How to Gift with Purpose: The Corporate Guide to Values-Based Gifts
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Time to read 3 min
Why Values-Based Gifts Matters
Gifts aren't just about the stuff—they're about what you stand for.
Whether you're celebrating a milestone, building relationships, or showing appreciation, every gift is an opportunity to reinforce your brand's story. That story doesn't have to be loud or over-the-top. It just needs to be intentional.
Values-based gifts lets you walk the talk. It signals what matters to your company, not just through words, but through action. Thoughtfully chosen gifts can reflect priorities like sustainability, diversity, and social impact.
Here are just a few categories of values to center in your corporate gifting:
Women-owned, minority-owned, LGBTQ+ makers
Eco-conscious products and packaging
Charitable or give-back brands
Small, independent businesses
Best practices of values-based gifts
If you want your gifts to resonate, it’s not enough to choose a great product. You have to frame it. Tell the story, explain the why, and make sure your recipients can connect the dots. Here's how to do it:
Best Practice No. 1:
Choose products with
a story - and tell it.
If something is sustainable, charitable, or women-owned, say it clearly—and proudly. These are the types of details that elevate a gift and create emotional resonance. Even a simple insert card makes a big difference.
The message of a values-based gifts doesn’t land if people don’t know it exists.
Best Practice No. 2:
Don’t bury the mission
in fine print.
If something is sustainable, charitable, or women-owned, say it clearly—and proudly. These are the types of details that elevate a gift and create emotional resonance. Even a simple insert card makes a big difference.
The message of a values-based gifts doesn’t land if people don’t know it exists.
Over 70% of consumers value eco-friendly gifts.
LinkedIn 2024 Corporate Gifting Study
Best Practice No. 3:
Be consistent
inside and out.
Simply put: if your values-bast gifts include eco-conscious products, don’t wrap them in plastic bubble wrap.
Make sure your packaging materials align with your values too—whether that means recyclable boxes, original illustrations by BIPOC artists, or tote bags made by a small business.
Best Practice No. 4:
It doesn't have to be
all or nothing.
Even one product with a meaningful origin story can anchor a larger values-based gift. Use it as the hero item and let the supporting pieces complement it.
When to use values-based gifts
Values-based gifts aren't just for one specific moment—they works in all kinds of contexts. But there are some scenarios where they can be especially impactful:
Influential gifts by Rare Assembly
Snap gifts by Rare Assembly
When the event theme or audience aligns with a cause
Example: The value-based gifts for Influential's Diversity Collective event featured products from LGBTQ+, Hispanic, Asian, and other minority-owned businesses, reinforcing the panel’s focus and supporting creators who reflect the event’s panelists and message.
When you want to reflect your team or brand’s ethos
Example: For a global appreciation program, Snap sent gifts to employees in 3 countries. The gift's three products each featured a charitable element tied to one of those countries (i.e. a water bottle that gave a percentage of profits to helping rainforests in Brazil). It reinforced the company's global, people-first culture.
When the product is the message.
Examples:
A climate-focused nonprofit: Every item in their gift was carbon-neutral or zero-waste.
A women-led VC firm: Their founder boxes were filled with products from fellow female entrepreneurs.
A sustainability summit: No plastic, no waste, no fluff—just reusable, recycled, and future-forward.
These aren’t just thoughtful gifts. They’re brand storytelling in 3D.
Texas event gifts by Rare Assembly
Bressler, Amery & Ross gifts by Rare Assembly
When you’re hosting in someone else’s backyard
If you’re putting on an event away from HQ, it’s a great opportunity to give values-based gifts that feature products from local businesses in that city or region. It's a thoughtful way to honor the community that’s welcoming your event. (Read about more event gifting ideas here).
To reflect the spirit of the season
Example: Every year, Bressler, Amery & Ross chooses mission-driven products from brands that give back to include in their client holiday gifts. It’s a subtle but powerful way to align with the spirit of the season and reinforce their values with every client touchpoint.
Wrap up: Don't just talk about your values ... gift them.
Gifting is an extension of your brand. If you want to be seen as purpose-driven, creative, ethical, or thoughtful—your gifts should reflect that. Values-based gifts aren't performative; it’s an opportunity to show up in a consistent, human, and memorable way.
And it works. People remember how your gift made them feel. The right gift doesn’t just say "thank you"—it says, this is who we are.
