Let’s Talk Business: Holiday Gift Giving
The holidays are approaching fast, and once again, the masses will be heading to their favorite stores and websites to get that perfect gift for friends and loved ones. But how do you decide how to give gifts to businesses or colleagues and clients? What’s the perfect gift? How do you know when it’s too much or too little? Holiday gift giving is one of our favorite traditions, but it often takes on an overly-complex nature.
The truth is, holiday gift giving is easy when you understand who you’re buying for. You wouldn’t buy the same gift for your mother that you would for a client. If you just sold your first house, a housewarming gift for the holidays can make a splash. Let’s look closer at how to give that perfect gift during the holidays, whether it’s for a client, colleague, or your favorite place of business.
Holiday Gift Giving Starts With The Recipient
When you’re giving gifts, it’s always a good idea to have some idea of what your recipient might like. In business, it can be a little more difficult to get to know someone—especially if they’re a client. After enough interaction, you’ll get a basic idea of who they are, but it takes more effort to really get to know someone. Don’t worry, though. There are still some cues you can pick up on to choose the perfect gift for anyone.
Pay attention to what your recipient talks about. Did you discuss the game casually the last time you talked? Maybe they’re a sports fan. Did you talk about the season finale of your favorite TV show, or maybe a new hobby they’ve just taken up? Pay attention to these conversations, as they can be enormously beneficial when you’re choosing a gift. The best gifts are always more personal. Gift cards seem like a good gift because they allow the recipient to get whatever they want, but in truth, they just don’t hit the same.
If you’re in the same field, you can also use that to your advantage. Maybe you’re a plumber, and your colleague has been talking about a tool they need. Or, maybe you’re in real estate, and your client was just talking about how they need a blender for their new home. All of these small, casual conversations matter, so pay attention!
The Cost Of The Gift
The cost of a gift is usually where people get the most uncomfortable. Buying something that’s too expensive will likely make a client or even a colleague feel really uncomfortable. On the other hand, buying something that’s cheaply made will feel like there was no effort put into it. It’s good to choose a gift that’s both made and priced well. Somewhere in the mid-range is perfect. For example, you could buy a client a cheap wine bottle opener, an expensive aged bottle of wine, or something in the middle—like our Toast The Occasion basket.
When you spend a lot of money on a colleague or client, it feels like you’re being too ambitious. They might take it the wrong way, or simply want to return it because they don’t feel you share a close enough relationship to warrant such an expense. Either way, it’s best to just avoid cheap and expensive things and find something that falls somewhere in the middle. A gift is a gift, but a great gift can mean a lot.
Always Include A Gift Receipt!
There’s always a chance that your gift can’t be used, or has to be returned. In this case, it’s always a good idea to include a gift receipt, so it can be exchanged or returned for cash. This is common courtesy, but you’d be amazed at how many people forget to do it with their business gifting! If you order online, you can often send an email gift receipt with your order. If not, ask the customer service team to send you one. It’s always better to have one just in case, so you can avoid that awkward return if the gift can’t be used.
Your recipient will not only appreciate the extra effort, but a gift receipt is also a way to say, “I understand if you can’t actually use this”.
Make Holiday Gift Giving A Priority For Your Business
A holiday gift can make such a lasting impression on a new client, colleague, or partner business. A gift says, “I’m thinking of you!” without words, and each time the recipient sees/uses it, they’ll think of you. Gift baskets make the perfect gift, especially if you don’t know the person all that well yet. We have gift baskets of all kinds for many different occasions, or just for your casual gifting to say thanks. Check out our huge selection and find the perfect gift today!