Pick My Brain: How Early Should I Start Planning Corporate Gifts?

By Luz – Founder of Casupo

One of the most common questions I get from clients is:

“When should we start planning for corporate gifting?”

If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling to find something—anything!—just weeks before the holidays or a major event, you’re not alone. But if you’re looking for high-quality, customized gifts that truly reflect your brand, my answer is always the same: sooner than you think.

Let’s walk through why timing matters and how early planning helps you create gifts that make a lasting impression.

Why Timing Matters

When you're investing in corporate gifting—especially premium or custom-made gifts—it's not just about choosing a product. You're building an experience.

Every gift we create at Casupo involves a series of thoughtful steps:

• Defining your goals, audience, and budget

• Recommending product styles, materials, and personalization options

• Creating and reviewing samples

• Approving final production

• Designing custom packaging

• Managing shipping and delivery

Each step deserves time, especially if your gift is meant to express care, gratitude, and brand values. When we rush, we lose the opportunity to make it personal and memorable.

So, When Should You Start?

For Year-End Holiday Gifting

Ideal Start: July–September

Holiday gifting season is our busiest time of year. Starting early allows you to avoid the end-of-year rush, secure the materials and colors you want, and ensure your gifts are delivered on time—with beautiful packaging and personalization.

For Events, Conferences, or Launches

Ideal Start: 2–3 months in advance

When you're hosting a company event, client retreat, or product launch, your gift should feel like a meaningful extension of the experience. This type of gifting often includes more customization and a tight delivery window, so planning early is essential.

For Executive or VIP Gifts

Ideal Start: 4–6 weeks in advance

For one-off, personalized gifts for top clients or internal executives, a little lead time goes a long way. This gives us space to explore the right material, color combinations, and thoughtful touches like initials, personal notes, or special packaging.

Not Sure What to Gift Yet? That’s Okay.

You don’t need to have all the answers when you start the process. In fact, many of my clients come to me with just an idea or a goal:

• “We want our team to feel valued.”

• “We’re celebrating 10 years in business.”

• “We want to surprise our top 50 clients with something meaningful.”

Once I understand your brand, your audience, and the story you want to tell, I guide you through the rest. Whether it’s a travel kit, a leather notebook cover, or a custom colorway, we’ll design something that makes sense for your moment and your message.

What Happens When You Wait Too Long

When corporate gifting becomes an afterthought, it shows. Last-minute orders often mean:

• Limited product and color availability

• Higher costs from rush fees

• Generic, off-the-shelf items that don’t stand out

• Missed deadlines and stressful delivery windows

And ultimately, a forgettable experience for the recipient. Gifting is a reflection of your brand. If it feels rushed or unremarkable, it can hurt more than it helps.

What Planning Ahead Gets You

• Access to the best materials and color options

• Time to create a tailored, on-brand unboxing experience

• Flexibility to include thoughtful details like handwritten notes or branded inserts

• Peace of mind and a stress-free delivery

• A gift that your clients or team will remember—and keep using

Build a Simple Gifting Calendar

If you’re planning multiple gifting touchpoints throughout the year—think team milestones, client anniversaries, seasonal celebrations—it’s worth building a gifting calendar.

Here’s a simple guide to get you started:

 

If this sounds overwhelming, I’m happy to walk you through it. This is what I do every day.

Ready to Plan Ahead?

Whether you're preparing for a holiday season, hosting an event, or just looking to deepen client relationships, I'm here to help you design something personal and high-quality.

When you work with Casupo, you're working directly with me. No handoffs, no big team—just a collaborative experience built around your goals and my passion for beautiful, functional design.

Let’s create something memorable.

Contact me or learn more about our gifting process at hello@casupo.co