From founder & CEO, Lauri Jones Pastrone
After years of working alongside companies, foundations, and teams of every size, I’ve noticed a recurring theme:
Most organizations want their corporate gifts to do good. They want their gifts to reflect their values, support people and communities, and mean something beyond the moment they’re opened.
But too often, those good intentions stall — not because of a lack of desire, but because of assumptions about what impactful corporate gifting really means.
At Peace by Piece, we hear these misconceptions every day. And as someone who has spent years building relationships with artisan partners and meeting the people behind the products we offer, I want to address them head-on.
Here are five of the most common misconceptions about impactful corporate gifting — and what we’ve found to be true.
Misconception #1: “Impactful gifts aren’t practical for large orders.”
This is one of the most common concerns we hear and is one of the easiest to dispel.
At Peace by Piece, we regularly fulfill projects involving hundreds or even thousands of gifts, while continuing to work with artisan partners around the world. Large gift orders do not have mean sacrificing quality, dignity, or timelines.
With the right planning and long-term partnerships in place, meaningful impact and large-scale gifting can coexist. In fact, we interviewed several of our partners and asked what large corporate orders mean for their teams. Check out our YouTube channel to hear from them directly.
Misconception #2: “They’re complicated or risky.”
Unique doesn’t have to mean complicated.
Our team has intentionally built a process that makes impactful gifting easier for our clients, not harder. From customization and kitting to logistics and drop shipping, we walk alongside you, handling the details from start to finish.
You’re never navigating the process alone — and the result is a gift that feels thoughtful, seamless, and memorable for the recipient. These are gifts that build trust as you show that your company stands by its values.
Misconception #3: “They’re always more expensive.”
Some impactful gifts are premium — and they should be when that means that people are being paid dignified wages and being gifted a second opportunity in life. But the reality is that many are far more cost-competitive than people expect.
What we’ve seen time and time again is this: the least expensive gifts are often the ones that quietly disappear into a drawer — or a trash can. A well-made, meaningful gift delivers far more value because it lasts.
When a gift carries a story, craftsmanship, and purpose, recipients feel it — and that’s where the real ROI lives.
Misconception #4: “Customization will blow up the timeline.”
Customization doesn’t have to derail your schedule.
When planned thoughtfully (and early), branding, kitting, and custom elements are absolutely achievable — even at scale. Our role is to help clients understand timelines upfront and design a solution that fits both their vision and their reality.
When done well, customization enhances the experience without adding stress. We recommend subscribing to our newsletter to get reminders of gifting opportunities (like International Women’s Day – March 8!) before the lead time becomes so tight that you wind up having to sacrifice on quality, meaning, and impact.
Misconception #5: “The impact part is just marketing.”
This one matters most — especially to me.
Impact is not a marketing angle for us. It is the reason Peace by Piece exists.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of the artisans whose lives are directly impacted by our clients’ orders. I’ve listened to their stories and seen firsthand how dignified employment, consistent wages, and community support can change the trajectory of a family and generations to come.
Every order represents real people, real opportunity, safety, and community. That truth is what drives our team forward every day and shapes every decision we make.
The Truth About Impactful Corporate Gifting
We believe corporate gifting can be beautiful, scalable, meaningful, and operationally smooth — all at the same time.
When done thoughtfully, gifting becomes tangible way for companies to align their values with their actions and create lasting impact through something as simple as a gift.
If you’re planning corporate gifts this year and want them to truly mean something, our team would be honored to help you think it through.
Contact us today to get started or book an appointment with our team to let us know what you’re looking for.
