Why Mugs and Notepads No Longer Work: What Employees Really Expect from Corporate Gifts

Every year on the eve of the holidays, HR departments all over Belarus solve the same problem: what to give employees so that it is pleasant, memorable, and does not hit the budget? The usual answer is branded merch, a sweet set, or an envelope with a bonus. But data suggests that the standard approach stopped working a long time ago.

What statistics say: rabota.by survey

The largest Belarusian job portal rabota.by conducted a large-scale survey about corporate gifts in Belarusian companies. The numbers speak for themselves:

• 44% of employees have never received a corporate gift from their employer. Almost half of the staff in most enterprises simply fall out of this story.
• 16% would like to receive an "experience gift"—a certificate or ticket to an event.
• 11% dream of a useful household item.
• 8% would choose a hobby kit or an interesting book.

Add 16% and 11%—and you get 27% of your team who want two things: emotions and practical use. This is where the key insight for HR lies, which we will discuss below.

The Main Marketing Insight: MAKA Art is 2-in-1

Most gifts give only one thing: a restaurant certificate is pure emotion (it will pass), and a logo mug is a household item (without emotion). MAKA Art is an exception to the rule.

At the master class, the employee:

1. Gets an experience—2 hours of live creativity in a cozy art studio atmosphere, stress relief, a new skill, communication.
2. Takes home a finished item—an author's gypsum sculpture, an aromatic candle, a painting, or an epoxy resin product.

This item will stand on a shelf or hang on the wall for months. And every time the employee looks at it, they will remember: "I made this myself. At the company's expense. Cool."

One MAKA Art certificate covers two items from the rabota.by wish list at once—"experience" (16%) and "useful item" (11%). No branded hoodie can boast of this.

The Problem with Standard Corporate Merch

Let's honestly analyze what happens with a typical corporate gift.

Branded Hoodies and T-Shirts

The cost of a high-quality branded hoodie is a certain budget. An employee will wear it once or twice to a corporate event out of courtesy. Then it will either settle on the far shelf or become "home" clothes, completely losing its connection with the employer's brand. The emotional response is close to zero.

Sweet Sets and Baskets

"Ate it—don't remember." A week later, neither a trace nor a memory of the gift remains. A sense of care? Doubtful.

Branded Planners and Pens

Office supplies are perceived as working tools, not a gift. It's like giving a person a stapler for their birthday. Technically useful, but it doesn't touch the heart.

A Gift that Works for Your HR Brand

44% of employees who have never received a corporate gift is not just a statistic. This is a layer of people who notice the employer's care and value it disproportionately. Even a small but thoughtful gift can turn a neutral employee into a loyal brand evangelist.

In a competitive labor market in Belarus—especially in IT, finance, and retail—non-material motivation ceases to be "nice to have" and becomes a retention tool.

MAKA Art Formats for Corporate Gifts

Master Class Gift Certificate

The most versatile option. The employee chooses the date and direction that interests them themselves. You act as a flexible, thoughtful employer. A MAKA Art gift certificate is available in digital and physical formats—an affordable price. It's cheaper than a good branded hoodie, but an order of magnitude more valuable.

Corporate Master Class as a Celebration

Ideal if you want to combine a gift and a corporate event. The entire team gathers in the MAKA Art studio, spends 2–3 hours creating, and everyone goes home with a result. This closes three tasks simultaneously: gift, team building, and celebration.

Read more about the formats on the team building and corporate events pages.

Handmade Kits for Remote Employees

8% of employees from the rabota.by survey want a hobby kit. We can assemble and deliver creative kits to homes—ideal for distributed teams where some people work remotely. Contact us via the form on the website to discuss details.

Master Visits the Office

Don't want to take the team anywhere? Our master will come to you. A master class right in the meeting room or open space is unexpected, atmospheric, and memorable for years. Check the details.

The Economics of the Issue: Comparing Budgets

HR directors often think that "experiences" are expensive. In reality, the picture is different:

• Branded hoodie—a certain budget/person. Will be forgotten in a month.
• Corporate "sweet set"—a minor budget. Eaten in a week.
• MAKA Art Certificate for a basic master class—an affordable price/person. The employee receives 2 hours of vivid emotions + an object that will live in their home for years.

The budget is the same. The effect is fundamentally different. And what else is important: an experience gift cannot be "regifted" or returned. This is a personal story that the employee lives themselves.

Which Direction to Choose?

• Gypsum Sculpture—the most versatile, suitable for all ages. After 2 hours, the employee leaves with author's home decor.
• Candle Making—a warm, meditative format. A ready-made scented candle is both an experience and a thing for a cozy evening at home.
• Fluid Art—bright abstract paintings. A great option for a "Wow gift" for creative teams.
• Canvas Painting—a classic. Everyone leaves with a real author's painting under their arm.

Frequently Asked Questions of HR Managers

How many people do you work with?

We organize gifts for 1 person (individual certificate) to corporate events for 30+ participants. For large groups, individual calculation is provided.

Can I get an invoice for a legal entity?

Yes, we work with legal entities. Contact us via the form on the website—we will discuss the details and prepare the documents.

How quickly can I place a corporate order?

We issue digital certificates within an hour. It is better to plan a corporate master class 2–3 weeks in advance—weekend dates sell out quickly.

Is the format suitable for a mixed or male team?

Absolutely. Gypsum and Fluid Art work equally well in mixed groups. Men especially appreciate working with the material—it resembles a real workshop.