Corporate executive gifts are a great way to show appreciation to co-workers and bosses, but there are a few simple rules to follow in order to avoid wasting money, embarrassment, or worse. Keep in mind; corporate gifts are an excellent means of employee recognition. Also, they are appropriate for retirements and superb for holidays. Customers and clients are also targets of executive gifts. The first governing rule is to know the person who will be receiving the gift. Whether the person is a man or woman makes a significant difference. Since the topic is corporate executive gifts, a high degree of professionalism should be maintained at all times. Some gift ideas are not at all appropriate in a professional workplace setting. In fact, a gag gift could backfire and be construed as offensive or even as harassment. However, executive gifts can range from practical and useful to tasteful fun gadgets. And Christians need not abandon their principles either. There is a wide range of Christian themed ideas that are appropriate for the workplace. Just keep the gift conservative and don’t be overbearing. Whether the gift has a Christian theme or not is relatively unimportant as long as it is given in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Give in the Spirit so that evil and misunderstanding are avoided and good will is spread to others and returned to the giver.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Add a personal touch to the corporate executive gifts and have them personalized with the receiver’s name. If retirement is the reason for giving, include not only the individual’s name on the gift but engrave the times of service to the company. A person may not be retiring but simply moving on to another position in the company or has found a job with a different company. These are also appropriate times for executive gifts. An engraved silver-plated pocket watch is a great idea for men who are retiring or moving on to other things. Perhaps an engraved wrist watch or an embossed handbag for a woman would be appreciated. Buying corporate executive gifts for both men and women can be challenging, but purchasing for a woman may be a little more of a challenge, especially for men. Not because there are not enough choices or ideas but because a man buying the wrong gift for a woman could be send misleading information and get the rumor mill started. One website recommends that a man never give an article of clothing or jewelry to a woman. That really is good advice no matter how conservative or inoffensive the item may appear.

Workplace items are almost always safe bets for corporate executive gifts. Desk and office accessories are plentiful and not real expensive, if sticking to a budget is important. Pad folios, planners, and organizers are practical and useful. Engraved compact disc boxes may also add a touch of class to an office. Paintings, prints, or sculpture that can be placed on the wall or set on a desk make appropriate and attractive corporate executive gifts, too. Also, engraved picture or certificate frames are practical and boost self-esteem. Coffee or tea makers for the office or desk are useful. Just make sure they are wanted. If the employee has just recently been promoted, new business cards may be in order. Although the business cards themselves are not one of the better gift ideas, an embossed business card case is appropriate and are generally inexpensive.

On the lighter side, one online supplier of corporate executive gifts offers a personalized mini foosball game set. Perhaps the receiver of the gift likes to work out. Giving a sports bag would be received well. For the traveler, consider luggage or a laptop computer bag. A laptop messenger bag is a common gift. Gift baskets are not uncommon as corporate executive gifts. But it’s important to know the individual’s tastes and in some cases his or her health. Baskets can be stocked with just about anything a person wants to buy. Fruit, flowers, candy, cheese and even wine baskets can be purchased or made. But giving a basket full of chocolate to a diabetic would be a waste of money and insensitive. And, as one online source points out, giving wine to a recovering alcoholic could have disastrous consequences. So take time to know about the person’s likes, dislikes, and habits before spending any money on a gift. Then give in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.