Corporate Gifts: Spode Products vs. Gift Cards – What I Learned as an Office Administrator

Two paths, one budget

When I took over corporate gift ordering in 2020, I assumed gift cards were the obvious choice. Easy to distribute, employees get what they want. Our company was spending about $12,000 annually on holiday gifts across 400 employees at three locations. My predecessor used gift cards. I figured I'd just continue that.

Then a VP mentioned how much she appreciated a branded gift set her previous employer gave her—a Spode Christmas Tree mug and candle. That stuck with me. I started looking into premium branded gifts, specifically Spode (known for that iconic Christmas Tree pattern). What followed was a real comparison that changed how I buy.

Here's the thing: there's no universal winner. But after running both options for two years (the last year we actually switched for part of the team), I've got solid takeaways for procurement teams like mine.

Comparing what matters: 3 dimensions

I looked at this from three angles that matter most to an admin buyer: recipient reaction (how does it feel to receive it?), brand impression (does it reflect well on our company?), and total cost (not just purchase price but the hidden time and logistical costs). Let's dive into each.

1. Recipient reaction: Gift cards vs. Spode products

Gift cards—people generally like them. But they're transactional. I've had employees say, "Thanks, I'll probably use it on groceries." Nothing wrong with that, but it's not memorable. Our 2024 internal survey (informal, about 60 responses) showed that 72% of employees remembered a physical gift from the year before, while only 45% recalled the gift card amount.

Spode products—surprise factor is real. We sent a small test batch: 20 Spode Christmas Tree votive candles (around $15 wholesale each). People actually posted photos on Slack. One manager said, "My wife put it on the mantelpiece right away." Never expected a candle to get that kind of reaction. But it's not for everyone—someone might not like Christmas themes, or they prefer cash-value gifts.

The honest limitation: If your workforce is highly diverse in culture or personal preferences, a generic gift card might be safer. But if you want something that stands out, Spode's bone china or scented candles create genuine delight. I'd recommend it for companies with a strong holiday culture or where you're trying to reinforce brand values like craftsmanship and tradition.

2. Brand impression: What does it say about us?

Gift cards are neutral. They don't communicate anything about your company except that you're giving money. That's fine for a utilitarian option. But if you're trying to position your company as thoughtful, premium, or tradition-oriented, a branded gift like Spode does heavy lifting.

Spode's 'Christmas Tree' pattern is iconic—since 1938. When you hand someone a Spode box, it says you put thought into it. I received feedback from one department head: "I actually display it in my office, and clients comment on it." That's essentially free brand exposure.

But I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I love the impression. On the other, some employees might see it as wasteful—"Why didn't they just give me cash?" We had exactly one complaint in 80 gifts. Not bad, but worth noting.

Bottom line: If your company's brand emphasizes quality, heritage, or celebration, Spode aligns perfectly. If your brand is more modern or minimalist, a sleek gift card package (with a nice presentation) might be better.

3. Total cost: Sticker price vs. hidden costs

Here's where I initially misjudged. I thought gift cards were cheaper because the face value is fixed. But let me break down the real costs:

• Gift cards: Face value ($25–50 typical) + processing fees (about $1–2 per card) + shipping (depending on order size). Also, about 5–10% of cards go unredeemed, which means you paid but the recipient never used it. That's pure waste.
• Spode products: Wholesale price varies. A small votive candle might be $12–18; a mugs set $25–40. Plus shipping (heavier, so $5–8 per item). But no redemption waste. And you can often negotiate bulk discounts if you order 500+ pieces.

I don't have hard data on industry-wide gift card redemption rates, but my experience across three years was that about 7% of cards were never activated or lost. On a $12,000 budget, that's $840 down the drain. With Spode, you get 100% utilization because the gift is physically delivered.

Plus, there's the tax angle. Under IRS regulations, gift cards are generally taxable income to the employee. Spode products with a company logo may be considered de minimis fringe benefits if under a certain value (check with your CPA). That can save your accounting team hours. Our finance team spent about 6 hours a year reconciling gift card taxes. Switching to physical gifts for some teams cut that by half.

When to choose which (my honest recommendations)

I've learned there's no one-size-fits-all. Here's my rule of thumb:

• Choose Spode products (or premium branded gifts) when: you want to leave a lasting impression, your team size is under 200 (easier logistics), and you have a strong company culture around holidays. Works great for client gifts too—our VP of Sales orders Spode Christmas village pieces for top accounts.
• Choose gift cards when: you have a remote/global team, employees come from many cultural backgrounds, or you need absolute simplicity. Also better if your budget per person is under $10—Spode's smallest items start around $12 wholesale.
• You can also mix: We did gift cards for all employees and Spode candles for managers and long-tenured staff. That balanced cost with recognition.

Bottom line: if you're an admin buyer like me, asking "what are corporate gift cards?" isn't the right question. The real question is: what message do you want to send? If it's "we appreciate you as an individual," put that thought into a physical gift. Spode's products, with their heritage and quality, carry that message well. Just don't expect them to fit every situation.