Corporate Chocolate Gifting

When it comes to corporate gifting, a one-gift-fits-all approach just doesn’t cut it. One employee or client may appreciate a gift card, another a tech gadget, and yet another will have a sweet spot for chocolate. That’s the beauty of segmentation or variety even in gifting.

Chocolate can be a thoughtful way to express gratitude and build relationships between you and your workers or between your business and customers. By matching chocolate selections to specific preferences, you can show appreciation in a way that receivers feel understood.

How to Ensure Your Employees Appreciate Your Gift

First, be a good employer.

Whether you’re gifting your team chocolate, a gift card to Starbucks or Uber Eats, the joy from such activity only comes if you already provide a conducive working environment. Many employees will prefer a good employer, a good manager, to any random gift, regardless of its monetary value.

Second, know your employee’s preferences.

Psychology Today says a good gift is one that considers the receiver’s preferences. While it’s true that everybody loves chocolate, you still need to know whether your team member specifically loves chocolate. If they’re indifferent about chocolate, not too bad, but if they, for some reason, hate chocolate, they won’t be thrilled about your gift. And you won’t be happy, either, when the gift is not appreciated.

You also need to know what type of chocolate they like.

RELATED: Dark Chocolate – Why Some Love it and Others Don’t

Benefits of Gifting Chocolate to Your Employees or Customers

When done right, gifting chocolate delights your employees and customers. And makes you happy, too.

1. It shows your appreciation

A gift is a way of saying I love you and I value you. Gifting chocolate, whether around Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or on some unexpected random day can express appreciation that your team members will thank you for it.

2. Most people love chocolate

Unless you already know a gift receiver, it can be hard settling on what to give. Chocolate’s immense popularity makes it an easier choice. But it doesn’t mean you should be thoughtless about the giving.

3. Gifting delights your customers

It doesn’t have to be chocolate, but gifting can be a small gesture that goes a long way to strengthen your relationship with clients and build loyalty.

Creative Ways to Gift Chocolate to Employees/Clients

There are a couple of ways you can go about gifting chocolate to people who work with you or who buy from you.

1. Random acts of kindness

Imagine receiving an unexpected box of artisanal chocolates or chocolate-covered treats, with a heartfelt note of appreciation, from your manager or a business you patronise. That makes for a mouthwatering surprise.

Surprise and delight your team members or customers with random gifts of chocolate. The dopamine surge will ensure they don’t forget it soon.

2. Holiday treats

Think Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or Easter.

Make the holiday season a little sweeter for your team members or customers with festive treats that feature chocolate.

SEE ALSO: How to Gift Chocolate During Christmas

Best Corporate Chocolate Gifting Themes

Yes, your corporate chocolate gifting can have themes. In fact, it should. Because there’s so much variety in chocolate. Single origin, artisanal, luxury or premium, and of course type of chocolate.

1. Single-origin, artisanal Chocolate

Artisanal chocolate stands out in terms of craftmanship and nuanced flavours from the common mass-produced chocolates. This makes your gifting even more thoughtful and memorable.

RELATED: UK Craft Chocolate Brands Worth Tasting

2. Type of chocolate product

You can choose bars, truffles, chocolate-coated treats, and even chocolate beverages.

It will really depend on the convenience of packaging your gift or the logistics around the gift delivery. But just knowing that you have many options should give you room in being creative.

3. Type of chocolate

Here, you’re looking at dark versus milk versus white chocolate. If you don’t know your employee’s or client’s preferences, it’s safer to go with milk chocolate. Another option is to mix the different types in the same gift. Your gift receiver may have friends or family who’d help them eat the gift.

READ ALSO: Dark chocolate’s Taste: Why Some Love it and Some Don’t

4. Vegan vs. Non-vegan Chocolate

According to research, a bad gift can ruin relationships. You don’t want to offend your vegan customers or employees by gifting them what they’ll neither eat nor feel comfortable giving to another person.

