Corporate Gifting that Connects

In architecture, and the AEC industry more broadly, client relationships are not transactional—they’re partnerships built on trust, creativity, and shared visions. So, expressing gratitude to your clients should also not be transactional, during the holidays or otherwise.

Done well, corporate gifting can be an authentic way to connect with existing and prospective clients.

Done poorly, corporate gifting can have the opposite effect. It can feel impersonal, self-promotional, expensive, and environmentally irresponsible.

I received a generic calendar as a corporate gift last week. I felt all of these things about this calendar. Even though the intention of the gift was positive, it left a negative impression.
If you are unsure about where to start with gifting for your clients, consider starting small.

Here are 7 things worth considering when gifting to clients of your architecture firm. These concepts can be applied to your gifting strategy year-round.

7 Corporate Gifting Considerations for Architects

1. Less is More.

If you have a small budget, send something small and high-quality versus something large and cheap. A well-designed, thoughtful card will be more effective than a cheap promotional item.

2. Personalization is Key.

When you can, especially for clients who have recently experienced project milestones, customize your gift to reflect their project, values, or interests.

3. Offer something useful.

There is nothing worse than receiving a corporate gift that isn’t useful. It is the equivalent of receiving a gold pin for 25 years of service to a company.

4. Consider your brand values.

The gifts you select are a reflection of your values. If sustainability is one of your firm’s core values, it should be reflected in your approach to gifting.

5. Consider the client’s journey.

Whether you are gifting during the holidays or as part of your project cycle, it is worth considering where the client is in their customer journey. Gifting can be a good excuse to check in on your clients and catch issues before they arise.

6. Avoid overly promotional items.

Promotional items rarely feel genuine, especially when they are not useful. When sending promotional items, you are also at risk of appearing wasteful.

7. Don’t be afraid to be creative or unconventional.

Showcase your creativity and even invite your clients to participate in the design process themselves. At the nonprofit I work for, we give custom Nike shoes in our brand colors to every outgoing board member. The shoes align with the ethos of the people we serve: entrepreneurs. The shoe style and design are customizable to each person’s taste, and it has been embraced as an unconventional tradition.

Gifting is an art, and lucky for you, you are creative!

Looking for a few gifting ideas?

Sketch something. Create a personalized sketch or illustration of your client’s completed project and frame it for them. Or create stickers, reusable grocery bags, or other small items using your sketches, drawings, and renderings.

Give custom artwork. Did you have a professional photograph your client’s building for your portfolio? Frame a print signed by the photographer or compile a professional photo book featuring the images for your client.

Curate a book collection. Curate a collection of design books for your client’s coffee table relevant to their project’s style or architectural interests. Write a personal note on the inside cover.

Have an extremely limited budget? Send a digital card. You could go a step further and allow your client to pick from multiple budget-friendly gift options. A few ideas include:

A 30-minute in-person or virtual course about a design-related topic or skill.A 30-minute walking tour about the architectural history of your community.

Set a couple of times for clients to join and offer a happy hour to conclude the tour. Offer a gift card redeemable to a local coffee shop.

These are just a few ideas, but as you can see, there are so many possibilities to use gifting to connect with your clients!