, and a few thoughtful inclusivity checks, you can give a gift that feels personal even when it’s going to hundreds of people.
The key is remembering that group gifts aren't about impressing everyone with a single perfect product. It’s about creating an experience that feels intentional, inclusive, and brand-aligned—while still being enjoyable for the people receiving it. Whether you’re sending group gifts to employees, clients, or event attendees, these small decisions make a big difference in how your gift is perceived (and remembered).
And finally - group gifts don’t have to be break the bank. They just have to be thoughtful. And when they’re done well, they have the power to spark delight, build loyalty, and turn even the most skeptical recipient into a fan.
Rare Assembly