How to Buy Personalised Gifts for Clients Without Sacrificing Sustainability

Need to win over that all-important prospect? When you need to wow, there’s no better way than through personalised gifts for clients.

But there’s one major problem. Most personalised corporate gifts are either environmentally questionable or so generic they might as well have come from a petrol station.

Despite what you might think, personalisation and sustainability aren't mutually exclusive. Creating meaningful connections that strengthen business relationships whilst staying true to your environmental commitments can be tough. But here’s how you can nail it every single time…

Why Bother? The Impact of Gifting on Client Retention

Business owners will understand the need for client (or customer) retention.

And the data is clear: gifting works. Research shows that 43% of businesses report a rise in client retention when they incorporate strategic gifting into their approach. That's nearly half of all companies experiencing measurable improvement simply by showing appreciation.

Even better – 80% of executives report that business gifts actively foster stronger client relationships.

But don’t just throw a dart at a gift catalogue and hope for the best. Really take time to consider what your clients want, need, or like; a bottle of prosecco might work for one person, but might be totally inappropriate for another.

Key Sustainability Factors to Consider

As a business owner, you have a responsibility to know where your client gifts come from.

Luckily, the Ethical Gift Box does all the hard work for you – we vet every single item in our catalogue to curate sustainable corporate gifts that are both ethical and thoughtful. We have an extremely strict list of criteria, but these are some of the very important factors we consider:

Material Sourcing and Production

We know it might sound boring, but you need to think about the materials used in your gifts. Choose renewable materials over finite ones – think bamboo, cork, and organic cotton over plastic that cannot be recycled and clogs up landfill.

Think about the production methods, too. The carbon cost of gifts truly matters. For example, a supplier using renewable energy produces genuinely sustainable goods. Those relying on fossil fuels and unethical methods do not, regardless of their raw materials.

Supply Chain Transparency

Build relationships with suppliers who share your values. You need complete traceability from raw materials to finished product. This means knowing where wood was harvested, how textiles were produced, and what happens at each stage of manufacturing.

Suppliers with ethical practices are usually very willing to chat about their processes. If your supplier seems shady, walk away. Third-party certifications also help cut through the noise. For example, B-Corp and Fair Trade certifications require independent verification of sustainability.

Labour Practices

A supplier could be using brilliant methods and sustainable materials, but if their labour practices are inadequate, you should go elsewhere. Fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers' rights are non-negotiable.

Look for suppliers who contribute positively to their communities through job creation, skills development, or community programmes. Also, prioritise diversity in your supplier network. Female-owned businesses, minority enterprises, and companies with strong inclusion practices often bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to sustainability.

What to Gift Clients

Here at the Ethical Gift Box, we think personalised client boxes are the best way to impress. Build your own box and fill it with items your client will truly appreciate – no fluff or filler that will sit in a bottom drawer, unused.

For example, if you work closely with a yoga studio, a perfectly curated wellness box will make your client feel special. Personalise the box by picking items like a wellness diary, healthy snacks, or even gym gear.

Have a client in the food industry? Choose a wine box filled with sustainably produced bottles that complement their products. Likewise, fleeces and jackets make excellent gifts for outdoorsy clients. Let them rock their branded items proudly – it’s cheap marketing that really works.

You could even opt for seasonal boxes for long-term clients – as we already mentioned, there is a direct correlation between gifting and client retention. Quarterly boxes create ongoing touch points throughout the year, whilst allowing you to showcase different sustainable suppliers and support various causes.

Not sure where to start? Try creating spring, summer, and Christmas boxes filled with thoughtful and well-timed gifts.

Need more inspiration? Read our guide to memorable client gifting.

Practical Tips for Client Gifting

Personalise items beyond names and logos: Don’t just slap a logo on an item. Your client deserves more than that; it's about choosing the right gift for the right person.

Research first, shop second: Before you jump right in, take some time to understand your clients. What challenges do they face? What causes do they support? What values drive their business decisions? This research phase is crucial when it comes to choosing items that will impress.

Focus on quality over quantity: Sure, a huge box of items may look impressive, but clients will quickly see through the gesture. One thoughtful, sustainable gift makes more impact than multiple disposable items. Invest in fewer, better gifts that reflect your commitment to the relationship.

Want to take the stress out of a client gifting programme? Get in touch today to chat about our personalised gifting portals – simply choose your items in advance and store them year-round with the Ethical Gift Box.