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Inclusive and sustainable Christmas gifting: how companies are spreading festive joy today

Spreading seasonal cheer to employees and clients has entered a new era with companies putting inclusive and sustainable Christmas gifting at the heart of festive joy. The Goodness Project looks inside today’s corporate gifts and wish lists…

Each December, office managers, PAs, and HR teams face the same festive dilemma: how do we say thank you in a way that truly resonates? In 2025, the answer looks very different from years gone by. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all hampers and generic bottles of wine. Todayโ€™s most successful corporate gifts are inclusive, sustainable, and thoughtfully curated โ€” reflecting the diverse, values-driven workplaces theyโ€™re sent from.

From token to thoughtful gifting

According to research from Finder UK, 27% of British consumers now follow a vegan, gluten-free, or specialist diet. For many companies, this shift has made the traditional Christmas hamper – once a symbol of abundance – a logistical headache. How do you ensure every recipient can actually enjoy whatโ€™s inside?

That challenge inspired The Goodness Project, the London-based sustainable gifting company founded by Anna Szanto and her partner in 2013, to rethink corporate hampers entirely. Their 2025 Inclusive Christmas Collection is the UKโ€™s first full range of corporate gifts designed so that everyone can take part – with Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Vegan & Gluten-Free options available across the range.

โ€œA hamper that half your team canโ€™t enjoy isnโ€™t just outdated,โ€ says Anna Szanto, co-founder of The Goodness Project. โ€œIt sends the wrong message. Inclusivity should be built into the gift itself.โ€

Why does inclusive Christmas gifting matter more now than ever

Diversity and wellbeing have become central to workplace culture, and gifting is increasingly part of that conversation. A 2024 University of Milan study found that giving and receiving gifts at work can significantly improve engagement and cooperative behaviour – but only when gifts are perceived as fair and inclusive.

Thatโ€™s a key reason forward-thinking organisations are moving toward customisable, dietary-inclusive gifts. Whether a company has five employees or five thousand, the goal is the same: no one feels left out of the Christmas celebration.

Gifting meets ESG

The sustainability agenda is also reshaping the gifting landscape. With many corporates now reporting against ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) metrics, the environmental impact of seasonal gifts is under scrutiny.

According to Social Imprintsโ€™ 2025 Corporate Gifting Report, over 70% of UK businesses now prioritise gifts that reflect their environmental values. The Goodness Project has built this principle into its DNA. Every hamper is plastic-free, packed with biodegradable filling, and shipped in recyclable packaging. Even better, the company plants a tree for every order in partnership with Ecologi – meaning each gift contributes directly to global reforestation efforts.

โ€œThis isnโ€™t just about festive cheer,โ€ Szanto explains. โ€œItโ€™s about helping businesses live their values – whether thatโ€™s sustainability, inclusivity, or wellbeing. Doing good and giving great gifts should go hand in hand.โ€

The business case for inclusive and sustainable Christmas gifting

Corporate gifting is big business. Analysts at Gift A Feeling estimate the global corporate gifting market will exceed $300 billion by 2025, with UK firms accounting for a growing share. The post-pandemic hybrid workplace has accelerated that trend: companies are sending more gifts to remote teams and clients to maintain human connection.

But todayโ€™s recipients are more discerning. Thoughtless or non-inclusive gifts risk backfiring – damaging engagement rather than improving it. Thatโ€™s why many HR teams and PAs now treat gifting as part of their internal comms and wellbeing strategy rather than an afterthought.

A well-chosen festive gift can:

  • Reinforce company values and culture
  • Increase employee morale and sense of belonging
  • Strengthen client relationships through genuine personalisation
  • Contribute to ESG goals through ethical sourcing and packaging

Whatโ€™s trending in corporate gifting for 2025

  1. Personal choice platforms – Large employers are offering digital portals where staff can select their preferred gift within a set budget. The Goodness Project provides bespoke microsites with secure redemption codes, making large-scale distribution effortless.
  2. Sustainable packaging – Plastic is out. Recyclable boxes, compostable fillers, and FSC-certified papers are the new standard.
  3. Wellbeing & mindfulness gifts – Items that promote rest, reflection, and mental wellbeing continue to grow in popularity.
  4. Local and artisan brands – Authenticity matters. Consumers favour products that tell a story and support small producers.
  5. Experience gifting – Hybrid hampers that include both artisan treats and digital experiences (like online tasting sessions) offer memorable engagement.

Tax-friendly tips for PAs and Office Managers

For anyone tasked with organising company gifts, a quick HMRC refresher helps avoid festive headaches:

  • Employee gifts under ยฃ50 qualify as trivial benefits – meaning no tax or National Insurance liability, provided theyโ€™re not cash or vouchers and arenโ€™t a reward for work.
  • Client gifts can be tax-deductible up to ยฃ50 per recipient if they bear a โ€œconspicuous advertisementโ€ for your business and are not food, drink, or tobacco (unless these form part of a larger marketing campaign).

The Goodness Projectโ€™s corporate packages are designed with these thresholds in mind, allowing HR and finance teams to stay compliant while sending meaningful, presentation-ready gifts.

Inside The Goodness Projectโ€™s 2025 Collection

The new range spans from compact Letterbox Gift Sets to the show-stopping Greatest Festive Hamper, featuring artisan chocolates, cookies, gourmet popcorn, truffles, and more – all beautifully presented in recyclable keepsake boxes with festive ribbons and optional company branding.

Every order can be tailored to dietary requirements and sustainability goals, making it easy for PAs to deliver gifts that align with internal policies. Volume discounts and 30-day payment terms keep procurement simple, while early-bird pricing (before 31 October 2025) helps stretch budgets further.

Already trusted by FTSE 100 companies, NHS Trusts, and leading UK brands, The Goodness Projectโ€™s inclusive approach is fast becoming the gold standard for corporate Christmas gifting.

A message that lasts beyond Christmas

In a time when employees crave belonging and clients expect authenticity, the right festive gift can speak volumes about a companyโ€™s culture.

โ€œWe want to make gifting joyful, easy, and truly inclusive,โ€ says Szanto. โ€œWhen people feel seen and valued, thatโ€™s when the magic happens.โ€

So this year, instead of the usual mince pies and wine, why not give a gift that reflects your organisationโ€™s values – one that delights every recipient and does good for the planet too?

Because the best corporate gifts donโ€™t just fill a hamper. They fill hearts.

 

Discover the 2025 Inclusive Christmas Collection

Contact us for a brochure at hello@thegoodnessproject.co.uk or visit us at www.thegoodnessproject.co.uk

Each order plants a tree with Ecologi – spreading joy for people and planet.