Most Irish SME owners (86%) will offer gifts to corporate clients this Christmas, up 11% on last year according to a survey by Musgrave Marketplace.

The survey assessed 400 Irish SMEs' attitudes on corporate gifting, revealing that the amount of money spent on client gifts is also on the rise. Of those that do give corporate gifts, 89% say they do so to strengthen their client relationships.

For half of respondents, mixed food and wine hampers are the corporate gift of choice. Alcoholic beverages prove popular for 32% while 9% prefer a box of chocolates.

Almost half of SMEs favour in-store shopping for client gifts, valuing the option of viewing products in-person before purchasing. Forty percent choose to shop both online and in-store, highlighting the importance of multiple shopping methods during the festive season.

Finding suitable client gifts is the most stressful thing about the entire corporate gifting process according to 42% of SME owners, and 19% find arranging the delivery of corporate presents to be particularly taxing.

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Musgrave MarketPlace marketing director Michelle Fennell commented: “The results of the Musgrave MarketPlace survey show that corporate gifting is on the rise which is a sign of increased confidence among SMEs in Ireland."

For great corporate gift ideas, check out the Business Plus Corporate Gift Guide.