Holiday gifts are a simple way to thank the clients, partners, and employees who made your year. But finding something people actually enjoy, instead of another branded mug, can be harder than it sounds. Food gifts solve that problem. They’re shared around the office, they suit almost everyone, and a gift from a local business says more than something ordered from a national catalog.
Here are holiday gift ideas from local Springfield-area makers that your team and clients will look forward to.
Why Food Makes a Great Business Gift
Food gifts work because they’re experienced, not stored in a drawer. A pie or cheesecake delivered to a client’s office becomes a moment the whole team shares. Food gifts also don’t require you to guess anyone’s taste in decor or clothing, and they don’t add clutter.
Choosing a local business adds another layer. Your gift supports the community where you and many of your clients live and work.
Pies and Cheesecakes for Client Offices
A whole pie or cheesecake is an easy gift for a client office because it’s made to be shared. The Pie Box makes gourmet pies, layer cakes, and cheesecakes from scratch in Nixa. Orders are made fresh and are ready for delivery the next business day within 20 miles of Nixa, so your gift arrives at its best.
A few ways to use them:
- Send a pie or cheesecake to each key client’s office with a handwritten note
- Deliver a layer cake to a partner team to celebrate a successful year together
- Order an assortment for your own office holiday party
Cookies and Bars for Smaller Thank-Yous
Not every gift needs to be a showpiece. Cookies and bars from The Pie Box work well for vendors, referral partners, and anyone you want to thank without a large order. They’re easy to split among a team and simple to pair with a card.
Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free Options
When you send a food gift, it helps to know a little about who’s receiving it. Some clients and employees avoid gluten or sugar, and a gift they can enjoy shows extra thought. The Pie Box offers gluten-free and sugar-free options, so you can send the same thoughtful gift to everyone on your list.
Take-Home Cookie Dough for Employees
For employee gifts, That’s Just Nuts gluten-free cookie dough is a fun choice that goes home with each person. It comes in chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, and sugar, and it’s made to taste great, so it’s a treat whether or not the recipient eats gluten-free. Employees can bake a batch with their families over the holidays.
That’s Just Nuts is available at select Price Cutter, Hy-Vee, Walmart, Harter House, and Sam’s Club locations, as well as The Pie Box in Nixa. You can also order online or call (417) 866-4630, option 3, to ask about larger orders.
A Catered Lunch as a Thank-You
Sometimes the best gift is a shared meal. A catered holiday lunch gives your team a break during a busy season and a chance to celebrate together. It also works as a client gift: sending lunch to a client’s office is a memorable way to say thank you.
Dining by Design offers corporate catering across the Springfield area, from drop-off lunches to full-service events. Not sure which fits? Here’s how drop-off and full-service catering compare.
Tips for Sending Business Food Gifts
- Order early. December is the busiest month for bakeries and caterers, so place orders well ahead of your delivery dates.
- Time deliveries well. Aim for the first half of December, before offices close for the holidays.
- Confirm who will be there. Check that someone will be at the office to receive a perishable delivery.
- Ask about dietary needs. When in doubt, include a gluten-free or sugar-free option.
- Add a personal note. A short, handwritten message makes any gift feel more personal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good holiday gifts for clients?
Food gifts meant for sharing, such as whole pies, cheesecakes, or a catered lunch, work well for client offices. They’re enjoyed by the whole team and don’t add clutter.
What are good holiday gifts for employees?
Take-home treats such as cookie dough, cookies, or bars make easy individual gifts. A catered holiday lunch is also a popular way to thank the whole team at once.
When should I send corporate holiday gifts?
The first half of December is ideal. Offices are still open, and gifts arrive before holiday schedules get unpredictable.
Does The Pie Box deliver to businesses?
Yes. The Pie Box delivers within 20 miles of its Nixa location. Orders are made fresh and are ready for delivery the next business day.
Are there gluten-free gift options?
Yes. The Pie Box offers gluten-free and sugar-free options, and That’s Just Nuts makes gluten-free cookie dough in four flavors.
Order Your Holiday Gifts
The Pie Box, That’s Just Nuts, and Dining by Design are all part of DBD Gourmet, a family of local food businesses serving the Springfield area. For pies, cheesecakes, cookies, and bars, call The Pie Box at (417) 886-4743 or order online. For catered lunches and events, contact Dining by Design or call (417) 866-4630.