Key facts for Canada
Christmas is the main occasion for employee and client gifts, often described as 'holiday' gifts.
How companies in Canada give year-end gifts
Canadian companies give year-end gifts mostly in the first three weeks of December, before offices close for the holidays. Inclusive wording such as 'Happy Holidays', 'Season's Greetings' or 'Joyeuses Fêtes' is the norm in corporate communication, reflecting a diverse, multi-faith workforce. Employees often receive a non-cash gift, a team event or a gift card, and the Canada Revenue Agency's administrative policy on non-cash gifts encourages tangible items over cash. Clients and partners usually receive branded food gifts, gift boxes and desk accessories. In Quebec, a card and any printed text should be in French, or bilingual; for national programs, bilingual English-French cards are a safe choice. Many public-sector bodies and large corporations restrict gifts to their staff, so check policies when sending to government, healthcare or regulated industries. Winter weather can slow ground transport to remote regions in December, so national programs should plan delivery dates well before mid-December.
Gift occasions in Canada
Christmas / holiday season
Main gifting window for employees, clients and partners.
New Year
Cards and gifts sometimes arrive in early January after the December rush.
Hanukkah
Relevant for some recipients; neutral designs work best.
Good practice
- Use bilingual English-French cards for national programs and French for Quebec recipients.
- Prefer non-cash gifts for employees; cash and cash equivalents are taxable.
- Ship by early December; winter conditions slow deliveries to remote areas.
- Check gift policies of public-sector and regulated clients.
Avoid
- Do not assume all recipients celebrate Christmas; keep messaging inclusive.
- Do not ship alcohol from abroad; provincial liquor boards control alcohol imports.
Design and wording
Inclusive 'Happy Holidays' / 'Joyeuses Fêtes' designs are the safe default; Christmas imagery is widely accepted.
Gift policies
The Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) prohibits bribing foreign officials, and federal and provincial public servants follow strict gift and hospitality rules.
Tax rules on business gifts
| Clients and partners | — |
|---|---|
| Employees | Under CRA administrative policy, non-cash gifts and awards to arm's-length employees are not taxable up to a combined $500 (including tax) per year; only the excess is taxable. Cash and near-cash gifts are always taxable; items of trivial value such as logo mugs or T-shirts are not counted. |
General information, not tax advice. Check with your accountant. Sources: [1] [2]
Delivery to Canada
Shipments clear Canadian customs and GST/HST applies at import; under CETA, EU-origin goods can qualify for reduced or zero duty with a valid origin statement. Commercially packaged chocolate and tea can be imported but must meet CFIA requirements.
Planning dates for Canada
| Order personalized stock advent calendars by | 6 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Order Christmas hampers by | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Fully custom calendars for 2027 — order between | 01.2027 – 08.2027 |
Indicative planning dates; exact dates are confirmed in your proposal.
Recommended formats for Canada
Chocolate advent calendars
Twenty-four chocolates and your brand on the front from 1 to 24 December.
Tea & coffee calendars
A tea or coffee advent calendar with your logo is a measured, practical gift for clients and colleagues who prefer to avoid sweets.
Beauty calendars
A beauty advent calendar is a premium December gift.
Empty calendar boxes
For companies that already have the filling: custom printed advent calendar boxes in bulk, designed around your products and delivered flat or…
Christmas hampers
Corporate Christmas hampers with your logo on the box, ribbon or card, composed to your budget band and delivered to one office or to individual home…
Baubles with logo
Most promotional items are discarded within weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Are employee Christmas gifts taxable in Canada?
Under the CRA's administrative policy, non-cash gifts up to a combined $500 per year per employee are generally not taxable; cash and near-cash gifts are taxable. Check with your advisor.
Do gift cards need to be in French?
For recipients in Quebec, French or bilingual text is expected; bilingual cards work well for national programs.
Is Boxing Day a holiday in Canada?
Boxing Day (26 Dec) is a statutory holiday in some provinces and for federally regulated employers, so many offices close from 24 Dec to 2 Jan.