You know the “What’s in my bag?” videos? Welcome to our version, but with a corporate gifting twist. In the new series, we’ll show you our best-selling corporate boxes with tips and lifehacks from Swag42. In this article, meet the corporate Christmas box.
This Christmas box contains:
- A branded ugly sweater
- A personalized holiday card
- A beautiful craft box with a branded sticker
Read on to see what makes this Christmas box our best-seller—and how you can use it to create a brand moment your recipients will never forget.
Gift 1: corporate ugly Christmas sweater
Every year, Microsoft drops a limited-edition “ugly sweater” with nostalgic Windows designs. It’s a highly anticipated brand moment that fans worldwide look forward to. And these sweaters sell like hot cakes within hours. Therefore, inspired by this viral tradition, we’ve added custom ugly sweaters to our corporate Christmas box.
A Christmas sweater is often considered “ugly” due to its garish colors, over-the-top designs, and whimsical decorations. As you see, the term “ugly” is used humorously, as these sweaters are meant to be lighthearted and fun.
As for the Swag42 sweaters, they are made of premium wool or cotton (to your choice) and have eye-catching designs that blend Christmas icons with a bold company branding.
Why do people want an ugly Christmas sweater?
Since 1980, when the ugly Xmas sweater started appearing in movies like “The Val Doonican Show”, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”, “The Bridget Jones’s Diary.” From there, the popularity of the ugly sweater snowballed.
Returning to Microsoft ugly sweaters, they made sweaters a booming tradition. It all began as a social media stunt—Microsoft jokingly teased some outrageous “ugly sweater” designs and let the internet vote. But what started as a joke quickly turned into a tradition.
In 2018, the tech giant dropped a limited-edition Windows 95 sweater, and it struck a nostalgic nerve.
Every year since, Microsoft has leaned into the tradition, releasing new sweaters featuring retro icons like Clippy, MS Paint, and the legendary Windows XP “Bliss” wallpaper.
With each release, they’ve partnered with charities like the College Success Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, turning geeky nostalgia into a force for good. Now, these once-silly sweaters are hot collector’s items, disappearing from shelves almost as fast as they appear, proving that even ugly sweaters can make beautiful memories.
So why do these sweaters create a wow effect?
- Anticipation. They create yearly excitement that builds naturally.
- Connection. Wearers become walking brand ambassadors.
- Tradition. A branded moment that people actively discuss.
Your brand can also create this kind of excitement. We guarantee the recipients will say “wow” when they open a corporate Christmas box. And here is why.
Premium fabrics
The Christmas sweater is made of high-quality materials, such as 100% merino wool, 100% cotton, or a blend of both. It is warm, soft, and pleasant to the body, making it a great addition to the winter wardrobe.
Merino wool is ultra-soft, breathable, hypoallergenic, and naturally temperature-regulating. It keeps the body warm in the cold and cool in the heat while being lightweight and moisture-wicking.
How the ugly sweater is worn
The ugly Christmas sweater is perfect for:
- Parties and family gatherings. Whether it’s an office party or a family night, ugly sweaters break the ice and create a holiday atmosphere.
- For brand promotion on social media. Obviously, the ironic nature of the corporate ugly sweaters makes them ideal for photos, videos, and online jokes.
- For winter sports activities. It’s well-known fact that wool and cotton are great middle layers for active sports like skating and skiing.
In 2025, the Ugly Sweater Day will be on Friday, December 19th. It’s celebrated annually on the third Friday of December. So, consider a remote party with corporate ugly sweaters that day.
Christmas box sweater design tips
Though the corporate Christmas sweater branding is unlimited, we suggest the most successful design options.
Add humour to the Christmas box
Historically, Christmas sweaters have an ironic design. This is your chance to visualize all the hilarious company memes, long-standing traditions, legendary team events, or important dates on your corporate sweaters. In fact, it’s a fantastic way to celebrate your unique company culture.
Make it stylish
If leaning into “ugly” isn’t your vibe, or you want something universally appealing, creating a cute design with classic holiday decorations is an unbeatable option. Play with colors and textures to make your sweater pop.
Also, you can add bold branding, adding charming winter-themed decorations like twinkling lights, snowy landscapes, and festive patterns. It’s all about making the corporate sweater feel warm and inviting.
Clear and sophisticated
For a more sophisticated look, choose neutral, stylish monochrome pieces made from warm fabrics. These sweaters are great beyond the holiday season. For instance, in our winter collection, you’ll find customized sweatshirts from Sherpa, a cozy, soft fabric that mimics natural sheep wool.
Want to chase two rabbits with one Christmas box? Consider family-looking ugly sweaters for your employees and their kids. This extends your team spirit beyond the office walls and builds a sense of belonging for the entire family. It’s a non-standard way to show that you care.
Gift 2: a personalized card for a Christmas box
The O.C. Tanner Institute reported that 76% of employees say personalized recognition boosts engagement. Therefore, the gift cards need to be not just branded, but also personalized.
Custom items demonstrate that the organization knows and values each employee as an individual. Though it can be tricky, take some effort to make the message specific to the recipient (or a team) and their accomplishments. Highlight how their actions align with the company values and demonstrate genuine appreciation for their contributions. Avoid generic phrases and opt for a sincere, personalized message.
Here are some gift card messaging lifehacks:
- For international teams, use the native language of your employees to express respect and care.
- For small teams, create handwritten cards with personalized messages. Consult with team leads and direct managers to get specific information about each employee’s achievements.
- For large teams, express appreciation for whole departments and teams.
Creative gift card ideas
- Plantable gift cards. Made with grass paper and pine seeds, these gift cards reduce traditional resources and give back to nature. Once they’re no longer needed, they can be planted to grow lavender or tomatoes.
- Gift cards with custom lapel pins. A custom gift card paired with a branded lapel pin makes a meaningful keepsake. The mascot or logo lapel pin fosters a sense of belonging, can be worn at company events, and becomes a collectible symbol of team identity that employees will be proud to keep.
- Digital NFC cards.
Embed your holiday wishes or appreciation message into an NFC tag and attach it to your merch. Why is it a great option?
First, it’s a unique and creative way to deliver a personal message that’s always at hand. Second, digital NFC cards are eco-friendly—they do not need paper. As a bonus, the message can be updated anytime, turning a one-time greeting into an interactive, reusable experience your team will enjoy.
- Traditional branded greeting cards. We traditionally add eye-catching gift cards with custom designs that reflect a unique brand identity to the Christmas box. The cards can be bold and acidic; minimalistic and natural-colored; matt, glossy, or mixed, with or without shimmer. Their price starts from 1.43 euros.
Craft-paper Christmas box with a sticker
The Christmas unboxing experience plays a significant role in the overall perception and value of the gift. This Christmas box is made of thick cardboard and customizable with a branded sticker. It’s satisfying to hold and exciting to open, adding a moment of joyful anticipation to your employee or client gift.
Order your corporate Christmas box
As you can see, every element of the Christmas box works together to make a big impression on your team and partners. Make this season special—order your Christmas box on the self-service platform and gift swag that employees will cherish.
But remember, custom sweaters require up to 45 days for production, so plan ahead to ensure your corporate Christmas gift box arrives on time.
