The annual corporate gift-giving report released this week by ASI shows companies that are rewarding employees with cash or gifts this holiday season are spending an average of $44, up nearly 16% from 2014. Further, companies thanking clients plan to give gifts averaging $48, up 9% from 2014. Food or beverages are the most popular items for customers and prospects, followed by useful office items like pens, calendars and power banks. According to ASI’s 7th annual Corporate Gift Spending Report, nearly one-quarter of all companies giving gifts to employees said they will spend more than $100 on each employee gift this year, versus 18% in 2014.

Once again, the leading employee gifts are gift cards and cash bonuses, followed by food and beverages, and apparel. “What struck me the most about the 2015 results is that companies are spending more overall on employee gifts than on client gifts, most likely in an effort to retain top talent in a robust job market when employees have more choices,” said Nate Kucsma, ASI’s market research director.

ASI’s survey results also show that nearly half (46%) of all responding companies report that 100% of the gifts they give out this season, to both employees and clients, will have their company’s logo on them. While the actual number of client gifts has gone down, the total amount companies are spending on those gifts has gone up. Kucsma said this shift is likely the result of companies being more selective, with almost half of the surveyed companies giving higher-priced gifts to higher-value clients. Those companies spending less most often cited company cutbacks and economic difficulties.

When questioned about the best corporate gift they ever received, respondents cited standards like fruit baskets, popcorn tins and engraved pens as well as such items as a branded umbrella, laptop sleeve, steaks, movie passes, bourbon truffles, a spa day, weekend in New York City, iPads and activity trackers. “A briefcase with the logo and my name embroidered on it – I still treasure it,” one respondent told ASI.

For its annual gift-giving report, ASI conducted a nationwide survey of respondents from a cross-section of industries who were screened to have a personal role in decisions about procuring corporate gifts for either employees or clients/prospects.