Every year, the same thing happens in early December: someone remembers the client gifts, the staff party swag or the thank-you packages, and by then the best items are sold out and the production calendar is full. The good news is that a little planning in October or early November makes holiday gifting easy, and it usually costs less too.
Your holiday ordering timeline
- Early to mid October: decide who you are gifting. Make a list: clients, staff, board members, volunteers, referral partners. Set a rough budget per person. This is the single most helpful thing you can do.
- Late October: choose your products. This is when stock is best. Popular items like name-brand drinkware, blankets and outerwear can sell out in certain colours by mid-November.
- Early November: approve your proof. We send a free digital proof of your logo on the product. A quick approval keeps everything on track.
- Mid November: production. Most decorated items take 7 to 15 business days after proof approval. Embroidery and engraved gifts sit at the longer end during the busy season.
- Late November to early December: delivery. That leaves time to pack gift boxes, write cards and hand things out before people leave for the holidays.
Rule of thumb: for a stress-free December delivery, place your order by mid-November. Later orders are often possible, but product choice gets smaller and rush fees can apply.
What to give
- For clients: premium branded drinkware like the Stanley Quencher, Hydro Flask or Ember smart mug, a ready-made corporate gift set, or a cozy cable knit sherpa blanket. Quality matters here, because the gift reflects your business.
- For staff: something they will wear or use every day, like a Cutter & Buck quarter-zip, a Clique puffer vest or a full gift box. Browse staff gifts from $25 to $60 or $60 and up.
- For large groups: a well-made embroidered toque, a logo tumbler or touchscreen gloves keeps the cost per person reasonable without feeling cheap. Browse gifts under $25.
Make it feel personal
A short note, nice packaging and a gift that suits the person go a long way. Keep your logo tasteful. For client gifts, a smaller logo or a tone-on-tone decoration often looks more like a gift and less like an advertisement.
Let’s get your holiday order started
Tell us who you are gifting, how many people, your budget and your delivery date. We’ll put together ideas and a free proof. Browse our Holiday & Seasonal Gifts for inspiration.