From gift cards to experiential rewards, 2024’s corporate gifting trends reflected a shift toward meaningful, budget-conscious incentives. See what shaped the industry and how to apply these insights in 2025.
Corporate gifting is a barometer for evolving preferences, priorities, and budgets.
If you want to engage employees, clients, or partners in 2025, the trends from 2024 hold important clues.
2024 showed us a year of stability, moderation, and strategic adjustments. Gift cards remained the go-to choice, experiential rewards gained traction, and companies embraced practical spending. By taking a closer look at these trends, you can future-proof your incentive programs and ensure they deliver maximum impact.
Here’s what worked in 2024 and how you can apply those lessons to your own gifting strategy in 2025.
Gift cards held their place as the most popular choice for non-cash rewards in 2024, cementing their status as the backbone of corporate incentive programs. Across industries and demographics, they consistently outperformed other reward types like merchandise and experiential gifts.
Flexibility and ease of distribution make gift cards an unmatched option. They eliminate the guesswork for employers while giving recipients the freedom to choose what matters most to them. In North America, 43% of all non-cash rewards programs included gift cards, according to Incentive Research Foundation data.
Gift cards also streamline the logistics of corporate gifting. They’re simple to send at scale, easy to track, and less prone to logistical challenges compared to physical merchandise or highly customized rewards. These attributes make them a trusted choice for companies aiming to engage employees, clients, or partners with minimal friction.
In 2025, gift cards will remain a reliable choice, but they also offer room for creativity like adding a personal message or pairing the gift card with an experience.
Focus on timing, too; well-placed rewards, like end-of-quarter motivators or holiday thank-yous, can amplify impact.
While merchandise remains a staple, experiences like team-building activities, event tickets, or curated travel opportunities are steadily gaining ground.
Experiences offer something that merchandise often cannot: an emotional connection. A team retreat, for example,strengthens relationships and fosters collaboration, leaving a lasting impact long after the event ends.
Specific examples of experiential rewards include:
In 2025, consider how experiential rewards can complement more traditional incentives like merchandise or gift cards. They don’t have to replace tangible rewards, but they can enhance your program by providing recipients with a memorable, shareable experience. Tailoring experiences to align with recipients’ interests or company values can elevate them further.
The Incentive Research Foundation found retention rates for non-cash rewards programs surged to 85 percent. This increase signals an industry that recognizes the long-term value of these programs.
Companies are moving beyond “trial and error” mode. Instead they’re committing to proven approaches that drive employee engagement and client loyalty. That consistency reduces the need for costly program overhauls, which means more budget for better employee and client experiences.
By prioritizing stability in 2025, you can reduce churn, strengthen loyalty, and build programs that last.
Last year, corporate programs slashed their average reward value 11 percent to just $895 per recipient, according to the Incentive Research Foundation.
On its face, this seems like bad news. However, there are benefits to moderating incentive amounts.
First, by focusing on moderate-value rewards, companies can broaden their reach. A broader impact means more employees, clients, and partners feel appreciated.
Second, moderating costs helps make these programs more sustainable. When employees and clients know what to expect year after year, it builds trust and loyalty.
Finally, a focus on quality over quantity in the coming year means companies can select meaningful regards that still resonate with recipients. Paired with a thoughtful delivery and other personalized touches like a custom note, companies can maximize the value of moderately-priced rewards.
From gift cards to event gifting, staying ahead requires a thoughtful strategy.
Giftly offers the flexibility to help you achieve both the simplicity of gift cards and the excitement of experiential rewards. Whether you’re looking for easy-to-send digital options or curated experiences that leave a lasting impact, Giftly’s platform ensures a seamless gifting process.
We want to work with you in 2025 to build a corporate gifting program that engages, inspires, and delivers on your goals. Let’s talk today to set your team up for success in 2025.
Gifts & Rewards Perfectly Suited to Your Business. Easy to send. Awesome to receive.
Gifts & Rewards Perfectly Suited to Your Business. Easy to send. Awesome to receive.
