You’ve got a Gift

In 1923, French sociologist Marcel Mauss au- thored a book titled The Gift. The ethnographic work was the world’s first documented analysis of the practice of gifting. Even though he understood it in the context of tribal groups building relationships through gift-exchange, its implications are relevant across time and age. What appears as a voluntary gesture has unspoken obligatory underpinnings. The concept is one that rests on reciprocity, corresponds to protocol and embodies the status of the giver. No one understands the rules of game better than the corporate world, where success rests on creating impressions and establishing goodwill.

The concept of corporate gifting has escaped from the drudgery of paper weights and key rings. Today, a gift could be anything from a fancy gadget, a relaxed day at a spa or even an adventure holiday. A host of brands are customising their products and services as lucrative business incentives and are able to attract companies who’re more than willing to splurge on this new-age fad.

Desk Work

Tumi Travel Mouse

The convenience of an office desk while on-thego, is what every business travellers would crave. Making life simpler, this travel mouse is sensitive to most surfaces and has a tracking range of up to five metres. An automatic sleeping mode conserves the battery and its ergonomic design keeps your arm from getting tired. Price ` 4,600

Livescribe Echo Smartpen

Some people struggle with a stylus on a tablet, others just use a Livescribe. The new Echo model stores up to 400 hours of recorded audio and notes, and comes with an in-built multi-language translater and a scientific calculator. Price $149.95 plus shipping

Gucci Desktop Accessories

If you thought Italian fashion houses are only as good as their clothes, it’s time for a rethink. Table-top goodies from Gucci are all set to give the office space a fancy facelift. Here’s a complete desk set that features a pen-stand, candle-stand and a card holder. The signature Gucci logo is stitched onto the matte-finished chocolate brown leather, making it a statement in elegance. Price on request

Epson Photo Printer

In a world of digital cameras, photographs are often lost in the folders of your hard-drive. Give businessmen a chance to relive their cherished moments with this photo printer. It works on what’s called the variable-sized droplet technology which offers smooth yet sharp images. You can even create an ID and give print commands without a PC connection. Price ` 10,999

Montblanc Card Holder

Your business card may be worth a million bucks, but you lose out on brownie points if you keep it squashed inside a wallet. Make a statement with this card holder that’s set in polished stainless steel and embossed with the brand’s logo in the centre. Price ` 7,400

Faber- Castell Pen of the Year

If the 24-carat gold leaf embodies prosperity and grandiose, 1,700-year-old oak draws on substance and depth. This new pen from Faber-Castell condenses life’s essence in its lustrous body. It features an 18-carat dual coloured gold nib that is available in sizes M, B and F. Limited to 1,500 pieces, the pens are individually numbered and kept safe in an exclusive jetblack wooden case. Price ` 2.5 lakh

Comfort Zone

Ananda in the Himalayas

Trekking the Himalayas, rafting the Ganges and unwinding with herbal massages and yoga, your employees are bound to come back refreshed. Price ` 14,000 per night (complete package)

Grooming vouchers by Blliss Salon

The upmarket salon in Mumbai and Delhi offers oil massages and cooling facials. With a Playstation counter, the business boys needn’t question their presence. Price upto ` 5,000

Set up a home gym by Technogym

With treadmills and bikes that keep you connected and machines that offer zero-impact exercises, a customised home gym is the best medicine for corporate stress. Price on request

Organic food basket by Organic Haus

This organic food store in Mumbai houses 900 products and let’s you customise a food basket including roasted snacks, diet jams, and detox teas. A gift of good health. Price ` 1,000 onwards

On the Go

Nikon D-4 with Mic

This digital SLR features an FX-Format image sensor with a pixel count of 16.2 million and the EXPEED 3 image processor that gives clear outlines, even in low light. Like never before, it comes with a 3.5 mm mic input jack and a headphone jack. Your business associates are sure to think of you on their adventures. Price ` 3,24,950

Victorinox Climber

The Swiss knife and the business world have one thing in common: multitasking. Set in silvertech, this tool will untangle bicycle chains, open canned foods, uproot tent pegs; and even pop open some champagne in the middle of nowhere. Many gifts thrown into one, we say. Price ` 1,850

Zenith EL Primero Stratos Flyback

If an agile mind helps them tackle everyday challenges, a military chronograph like this one readies spirited corporates for taking on the great outdoors. It comes with a 50 hour power reserve and a scratch proof anti-reflective coating on both sides. Price on request

Royal Caribbean Incentive Program

The ‘Individual Incentive Cruise Certificate Program’ allows you to gift your employees performance certificates for cruise holidays around the world. Based on their performance, you can decide the ports, nights, ships, accommodation and other perks. Now that’s called motivation. Details on royalcaribbean.in

Charcoal Project Suitcase

In a race for sturdy and scratch-free, suitcases have lost their character. Mumbai’s Charcoal Project does a throwback to the old days with their vintage luggage collection. Travelling in style just got a lot more classy. Price ` 1,34,000

Seek Pleasure

Tommaso Cavalli Wines

A popular gifting idea with the business fraternity gets a fashionable makeover. Aged for 34 months in the Tuscan countryside, Tommaso Cavalli’s wines bear labels designed by his father Roberto Cavalli. Price ` 16, 990 (1.5 litre)

Armenteros Cigar Box

Your colleagues will be more than pleased to ditch the cigarette for a real smoke. Nestled in the warmth of a portable wooden box, the cigars sit wrapped in aromatic leafs from Cuba. From heady Robustos, to full-bodied Churchills and coffee-flavoured coronas; you’ll find it all here. Price ` 3,700 for an assorted pack of five cigars

Patchi Chocolates

It may be one of the safest gift options, but you can still add some glamour. If the resemblance to gold buscuits doesn’t attract you, the rich flavours will. From bitter dark to crunchy almond and hazelnut, these chocolates can also be ordered in sugar-free. Price ` 1, 600 for 270 grams

Call away Razr Fit

The sunday tee-off with the boss is getting competitive and a good driver can savethe day. Callaway’s new titanium driver increases ball speed, and is adjustable to the player’s strength and playing style. Price ` 22,000

Off the Ramp

Paul Smith Bag

On the front is a picture of a car decorated with the signature Paul Smith stripes, and parked outside his LA boutique. The colours aptly capture the spirit of the brand. On a casual day, your clients can replace their briefcase with this holdall.

BOSS Orange Sunglasses

They’re big, brown and beautiful. These pale, tinted sun shades are oversized and pair well with formals. Rimmed with a lightweight fibre, they are comfortable to sport in the heat.

ETRO Spring Hats

Etro’s colour palette is always bustling. Give your team a dash colour before you head out to that offsite at the beach. The hats are made of canvas and cloth with an edgy rope detailing.

JAG Heuer Jack Heuer 80th Birthday Limited Edition

Commemorating the man who lent his design aesthetics to the brand’s flagship Carrera, this classic chronograph bears his signature along with a Heuer Family coat-of-arms dating back to the 15th century. The sunray dial features large counters at 3 and 9 o’ clock. Just the accessory the urbane executive needs to strap on for collared events.

TOD’S Custom-Made Project

Turning leather into gold? Tod’s leather crafts come quite close. Your business associates can now wear a customised leather goody. They can choose the colours and cuts of their loafers and bags and also between leathers like the matte crocodile and water snakeskin. Available in Delhi and Mumbai.