Custom Engraved Corporate Holiday Gifts: Ideas, Wording and a December Order Timeline
Quick answer: OakiWay makes custom engraved brass compasses and sundials, plus hourglasses, desk clocks and other brass keepsakes, for corporate holiday gifts to clients and employees in any country. Custom engraving starts from 100 units on most products, samples are free, and production typically takes 2–4 weeks after sample approval, so for gifts handed out or mailed in mid-December, start now and confirm the delivery time in your quote. Send your inquiry through the quote form on our wholesale page.
This guide is for HR teams, office managers, executive assistants and client-relations teams planning an engraved year-end gift. It covers when to order, which brass gift suits which recipient, what to engrave, what to do if time is tight, and what to send us for a quote.
Custom holiday gifts at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What can be engraved? | Your logo or company name, a holiday message or quote, the year, a date or coordinates |
| Products | Brass pocket compasses, sundial compasses, hourglasses, desk clocks and other brass keepsakes |
| Minimum order | Custom engraving from 100 units on most products |
| Samples | Free |
| Production time | Typically 2–4 weeks after sample approval |
| Packaging | Gift boxes, pouches, inserts and story cards, which can carry your branding |
| Shipping | International; delivery to your country is included in your quote |
| When to start | Now: work back from the day the gifts must be handed out or mailed |
When should you order corporate holiday gifts?
Work back from the day the gifts must leave your hands. A custom engraved order has four stages before that day: the inquiry and quote, the design and free sample, production (typically 2–4 weeks after you approve the sample), and delivery to your office. Delivery time to your country is part of your quote, so ask for it when you inquire.
| Step | What happens | Plan for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Inquiry and quote | You send quantity, design, wording, logo and date; we reply with a quote including delivery | Start now |
| 2. Design and sample | We place your logo and text and send a free sample for approval | Approve quickly: production starts after approval |
| 3. Production | Engraving and packing | Typically 2–4 weeks after sample approval |
| 4. Delivery to you | Shipped to your office or venue | As stated in your quote |
| 5. Your own margin | Unpacking, cards, labels and any corrections | A few working days |
| 6. Hand-out or mailing | Holiday party, team meeting or posting to clients | Your fixed date |
Mailing gifts to clients in the US? USPS lists these recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25, 2026, within the contiguous US: USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail by Thursday, December 17; Priority Mail by Friday, December 18; Priority Mail Express by Saturday, December 19. USPS notes that actual delivery dates may vary, so mail earlier if you can. Outside the US, check your national postal service's holiday dates, and if your gifts mark an earlier holiday, move every step earlier.
Which brass gift suits which recipient?
| Recipient | Gift idea | Engraving idea |
|---|---|---|
| Clients and partners | Brass pocket compass or sundial compass in a gift box | Your logo and "Thank you for a great year together" |
| Employees and teams | Pocket compass | Company name, the year and a short line about direction |
| Leaders, board members, long-serving staff | Desk clock or hourglass | Name of the team or program and the year |
| Companies with a place-based story | Compass or sundial | The coordinates of your head office or of the place the company started |
A compass suits holiday messages about the year ahead and finding the way together; an hourglass or desk clock suits messages about time well spent. Custom engraving is available on most products; tell us which designs you like and we will confirm the options. See every design, with its code, in our brass catalog (PDF). Our candle holder figurines are also available wholesale and can be customized; describe what you have in mind in your inquiry.
What should you engrave on a corporate holiday gift?
- Keep it short: a logo plus one line reads well on a compass lid. Put longer notes on the card or box insert.
- Add the year: "2026" turns the gift into a keepsake of a specific year with your company.
- Choose inclusive wording for mixed teams and international clients: "Season's Greetings", "Happy Holidays" or "Thank you for 2026".
- Use direction as the theme: "Here's to the road ahead", "Wherever 2027 takes us" or "Thank you for helping us find our way".
- Brand the packaging instead of the piece if you want a quieter gift: custom gift boxes, pouches and story cards can carry your logo while the brass stays personal.
What if time is tight?
- Tell us your date first. Put the hand-out or mailing date in the first line of your inquiry so we can say what is possible.
- Approve the sample quickly. Production starts after sample approval, so a fast decision saves the most time.
- Keep the design simple: an existing design with your logo and one line needs fewer rounds than a new shape or finish.
- Move the occasion: a New Year or January thank-you gift stands out after the December rush and gives the order more room.
- Plan next year now: if you give the same gift every year, ask about a repeat production program.
What to send us for a holiday-gift quote
- Your company or organization and your delivery country.
- The designs you are interested in (catalog codes help) and the quantity.
- The engraving: logo file (a vector file such as SVG, AI, EPS or PDF usually engraves cleanest) and the exact wording.
- Whether you want custom packaging, cards or inserts.
- The date the gifts must be in your hands, and whether you need delivery to more than one address.
- Whether you would like a free sample first.
Why brass for a year-end gift?
Brass has been prized since Roman times, and for centuries navigators trusted it for compasses and instruments: it stands up to sea air, holds fine detail and never disturbs a compass needle. That makes a brass compass a working object with a story rather than a seasonal item that is put away in January, and because brass holds fine detail, it suits an engraved logo. Our brass products are made in polished brass with a warm golden finish.
Are corporate holiday gifts tax-deductible?
In the US, IRS Publication 463 limits the deduction for business gifts to $25 per recipient per tax year. Employee awards follow different rules. Our guide to engraved compasses for corporate and award gifts summarizes both, and your tax adviser can tell you how they apply to you.
Related guides
- Custom engraved brass gifts: how a custom order works
- Custom engraved compasses for corporate, award and organization gifts
- Private-label brass gifts for brands and online sellers
- Museums and heritage sites: our Museum & Heritage page
Corporate holiday gifts FAQ
Is it too late to order custom engraved holiday gifts?
Not if you start now. Production typically takes 2–4 weeks after you approve the sample, plus design, sample and delivery time. Send your date with your inquiry and we will tell you what is possible.
What is the minimum order for engraved corporate gifts?
Custom engraving starts from 100 units on most products. For smaller numbers, ask about our standard designs, which we supply in small quantities to large programs.
Are samples free?
Yes, samples are free.
Can you put our logo on the gift and the box?
Yes. Your logo can be engraved on the piece, and custom gift boxes, pouches, inserts and story cards are available, so your branding can appear on either or both.
Do you ship corporate gift orders internationally?
Yes. Tell us your delivery country and we will include delivery in your quote. If you need delivery to more than one address, say so in your inquiry.
How much do engraved brass corporate gifts cost?
Prices are quoted per project, based on the design, quantity, engraving, packaging and delivery. Volume pricing is available for institutional and multi-location programs.
Planning this year's client or team gift? Send your designs, quantity, wording, country and date through the quote form on our wholesale page, and ask for a free sample. Download our brass catalog (PDF) to choose a design.
Updated October 29, 2026. Terms as published on our Wholesale and Museum & Heritage pages on October 29, 2026. Sources: USPS recommended 2026 send-by dates from the USPS holiday shipping page (checked October 29, 2026).