Let’s face it — corporate gifting has come a long way from generic mugs and cookie-cutter swag bags. These days, gifting is more than just a nice gesture. It’s a powerful way to inspire your team, build loyalty with clients, and make meaningful connections.
But here’s the catch: with expectations higher than ever, it’s not enough to just give something nice. Not only that, but they want gifts to give their travelers and sales teams that add to the experience of the incentive trip with products that they will get practical use out of while gone — gifts that feel personal, thoughtful, and aligned with their values.
So, what if your incentive gifting program could go beyond a momentary “wow” before your recipient forgets all about it? What if it could showcase your brand’s creativity, care, and purpose?
It’s not enough to choose an incentive gift you think they’ll like. We’re moving into a new era where incentive gifts need to show your commitment to sustainability and personalized products. In 2025, “one size fits all” simply won’t cut it. Your choice of gift must be high-quality, highly custom, and good for the planet in order to keep up.
Can your bulk gifting provider do that?
Niche providers like Bestowe Gifting offer the perfect blend of these combined trends that will help you offer up unforgettable gifts that will drive your team to meet and exceed your business goals this year.
What Is Incentive Gifting in 2025?
Incentive gifting is about more than giving a thank-you or celebrating a milestone (although those are great reasons!). It’s about creating a memorable experience that motivates and inspires.
Whether you’re rewarding top-performing employees, celebrating team successes, or delighting clients, incentive gifts should reflect your brand’s values and leave a lasting impression. And in 2025, that means focusing on sustainability, personalization, and making people feel seen.
3 Ways Large-Scale Gifting Platforms Often Miss the Mark
Large gifting platforms are great for scale — they can handle big orders and streamline logistics. But let’s be real: they’re not always the best at delivering gifts that feel thoughtful or unique.
Here’s why:
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Limited Customization: Big platforms often stick to standard templates, which can make your gifts feel impersonal. Want to blend your branded merch with artisan-made goods? That’s tricky.
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One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Instead of tailoring gifts to different needs or audiences, larger providers often offer generic options that don’t stand out.
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Sustainability That Falls Short: Sure, many big providers use eco-friendly packaging, but what about packaging that’s not only reusable but also purposeful—like a beautiful tote bag or keepsake box?
If you’re looking to create gifts that truly resonate, you need more flexibility and creativity than these platforms can offer.
Niche Gifting Providers Are the Future
Today’s gifting expectations are higher than ever. To deliver next-gen sustainability and true personalization, you need flexibility and creativity, which is something big platforms often can’t provide.
It’s like using Chrome extensions or the App Store — they let you go beyond the basics to craft solutions tailored to your needs. Niche gifting providers do the same, offering thoughtful, custom options where traditional providers fall short.
How Niche Gifting Providers Like Bestowe Are Different
At Bestowe, we are strategically positioned to make the most of our relationships with artisans and small-batch creators to curate intentional, sustainable, and memorable gifts that stand out from the major gifting platforms.
We specialize in handling everything from small, high-impact projects with under 200 orders to large-scale gifting needs that require a personal touch. Whether your order is large or small, we can work with you to create an incentive gift (or a range of incentive gifts!) that your team will love to receive.
Here’s how we do it:
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Artisan Meets Branded: We combine curated artisan goods with your branded items for gifts that feel professional and personal.
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Purposeful Packaging: From reusable totes to elegant keepsake boxes, our packaging isn’t just beautiful — it adds value to the overall gift-opening experience.
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Custom Solutions: We work with you to craft gifts that reflect your brand’s style and values, including sustainability, diverse artisans, and more.
2025 Next Gen Incentive Gifting: Ken’s Foods Case Study
When a top-performing sales team was gearing up for an exclusive incentive trip, they needed gifts that would sweeten the experience and make their top-performing employees feel valued. The destination? A luxurious island retreat featuring beach days, excursions, and relaxation.
The client wanted a travel-friendly gift kit that could be used on the trip but wouldn’t feel like just another throwaway item. The gifts had to be practical for beach activities, fit the high-end vibe of the destination, and align with the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Bestowe designed 40 customized dry bags that featured the company’s branding — a perfect accessory for water activities and outdoor excursions. Inside was a collection of thoughtful, high-quality items like a portable waterproof speaker, reef-safe sunscreen, a handheld fan for staying cool, and waterproof phone cases. These weren’t just practical items; they were carefully chosen to elevate the entire incentive travel experience.
Recipients loved the curated collection, and the dry bag became a standout favorite — functional, stylish, and perfect for protecting essentials during island adventures.
The Future of Incentive Gifting Is Here
In 2025, generic incentive gifts aren’t enough. Our own corporate gifting website saw a 90% increase in traffic in 2024, with nearly 50,000 new users discovering a better way to gift. It’s data-driven proof that companies are looking for adaptable, high-impact gifting that resonates with recipients and reflects their brand values. That’s why niche providers like shaping the future of gifting in a way that the big box brands simply cannot match.
Niche providers stand out particularly because of their adaptability — whether it’s handling custom requests, creating smaller, personalized projects, or tailoring every detail to fit your vision. These smaller organizations have invested in relationships with unique artisans who can tell your brand story in a whole new way. And when it comes to attention to detail, they deliver sustainable perfection, from reusable packaging to seamless kitting and fulfillment.
The First Month of 2025 Is Behind Us — Let’s Connect Today
There’s no time like the present to set up your incentive gifting for success. Whether you want to inspire your team, delight your clients, or elevate your corporate gifting strategy, Bestow Gifting is here to help.
Let’s get a meeting on the books and start crafting an incentive gifting solution that motivates your team and drives your business forward today.
Other Blog Posts of Interest:
Branded Corporate Gift Boxes with Artisan Gifts