The Gifting Moments That Defined 2025
Let’s be honest — corporate gifting has come a long way. In 2025, we saw a huge shift toward more thoughtful, curated, and experience-first swag that people actually want to receive. And at brandbox, we had a front-row seat to it all.
Whether you were celebrating team wins, building onboarding boxes that made a statement, or finding a sweet spot between “fun” and “functional,” these were the kits and products that kept popping up in carts (and in client thank-you notes).
Here are the gifts that made our year — and might just inspire your 2026 strategy.
Kits We Couldn’t Stop Talking About
1. MVE: Most Valuable Employee
Not all thank-yous are created equal — and this kit proves it. Designed to celebrate the standout players on your team, the MVE box pulls together high-demand items with big "we see you" energy. Inside: the wildly popular Owala bottle (because hydration is high-performance), a tote that can be used for literally anything, and a box of Milk Bar cookies that says, “You’ve earned this.”
Why it made the list: It’s celebration meets curation. The kind of box that turns appreciation into a lasting moment.
2. brandbox Golf Club
Built for swag legends and fairway fans alike, this golf-inspired kit doesn’t just look good — it plays well, too. Featuring sleek branded golf balls, clean, pro-style gloves, and even a golf-ball-esque mug, it was a favorite for event giveaways and client thank-yous in 2025.
Why it made the list: Sporty, niche, and undeniably cool — this one scored big with teams who know the power of a classic.
3. Cookie Party
If joy came in a box, this would be it. Equal parts gifting and activity, the cookie party kit is all about making space for simple pleasures. A bake-it-yourself cookie mix, coordinating apron and mitt, and a scoop for perfect rounds every time — it’s all in there.
Why it made the list: Food gifts always work, but this one added nostalgia and interactivity into the mix. People didn’t just open it — they made memories with it.
4. The Jetsetter brandbox
This travel-ready box wasn’t just built for the frequent flyer crowd — it was designed to make anyone feel like a VIP, even in seat 34B. It packed a foldable Tumi tote, buzzworthy Cadence capsules, and Rains’ sleek waterproof backpack, making it a true jetset flex.
Why it made the list: High-end, high-impact, and made for movement — this kit made gifting feel aspirational without being out of reach.
Honorable Mentions (Because We Couldn’t Pick Just Four)
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Milestone Anniversary Kits — Custom built for 1, 3, 5, or 10+ year team celebrations
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Somewhere Over the Rainbow — A colorful, feel-good curation of pride-centered gifts and swag
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Onboarding in Style — Think: fleece crews, sleek notebooks, and the good pens
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The Wine Lover brandbox — This one’s for the pour-it-well crowd. Built around beautiful design and entertaining-ready staples, the wine lover brandbox brings elevated happy hour energy — no bottle required. With handblown Italian glassware from Vietri, a minimalist Craighill wine key, and a Twine decanter that doubles as a centerpiece, this kit was made for the "I know good design when I see it" recipient.
These kits delivered smart, timely themes that made gifting feel fresh — not formulaic.
Editor’s Picks: Favorite Products of the Year
Let’s break it down — these were the products clients kept coming back to and recipients couldn’t stop talking about.
Drinkware
2025 was the year of the tumbler, and hydration had a serious glow-up.
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Hydrojug Tumbler – Oversized, ergonomic, and endlessly trendy
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Stanley Quencher – Still a fan favorite, and for good reason
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Fellow Carter Mug – Minimal, sleek, and makes any desk setup feel elevated
Why they worked: These pieces blend style and function — and when people use them daily, your brand gets seen daily.
Tech & Phone Accessories
Tech gifts stayed strong in 2025, especially the ones that made hybrid work a little smoother.
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Nimble Champ Pro – A sustainable power bank with serious output
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Courant Catch 3 – Wireless charging + valet tray = desktop goals
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PopSocket PlantCore – A clever little grip with eco-friendly cred
Why they worked: High perceived value, low lift to use, and always appreciated by remote or on-the-go teams.
Home & Wellness
In 2025, self-care officially became a corporate priority — and these products made it easy to build in.
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Modern Sprout Grow Kit – Desk-friendly, low-maintenance greenery
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Theragun Mini – Game-changing muscle relief in a travel-ready size
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Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask – The secret weapon of well-rested team leads
Why they worked: Wellness gifts show care and thoughtfulness — especially in high-demand roles or post-crunch seasons.
Apparel
In 2025, people wanted apparel they’d actually wear — and these delivered.
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Bella + Canvas Crewneck Sweatshirt – Cozy, oversized, and a favorite for team retreats
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Marine Layer Corbet Quilted Reversible Pullover – Double-duty style with signature softness
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tentree Organic Beanie – A cold-weather staple with sustainability baked in
Why they worked: These picks felt like something from their favorite brand — not just another piece of branded clothing.
Desk & Office Essentials
Because even the most digital teams still need a great pen and a trusty notebook.
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Spector & Co Cypress Journal – Structured, premium-feel notebook with just the right extras
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Spector & Co Zephyr Pen – Stress-relieving, recycled, and surprisingly satisfying to write with
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Rains Laptop Portfolio – Clean, waterproof protection that looks as sharp in the boardroom as it does in a coffee shop
Why they worked: Everyday essentials, elevated. These made the desk feel less like a task list and more like a vibe.
So, What Did We Learn?
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that the best gifts are the ones that feel personal, practical, and just a little unexpected.
This year’s winners had a few things in common:
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Elevated essentials (no junk drawer items here)
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A focus on wellness, flexibility, and lifestyle
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Smart design and packaging (because first impressions matter)
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And always — a little joy
At brandbox, we’re proud to have helped companies build kits that delivered all that and more. Whether you were welcoming a new teammate, celebrating a big win, or just making someone’s day — these products did the heavy lifting. We just made it easy.
Planning 2026 Gifting? Start Here.
Need a little inspiration for the new year? Start with our 2026 trends in promotional merchandise and corporate gifting blog — it’s packed with ideas, predictions, and strategy-first thinking.
Or, if you're ready to start building your next brandbox:
Let’s make gifting easy, memorable, and honestly — kinda fun.