An unexpected summer business gift for a guaranteed impact!
The holiday season remains the privileged time for corporate gifts. However, more and more companies are now choosing to thank their customers or employees at other times of the year. Why? Because an unexpected gift is more surprising. It seems more spontaneous, more sincere, and often creates a stronger emotional impact.
At SWISS GIFT SELECTION SA, we have been supporting our clients in this evolution for several years. Corporate gifting is not disappearing; quite the contrary: it is evolving. It is becoming less automatic, more thoughtful, and more meaningful. Ultimately, it’s no longer just about offering an object, but about conveying a message: “We thought of you. Not because we had to give something. But because we wanted to thank you.” And often, it is the simplest gestures that leave the most lasting memories.
When thanking clients becomes an experience: the example of Maneki Sàrl
Last summer, the public relations agency Maneki Sàrl, based in the canton of Fribourg, chose to thank its clients in the middle of summer, in July, far from any calendar-imposed event, with a simple, sincere desire: to thank those who show their trust throughout the year.
The gift box was designed as a true breath of fresh air, featuring a vibrant pink in the agency's color scheme, and savory contents, ideal for an aperitif on a terrace or to share with colleagues. Nearly 40 gift boxes were crafted, personalized, and imagined to surprise while holidays were in full swing.
Three questions for Mélina Neuhaus, founder of Maneki Sàrl
Why did you choose the summer period for this surprise effect?
I wanted to break away from habits and conventions. My clients trust me all year round, sometimes for over 10 years, and I simply wanted to thank them in a different way. When you work in public relations, the connection with your clients is very strong; we work hand in hand. Summer seemed particularly interesting because no one expects to receive a professional gesture during this period. I wanted to create a sincere surprise, without any commercial objective behind it. Just take the time to say thank you. And if the gift box arrived at its destination while my client was on vacation, they would find it upon their return to the office, which would make the magic even more potent.
How was the collaboration with SWISS GIFT SELECTION?
For this summer surprise, I was looking for something fresh, light, and different, in a compact format easy to send by mail. In just a few exchanges, Hervé Badan proposed a very cohesive concept in a pink summer theme with Swiss products tinged with pink, a nod to my company's visual identity. I was impressed by his speed in understanding the desired intention and transforming it into a concrete experience, both visual and gustatory. Inside the DISCOVERY gift box, a symphony of pink: beetroot, poppy, and sesame crackers from Confiserie Suard in Givisiez (FR), beetroot, coconut, and ginger spread from Chez Denis in Corbières (FR), raspberry and chia popcorn from Be! Food & Beverage in Bursins (VD), and Opaline apple and raspberry juice from Vétroz (VS). All wrapped in magenta pink tissue paper and accompanied by a personalized thank you letter. The box was original, joyful, and visually very coherent... exactly what I had in mind without being able to articulate it myself.
What was the impact on your clients?
The reactions were magnificent, far exceeding my expectations. While the primary intention was to express heartfelt and sincere thanks, this gesture helped strengthen bonds, add a building block to the relationship, and even inspired some to do the same with their own clients. Several clients wrote to me immediately upon opening the box to thank me or tell me how pleasantly surprised they were. Some even still mention it today! I think this experience shows one simple thing: unexpected gestures sometimes create more emotion than expected ones.
One last word?
This approach requires creativity, attentive listening, and the ability to transform an idea, sometimes still vague, into a concrete experience. The choice of products, container, colors, producers, and even the shipping time contributes to building a cohesive gesture. And it is often this coherence that transforms a simple gift into a lasting memory. Hervé Badan was involved from the very beginning of the project, right up to the delivery of the gift boxes. His attentiveness, creativity, and passion greatly contributed to the success of this endeavor.
At SWISS GIFT SELECTION SA, we work with you to create 100% Swiss gifts designed to surprise, build connections, and leave a lasting impression.
What if your next corporate gift was precisely the one no one expects?
Contact us today to imagine your next client or employee appreciation gifts together.