The traditional way of gifting is becoming more and more cumbersome with the increasing complexity of the present-day life. Individuals and corporates are finding it more and more difficult to identify items, buy them, make gift packets and distribute them through couriers or messengers. The present system has also other disadvantages. The recipient may find the gift not to his liking or he may have that particular item already with him. The present mode of gift making is therefore neither beneficial to the giver or the receiver. The entire process has become mechanical and a routine annual exercise.

Of late, the gift cheque concept has found corporate acceptance and has become extremely popular worldwide. The gift chequeconcept was introduced by Sodexho Alliance, a French $9.2-billion multinational company.The gift market in India, comprising mainly large corporate sales, is estimated at Rs 10,000 crore with considerable growth potential.

Sodexho gift cheques come in two forms--Gold and Platinum--and between the two of them, they open up a whole new world of corporate gifting options. Hundreds of prime establishments honour these gift cheques for a variety of products and services.

Gold gift cheques are available in different denominations and can be used to buy gifts of choice--from garments, cosmetics and jewellery to household items and consumer electronics--at over 150 premium outlets.

Platinum gift cheques are useful for companies who like to gift something special to an employee or a business associate. Platinum cheques do not carry a denomination. Instead they enable you to choose an exclusive gift from among a variety of options--premium products, meals at exclusive restaurants, holidays at exotic resorts etc.Over 50 choices are available with attractive discounts that have been pre-negotiated. You can choose the gift you know would like to receive, thus adding the personalised touch that makes all the difference.

The gift cheques have many advantages. The recipient can select his own gift, thus ensuring complete satisfaction. The pitfalls of the gift being not up to somebody's taste or the duplication of gifts are avoided.

Both Gold and Platinum cheques are fully personalised. They carry a personalised message, the name of the recipient and the name of the organisation giving the cheque. The gift cheques save time and free the gift giver from the hassles of procurement, distribution, storage and packaging.

For the recipient, gift cheques are much more exclusive. They do away with the problem of accepting and carrying bulky gifts. Attractive discounts are offered to the recipient every time he uses the Gold gift cheque. In case of the Platinum gift cheque, Sodexho Pass has pre-negotiated discounts withvarious establishments.

The gift cheque operation is a simple one. It begins when corporate houses purchase gift cheques and gift them either to employees or business associates. The recipients exchange them either at Sodexho-affiliated establishments for gifts of their choice. The circle is completed when Sodexho redeems the affiliates for the gift cheques that have been used. The best part about these gift cheques is that corporates deal with just one company and still get a choice of thousands of gifts in hundreds of outlets.