Corporate Christmas Gifts 2026: When to Order So Everything Arrives
It happens every December: the gifts are still not chosen, the design is not approved and the couriers are overloaded. Corporate Christmas gifts reach their recipients on time when planning starts in October. In this guide we show you, step by step, a timeline that lets you handle the budget, selection, design, proof, production and delivery without the last-minute rush.
Logotrade has been helping companies in Estonia choose and brand business gifts since 2004. Our experience shows that with Christmas gifts the biggest risk is not the wrong product but a decision made too late.
Why it pays to order Christmas gifts in October
The tradition of the Christmas gift is a long one, but a company gift also carries responsibility for your brand. Branded products are made to order. Every stage – choosing the product, design, proof approval, production and delivery – takes time, and small delays add up. On top of that, the end of the year is the busiest period for everyone: suppliers, printers, packers and couriers.
Starting early gives you three clear advantages:
- Wider choice – popular Christmas products and gift boxes can run out late in the season.
- Better quality – there is time to order a sample, check the colours and make corrections if needed.
- Less stress – decisions can be made calmly instead of searching for compromises at the last minute.
Starting in October does not mean making every decision at once. It is enough to have the budget and the recipient list in place and the first quote request sent. The remaining steps can be spread over several weeks, so that each decision is made deliberately rather than in a hurry.
Corporate Christmas gifts timeline, step by step (October–December)
The table below is a sample timeline that you can adapt to your company. Always ask for the exact production time in the quote and be sure to add a buffer.
| Period | Step | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Early October | Set the budget and recipient groups | Management, finance, HR |
| Mid-October | Pre-selection and shortlist of products | Marketing or office manager |
| Second half of October | Quote request with quantities and logo files | Marketing or office manager |
| End of October – early November | Approval of the design and proof | Marketing, brand owner |
| November | Production | Supplier (timeline confirmed in the quote) |
| Second half of November | Packing and Christmas cards | Marketing, management (greeting text) |
| Early December | Delivery to the office or to recipients' addresses | Office manager, logistics |
The most important step is the quote request. The more precisely you describe the quantity, budget, preferred products and deadline, the faster you receive a meaningful offer and confirmation of the production time.
What to include in your quote request
A good request saves several rounds of emails. Include at least the following:
- the products or product categories you want, plus possible alternatives;
- quantities per recipient group;
- budget per gift (excluding VAT);
- logo files and brand colours;
- the packaging you want and whether to add a Christmas card;
- the latest date by which the gifts must arrive, and the delivery address(es).
If you are not yet sure which product to choose, simply describe the recipients and the goal. That is enough for us to suggest several suitable options in different price ranges.
When time is short
If Christmas is already close, choose items available from stock and simpler branding methods. For example, a one-colour print or laser engraving is often quicker than a full-colour print or custom packaging. Our top 10 promotional products are also a good starting point with proven items. Ask about the production time in your very first request.
Budget and taxes before you order
Before choosing the gifts, think about how they are taxed, because this directly affects the budget. In Estonia, the following basic rules apply to promotional gifts:
- A promotional gift with a logo given to a client or partner is free of income tax if it costs up to 21 euros excluding VAT.
- If the gift costs more than 21 euros, income tax at 22/78 applies to the full cost, not only to the part above the limit.
- VAT is not charged on a gift costing up to 10 euros excluding VAT. For a set, the costs of all items are added together.
- Gifts to employees are a fringe benefit, and the 21-euro rule does not apply to them.
You will find the details on the Estonian Tax and Customs Board pages on the taxation of promotional gifts and on gifts, donations and reception expenses. If you are unsure, consult your accountant.
Clients, partners and employees – separate lists
One gift for everyone is simple, but rarely the best solution. Divide the recipients into groups and set a price level for each:
- Key clients and partners – a more prestigious gift, for example from our premium corporate gifts. Take the tax limit and the effect of exceeding it into account.
- Wider client base – a practical, well-branded gift that stays within the 21-euro limit.
- Employees – a separate budget and separate tax treatment, as these are fringe benefits.
For each group, also think about how the gift will be used. A client who works in an office will appreciate something that stays on the desk, while a team working outdoors may prefer practical winter gear. The better the gift fits the recipient's everyday life, the longer your logo stays visible and the better the investment pays off.
Splitting recipients into groups also helps with logistics: client gifts may be sent out by courier, while staff gifts are often handed out at the office or at the Christmas party.
Logo, files and proof
The design stage runs most smoothly when the logo files are ready from the start. Send a vector file (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) with your quote request and state your brand's Pantone colours. If you do not have a vector file, our advertising design service can make the logo print-ready and place the design on the product.
The branding method depends on the product and the material. Textiles suit embroidery or print, metal and wood suit engraving, and a sweet box or packaging suits colour printing. Ask in the quote which solution gives the best result with your logo and how it affects price and timeline.
Always approve the proof (mock-up) before production. Check the position, size and colours of the logo and the spelling of all text. All our logo branding services start with exactly this step.
Packing, cards and delivery
The impression a Christmas gift makes depends largely on its packaging. Ready-made gift sets are a convenient option because the packaging is already part of the product. If you put together a set yourself, agree on packing and Christmas cards in the same quote.
The Christmas card text is often what takes longest, because it needs approval from management. Write the greeting while the design is being approved, and decide whether the cards will be signed by hand or printed. A short, personal and sincere thank-you works better than a long generic text.
Decide early on how the gifts will be delivered:
- One address – all gifts arrive at your office and you distribute them yourself.
- Several addresses – gifts are sent directly to clients or to people working from home. Ask in the quote whether and how this can be done, and prepare the address list in good time.
Logotrade is based in Tallinn and delivers orders across Estonia. For packaging inspiration, see our portfolio of completed projects.
Checklist
- ☐ The budget is approved and divided between recipient groups.
- ☐ Recipient lists and quantities are known.
- ☐ The tax treatment (21 € and 10 € rules, fringe benefits) has been considered.
- ☐ A product shortlist has been made.
- ☐ The quote request with logo files has been sent.
- ☐ The production time is confirmed in the quote and a buffer has been added.
- ☐ The proof has been reviewed and approved.
- ☐ Packaging and the Christmas card text are agreed.
- ☐ The delivery method and addresses are settled.
- ☐ A person responsible for handing out the gifts has been named.
Frequently asked questions
When is it too late to order Christmas gifts?
It depends on the product and the branding method. Stock items and simpler printing are ready sooner than custom orders. The safest approach is to send a quote request right away and ask for the production time in the quote.
Can I order a small quantity?
Yes, many products can be ordered with a logo in smaller quantities too. Browse our Christmas gifts category and ask about the minimum quantity in your quote.
Can the gifts be sent to different addresses?
This is worth asking in your quote request. Add the number of recipients and their regions so that the offer also covers delivery.
Is a Christmas gift taxable?
In Estonia, a branded gift to a client is free of income tax up to 21 euros excluding VAT, and no VAT is charged on a gift costing up to 10 euros. Gifts to employees are a fringe benefit.
Explore our full range of promotional products, read more tips on our blog or request a quote today.
Related reading: Christmas Gifts for Employees 2026: Ideas, Budget and Taxes · Christmas message to clients: how to write a note for a business gift · Corporate gift sets with logo: how to build a business gift box