The season is upon us!
It’s time to take a step back and relish in how far your business has come this year. What goals did you reach? Was there a project or client that you really enjoyed working with? Who helped you to get there? Now is the time to start preparing your list of individuals that really made an impact over the past year, including your clients and vendors! Here are some unique gift ideas that will have your company standing out from the rest.
Gifts from the heart
There are so many different genres of gifts depending on your business. We’ll start with the most heartfelt, which is also a great category if you have a limited budget. What can your business do to really make an impact? Create something memorable. Ideas include: a handcrafted succulent garden, or office snacks like candy, nuts, and pretzels – shop the bulk section at your local supermarket and pair with cute jars and bags.
Gifts that support local
Supporting local businesses during the holidays is a great way to keep your money in your community. For larger companies with clients all over the US, it also gives your clients a taste of your hometown, creating a memorable gift that they wouldn’t be able to source themselves. Contact your favorite local retailers, restaurants, or bakeries and get a feel for their price point. Many bakeries and retailers create their own gift baskets or you can choose a handful of themed products (coffee lovers, foodie, or spa for example) from different businesses and create the basket yourself.
Outside of the box
Think about your clients. What do they enjoy? Sports? Baking? Dogs? Hiking? Wine? Give them a gift they’ll put to good use. Here are some ideas:
- Tickets to a local sporting event.
- A set of mindfulness cards and a yoga mat.
- A custom board game – like our favorite Colorado*Opoly.
- A bottle of wine with a custom label.
- A clear stadium bag or toiletry bag.
- An aluminum water bottle like Camelback or Swell.
- Subscription box collections are becoming very popular, and many have one-month options. Look into SnackNation, Graze, Causebox, FabFitFun, A Gentlemen’s Collection, or Escape the Crate.
When in doubt, write a handwritten note…
If the many the gift options have you feeling overwhelmed, you may want to opt for a more thoughtful approach. Tell your clients why you are thankful for them and why you’ve enjoyed working with them this year. A thoughtful note can sometimes be the most memorable. Though simple, it just may be a notion that they remember all year.
Remember, always be thankful
It’s also important to remember to not wait for the holidays to thank a special client. You can always send a special gift at any time of the year. Send a special congratulations, just thinking of you, or well wishes periodically throughout the year. This will keep your company top of mind and you might even see a few referrals.
