Send gifts internationally to employees and customers without extra costs

Your international customers, employees, and prospects love receiving gifts. While many companies have established corporate gifting programs for their U.S.-based recipients, the complexities of customs, foreign shipping fees, currency exchange, and international gift-giving regulations can feel daunting. As a result, businesses often find global gifting too complicated to manage.

International gifting doesn’t have to be hard. With the right software and gifting strategy, you can send great gifts worldwide.

Read on to unlock expert tips to help you send gifts internationally to employees and customers—without extra costs.

The benefits of sending gifts to global teams

Sending thoughtful gifts is an impactful way to show appreciation for your employees and clientele. Organizations use employee gifting to enhance morale, increase job satisfaction, and boost engagement levels. Customer gifting is used to increase retention and loyalty.

Increased morale

High morale is crucial for a well-functioning workplace. When employees enjoy their work, they are more productive. You can enhance morale through employee gifts, which show team members their efforts are truly appreciated. A thoughtful gift demonstrates genuine recognition, beyond a generic token of appreciation. For example, if an employee enjoys traveling, a Delta airlines gift card can be a perfect gift, showing you support their hobbies.

Employee engagement

Companies are seeing record-low employee engagement numbers in 2024. According to Gallup, in the first quarter of 2024, only 30% of U.S. employees were engaged. Comparatively, top organizations are seeing as high as 70% engaged employees.

Engaging employees, and getting closer to 70% engagement rate, is easy with the right employee gifts. Even small gifts can be impactful when they're tied to goals, milestones, or holidays. When employees feel engaged and appreciated, they're more likely to stay with a company longer.

Job satisfaction

Gifts play a crucial role in boosting job satisfaction by recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work and achievements. When employees feel appreciated, they’re more motivated to reach their goals and perform at their best. Thoughtful gifts make employees feel valued, which can strengthen their sense of loyalty and connection to the company.

Leaders can enhance job satisfaction even further by giving gifts on key occasions, such as work anniversaries, holidays, and personal milestones. These gestures celebrate individual contributions and create a positive work culture that promotes trust and engagement.

Customer retention

Strengthen customer relationships and boost retention by showing appreciation across borders. Thoughtful, personalized gifts make clients feel valued, fostering loyalty and trust. Retaining your customers is worth the cost. Business.com even reveals that, “current customers spend 67% more than those that are new to a business.” Although there may be a small price associated with customer gifts and retention, it’s a small percentage of what your customers will spend with you.

How to send gifts internationally

As global teams become more interconnected, consider ways to send gifts that ensure they’re meaningful across different regions. Let’s dive into three expert tips on how to send gifts internationally to employees and customers.

1. Consider popularity

In 2024, gifting trends are evolving to reflect shifting values in the workplace. Companies are increasingly focusing on personalization, sustainability, and inclusivity when choosing gifts for their employees. By keeping up with these trends, businesses can align with the values that matter most to their workforce. Let’s explore some of the key global trends in gifting that are set to make an impact this year.

  • Tech gadgets: Tech gadgets are a popular choice for employee gifts. They reflect the growing integration of technology in our daily lives. Items like smart home devices, wireless chargers, and high-quality headphones are in high demand. Give employees gift cards from Best Buy so they can pick out their preferred tech gift this year.
  • Unique experiences: Gifting unique experiences continues to gain traction as it offers personalized and memorable moments. Consider digital gift cards for travel adventures from Airbnb, a cruise with a gift card from Princess Cruise Lines, or concert tickets with a gift card from StubHub. These experiences provide recipients with opportunities to explore new interests or mark something off their bucket list.
  • Kitchen appliances: Kitchen appliances are trending as practical gifts, especially those that enhance culinary creativity. Popular options include air fryers, smart coffee makers, and high-performance blenders. These appliances add convenience and create more enjoyable cooking experiences at home. Have employees and clients enjoy gift cards from Amazon or Home Depot to buy their next home goods.
  • Airpods Max or AirTags: A gift card from Apple to buy high-quality tech accessories like AirPods Max and AirTags are coveted gifts.
  • Makeup and beauty finds: Makeup and beauty products continue to be sought-after gifts, reflecting the ongoing interest in self-care. This year, consider gifting Sephora gift cards for staff and clients to purchase curated beauty boxes featuring skincare essentials, luxury cosmetics, or eco-friendly beauty tools.

Be mindful of your recipients' location as you plan your gifting strategy. Paying attention to factors like currency differences, preferred brands, and how certain gifts resonate across diverse cultures  is crucial.

2. Consider recipients’ locations

When you’re sending gifts internationally, it’s essential to take into account regional preferences, currency variations, and the cultural relevance of certain brands. A gift that resonates in one country might not have the same impact elsewhere due to differences in brand recognition, availability, or local customs.

Currency differences also create disparities in gift value, which may unintentionally affect the perception of fairness and appreciation. To ensure employees and customers across the globe feel equally valued, companies should opt for gifts or solutions that appeal or adapt to local preferences.

Gift card platforms like Tango make this process easier. Tango offers Global Choice Link, which seamlessly converts currencies and allows recipients to choose from a wide variety of local or international brands.This level of flexibility ensures each gift holds the same value and significance—regardless of location. By using platforms that cater to global teams, companies can avoid logistical challenges and offer personalized, thoughtful gifts that resonate everywhere.

In addition to location, personalization plays a big role in global gift-giving. Ensure each team member and customer feels valued—no matter where they are in the world.

3. Personalize gifts

Personalization is key to making global gift-giving impactful. In a diverse workforce, a one-size-fits-all approach can fall short of making employees feel seen and appreciated. Tailoring gifts to reflect personal interests, hobbies, or preferences shows that you’ve taken the time to understand what matters most to your recipients.

Tango makes this process simple by offering hundreds of gift options for recipients to choose from, ensuring they get the perfect gift with minimal effort—and without breaking the bank. Customizable emails with personalized messaging add a thoughtful touch to the delivery of digital gifts. This flexibility makes the gifting process effortless and allows employees or clients to select something meaningful to them.

Even in a virtual format, this personal connection enhances the emotional impact of the gift and strengthens the bond between the company and its employees or clients.

With personalized delivery businesses can create a more memorable gift-giving experience for global teams.

Start sending gifts internationally

International gifting plays a significant role on employee engagement and customer retention—especially when businesses consider factors like location and personalization.  

As businesses continue to navigate the challenges of a global workforce, sending digital gift cards presents a powerful opportunity to easily enhance company culture and foster lasting relationships.

Want to easily send gifts internationally? Book a free demo with the Tango team today or download our holiday gift guide.

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