With all of the Holiday themes rolling out at coffee shops and stores, the pressure is rising to identify your holiday gift recipients and decide what to give. Before rushing to buy a gift, start by asking why you are giving a gift. Is it because everyone else is giving gifts at this time of year, or is it because you want to show your clients how much you appreciate their business? If you are gifting to show appreciation then here are some additional considerations.
The Best Gifts Are Personal
Gifts are about strengthening your relationship with your client. Gifts should be about the client. It’s not about you and it’s not about your business. Christmas is still four weeks away, so there’s time to think about who will be receiving gifts from you and make the effort to find out about the client. The best gifts are personalized and have meaning to the recipient. Bear in mind that the gift doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, expensive gifts aren’t necessarily great gifts.
But here we are, in the countdown, and you want to give a holiday gift. The question is how to go about choosing something personal and meaningful to the client. The easy answer is: pick up the phone and find out how they’re doing. Ask question like, “What are you doing for Thanksgiving,” or “Do you have any winter holiday plans?” In other words, ask questions that will elicit information that will foster ideas for a gift. If you know they like to read or listen to music, ask what they’ve been reading or listening to lately. If you see them in person, pay attention to what they are wearing and doing. Do you notice funky socks, particular colors or a fondness for cigars? These are all major hints at a great gift that will truly fit the recipient.
Giving A Card? Choose Wisely
For a relatively new client, you may not have the established rapport to have learned about them personally. This makes giving a personalized gift harder, but instead of going generic, send a personal note in a holiday card. Then, plan to give an appreciation gift next year at an unexpected time, such as in February or March, once you’ve had a chance to get to know the client a bit better. For a business client, it may not be a great idea to send the holiday card you are sending to your friends and family. Photos of the kids and vacations are meaningful to your intimate circle, but they are ultimately about you, not the client, particularly one who is just getting to know you. Stick to a holiday-themed card, and make an effort with the handwritten note you include. A card with a plain signature is not enough, and it will get lost in the piles of cards from other people.
Start With A Plan
If you still want to give a holiday gift the best approach is to have a plan. Make a list of all the business contacts for whom you want to buy a gift, and then brainstorm, investigate, and compile a list of gift ideas for each person. Figure out your budget and get shopping. If you are feeling panicked and overwhelmed by the whole process, let VirtuArte help! Contact us here or give us a call at (866) 228-3497, and we will be happy to help you put your list together and talk through possible gift options. We can work with your budget and truly make your gifts memorable to your valued clients this year.
