Why I Picked Enesco for Our Corporate Gifts After Burning $1,200 on a 'Cheaper' Vendor

It Started With a Client's Snow Globe

Back in Q3 2024, I got a request that seemed simple enough: find a custom snow globe for a client's 10th anniversary gift. They wanted something classy—maybe with a tiny scene inside—and they wanted 150 of them. Our budget was $4,200 total, which felt reasonable.

I found a vendor online quoting $18 per unit. Vendor A. Seemed like a no-brainer. I almost pulled the trigger. (Should mention: I'd been burned before by low bids, but this time I was in a hurry.) Then I decided to get a second quote from Enesco, mostly because I remembered they had a huge IP portfolio and figured their quality would be solid.

Enesco quoted $26 per unit. That's 44% more. My first reaction: no way. But I'd learned the hard way that unit price is only part of the story. So I ran a total cost of ownership (TCO) comparison. That decision saved us—literally—thousands.

What the 'Cheap' Quote Really Cost

Let me walk you through the math, because this is where it gets frustrating.

Vendor A's $18 quote didn't include:

• Custom mold creation: $350 upfront (they mentioned it in fine print)
• Color matching: $75 per revision (we needed 2 revisions)
• Shipping (they quoted ground, but we needed expedited): added $280
• Packaging: the $18 price was bulk-packed; individual gift boxes were $4 each extra

By the time I added everything up, Vendor A's actual cost was $4,005 for 150 units. That's $26.70 per unit—basically identical to Enesco's $26 quote. But Enesco's quote was all-in: custom mold, color matching, individual boxes, standard shipping. The difference: $26 vs. $26.70, but the stress and uncertainty of hidden fees? That's hard to quantify.

I went with Enesco. The order arrived on time, the quality was great, and the client loved the snow globe. If I'd gone with Vendor A, I might have saved $0 upfront but spent hours dealing with extra charges and delays.

But Here's Where I Almost Made a Second Mistake

After that success, my next project came fast: a holiday gift for 80 key accounts. The client wanted nativity sets—something tasteful, not overly religious, but meaningful. Our budget was $8,000. Enesco had beautiful options, but I wondered if I could find a cheaper source.

I compared quotes from 4 vendors over 2 weeks. Vendor B offered a set for $55 each. Enesco, $68. That's $1,040 more for Enesco. So I went with Vendor B.

That was a mistake.

The nativity sets arrived looking… off. The paint was uneven. One piece had a visible seam line. We were supposed to send these to clients in 5 days. I had to order a rush replacement from Enesco—paid $98 per unit for overnight shipping. Total cost: $7,840 for 80 units. And the original $4,400 I'd paid Vendor B? I couldn't return them because they were customized. So my real cost: $12,240 for 80 units. That's $153 per unit. For nativity sets. I still cringe thinking about it.

If I'd gone with Enesco from the start: $5,440 (80 × $68). The 'cheap' option cost me more than double. And I had to explain to my boss why our gift budget blew up by 50%.

What I Learned About Enesco's Product Range

After that disaster, I became a bit obsessed with understanding Enesco's catalog. Here's what I found:

• Nativity sets: They have a wide range, from simple ceramic to elaborate hand-painted resin. The $68 set we ended up buying was actually the mid-range—their premium options go up to $150+. But for corporate gifts, it looked high-end without being flashy.
• Crystal vases: I tested one as a potential gift for a VIP client. The quality was impressive—no visible flaws, the crystal had a nice weight to it. Price was around $45–$60, which felt reasonable for the perceived value.
• Vegetable animal figurines: This is a weird category, but Enesco apparently has a line of garden-themed collectibles. I haven't bought any, but they look fun. Probably more for retail than corporate.
• Reed diffusers: I was curious about these because a client asked for something that wasn't a figurine. Enesco's diffusers are decent—the scent isn't overpowering, and the packaging looks premium. But here's the thing: I needed to check if they're safe for homes with cats.

Are Enesco Reed Diffusers Safe for Cats? What I Found Out

I'll be honest: I'm not a vet or chemist. But as a procurement manager, I had to answer this question for a client who specifically asked.

Here's what I learned as of January 2025:

The concern with reed diffusers and cats is essential oils. Many essential oils (tea tree, peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, eucalyptus, etc.) can be toxic to cats when ingested or inhaled in concentrated amounts. Cats lack certain liver enzymes to metabolize these compounds, so even small amounts can cause problems—symptoms range from drooling and vomiting to respiratory distress in severe cases.

Enesco's reed diffusers do contain fragrance oils, but I couldn't find a complete ingredient list on their website. When I emailed their customer service, they said the diffusers are 'safe for use in the home' but didn't specifically address pets. That's a bit of a red flag for me.

If you have cats, I'd recommend:

• Place the diffuser in a room cats don't have access to
• Keep it elevated—cats can knock them over and ingest the oil
• Opt for unscented or pet-safe alternatives if you're concerned
• Check with your vet if you're unsure about any specific ingredients

The safe route, in my opinion, is to avoid diffusers in homes with cats unless you're sure of the ingredients. I ended up recommending the client choose a crystal vase instead—same price range, zero toxicity risk.

The Bottom Line: When Is Enesco Worth It?

After tracking 14 orders over the past year (including that expensive mistake), here's my honest take:

I recommend Enesco for:

• Corporate gifts where perceived value matters—clients notice the difference in packaging and finish
• Situations where you need reliability—their lead times and quality control are solid
• Licensed products (Disney, Harry Potter, etc.)—their IP portfolio is a huge advantage if you want something recognizable

I wouldn't recommend them for:

• Budget-constrained projects where unit price is the only metric—you can almost always find cheaper options
• Wholesale bulk orders without customization—their pricing isn't designed to compete with commodity suppliers
• Sellers who need absolute lowest cost for mass distribution—go direct to manufacturers at that point

To be fair, Enesco isn't the cheapest option. But after my $12,240 lesson, I'd rather pay a fair price upfront than deal with the hidden costs of a bad decision. That's the thing about procurement: you don't always know what you're buying until after you've bought it. And sometimes the cheapest quote is the most expensive choice.

Pricing as of January 2025. Verify current rates at enesco.com as products and pricing change.