At the end of the year, many companies consider how best to strengthen relationships with their key stakeholders, whether they are customers, employees or business partners. Among the tried and tested approaches, business gift-giving remains an extremely effective tool for expressing respect, strengthening trust and subtly enhancing brand recognition.
However, expectations are changing. As many as 72% of recipients of business gifts today expect the gift to be not only thoughtful, but also useful and worthy of long-term use. This is why gifts with added value, combining sustainable materials, functionality and a personal touch, are coming to the fore.
Whether they work in an office environment, a hybrid workplace or from home, recipients appreciate products that they can actually use. The best business gifts for 2026 will therefore be those that combine practicality with corporate identity, while also communicating the brand’s concern, professionalism, and advanced thinking.
At Habeco Promotional Gifts, we have carefully selected a range of products that follow contemporary business gifting trends and help you create a lasting impression that goes beyond festive gift-giving and remains in the memory of your recipients long after.
“By ordering your New Year’s business gifts in time, you ensure a wider selection, smooth delivery and enough time for thoughtful personalisation that leaves a lasting impression.”
Promotional textiles: wearable advertising with added value
Promotional textiles remain one of the most popular tools for building long-term brand recognition. But quality matters, as recipients will only be happy to wear clothing that is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and functional, while poorly made textiles will quickly end up at the bottom of the drawer.
Today, sustainable materials such as recycled cotton or RPET fabrics are at the forefront, enabling more environmentally friendly production without compromising on comfort. According to Coherent Market Insights, the global sustainable fashion market is valued at USD 12.46 billion in 2025, with a forecast to grow to USD 53.37 billion by 2032, representing an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.1%. This figure provides a realistic picture of the rapid growth of the sustainable clothing market, which strongly supports trends towards environmentally friendly promotional gifts.
With branding techniques such as embroidery, screen printing or sublimation, companies can present their identity in a subtle or bold way, but always in line with their brand image. Promotional clothing is therefore often used in welcome packs for new employees, as seasonal gifts or as part of promotional campaigns.
When promotional textiles are carefully selected, they are not just a gift, but a long-term investment in brand loyalty and recognition.
Water bottles are a modern gift that says more than just thank you
Water bottles are now much more than just a practical accessory for hydration. They have become an expression of personal lifestyle as well as the values of the company that gives them away. This is why they are one of the most popular choices for business or promotional gifts, combining practicality, sustainability and subtle yet effective brand promotion.
Modern bottles made of stainless steel; borosilicate glass or recycled materials ensure a long service life and are free of harmful substances such as BPA. With their simple yet sophisticated design, they fit perfectly into the everyday lives of employees, whether in the office, on the road or at home.
When you discreetly add your logo to a high-quality water bottle, you create a product that will accompany your brand in real life, without excessive advertising but with a constant presence. Add elegant packaging or a personal touch, and the bottle becomes a business gift that leaves a lasting impression and encourages sustainable behaviour.
With the user and the planet in mind, water bottles are a gift that combines care, aesthetics and responsibility.
ECO promotional gifts that stand out with their value and purpose
ECO promotional gifts prove that caring for the environment is not just a passing trend, but a conscious decision that creates added value. Even small promotional items can leave a big impression – if they are carefully selected and in line with your brand values.
Popular eco-friendly accessories include:
- Canvas shopping bags made from recycled materials
- Winter hats with AWARE™ tracking technology
- Key rings made from recycled PVC
- Notepads made from recycled paper with cardboard covers
- Pens made from bamboo, cork or recycled plastic
- Bottles and thermos flasks made from stainless steel or borosilicate glass
- Solar power banks or portable solar chargers
- Seed or plant kits in biodegradable pots
- Eco-friendly folders or document covers made from recycled cardboard
- Wooden coasters with customised printing
These products are ideal for a variety of occasions:
- At trade fairs, conferences and business events, where they serve as practical and sustainable promotional materials that visitors can take home with them.
- In direct mail, where each selected accessory contributes to a more personal and recognisable message.
- As a complement to larger gift sets, where eco-friendly accessories round off the company’s story and reinforce the feeling of thoughtfulness.
- When giving gifts to employees, as part of welcome packs or incentives on special occasions.
- In holiday gift campaigns, where a sustainable gift replaces traditional consumer products and expresses a concern for shared values.
- In subscription packages, partnerships or thank-you gifts, where the long-term usefulness of the product and positive association with the brand are key.
A recycled bag quickly becomes a companion in everyday tasks, a cap made from sustainable fibres retains warmth and conveys a message, while even a simple key ring takes on symbolic meaning, telling the story of your company.
