Valentine’s Day is associated with romance, and it is one of the most popular days for gift-giving to loved ones.  Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in the United States since the 1700s, but its origins date back to Ancient Rome.  The timing of the day coincides with a pagan festival celebrating fertility as well as the time when people believed that birds started their Spring mating season.  St. Valentine himself is a mysterious figure, with several origin stories, all with a romantic theme.  The date itself was selected by Pope Gelasius in the 5th Century, two hundred years after the death of the saint, and it has always been associated with love and romance.

Choosing an Intentional Valentine’s Day Gift

In modern times, a Valentine’s gift to your loved one celebrates the romance of your relationship.  Given this opportunity, many go with the “traditional gift” of chocolates or flowers.  These are certainly promoted heavily as the go-to gift for the day.  While easy they are by no means your only option.  Why not give a more intentional gift — one that reflects thought and care for your loved one?

Having trouble coming up with a unique gift?  Here are some tips for shopping for your Valentine.

Notice the Colors Your Valentine Loves

Buy a gift that shows you noticed the finer details.  What colors does your Valentine wear?  Does your Valentine wear accessories like scarves or hats in this color?  Clothing or accessories in a favorite color will always be a winner.

Look Beyond the Obvious When Choosing Jewelry

Does she wear jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, earrings or rings?  Does he wear any jewelry?  Does she prefer silver or gold?  And does this jewelry come out for special occasions or the daily wear?  Notice the style of the jewelry — does she wear statement pieces or dainty/minimalist jewelry?  Jewelry comes in many styles and varieties, noticing these distinctions about your Valentine’s preferences can help pick a winning gift.

Alpaca Silver and Rose Quartz Necklace From Brazil

Listen for Clues About Preferences

Your Valentine may not give you specific clues about what she or he wants for the special day, but you can pick up clues about likes and dislikes.  Pay attention to comments about clothing, accessories, jewelry, music, books to see if you can get a sense of what will go over well when it comes to selecting a gift. 

Choose Gifts Based on What Brings Joy

If your Valentine has activities that bring joy, a gift that relates to the activity will be welcome.  Has she travelled recently?  Does he have a hobby like cooking or gardening?  Is your Valentine a collector?  Try selecting a gift that shows you pay attention and want to contribute to something that makes the recipient happy.

Reverse Painted Glass Jewelry Box From Peru

Why Intentional Gifts Make Valentine’s Day Memorable

All of these suggestions have one thing in common:  paying attention.  Try getting your Valentine an intentional gift — one that shows you took the time to carefully consider your loved one’s interests and preferences.  This will always have a greater impact than a generic present.  For this Valentine’s Day, consider making this effort and see how your Valentine reacts to your gift.

Now that you’ve got some clues on what to get, do you need some help with finding that perfect, unique gift for your Valentine?  Contact VirtuArte today and we can assist you select from an array of beautiful options.

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1. Valentine’s Day in Denmark

Valentine’s Day in Denmark is a celebration of love between friends and sweethearts. Instead of fresh roses, the Danes exchange pressed snowdrops – white flowers that come into season at the end of winter.  There is the gift of “lover’s cards,” which are transparent cards with a picture of the giver presenting a special something to their love.  The term “lover’s cards” has come to be used to refer to all cards exchanged on Valentine’s Day. Young people also exchange love poems, with a twist.  The “gaekkebrev” is given anonymously by an admirer, and the recipient who correctly guesses the author will be gifted with an Easter egg that year.

2. Valentine’s Day in Japan

More like a Valentine’s season, Valentine’s Day kicks off a month-long period dedicated to love.  On the 14th of February, traditionally, women give a special chocolate, “hon-mei,” to the man they love.  Women also give “giri-choco” chocolates to friends, family, colleagues and bosses, but these are considered respectful signs of affection rather than romance. But the celebration does not stop there.  A month later, on March 14th, known as White Day, men return the favor by gifting chocolate as well as flowers and other gifts to the woman who gave them hon-mei.  These chocolates are white to go along with the day.

3. Valentine’s Day in South Korea

Much like Japan, South Korea has more of a Valentine’s “season”.  In addition to Valentine’s Day and White Day, in South Korea, April 14th is known as Black Day – a day for singles to “mourn” the lack of love in their lives by wearing all black.  They also eat noodles with a black sauce, jjajangmyeon, which is also a national dish associated with comfort.

