Gift-giving
by Judith Bowman on 12/09/14
Getting through "the most wonderful time of the year" with our values and budgets intact can be daunting. Here's how to be remembered and save money at the same time.
Government agencies have stipulations and companies have compliance issues. Knowing just how much you should or even can spend can be tricky. What to gift a new client versus a long-term client and whether or not to even gift a certain client comes into play. Being "gift-savvy" is an art!
Purpose of Gifting: Remember, the purpose of gifting and sending cards during the holidays, socially or in business, is to thank individuals for tangible and intangible gifts which includes:
- their friendship
- their business
You have the relationship. Their gift of friendship is a gift! Now, nurture it.
Even if no business has been conducted during the past year, regardless of the reason, holiday time is the ideal time to continue to invest in and cultivate the relationship. Play "up," assume the sale and, at the very least, send a card. Actually, not doing so, may even compromise your future relationship.
Holiday card tip:
Personalize the card. Write their name and sign yours - even if the card is engraved with your name/company name. Use blue ink, green, red or gold (festive!) (Note: black ink is reserved for strictly business correspondence/contracts) Also, even if you write only a line or two – write something, i.e. "Dear Jack, wishing you and Judy (name of spouse) a wonderful Holiday season! Enjoy your Disney Vacation (specific vacation destination) with Jack and Judy Jr. (name of kids.) Thank you for your friendship and support. Happy Holidays! Dan"
Top Gift Tip:
Whatever you gift, even a bottle of wine, remember, "the presentation" is everything! Wrap it, box it, monogram it, … (private label it!) but do not simply hand over an item. In other countries, things like certain colors are symbolic and even unlucky i.e. white in china is the symbol of death and bows are considered unlucky, etc.
Top Gift ideas:
- Consider gifting something symbolic of your company (not necessarily logo gifts,) city, country/ culture i.e. Boston is known for the Boston Symphony, New England Patriots. Hence, gifting someone from another city or country a CD of the Boston symphony or a pendant of the New England Patriots would be appropriate.
- For "the Presentation" consider personalizing a CD case … depending on your budget… invest in a quality case i.e. leather, pewter, silver, etc. which they will always have, and think of you.
- Frame the pendant, send a hat they will wear or have something personalized by a player – so many great charity events to find these items.
Note: Our issue with gifting logo gifts is the individual will tend to think of the company, when, unless you are the company and/or this is your intention, you want them to think of You.
Instead, consider something they will use every day with thoughts of you i.e. a letter opener, a personalized pen or notebook, etc.
- Compose a poem/limerick. Inscribe in script (?) on parchment paper and frame it…. "The presentation!"
- Chronicle highlights of their accomplishments in a book or journal.
- Frame a photograph.
- Potpourri, a dried herb wreath, bake cookies … "present" them in a festive tin with a ribbon and, as always, with the personal note acknowledging their friendship/support.
- Give the gift of time. Offer a lunch date.
- Donate to a charity in their name.
- Give fair trade items such as tea, coffee, or chocolate.
- Create a memory by going to a ball game, dinner, concert.
Note: Although holiday gift cards are by far and away the most popular gift at holiday time, the issue we have with gift cards is they place a dollar amount on the thought/gesture.
- eBooks, e-cards, … e-anything is "fine" however, there is nothing which will replace a gift one can hold, unwrap, regard, display, use.
Acknowledge the thought/gesture:
Take a photo of the flowers, the vase, the letter opener and send to the gift or with a note. Then, write a real "thank you" note (so few people do these days, it is easier than ever to get noticed.
Enjoy the process!
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