ECO corporate gifts are not just a token of appreciation, but a powerful statement that conveys values such as care for the environment, quality and responsibility, showing that your brand thinks long term.
Modern business gifts for new ways of working
Modern corporate gifts must adapt to the way we work today – flexible, mobile and increasingly digital. Employees who work hybrid or remotely appreciate gifts that not only beautify their workspace but also make their daily tasks easier.
The focus is on products that combine functionality, modern design and sustainable materials:
- Laptop backpacks made from recycled fabrics (RPET), suitable for commuting between home and the office.
- Solar power bank batteries that provide energy where it is most needed.
- Wireless chargers and adapters for multiple devices, indispensable in today’s technological environment.
- Desk organisers, notebooks and kits for better productivity that promote organisation and focus.
Modern corporate gifts are not just a token of appreciation, but a reflection of understanding and support, as by choosing thoughtful and useful products, a company builds a relationship that goes beyond mere business exchange and clearly communicates that it is aware of the real needs of its recipients.
Technological promotional gifts: functionality that leaves an impression
Technological promotional gifts are among the most effective ways to ensure the long-term presence of a brand in the everyday lives of recipients. These are products that are not only practical but also desirable — mainly because people use them regularly and with pleasure.
Items such as USB sticks, wireless headphones, Bluetooth trackers and multi-purpose charging stations have become staples on desks, in bags and on the go. When paired with thoughtful branding, they act as silent but effective ambassadors for your company.
To ensure that tech business gifts really stand out and achieve their purpose in 2026, they should include thoughtful elements that appeal to modern values and user needs:
Aesthetically pleasing design, suitable for business and everyday use
Recipients want products that look good on their desk, in their backpack or in their home office. Clean lines, neutral colours and high-quality workmanship give the gift a professional look that does not stand out with intrusive branding, but blends naturally into their everyday life. They will use a beautiful product more often and your brand will always be with them.
Sustainable materials such as organic or plastic-free solutions
Environmental awareness is no longer just an added value, but often a prerequisite. Products made from materials such as rPET, bamboo, cork or wheat straw show that you are a responsible company. Such gifts reduce the impact on the environment and help build a reputable and modern brand.
Elegant packaging that emphasises the value of the gift as soon as it is opened
First impressions are important. High-quality packaging, perhaps made from recycled cardboard, with a subtle print or personalised touch, makes every product more special. This shows that it is not just an object, but a thoughtful experience that expresses respect for the recipient and attention to detail.
You can also achieve an excellent effect by combining different useful products — for example, a wireless charger with a notebook or a cable organiser together with a reusable aluminium bottle. When functionality meets aesthetic value, a technological gift becomes a gift that recipients truly appreciate and use regularly.
Promotional gifts for leisure
Promotional gifts for leisure offer practical value and a relaxed touch that recipients quickly recognise as something useful and personal. Unlike conventional promotional items, these gifts appeal to moments outside the office, on the road, in nature or during a weekend break.
Excellent choices include:
- Waterproof jackets or light parkas, suitable for all weather conditions.
- Backpacks with padded compartments for safe transport of technology and personal items.
- Travel accessories such as luggage organisers or compact shoulder bags.
- Sports equipment for leisure time, such as yoga mats, exercise bands or thermos flasks for outdoor activities.
Such gifts can also be perfectly integrated into themed packages with wellness content, as they encourage movement, balance and well-being, which in today’s fast-paced world means much more than just a token gesture.
When you choose a gift that accompanies the recipient in their free time, you strengthen the connection with your brand on a human, everyday level.
Seasonal gift sets are more than just a token of appreciation at the end of the year
They are a great way to express your gratitude to business partners, employees or customers in a personal and thoughtful way. They are designed so that each product in the set has its own role, and together they form a complete story, consistent with the values and message of your brand.
The combination of useful, high-quality and aesthetically pleasing products allows you to create gifts that recipients recognise as something more than a random gesture, but rather as something carefully thought out. When such a set is complemented by appropriate packaging that emphasises the feeling of attention, the result is a gift that is not just promotional material, but an expression of genuine care.
Gift packages for the New Year are therefore not just a business formality, but a tool for building long-term relationships. With them, you are not only giving products, but also an experience that connects, inspires and remains in the memory.
Are you ready to improve your promotional gift strategy?
Let the new year 2026 be a celebration of connection, gratitude and progress. Whether it’s a reward for your team, a welcome gift for new customers or a way to rekindle partnerships, the right gift says it all.
Explore our entire collection and tailor your next advertising campaign with Habeco promotional gifts.
