A saree, a plant, a laptop bag: How corporate gifting is changing in India

Corporate gifting in India, once largely associated with Diwali hampers, annual bonuses and festive celebrations, is increasingly extending to birthdays, work anniversaries, promotions, onboarding and personal milestones. The idea is no longer just to give employees something during the festive season — it is to make them feel remembered throughout the year.

HR experts, however, caution that a gift cannot replace genuine recognition. Citing a 2025 Great Place To Work India and Vantage Circle study, Dr Yogish Arora, director and CEO of HR Anexi, noted that only 55% of employees experience the full impact of recognition at work. He believes companies need to build a culture in which recognition does not depend on one festival, one manager or one business owner — and that gifting alone cannot improve employee retention or compensate for inadequate pay, poor management or limited career growth.

To Read More: India Today