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The Giftbit Blog | Digital Gift Cards, Rewards, and Incentives

The Difference Between Rewards & Gifts (& Why Your Company Needs Both)

Written by Giftbit | March 7, 2025
🎁 Rewards are things you earn. 
🎁 Gifts are surprises you get 'just because.'
🎁 Businesses should use both carefully and strategically

When considering rewards vs gifts in your business strategy, it’s crucial to understand the key differences between them—and why those differences matter. While both can be powerful tools for incentivizing customers and employees, they serve different purposes and trigger distinct psychological responses.

Rewards are transactional, given in exchange for specific actions, while gifts are unexpected gestures of goodwill that foster deeper relationships. Using both strategically can strengthen your incentive programs, encourage engagement, and enhance brand loyalty.