2027 Corporate Gift Trends

As 2026 draws to a close, it’s time for HR professionals to examine emerging trends for 2027. By analyzing Altrum’s order data this year, we’ve identified significant shifts in employee preferences. This article reveals the top 5 most popular gifts of 2026, plus our predictions for the trends that will define 2027; including a few new insights from what we’re seeing across both everyday recognition and milestone gifting.

Top 5 Most Popular Gift Categories in 2026

Looking back at more than 24,000 orders placed on our recognition platform this year, five categories stood out clearly above the rest. Since several of these categories include multiple standout products, we’ve highlighted a few of the most popular picks within each below.

5. Coffee & Tea Essentials

In fifth place, coffee and tea gifts remain a steady favourite. Espresso machines led the way, alongside premium teapots and single-serve coffee systems. Gifts that fit easily into a daily routine.

Popular picks:

• Espresso and cappuccino machines
• SW Classic 1.3L teapots
• De’Longhi Linea Classic manual espresso machine
• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+

Why it works:

• Useful in daily life, not just a special occasion
• A small, everyday luxury
• Wide appeal across tastes and lifestyle

4.Travel & Luggage

Fourth place goes to travel and luggage, led by rigid carry-on suitcases and luggage sets. As hybrid work and travel both remain part of everyday life, practical, durable travel gear is a useful pick for many.

Popular picks:

• 20-inch hardside carry-on suitcases with packing cubes
• Two-piece hardside luggage sets
• 6″ laptop backpacks

Why it works:

• Genuinely useful and long-lasting
• Supports both travel and daily commuting
• A higher-perceived-value gift that still feels practical

3.Handbags & Totes

Third place goes to handbags and totes, with vegan-leather totes proving especially popular this year. These gifts strike a balance between everyday function and polished, professional look.

Popular picks:

• Recycled vegan-leather totes
• 2-in-1 convertible handbags
• Vertical leather totes

Why it works:

• Practical for both work and daily life
• A refined, put-together gift
• Growing preference for vegan and recycled materials

2.Small Kitchen Appliances

Second place goes to small kitchen appliances such as multicookers, blenders, and juicers. These gifts bring genuine, everyday value into employees’ homes and were strong performers this year.

Popular picks:

• 3L electric multicookers
• 12-speed blenders with glass jars
• Compact juicers and hand blenders

Why it works:

• Useful and durable
• Brings real value to daily life
• Aligns with healthy-living habits

1.Gift Cards and Experience Packages

Topping our 2026 rankings, gift cards were the single most-ordered category on the platform. What stands out is the mix: alongside a major retailer, the top gift cards were almost all from Quebec-based brands and experience providers.

Popular picks:

• Strom Spa thermal experience
• Mia, KaseMe, Lambert, and Orage gift cards
• Walmart CA gift cards

Why it works:

• Creates personalized solo or shared memories to last a lifetime
• Works equally well for an experience (spa day) or a purchase
• Strong overlap with the local-business trend as most top cards this year came from Quebec brands

Employee Gift Trends Forecast for 2027

1.    Local Sourcing Grows and Splits into Two Camps

The move toward local products that defined 2026 isn’t slowing down but continued trade uncertainty is pushing it further. But as the local trend matures, a real divide has become clear: some employees value the story and craftsmanship of a small, local catalog, while others prioritize the breadth of selection and fast delivery that larger platforms like Amazon offer. Neither preference is wrong; it just means a one-size-fits-all catalog risks missing part of the audience.

What will be popular in 2027:

• Gift catalogs that clearly separate a curated local selection from a wider marketplace-style option
• Terroir food products and regional collaborations, for employees who prioritize story and provenance
• Fast, reliable shipping options preserved alongside local picks, for employees who prioritize convenience

2.  Everyday Gift Cards for Everyday Recognition

A trend we’re hearing directly from clients: practical, everyday gift cards like groceries and gas are increasingly appreciated because they genuinely help with day-to-day life, rather than sitting unused. But the context matters. These cards fit best as everyday recognition; a quick, meaningful acknowledgment through points-based peer recognition rather than as the centerpiece of a major milestone. A 5-year anniversary or a maternity leave send-off calls for something more considered; a gas card is a perfect way to say “thank you” on an ordinary Tuesday.

