Employers are spending more on the traditional kerstpakket for staff although the single Christmas gift is easing out the hamper in the popularity stakes.

Hamper manufacturers said employers are now paying €38 on average for a box of goodies, €1 up on last year. They have also spotted a trend to surround the handing over of the annual Christmas present with more ceremony.

‘Companies are turning it into a real happening, with parties like a winter barbecue complete with Father Christmas or a Christmas choir,’ market leader Makro spokesperson Sanne van den Adel told the AD.

‘The time when someone crossed your name off the list and you could pick up your hamper from the pile on your way out is over. It really doesn’t get more impersonal.’

Popular company gifts include a stand for a laptop or book to use in bed and an display stand for cakes. Although this year’s hampers contain such novelty items as augmented reality packaging which can be scanned by a mobile phone to produce an animated picture, food remains a staple, manufacturers say.

Despite its continuing popularity, the Christmas hamper is not an alternative for big companies which are still opting for tokens. And overall, the hamper is being threatened by the single Christmas gift, according to a survey by gift wholesaler Allgifts. Just over one third of the respondents said they preferred a gift, against 32% hamper fans.

Gadgets

‘Around twice as many gadgets are being ordered around Christmas, Allgifts account manager Eva van Huffelen said. One third of people participating in the survey said they preferred an electronic device, such as an activity tracker or a power bank. One in five said they wanted something for the house and 14% wanted food or beauty products.

In line with a more personal approach and more expensive hampers Allgifts found companies are spending almost double on staff than on external relations. It said it expects the trend to continue next year, especially if the amount employers can spend tax free on gifts is upped from 1.2% to 1.7% on January 1 2020.

In total some seven million people will be going home with a Christmas hamper this year.