4. Valentine’s Day in the Philippines

In the Philippines, romance is in the air on Valentine’s Day.  The worldwide traditions of exchanging cards, gifts, flowers and chocolate are carried on with gusto.  However, Filipinos take the significance of the day one step further.  Many people in the country participate in mass weddings, where as many as hundreds of couples gather together to exchange vows, for the first time or renewing their loving commitment.  It is even considered a public service, with some events sponsored by the government.

5. Valentine’s Day in South Africa

Did you ever wonder where the term “wear your heart on your sleeve” comes from?  In ancient Rome, on the 15th of February, women would pin the name of their love on their sleeve as part of the larger festival of Lupercalia that some believe was the precursor to Valentine’s Day.  Today, in South Africa, women – and some men – continue the tradition by writing the name of the one they love and pinning it to their sleeve on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day as an Opportunity for Thoughtful Appreciation

Back in the United States, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to make a romantic gesture for that special someone, let your friends and family know you care or consider making a gift as part of a customer appreciation program.  Regardless of the recipient, to have the greatest impact, make the gift unique, memorable and related to the interests and likes of the person.

If you are interested in exploring unique, creative gift ideas, visit VirtuArte or give us a call at (866) 228-3497.  All purchases must be made by 11 February 2020 to guarantee arrival by Valentine’s.

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With the arrival of the new year, many businesses breathe a sigh of relief that they have finished with the year-end rush to get holiday cards and client gifts out the door.  With the big push completed, now may be a great time to consider your client gifting strategy and explore business gifting approaches that increase the impact of each gift and make a lasting impression on your clients.

Unique Gifts Have The Biggest Impact

I think a unique gift will have a greater return on your investment.  A few years ago, a client came to me because he said he wanted to give a gift to a customer who was also somewhat of a mentor.  He presented me with some ideas about the customer’s likes and interests, gave me a price point, and, after some research, I was able to make a few suggestions, including a mask from an area that my client knew his customer was interested in.  The result was even better than expected.  The customer almost became emotional and specifically expressed appreciation for the thoughtfulness of the gift.  The gift had a huge impact on my client because he took the time to make the gift unique and spontaneous.  He gave some thought to the customer’s tastes, and he hand-delivered a gift selected with the intention of being meaningful.  I don’t think a unique gift has to be expensive.  Taking the time and effort to come up with a customized gift for your customer will have an impact that far exceeds the cost.

Put Your Budget Into Spontaneous Gifting

My client’s gift had an additional impact because the client gave it to his customer in February — it wasn’t competing with any other holiday gifts, and it clearly showed that a specific thought went into the gift.  Even the best of client gifts can get lost in the shuffle at the end of the year when packages are arriving from all sorts of partners, vendors, and other business associates.  While there is no reason to forgo the holiday gift altogether, consider a more spontaneous gesture.  This will show that you have the client specifically in mind rather than checking a name off a list.  A gift that doesn’t relate to an event or a holiday conveys the message that you keep your clients top of mind at all times.

A Generic Gift Can Backfire

The problem with a lot of end-of-year gifts is that they are purchased in bulk, and it shows.  A bottle of wine or a food basket won’t be as effective as a personalized, unique gift for several reasons.  First, everyone is doing it.  Going the predictable route with your gifting will result in the gift being added to a pile of gifts from other businesses and possibly getting regifted.  Second, the recipient may perceive that, for all the business they’ve given you, this generic gift doesn’t reflect much in the way of appreciation.  Third, while unintended, a generic gift can convey the impression that you don’t know or care enough about the client to give a gift that you know they will like, particularly if the client doesn’t actually like the gift you gave.

Knowing The Etiquette of Gifting

A promotional gift is different from a “thank you ” or appreciation gift.  For promotional gifts, the intention is to create additional customer awareness, so it is appropriate to increase brand visibility with a logo on the gift.  However, if giving a gift to an existing client to express gratitude or appreciation, then it should not be a promotional item — it should be a gift demonstrating that you put some thought into the client’s interest and needs and came up with something that wasn’t sitting in your storeroom.

Gifts are an important marketing tool.  The investment in a gesture towards a customer or client will help that client feel valued and understood.  To achieve this outcome, approach your client gifting strategy thoughtfully and intentionally.  A unique gift, timed to be noticed and given with care, will have a lasting impact in building customer loyalty.

Want to find that perfect, unique gift for a valued client?  Contact us here for more information about working with VirtuArte.

