Your 2026 Holiday Gift Planner
Pick the kind of corporate gifting you want to do, and this planner builds your deadlines, project plan, and budget.
Step 1
The answer to "is it too late?"
Choose the gifting path you're considering. Everything below, including your project plan, updates to match.
When to execute
Oct 30, 2026
4–6 week timeframe for branded kitted gifts. The clock starts after proof approval (final proofs are shared once the sales order is signed and paid). Gifts can still be executed after Oct 30, but options get limited.
Not sure what to send yet? Browse the 2026 Holiday Gift Guide to see what fits your path.
Step 2
Your project plan
Each milestone shows a Done by date: that's when it has to be finished to stay on track for mid-December in-hands. Check things off as you go.
0 of 15 milestones done · 0%
Project conception & inspo
- Done by Tue, Sep 1
- Done by Tue, Sep 1
- Done by Tue, Sep 15
Gift evaluation & vendor setup
- Done by Mon, Aug 17
- Done by Mon, Sep 7
- Done by Mon, Sep 28
- Done by Mon, Oct 5
- Done by Thu, Oct 8
Samples & production
- Done by Mon, Oct 12
- Done by Thu, Oct 15
- Done by Fri, Oct 16
Digital notification & shipping
- Done by Tue, Dec 1
- Done by Mon, Dec 21
Project close
- Done by Mon, Dec 28
- Done by Mon, Jan 4, 2027
Timeline tips from Goody's gifting experts
- Work backwards. Start from when they want gifts in hand, not from today.
- Branded gifts take 4–6 weeks in production. The clock starts when final proofs are approved (shared after the sales order is signed and the invoice is paid).
- Build in internal processes. Procurement or legal review can add weeks.
- Branded + choice + exact counts = send a digital notification in September or early October.
- International adds time. Get the country list early.
- Gift of Choice is always available. Any day.
Step 3
Estimate your gifting budget
Update your details in the yellow fields. We'll estimate the all-in number: product, add-ons, shipping, taxes, and fees.
How are gifts delivered outside the U.S.?
Add-ons: check any that apply
Est. total budget
$13,850
Est. cost per recipient
$132
These are estimates only. Final pricing may vary. The breakdown below shows exactly how we got to this number.
| What you're paying for | Rate | Applied to | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Products | |||
| Gift(s) or swag you choseYour product value per recipient, times the number of recipients. | $100 per recipient | 105 recipients | $10,500 |
| Shipping, taxes & fees | |||
| Domestic shippingOne package shipped to each U.S. recipient's address. | $16 per package | 100 packages | $1,600 |
| International: ship from the u.s.Higher rate covers customs and duties outside the U.S. | $50 per package | 5 packages | $250 |
| TaxesEstimated sales tax on the product subtotal. | 8% of products | $10,500 | $840 |
| Processing feesPayment and platform processing on everything above. | 5% of subtotal | $13,190 | $660 |
| Estimated total | $13,850 | ||
Sanity-check your per-gift number against real prices in the 2026 Holiday Gift Guide.
Step 4
Gift questionnaire
The questions worth answering before you shortlist a single gift. Copy, download, or print your answers to share ahead of the kickoff call.
0 of 13 answered. Bring these to your kickoff call.
How many people do you need to get gifts for?
What is your all-in budget (including taxes + fees)?
When should the gifts be delivered by?
Whom will you need to work with internally for approvals, input, and decision making?
Should recipients see the gift's value or keep prices hidden?
What did we gift last year? Did people like it?
Who are our recipients? (demographic, location, etc.)
What categories of gifts will recipients be interested in, and is the budget going toward one main gift or multiple items?
Does the gift need to be branded? If so, does everything need to be branded or only some pieces of it?
Should everyone get the same gift, or do you want to give options like a custom gift collection or the Gift of Choice?
How can these gifts represent your company's values? (themed collections, causes you support, etc.)
Do you want to ship to home addresses or deliver in bulk to a single location?
Where are your recipients located? US or internationally? Make a list of the number of people in each country.
Once you've answered these, shortlist from the 2026 Holiday Gift Guide.
Step 5
Tips from Goody's CEO, Katy Carrigan
Hard-won advice from thousands of corporate gifting programs.
- Always plan ahead for branded, it takes the longest!
- Give your recipients choice. The Gift of Choice is our most popular option on Goody.
- When gifting clients, $50 is a minimum.
- Build in a positive social good element, like a donation.
- Stick with quality gifts that make your brand look good.
- Don't forget to budget for taxes, shipping, and fees. They add up fast.
- Keep dietary restrictions in mind. One-size-fits-all food baskets can alienate recipients with allergies or lifestyle diets. Either gather preferences up front or offer choice.
- Gift equitably across teams to support morale and avoid any perception of bias or favoritism.
- Alcohol isn't for everyone, but there are some great mocktail gift options now too. (Another reason to provide choice!)
Step 6
2026 inspo — straight from our gift guide
Real picks from the 2026 Holiday Gift Guide. Every gift links straight to its page.
Employee Favorites
The crowd-pleasers teams actually keep on their desks, from the 2026 guide.
- Fellow Fellow Carter 3-in-1 Sip System$50
- Ember Ember Cold Tumbler$40
- JBL Go 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker$50
Client-Worthy
Higher-touch picks for your top accounts, board, and decision makers.
- Flamingo Estate The Tablemates Gift Box$104
- Holcomb Birdie Wine Decanter$132
- Vosges Haut-Chocolat Campfire S'mores Kit$70
Branded Swag
Logo-worthy gifts people keep. These need production runway. Check your timeline.
- On Demand Swag Branded Owala 32oz FreeSip Bottle$49
- YETI Branded Yeti 14oz Mug Kit$55
- Stanley Branded Stanley 30oz Quencher H2.0$60
Under $50
Scales to a big list without feeling cheap.
- Levain Bakery Levain Bakery 4 Pack$32
- Bombas Merino Wool Blend Calf Socks$22
- AeroPress AeroPress Original Coffee Maker$40
Global-Ready
Ships beyond the US. Build your country list early.
- Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket$100
- Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler 30oz$35
- Parachute Home Turkish Cotton Stripe Slippers$59
Feeling Stuck? Gift of Choice
Unlock the full marketplace and let recipients pick exactly what they want. Available any day, no deadline.
- Goody Gifts A Goody Holiday Gift$30+
- Goody Best Sellers collectionVaries
- Goody Gift of Choice collectionsVaries
Whether you're appreciating employees, delighting clients, or staying top-of-mind with prospects, we're here to make your 2026 holiday gifting easy to execute and impossible to forget.
Dates are based on a custom branded box with a mid-December in-hands date. Simpler sends need far less runway.