Every fall, our team gets a familiar phone call. “Can you help us put together holiday gifts for 300 employees… by next Friday?”
Sometimes we can. Sometimes we can’t. Not because the products don’t exist, but because the best products, colors, packaging, and decoration methods have already been reserved months earlier.
The companies with the smoothest holiday programs don’t necessarily spend more. They simply start earlier.
Whether you’re recognizing employees, thanking clients, launching a company store, planning year-end appreciation events, or shipping gifts to remote teams, this guide will walk you through the ideal planning timeline so you can avoid unnecessary stress and create a gifting experience people genuinely remember.
5 Common Holiday Planning Mistakes
(And How to Avoid Them)
1. Waiting Until October
Many companies wait too long and end up with limited options and higher costs.
Solution: Start planning in July to get the best results.
2. Ordering Trendy Items Too Late
Trendy products sell out fast during the holiday rush.
Solution: Order popular items early in the season.
3. Forgetting Remote Employees
Not collecting addresses early causes last-minute chaos.
Solution: Start collecting addresses by September.
4. Ignoring Custom Packaging
Great gifts deserve great packaging. Don’t overlook this detail.
Solution: Plan custom packaging early.
5. Choosing Gifts People Won't Use
Cheap or generic gifts often get tossed or forgotten.
Solution: Choose high-quality, useful gifts that reflect your brand.
Why Summer Is the Smartest Time to Plan Holiday Gifts
It may feel early to think about holiday gifts while the weather is still warm, but summer is actually when the most successful employee appreciation programs begin. Companies that start planning in July and August typically have more product choices, more customization options, and fewer last-minute surprises than those waiting until October or November.
Whether you’re recognizing employees, thanking clients through thoughtful corporate gifts, or launching a company store, planning early gives you more flexibility and better results.
- Better Product Selection: The most popular drinkware, premium apparel, backpacks, tech accessories, and gift sets often begin selling out as fall approaches. Starting early gives you access to a wider range of colors, styles, and inventory before seasonal demand increases.
- Better Better Pricing: Planning ahead helps avoid expensive rush production and expedited shipping charges. It also provides more flexibility to choose products that fit your budget rather than settling for whatever remains available.
- More Decoration & Personalization Options: Need embroidered apparel, engraved drinkware, custom packaging, personalized gift notes, or branded gift boxes? These finishing touches require additional production time, and planning early gives you the freedom to create something employees will genuinely remember.
- Time to Build the Right Program: Great holiday gifting isn't just about choosing products. It's about selecting the right mix of items, organizing recipient lists, confirming delivery addresses, and creating a consistent experience across your entire company. Summer provides the breathing room to make thoughtful decisions instead of rushing through them.
- Better Support for Remote & Multi-Office Teams: Many organizations now have employees working remotely or across multiple office locations. Starting early allows time to collect shipping addresses, coordinate deliveries, and ensure everyone receives their gift before the holidays arrive.
- Less Stress for Everyone: Perhaps the biggest benefit of planning early is peace of mind. Instead of scrambling to find available inventory or paying rush fees in November, your team can focus on finishing the year strong while knowing your holiday gifting program is already in motion.
Pro Tip: Many companies begin planning their holiday gifts in July, not because it’s close to the holidays, but because it gives them the widest product selection, the best pricing, and enough time to create a memorable experience instead of settling for last-minute options.
Holiday Gifts Employees Actually Keep (And Love)
Focus on quality, usefulness, and items that refelct your brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure where to start?
We've got you covered.
When should companies start planning holiday gifts?
The ideal time to begin planning is July. Starting early gives your team the widest selection of products, more customization options, better pricing, and enough time to review samples, approve artwork, and coordinate deliveries before the holiday rush.
Is July too early to order holiday gifts?
Not at all. In fact, many large organizations begin planning their holiday gifting programs during the summer. While production may not begin immediately, July is the perfect time to finalize budgets, choose products, and secure inventory before demand increases.
When is the latest I should order corporate holiday gifts?
For the best selection, we recommend placing orders by late August or September. October often requires rush production, and by November many popular products, colors, and styles may no longer be available.
What promotional products usually sell out first?
Premium drinkware, branded apparel, backpacks, wireless chargers, notebooks, gift sets, and popular retail-inspired items are often the first products to experience inventory shortages during the holiday season.
Can you ship holiday gifts directly to employees?
Absolutely. We can ship individual gifts directly to employees working from home, remote offices, or multiple locations across the United States. We also offer kitting, custom packaging, and address verification services to simplify the process.
Can each gift be personalized?
Yes. Many products can be personalized with employee names, custom messages, variable data printing, engraved drinkware, embroidered apparel, or personalized gift notes to create a more memorable experience.
Do you help companies choose the right gifts?
Yes. Our team works with HR, marketing, and operations teams to recommend products based on your budget, audience, company culture, event goals, and branding. Whether you’re shopping for employees, clients, or event attendees, we’ll help narrow down the best options.
How long do custom promotional products typically take?
Production times vary by product, decoration method, and inventory availability. Most custom promotional products require 2 to 6 weeks, while fully customized gift boxes, kitting projects, and company stores may require additional planning time.
Can you create custom holiday gift boxes?
Yes. We specialize in custom corporate gift boxes that combine branded merchandise, gourmet food, drinkware, apparel, tech accessories, and personalized messaging. Every kit can be customized to reflect your company’s brand and budget.
Do you offer company stores for employee gifting?
Yes. Company stores are a great option for allowing employees to choose their own gifts. We design and manage branded online stores that make ordering simple while giving employees the flexibility to select items they’ll actually use.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Minimum quantities vary depending on the product. Some items are available in small quantities, while others require larger production runs. We’ll recommend options that fit your budget and order size.
Do you only work with companies in Houston?
No. While Merch by GS is proudly based in Houston, Texas, we work with organizations across the United States. We regularly ship promotional products, apparel, and holiday gifts nationwide.
Can you warehouse products and ship later?
Yes. We offer warehousing and fulfillment services for many projects, allowing companies to receive inventory when they need it instead of all at once. This is especially helpful for onboarding kits, company stores, and multi-location organizations.
Do you help with artwork and logo placement?
Absolutely. Our team provides complimentary artwork assistance, virtual mockups, and decoration recommendations to ensure your logo looks great on every product before production begins.
What if I don't know what I want to order yet?
That’s perfectly normal. Most of our clients start with a conversation rather than a product. We’ll learn about your audience, budget, timeline, and goals, then recommend curated ideas that fit your brand and make the ordering process easy.
Can you help with employee onboarding kits and appreciation gifts throughout the year?
Yes. While many companies think about branded merchandise during the holidays, we help organizations create onboarding kits, employee recognition programs, wellness campaigns, company stores, conference giveaways, and appreciation gifts all year long.
Still have questions? Every company has different goals, budgets, and timelines. Whether you’re ordering holiday gifts for 25 employees or launching a nationwide company store, our team is happy to help you build a program that’s memorable, on budget, and delivered on time.
