"Your business holiday gift, if sent in a thoughtful manner, can be a subtle but effective marketing tool to solidify business relationships and let your clients know they are valued.

Tip #1: Know YOUR company's gift-giving policy as well as your CLIENT'S gift policy before sending a gift.

Many companies have a formal or informal policy of ""No Gifts"" for a variety of reasons. These clients usually include government agencies, government contactors, and businesses that purchase items through a bidding process.

TIP #2: Plan early in the FALL by updating your business contact mailing list and finding your gift suppliers.

Avoid the holiday rush by giving your (updated) mailing list as early as possible to your supplier, specifying the date you want your gift mailed. Most suppliers will allow some changes to the mailing list up to a week before the mailing date.

TIP #3: Mail your business gift early, preferably immediately after Thanksgiving.

Food or wine gifts will be especially appreciated if mailed early, as they can be used for holiday entertaining.

TIP #4: Personalize your business holiday gift with a note.

Most gift companies will send a personalized note with the gift. Your note should mention a word of appreciation, an accomplishment by the client, or a task you've accomplished together during the year. For example, ""Enjoyed working on X project with you this year. Looking forward to working with you again in the future.""

TIP #5: Downplay any corporate logo on business holiday gifts.

Corporate logos, while a great way to promote your company, should be discreetly printed or engraved on holiday business gifts, so as not to be construed as over-selling. Remember that beautiful photo frame you very much wanted to display in your home...but it screamed Company X? If it is a thoughtful gift, you client will remember who gave it, long after the holidays.

TIP #6: Give a business gift that reflects the individual's interest ONLY if you are certain it will be appreciated.

If the recipient is a golf enthusiast, a golf-themed gift basket or a personalized golf item will be valued. An expensive bottle of wine makes for a great gift if the recipient is a wine connoisseur. Send a culture-specific gift only if you know the client well and know that the gift will be welcome and appreciated.

TIP #7: For a safe bet, stay with the most popular business gifts.

Gifts that can be consumed during the holidays are always welcome - your client can never have ""too many"" of these. They include: food gifts, snack gifts, wine, fruit gifts, and restaurant gift cards for dinner for two.

With logoed or personalized gift items, desk accessories are usually the most appropriate (calendars, calculators, paperweights, memory cards, pen sets, mugs, photo frames, clocks, etc.).

TIP #8: Avoid extremely high value gift items or any personal gifts that may potentially cause discomfort to the recipient.

A very expensive gift may not be a good idea, as it may be construed as bribery. Keep individual gifts under $200 (group gifts may exceed that amount). If the gift is bulky, consider mailing it to the home.

With personal gifts, visualize the gift being opened in the presence of the entire office. Do not send a gift, which could be a source of embarrassment, ridicule or discomfort to the recipient. Avoid gender-specific gifts, jewelry, personal clothing, and perfume.

TIP #9: Be sure your group gift is one that can be shared by the entire group.

A large gift basket, with a variety of food items, makes an ideal group gift. If you know that the office staff normally goes out to lunch as a group, a restaurant gift card to a nearby restaurant is very appropriate.

TIP #10: Take advantage of other opportunities throughout the year to recognize a client.

Remember, like you, they are human and will remember those who share their happy times, accomplishments, milestones, and low times. While these opportunities can be recognized with a gift, a greeting card with a hand-written note of acknowledgement or encouragement will be equally appreciated. Remember the old saying...it's the thought that counts...and will be remembered!

Recognition Opportunities:

- New job/new assignment
- Promotion
- Retirement
- Business anniversary
- Launch of new product
- Completion of a project
- Receipt of a significant award
- Birthday
- Marriage
- Birth/adoption of a child
- Family illness
- Death of a family member

BONUS TIP: If you are a recipient of a business gift...acknowledge the gift immediately.

Call the sender or send an e-mail as soon as you receive a holiday gift. Many gift senders wonder if the gift is lost in the mail or if the company responsible for sending the gift actually sent it. A sincere ""Thank you so much for the X gift. It was very thoughtful of you"" is sufficient. However, mention something specific about the gift (""The atmosphere at my home felt a little like Christmas morning when the kids tore open the package and saw all the goodies inside!""), and you may just become the sender's favorite client. If it is a personal gift, which reflects an interest or hobby (or was very expensive), call immediately, but follow with a hand-written note immediately after the holidays to recognize the extra effort of the sender. Any business gift received during the rest of the year should be acknowledged with a phone call as well as a thank you note.

A business gift does NOT have to be reciprocated. Again a gracious ""thank you"" is all that is required.

If you receive a business gift and your company has a ""no-gift"" policy, simply return the gift with a note saying, ""Thank you for the gift. Unfortunately, I must return the gift, as our company has a No Gift policy. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.""

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