Corporate gifts: what employees actually want

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—three hours of live creativity in a private art studio, stress relief, a new skill, communication.
2. Takes home a finished item—an author's gypsum sculpture, an aromatic candle, or a painting.

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

A high-quality branded hoodie costs real money. 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 gives them a reason to speak well of the company.

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 issued online—the PDF arrives by email right after payment. The certificate costs the same as the master class; current figures are on the pricing page.

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 three 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. Read more on the on-site master classes page.

The Economics of the Issue: Comparing Budgets

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

• Branded hoodie—forgotten in a month.
• Corporate "sweet set"—eaten in a week.
• MAKA Art certificate for a master class—three hours of vivid emotions + an object that will live in the employee's home for years. Prices are on the pricing page; for companies we calculate by the number of guests.

The difference is not in the budget but in the effect. 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 three 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.

MAKA Art is an art studio in central Minsk — 61 Novovilenskaya St., unit 337. Directions are on the contacts page; pick a date on the booking page.

Frequently Asked Questions of HR Managers

How many people do you work with?

We organize gifts from 1 person (individual certificate) to corporate events: up to 16 guests in the studio, and no limit on the number of participants on site. 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?

Yes. Gypsum and Fluid Art work well in mixed groups. Men usually go for gypsum more readily—working with the material feels closer to a workshop than to a drawing lesson.

Pick a format and a date — book online or message us.