Corporate Christmas gifts: experiences for teams and clients

A shared experience works as a corporate gift when the team does it together, it has a date and nobody has to organise anything. It is an alternative to the Christmas hamper (the cesta de Navidad that many Spanish companies give their staff) and it suits employees, clients and partners alike.

The practical difference from an object is that an experience has to be organised, so November is the time to start. In return, it leaves something people talk about for weeks and does not end up in a drawer. This article covers experiences for groups with a set date, not individual gifts.

Three ways to give an experience

For the whole team, on a date in January or February

You announce the gift before Christmas and hold the experience when the pace of the year eases. For mid-sized groups, the sangria workshop (10 to 20 guests, two hours) and sparkling wine with gourmet croquettes (4 to 30) are simple to organise. For large teams, Human Synergy takes up to 100 people.

By department, on a rotating calendar

If your headcount is large, split it into groups of 8 to 20 and spread the dates across the first quarter. The Wine Casino (8 to 20 guests) fits this model well, because each group plays on its own and everyone gets the same experience.

For clients and partners, in small groups

Personal attention matters most here. A private whisky tasting (4 to 20 guests, one hour), the Mexican tasting menu with mezcal (4 to 30) or the Japanese dinner with sake (from 2 guests) let you invite a small group and talk to each person.

What to decide before choosing

• Who receives the gift. The whole company, one department, or only the clients you work with most.
• Working hours or not. During working hours, the experience feels like a gift. Outside them, it can feel like an obligation; if so, make attendance voluntary.
• Alcohol. If the format involves tastings, prepare an alcohol-free alternative for anyone who does not drink.
• Dietary needs. Ask about allergies and diets before booking.
• Tax treatment. Gifts to employees and to clients are not treated the same way for tax purposes. Check with your accountant before you set the amount.

How to announce the gift to the team

The announcement matters as much as the experience. A short card or email should say what is being given, which month it will happen, how long it lasts, whether it falls inside or outside working hours and how to sign up or flag restrictions. Avoid phrases that sound like an obligation, such as "attendance required". If the gift is for clients, personalise the message with the person's name and offer two or three dates to choose from.

Calendar: give at Christmas, celebrate in the first quarter

Which experience fits which gift

Guest numbers and durations come from each experience listing. To see more options, browse the experiences catalogue. If you are still deciding on the Christmas dinner, we have company Christmas party ideas in another article.

Mistakes to avoid

• Giving without a date. An experience with no set day stays a promise and ends up forgotten.
• Choosing a format that pushes people to drink. If half the team does not drink, the gift becomes awkward.
• Ignoring remote staff or people on different schedules. Offer several dates and, if you can, an alternative format.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give an experience to a single person?

The experiences in this catalogue are organised for groups, with a minimum that ranges from 2 to 10 guests depending on the listing. For an individual gift, other options will fit better.

How much does it cost?

It depends on the experience and the headcount. Tell us what you need in the tailor your event form and you will get a proposal with a price within 24 hours.

Can it be combined with a physical item?

Yes. Many companies hand over a card or a small token together with the announcement of the experience, so the gift is visible in December. What matters is that the object stays simple and the experience remains the main gift.

Is an experience better than a hamper?

It depends on your team. A hamper arrives on its own and needs no organising. An experience asks you to plan a date, but it creates a shared memory. If your team works remotely or across several countries, a shared experience may be the one chance in the year to meet in person.

Start with the recipient list

Give us the headcount and the month you want to hold it, and we will prepare a tailored proposal within 24 hours. Write to us through tailor your event and tell us whether the gift is for your team, your clients or both.