Yes, we know… it’s July. The sun is shining, the BBQs are out, and corporate Christmas gifting probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. But before you close this page thinking we’ve completely lost track of the seasons, hear us out!
Believe it or not, many businesses are already starting to think about their corporate Christmas gifting plans for 2026. Whether it’s rewarding hardworking employees, thanking loyal clients, or running festive customer promotions, planning ahead means less stress, more choice, and a smoother festive season when December eventually rolls around.
If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling for last-minute gifts or trying to plan rewards in the run-up to Christmas, you’ll know exactly why getting ahead is worth it. So, while everyone else is enjoying the summer sunshine, here’s why now is the perfect time to start planning.
Why It’s Worth Planning Your Christmas Gifting Early
Christmas has a habit of creeping up on businesses. One minute you’re enjoying summer, the next you’re wondering how it’s suddenly December.
Starting your planning early gives you plenty of time to think about who you’re rewarding, what message you want to send, and which gifts will have the biggest impact. It also means you can spread the workload, secure budgets, and avoid the inevitable festive rush that arrives towards the end of the year.
Early planning also opens up more opportunities to tailor your gifting strategy. Rather than choosing something because it’s available at the last minute, you can select rewards that genuinely suit your employees, customers or clients, making your investment go even further.
After all, Christmas gifting is about making people feel valued, appreciated and remembered.
Corporate Christmas Gifts They’ll Actually Look Forward To
One of the biggest challenges with corporate gifting is finding something that appeals to everyone. That’s where Virgin Incentives comes in.
Our range of rewards gives recipients the freedom to enjoy experiences, choose their favourite brands, or even put their gift towards their next trip away. Here’s a look at some of the options available.
Virgin Experience Days (UK) & Virgin Gifts (USA)
Experiences create memories that last far longer than traditional gifts.
Whether someone dreams of a luxury spa day, an incredible meal, a family day out, adrenaline-fuelled adventures or a bucket-list experience, there’s something for everyone.
Businesses can choose to gift a specific experience or give recipients complete flexibility with a Virgin Experience Days Gift Card (UK) or Virgin Gifts eGift Card (USA), allowing them to browse hundreds of experiences and choose something that’s perfect for them.
They’re an excellent choice for:
- Employee Christmas gifts
- Client thank you gifts
- Customer rewards
- Sales incentive winners
- Long service awards
Giving people the freedom to choose their own experience makes every gift feel personal.
Leisure Choice Gift Card
If flexibility is your priority, Leisure Choice is hard to beat.
Available in both the UK and the USA, recipients can spend their gift card with an extensive range of popular brands.
- UK: Over 140 leading brands
- USA: Over 160 popular brands
Whether someone enjoys shopping, dining out, entertainment, travel or experiences, they’ll find something they genuinely want.
For businesses, it also removes the guesswork. Rather than trying to choose one perfect gift for everyone, you’re giving recipients the freedom to choose for themselves.
Perfect for:
- Company-wide Christmas gifting
- Employee appreciation
- Remote and hybrid workforces
- Customer loyalty rewards
Virgin Gift Card (UK)
Looking for something with a real “wow factor”?
The Virgin Gift Card is one of our most premium gifting solutions, offering recipients access to some of the most iconic Virgin brands.
With popular redemption options including Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays, recipients can put their gift towards flights, holidays and unforgettable experiences, making it feel much more than a traditional gift card.
It’s an ideal choice for premium rewards such as:
- Employee of the Year awards
- Top sales performers
- Executive recognition
- High-value client gifting
- Customer competitions and prize draws
When you really want your reward to stand out, the Virgin Gift Card delivers something truly memorable.
Merlin Gift Card (UK)
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that bring people together.
The Merlin Gift Card unlocks access to some of the UK’s favourite attractions, including family favourites and unforgettable days out.
Whether recipients choose a thrilling theme park, a fascinating aquarium, a magical LEGOLAND® adventure or another Merlin attraction, they’re creating memories with friends and family.
It’s a fantastic option for:
- Family-friendly employee gifts
- Customer competitions
- Team rewards
- Christmas prize draws
For many recipients, experiences shared with loved ones become the gifts they remember long after the festive season ends.
Why Choose Virgin Incentives?
Choosing the right gift is only part of the equation. You also want a partner who makes the entire process straightforward.
At Virgin Incentives, we work with businesses of all sizes to create rewarding gifting programs that are simple to implement and enjoyable to receive. Here’s what makes us different:
- Flexible gifting options to suit every budget and audience.
- Solutions for both the UK and USA, making international gifting easier.
- Digital delivery options for fast, convenient distribution.
- Top consumer brands that recipients already know and love.
- Expert support to help you choose the right rewards for your employees, customers or clients.
Whether you’re rewarding five people or five thousand, we’ll help make your Christmas gifting effortless.
Get Ahead of Christmas 2026
It might feel slightly ridiculous talking about corporate Christmas gifting while you’re enjoying an ice cream in the sunshine, we’ll happily admit that!
But the reality is that many businesses are already putting their festive plans in motion, and getting ahead now means you’ll have more choice, less pressure, and more time to create a gifting program your recipients will genuinely appreciate.
Whether you’re appreciating employees, thanking clients, rewarding loyal customers or celebrating your highest performers, Virgin Incentives has a gifting solution to help make Christmas 2026 one to remember.
Ready to get ahead of the festive rush? Get in touch with our team below to start planning your corporate Christmas gifting strategy and discover how Virgin Incentives can help you reward the people who matter most.
