Royal Copenhagen for Corporate Gifts: What a Cost Controller Learned Comparing 1972 Christmas Plates vs. Modern Porcelain Figurines

When your company wants a gift that says “premium” without saying “we overpaid,” Royal Copenhagen comes up fast. But once you start comparing a 1972 Christmas plate against a modern porcelain figurine, the decision gets complicated. I've managed corporate gifting budgets for six years, and I've had to make this call more than once.

Here's a practical comparison framework for B2B buyers deciding between Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates (especially the 1972 edition), decorative plates, and porcelain figurines. I'll focus on total cost, perceived value, and practical gifting logistics—not just which piece looks better on a shelf.

What we're actually comparing

To keep this useful, I'm comparing three common Royal Copenhagen options for corporate gifts:

• Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates—especially vintage editions like the 1972 plate, which has become a collector's staple.
• Decorative plates—non-holiday pieces, often hand-painted, used as wall art or display pieces.
• Porcelain figurines—from classic Danish girl figurines to limited animal sculptures.

The comparison dimensions: upfront cost, long-term value (including collectibility), gifting practicality, and hidden costs like shipping, insurance, and replacement risk.

Dimension 1: Upfront cost—figurines cost more upfront, but plates hide condition-related costs

A vintage Royal Copenhagen Christmas plate from 1972 typically runs anywhere from $80 to $250 depending on condition and whether it includes its original box. Modern Christmas plates, if you can still find them in retail channels, often start around $120–$180 for current year editions (based on public auction listings and resale market observations, January 2025).

Porcelain figurines are a different story. New Royal Copenhagen figurines commonly list for $150 to $400, with larger or more intricate pieces going higher. For corporate gifting, that immediately changes the budget conversation.

But here's where the cost comparison gets less obvious: vintage plates have condition risk. A 1972 plate with crazing, chips, or wear loses most of its collectible value. I've seen plates listed at $120 that were essentially worth $40 once you inspected the rim. With figurines, damage is easier to spot upfront, but the replacement cost if a piece arrives broken is much higher.

Comparison takeaway: If you're on a strict per-gift budget under $150, a vintage plate gives you more prestige per dollar. But only if the condition is verified. Otherwise, a new decorative plate might be the safer buy.

Dimension 2: Long-term value—1972 plates have collector momentum; figurines have steadier but slower appreciation

The 1972 Royal Copenhagen Christmas plate is part of a series that has been produced since 1908 (with some production breaks). The collectible market for these plates is real: limited annual production, decades of established collector demand, and a visible price history at auction.

Now, I have to add a caveat here. (We learned this the hard way when a client asked if a full set of 1970s plates would “fund their retirement.”) No collectible should be positioned as a guaranteed investment. That's not what these plates are for. But if you're choosing a gift that holds meaning and potential resale interest over time, the 1972 plate has a distinct advantage over most decorative plates and even many figurines.

Figurines, by comparison, appreciate more slowly. Some limited-edition Royal Copenhagen figurines do gain value, especially discontinued models. But the market is more scattered, and condition—especially on hand-painted details—matters enormously. I'd argue the collector base for Christmas plates is simply more organized. There are dedicated societies, price guides, and consistent auction turnover. That doesn't exist to the same degree for most figurines.

Comparison takeaway: If you want a gift with a story and a secondary market, the 1972 Christmas plate wins. If you want a timeless object that won't be tied to seasonal identity, a figurine may feel more appropriate—but don't expect the same collector momentum.

Dimension 3: Gifting practicality—figurines are easier to give, but harder to protect

Let me walk you through a real logistics comparison, because this is where the “cheaper” option can become the expensive one.

• Christmas plates: Flat, relatively easy to pack, less fragile than figurines in transit. You can usually fit a plate in a custom box with a foam sleeve. Shipping costs stay moderate.
• Porcelain figurines: Three-dimensional, fragile in awkward ways (arms, outstretched hands, flower details). They need custom foam inserts, often larger boxes, and “fragile” handling with higher insurance costs.

I remember in Q4 2023 we ordered 15 porcelain figurines for key client gifts. Two arrived with broken details—one figurine had a chipped flower, the other a cracked base. Replacement shipping took another two weeks. We ended up paying roughly 30% more than the initial quote once you counted return shipping, repacking, and expedited replacement. (Should mention: we now order one extra of each high-risk item just to buffer breakage. It's an annoying cost, but cheaper than a delayed gift.)

Plates, by comparison, rarely arrived damaged in our experience. Maybe 1 in 50 had an issue. The flat form factor just packs better.

Comparison takeaway: For corporate gifts sent by mail or courier, Christmas plates are more forgiving. Figurines are fine if you're hand-delivering or have a packing budget that includes custom foam and insurance.

What about candle wax and care? (Yes, it matters for porcelain gifts)

One keyword I keep seeing tied to porcelain market searches is “what to use to melt candle wax.” That seems off-topic until you realize many companies pair candle gifts with porcelain holders or decorative plates displayed on tables. If a corporate gift includes candles—or if you're dealing with wax residues on a porcelain piece—people want a safe cleaning answer.

Here's what I can share based on researching this for our own gift assembly process: for removing candle wax from porcelain, use low heat and gentle tools. The common recommendation is to place the porcelain piece in warm (not boiling) water so the wax softens, then carefully peel it off. Do not use metal scrapers on hand-painted surfaces. Also, avoid pouring melted wax directly into porcelain plates not designed for candle use—thermal shock can crack glaze or paint. (This is general guidance, not a product safety claim; verify with your supplier for specific items.)

That's the kind of small practical detail that makes a corporate gift feel thoughtful instead of just expensive.

Decision guide: What should you actually buy?

To make this simple, I'll split it into scenarios. This is how I'd decide, based on the trade-offs above.

Choose Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates (including vintage 1972) when:

• Your recipient is over 45 or has an established interest in Scandinavian heritage or collecting.
• You want a gift with a documented history and a clear conversation piece.
• You need to ship gifts to multiple locations and want to minimize breakage risk.
• You're buying for a milestone occasion where a meaningful date (like 1972 for a 50th anniversary) creates extra resonance.

Choose Royal Copenhagen porcelain figurines when:

• Your recipient prefers sculptural art over wall decor.
• You can hand-deliver or budget for premium protective packaging.
• You want an object that feels more personal—figurines often read as more individually selected.
• The gift is for a long-term business partner, and you want something that will sit on a desk or shelf as a daily reminder (plates often end up on walls).

And if you're torn between the two, consider a decorative plate as the compromise. It has the flat-packing practicality of a Christmas plate, but the design flexibility and year-round appeal of a figurine. It's not the most collectible, but for corporate gifting, that's often a feature, not a bug—you avoid implying your recipient should resell your gift.

The bottom line from a cost-control perspective

If someone asks me “should we buy Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates or figurines for corporate gifts?” my honest answer is:

It depends on the recipient, the shipping route, and whether the gift sits on a wall or a desk. For shipped gifts to older clients, the 1972 Christmas plate is a safe bet. For high-touch, hand-delivered gifts, a porcelain figurine makes a stronger impression.

But I'll tell you what I'd avoid: buying either without asking about the replacement policy and the exact condition details. (We learned that after a $4,200 order of mixed porcelain gifts taught us more about return shipping than about porcelain.)

Prices and availability will vary—verify current market rates before committing a budget. And remember: collectibles are not investments. They're gifts with history, and that's worth more than any auction estimate.