Rewinding to the past, the genesis of corporate gifts dates back to the early days of business culture. Marketers utilized these gifts to strengthen the bond with their customers and shareholders. In the 18th century, the trend of giving snuff boxes as gifts with company insignia was quite popular among European companies.
Fast forward to the 19th century, with the industrial revolution in full swing, businesses embraced this trend on a grand scale. They started giving away calendars, paperweights, or pens with a company logo, which not only served as a goodwill gesture but also as a constant reminder of the company's existence. It was an ingenious blend of utility and publicity, a tradition which is followed till this very day.