What will be popular in 2027:

• Grocery and gas gift cards redeemed through everyday points-based recognition
• Practical, small-value cards used often, rather than saved for rare occasions
• Milestone gifting kept distinct, reserved for larger and more personal choices

3. Generational Personalization, Sharpened by Data

Personalizing gifts by generation was a useful starting point in 2026, and it remains relevant but 2027 sharpens it. Rather than treating every Gen Z or Baby Boomer employee the same way, companies are combining generational context with individual preference data to narrow down options more accurately, while still leaving room for personal choice.

Approaches by generation:

• Gen Z: Sustainable, ethical gifts with measurable social impact
• Millennials: Personalized experiences, wellness technologies
• Gen X: Quality practical products, work-life balance
• Baby Boomers: Traditional crafts, collectible items

Reminder: generational trends are a starting point, not a rule. The best way to know what someone will appreciate is still to ask directly or offer a choice.

4. Wellness Gifts for a Longer and Healthier Career

Mental health support remains a priority in gifting, and 2027 broadens the focus. in the workplace than ever, wellness gifts are shifting from one-time indulgences toward sustained, long-term well-being, recovery, sleep, and stress management that support employees over the course of a longer career.

2027 wellness gift ideas:

• Smartwatches with stress, sleep, and recovery tracking
• Subscriptions to mindfulness and mental health apps
• Relaxing experiences such as spa visits or weekend getaways
• Light therapy devices to combat seasonal depression

5. Sustainability Moves Past the Checkbox

Eco-responsible gifting remains important, but employee expectations are getting more specific. It’s no longer enough for a gift to simply be made of recycled material. A growing share of employees care about the full footprint of a gift, including how much packaging it arrives in and how far it had to travel. Over-packaged items and lengthy shipping routes are increasingly seen as working against the sustainable intent of the gift itself.

Expected priorities in 2027:

• Minimal, right-sized packaging instead of excess protective materials
• Shorter shipping distances, another reason local sourcing and sustainability increasingly overlap
• Durable, reusable items designed for years of use over single-occasion sustainable swag
• Transparent sourcing information so employees can see the footprint for themselves

6. Connected, Immersive and Shareable Experiences

Experience-based gifts continue to resonate, and in 2027 the emphasis shifts toward experiences that can be shared with a partner, family, or teammates, rather than enjoyed solo. This also means building in flexibility for hybrid and remote employees who may not always be able to take part in person.

Types of trending experiences:

• Immersive culinary experiences: cooking classes, tastings, gourmet dinners
• Personalized outdoor adventures: kayaking, guided hiking, glamping
• High-end relaxation getaways: hotel stays, Nordic spas, wellness retreats
• Plus-one or family-inclusive experience vouchers, and hybrid-friendly formats where possible

2027 promises to be another year of evolution for corporate gift strategies. HR professionals will need to navigate a widening range of employee expectations; from practical, everyday appreciation to considered, milestone-worthy gifts, all while keeping sustainability and personalization front of mind. The organizations that adapt thoughtfully will build recognition programs that feel genuinely meaningful, not just generous.

The key to success remains the same: personalize the approach but stay consistent with your company’s values and the realities your employees are navigating.

FAQ

Q1: What employee gifts are trending in 2027?

Local and regional products, practical everyday gift cards (groceries, gas), refined generational personalization, long-term wellness support, low-waste sustainable gifts, and shareable experiences are the top trends expected for 2027.

Q2: Are gift cards a good employee recognition gift?

Yes, particularly for everyday, points-based recognition rather than major milestones. Practical gift cards like groceries or gas are well suited to frequent, smaller moments of appreciation, while bigger occasions like work anniversaries typically call for a more considered gift.

Q4: Should companies buy gifts from big retailers or local businesses?

Both have a place. Local and regional gifts appeal to employees who value story, craftsmanship, and supporting the local economy, while larger retailers appeal to employees who prioritize selection and fast delivery. Offering both options in a gift catalog serves a wider range of preferences.

Q5: How can companies make gifting more sustainable?

Beyond choosing eco-friendly materials, companies can reduce a gift’s environmental footprint by minimizing packaging, shortening shipping distances (for example, by sourcing locally), and favoring durable, reusable items over single-use novelties.