Dark chocolate is naturally vegan-friendly, but you can always find plant-based milk chocolate that tastes just as creamy and delicious.

CHECK OUT OUR ARTISANAL VEGAN CHOCOLATE COLLECTION

Corporate Chocolate Gifting Ideas

Here are some deliciously creative ideas to inspire your corporate chocolate gifting.

• Customized chocolate bars

You can get a local artisanal chocolate maker to customize bars that reflect your brand. Customization can also include employees or customers’ name or a special message to them. It’s a thoughtful way to show you pay attention to details.

• Chocolate gift baskets

This one is perfect for special occasions like company anniversaries, business milestones, and seasonal holidays. You can choose from a variety of themes to delight and impress. Think different types of chocolate and flavour profiles.

SEE ALSO: Percentage in Chocolate – What it Tells you About Taste, Quality, and Price

• Chocolate gift boxes

This is also perfect for special occasions like Christmas, Easter, or company events. To make this even more perfect, you can use custom chocolate packaging and boxes.

• Personalized chocolate ornaments

Edible ornaments can add a touch of timeliness to your corporate gift. Imagine the delight of your employees or customers receiving chocolate hearts, stars, or bells during Christmas.

• Chocolate and wine pairings

This is another special occasion treat. You can pair red wines with dark chocolate or white wines with creamy milk chocolate. There’s absolutely no way chocolate and wine pairings will not delight. And boost morale or brand loyalty.

Cost Considerations

You can’t ignore cost when considering chocolate as a gift for your customers or workers.

• Consider cost per recipient

This will help you determine how many giftees you can afford and which product types fit within your budget. Also consider additional costs like customization, packaging, and shipping if necessary.

But remember that the key to successful corporate chocolate gifting is to show appreciation and thoughtfulness. You can do it on any budget. It really depends on how creative you choose to be. Only remember to choose a gift that reflects your brand values and that your workers and customers would appreciate.

• Under $10 (£8) options

The choices here are limitless. This option has the advantage if your budget is small and you have many recipients. You can find chocolate bars, chocolate-coated candies, truffles, etc.

Share happiness with our Peanut Butter Chocolate (£7)

• Mid-range ideas, $10-$50 (£8-£40)

For a more impressive gift. Gift baskets, gourmet boxes, and some wine pairings can fall in here.

Delight Your Recipients with Our Ethical Chocolate Bars (£8.40 each)

• Luxury gifts above $50 (£40)

You want to make an even lasting impression with corporate chocolate gifting? Then stretch your budget with chocolate gift baskets, premium chocolate and more expensive wine pairings, and why not, high-end chocolate subscription boxes.

Checkout our Discovery Box of Sustainable Chocolate (£50)

You can also check out other ideas for corporate gifting boxes at ontable.com

Other Considerations

If you know your recipient, it’s easier to avoid gifts that would not be appreciated. Especially with chocolate, you need to do your work well to ensure you share happiness instead of offense. Consider:

• The sustainability practices of the brand of chocolate you gift.
• Nut allergies when gifting chocolates with nuts.
• Tax implications for corporate giftings.

Key Takeaways

Gifting chocolate to your team members or customers can be a way to show appreciation and build relationships. While most people love chocolate, it’s also important to consider your recipient’s chocolate preferences and dietary restrictions when choosing the type of chocolate.

FAQS

What’s the Cost of Corporate Gifting Chocolate?

The cost of corporate chocolate gifting varies widely depending on the type, quality, and quantity of chocolate. Here are some rough estimates:

Basic chocolate products: $5-$10 (£4 to £8) per piece

Mid-range gourmet chocolate gift boxes: $10-$50 (£8-£40) per box

Luxury chocolate gift baskets: $50+ (£40+) per gift

What Goes Good with Chocolate for a Gift?

Here are some popular pairing ideas:

Coffee or tea

Wine or champagne

Caramel or other sweet treats

Nuts, e.g., peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts

Fresh or dried fruits, e.g., strawberries, cranberries