Klant
Keukenhof
employer branding
storytelling
custom merchandise
Keukenhof’s tulip you don’t put in a vase
Keukenhof is one of those brands you don’t really need to explain. It’s the postcard version of the Netherlands: fields of colourful tulips, millions of visitors every spring. Behind that spectacle is a committed team that works incredibly hard during the season. Keukenhof wanted an employee gift that did justice to that effort. Something that felt unmistakably ‘Keukenhof’, but not in a clichéd way. Not a standard bouquet or generic gift card, but a piece of design that employees would actually use, make them remember what they’re part of and be proud to have on display at home.
Turning a signature flower into a functional design
Our solution was elegantly straightforward: take the tulip, Keukenhof’s most recognisable symbol, and turn it into something functional. The result: a custom-made wooden serving board in the shape of a stylised tulip. Not a kitschy outline, but a clean, modern silhouette that feels both iconic and contemporary. The board works just as well for cheese and charcuterie as it does for a quick Friday-night snack. It’s a subtle way of bringing Keukenhof’s identity into people’s homes: every time the board comes out, so does the story behind it.
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Balancing shape, sustainability and a seasonal deadline
Behind the scenes, this project was more than ‘just’ a nice board. A custom tulip contour meant a bespoke cutting and a lot of attention to proportions: the board had to look elegant, but also be comfortable to hold and practical to use. On top of that, Keukenhof has a strong focus on sustainability, so material choice mattered. Together we selected a sustainable wood with a natural, warm look that felt right for a brand rooted in nature. All of this had to happen following a tight timeline: the gifts needed to be ready for the end-of-season moment when Keukenhof traditionally pauses, thanks the team and looks ahead. Tight project management and close collaboration with the supplier made sure everything was produced and delivered well before that date.
A board that carries more than snacks
The finished tulip board is more than a pretty object. It’s a tangible expression of Keukenhof’s identity and appreciation. Employees described it as personal, surprising and genuinely useful - a step up from the usual end-of-season token. Because of its quality and distinct shape, the board doesn’t disappear in a drawer; it lives on kitchen counters and dining tables, quietly reinforcing pride and connection to the brand. Every time someone lays out a spread, Keukenhof is part of the occasion. A simple serving board, turned into a lasting piece of employer branding.
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