It starts with a box.
Ok, that may be underselling it a bit…
Tailored packaging is vital in this game of pizazzing. Apple has patents for its delightful unboxing experience, and Apple is the most bragged-about gadget, and those two things are not unrelated.
Let’s look at what’s inside…
This illustrated cookie, which tasted wonderfully handmade, because – get a load of this – it was, and caused grins by planting both feet firmly on an inside joke about a certain Zembrite’s toe "phobia”...
Write this down in permanent marker: your brand is bigger than your logo. Take jokes from your team or industry and use them as inspiration; it’ll create more goodwill than sticking your logo on the 95,173rd thing.
Those leather goods…
Given 95% of Zembrs' team are women, it’s fitting they included a branded mousepad and coaster from a woman-led Aussie leather company.
Hot tip: Brand items that people will proudly use and enjoy. No more cheap pens or 90’s era instant coffee mugs. Your logo should be the signature on the piece, not so big and needy that it sucks the oxygen out of the room. Stay classy.
This sassy card...
This book…
Not just because Atomic Habits is a bestseller, but because it’s relevant for business leaders who seek productivity (hello, Zembr is an EA and delegation agency). Zembr made it more personal with a personal inscription from their CEO.
Hottest of tips: Include resources that nudge your team or clients (yes, them too) to develop skills or mindsets that will serve you both.
OK, you get the idea. We don’t need to show you the tinned candle or notebook. It was an end-of-year gift that said “kick back and relax… and come back on fire for the new year!”
Designing a gift with personality and humor isn’t just for businesses and brands that are already funky or cool.
Try it: However proper your brand or industry, brainstorm ideas that aim to elicit a giggle, an audible “aww”, or a “wow, come look what xyz sent us!” A strong emotional response is the soil where goodwill grows.
You might need co-creatives to help you break out of the box and uncover ideas that are relevant to you and your recipients.
We’re kind of pros at that.