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Can you believe we’re already through two-thirds of the month of June?  Where has the year gone?  For me, June is a month of many celebrations — my sister’s birthday, graduations, Father’s Day, and weddings are ones that come to mind right away. These moments are the perfect opportunity to think beyond the expected and explore unique gift ideas that make celebrations truly memorable.

Choosing the Easy Gift Versus the Thoughtful Gift

Like most people, when I was invited to a wedding, I would find out where the couple was registered, go to that store, pick an item from the registry, and have it shipped to the couple.  I often took the easy route and selected a place setting of their silverware or dinnerware.  I hardly put any thought into the gift and it showed.  I’m sure when the couple used my gift, they didn’t remember who gave it to them.

A VirtuArte Wedding Gifting Experience

Recently, Barbara, a VirtuArte customer, was going to a wedding and wanted to give her friends a gift from VirtuArte.  I asked her if she had looked at the wedding gift registry.  She told me they had asked for dishes, glasses, salad servers, serving bowls, and a wine decanter.  After hearing what the couple was requesting, I made the following suggestions:

Barbara made the selection.  I wrapped the gift, included the handwritten card about where the item came from, the artist, and how it was made, and shipped it to the bride and groom.  A few weeks later, Barbara called to tell me she had received a beautiful thank you note from the couple.  What stood out in the note was the couple told her whenever they used the serving plate, the couple would think of her and remember their wedding day.  This is exactly what you want a gift to do.

How to Choose a Unique Wedding Gift

If you find yourself in need of a wedding gift this month:

1. Take a look at the wedding registry
2. Select an item similar to what is being requested but is unique.  It can be handcrafted, have a story, or come from a place the couple visited.
3. Wrap it beautifully and include a handwritten card.  The gifting experience starts with how the gift is presented.
4. Ship the gift to the couple or take it to the wedding.

What’s a gift you’ve received from someone that really stands out?  That makes you remember the person who gave it to you every time you see it?  Thoughtful, unique gift ideas have that kind of lasting impact. Share a photo in the comments below or on the VirtuArte Facebook Page.  I can’t wait to see them!

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Copyright : Ed Sweetman

Recap of the Intentional Gift Giving Process

My past few blog posts have given you a step-by-step process on how to become a more intentional Holiday gift giver and reduce the stress of Holiday gift shopping at the same time.  A quick recap:

• Step #1 — Make a list of all the people you are thinking about giving a gift to.
• Step #2 — Prioritize the names on your list.
• Step #3 — Answer the questions listed in the 14 November 2017 post for each person on your list.
• Step #4 — Decide what you are going to buy for each person before you start shopping.

If you haven’t completed these four steps I would recommend you spend some time going through each step.  When you start your actual shopping you will be focused, know exactly what you are looking for and know where to go to purchase each item.  You may spend more time at the beginning of the process, but you will spend a lot less time shopping.

Step #5 — Creating the Gifting Experience

Now that you have purchased all of your gifts, it is time for step #5 — creating a “gifting experience.”  You have spent the time finding that perfect gift for each person on your list; don’t ruin the gift by hastily wrapping it.  The gifting experience starts with a beautifully wrapped gift.  Presentation matters.  As John Ruhlin, author of Giftology, says, “wrap for wow.  People receive gifts with their eyes.”  A beautifully wrapped gift says “I value our relationship.”  If you feel you don’t wrap gifts well, then ask someone who does.  To impart more meaning to your gift, as well as a greater impact, add a handwritten note.

Copyright : milkos

Hand deliver or Ship?

The gift is now ready to be given.  The question is are you going to hand deliver the gift or are you going to ship it?  If you can, hand deliver the gift.  You are then part of the “gifting experience.”  You can see their reactions when you give them the beautifully wrapped gift, read the note and then open the gift itself.

Copyright : Vadim Guzhva

If you are going to ship the gift, be aware of the last date you can ship in order for it to be delivered before the Holiday.  This year Christmas Day is on a Monday, so that can complicate last minute shipping and delivery.  A late arriving gift does not make for a great “gifting experience.”

This Holiday Season be an intentional gift giver rather than an incidental gift giver.  There is still plenty of time to work the “intentional gift giver” process.  Remember when you are deliberate in thought and intentional in your gifting, you will see an incredible difference in the reactions you get.  Take the time to choose with an authentic care, and the real gift will be in the giving.

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