Top employee gifting trends for Q2 2026

Corporate gifting in India is maturing. HR and People Ops teams that used to order generic pen sets are now thinking about what their employees will actually use, what reflects the company's values and how the packaging looks when the box is opened. Here is what is trending this quarter based on what ATC clients are ordering.

‍

1. Wellness and self-care gifting

The fastest-growing category in corporate gifting right now is wellness. This covers a wide range: protein bars and healthy snack boxes, branded water bottles and tumbler cups, yoga mats with a company logo, sleep kits and journal sets. The underlying idea is that companies want to signal they care about the whole person, not just their output. For Q2 specifically, hydration and fitness accessories are popular ahead of the summer months. A stainless steel bottle or an insulated tumbler with the company logo is practical, visible and well-received.

2. Personalisation as standard expectation

A generic branded notebook used to feel like a premium gift. That bar has moved. Employees now expect some level of personalisation — a name printed on the notebook, a custom colour that matches the team, a message card with the manager's signature rather than a standard printed insert. This does not have to be expensive. Even small touches like a custom sticker inside the box or a name on the outside of a bag makes the gift feel considered rather than mass-produced.

3. Tech accessories dominating mid-range budgets

At the Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per-person range, tech accessories are the most-ordered category. Laptop sleeves, cable organisers, power banks, USB hubs and wireless charging pads. These are items that knowledge workers use every day, which means the brand stays visible long after the gift is given. For remote teams in particular, a well-chosen tech accessory in a welcome kit carries real practical value.

4. Sustainable packaging as default

Clients are increasingly specifying eco-packaging without being asked. Kraft paper boxes, seed paper inserts, cotton ribbon and recycled tissue are becoming the default rather than an upgrade. Plastic wrapping and styrofoam inserts are being actively avoided. For companies that have made public sustainability commitments, the packaging is as important as the product inside it.

5. Gifting tied to company values

The most thoughtful gifting briefs coming in right now are ones where the client has connected the gift to something specific: a diversity initiative, a mental health awareness week, a sustainability milestone or a company anniversary. When the gift has a reason behind it — not just a calendar occasion — it lands differently. If your company has a specific value or programme you want to reinforce, share that context with the ATC team when briefing. They can help you find the product and packaging combination that tells that story.

‍

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular corporate gift in India in 2026?
Branded drinkware - stainless steel bottles and insulated tumblers - continues to be the highest-retention category. Tech accessories like laptop sleeves and cable organisers are growing fast at the mid-range budget tier.

How much should a company spend on employee gifts?
For everyday gifting and onboarding, Rs 800 to Rs 1,500 per person covers a practical and well-received kit. For annual gifting, leadership kits or festive occasions, Rs 2,000 and above allows for a genuinely premium experience.

Is personalisation expensive to add to corporate gifts?
Not significantly. Adding a name to a bottle via engraving or printing a name on a notebook adds a modest per-unit cost but substantially increases the perceived value of the gift. Contact ATC for specific pricing.

What gifting trends are specific to Indian companies?
Copper bottles, festive hampers for Diwali and Holi, and eco-aligned products with jute or bamboo packaging are particularly popular in the Indian corporate context. Regional and cultural relevance matters when choosing gifts for Indian teams.

Can ATC help with a year-round gifting calendar?
Yes. The ATC team can help you plan gifting occasions across the year — from onboarding and work anniversaries to festive seasons and milestone events — with the right product and budget recommendations for each.