EOFY vs Christmas Gifting: What’s the Difference and Should You Do Both?

Written by Anna Gurry & Miranda Kent, at The It Kit, with over a decade of experience helping Australian businesses create personalised corporate gifting strategies.

When it comes to corporate gifting, Christmas isn’t the only time to make an impression. More businesses are embracing EOFY gifting (End of Financial Year gifting) as a savvy, inclusive, and strategically timed way to connect with staff and clients and yes, it’s also a clever way to support your income tax planning.

In this blog, we explore the key differences between EOFY vs Christmas gifting, why each matters during the holiday season, and whether it makes sense to do both.

What is EOFY gifting?

EOFY gifting happens in June, just before Australia’s tax year ends. It’s become increasingly popular as businesses look to:

• Celebrate annual milestones
• Thank the staff and clients for their contributions
• Allocate leftover budget meaningfully
• Make use of tax-deductible gift options, including gift baskets and other minor benefits

For many companies, it's one of the smart ways to spend EOFY budget, turning leftover funds into something thoughtful, practical, and tax-effective. EOFY gifting is also seen as more culturally inclusive, making it a great alternative for workplaces with diverse teams and clients.

Expert Tip: According to the ATO, gifts under $300 per employee that are considered “non-entertainment” (like hampers, wine, or gourmet goods) may be fully tax-deductible and exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). This makes EOFY gifting not only thoughtful, but financially strategic too.

Christmas gifting: a festive favourite

Christmas gifting is a timeless tradition, rich in sentiment, generosity, and the joy of the festive season. It’s often used to:

• Reinforce appreciation and gratitude at year’s end
• Create memorable client and employee experiences
• Align with the broader festive spirit of Christmas parties and celebrations

While it's a fun and meaningful time, Christmas shopping can become overwhelming with crowded calendars and inboxes. Many businesses find finding the perfect Christmas gift increasingly difficult, especially when trying to stand out among a flood of popular choices.

That’s where options like gift cards, branded gift baskets, or a meaningful secret Santa gift can come in handy, especially when they’re thoughtfully curated and beautifully gift wrapped.

EOFY vs Christmas Gifting: Key Differences

EOFY gifting provides a timely, business-aligned way to show appreciation without the distractions or cultural considerations that often come with December holidays.

Should you do both?

Yes, if it aligns with your values, goals, and budget. By gifting at both EOFY and Christmas, you create two meaningful touchpoints during the year:

• EOFY = Recognition + tax perks + standout timing
• Christmas = Celebration + tradition + emotional connection

Smart Gifting = Personal Gifting

Whether you're gifting in June or December, the rule remains the same: thoughtfulness always wins.

Choose gifts that reflect your brand and speak to the needs of each gift recipient, such as:

• Build-your-own hampers with your company logo
• Gluten-free or eco-conscious options for inclusive giving
• Curated gift hampers or gift boxes with a personal message
• Gift cards for flexibility and choice
• Ready-to-send gift baskets with a personal message

These small gestures can leave a lasting impact, whether it’s to mark a financial year milestone or to celebrate the end of the calendar year.

Ready to get ahead of the gifting curve?

Whether it’s EOFY gifting, Christmas gifting, or both. The It Kit offers beautifully branded gift hampers, Christmas present solutions, and custom strategies tailored to your company.

• Easy online ordering
• Bulk delivery Australia-wide
• No high minimums, perfect for teams of any size

Start building your own hamper now or talk to us about a gifting strategy that suits your team, clients, and culture.