Business Gift Giving Tips for Procrastinators
Some corporations have it all together. Their holiday gifts were planned back in July, ready to be mailed first of December, if not already shipped out.
These tips are for the rest, whether you are a new and quickly growing company, so busy expanding that you forgot to properly thank your business friends who helped you reach success, or those who simply prefer putting things together at the last minute.
- Check your corporation’s gift policy. Are you allowed to give gifts? How much?
- Check IRS’s gift policy, how much gift giving do they allow you to write off as business expense?
- Don’t stress, if you hurry you can still get your gifts out for Christmas. Just don’t wait any longer.
- Think about the person you are giving a gift to, what would they appreciate? Enjoy? What would make their day?
- Send gifts. (Be sure to check back tomorrow to learn a simple time saving shortcut to do all of this)
- Or be different, send out holiday cards now and give gifts throughout the year, a thank you gift for a referral, a one year anniversary gift thanking a client for using your services for a year, give gifts celebrating a different holiday.
Whatever you do, make sure that your clients, business associates, employees, know how much you appreciate them. Don’t take them for granted.
Dec 3rd, 2007 at 2:23 pm
When I worked in Corporate America, we used to have a holiday party with a secret santa gift exchange. It was great because it made an, otherwise, stressful work enviorment, very relaxing and fun—even if only for a couple of hours.
Dec 4th, 2007 at 12:23 am
This past year as Independent Beauty Consultant I surprised my regular customers with a gift certificate in the month of their birthday to be used towards whatever they purchased that month.
They were really surprised and appreciative of the gift because they were able to purchase more for their money than a percentage off discount would’ve provided them. Also, for these ladies being able to choose an extra beauty product for themselves unexpectedly was a real treat.
To keep the surprise element alive I’ll choose a different occasion to gift my regulars this year.
Dec 4th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Beverly,
Great that you could take a few minutes off and have that gift exchange. when I was working for Block, we each brought gifts to the Christmas party and drew numbers. Number 1 picked a present 1st and opened it. Number 2 could pick another present or grab the one from number 1, in which case number 1 would open a new present. Number 3 could choose 1 or 2 present or open a new one, etc. We had much fun swapping gifts around.
Dec 4th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Angela,
Cool idea! (Beans?!)
I’d see a % off as a promotion, not a gift freely given. A coupon worth a certain $ amount. I can see how the other would be much appreciated. Generated more sales too, I bet.
Another Holiday, check out Heidi Richards calendar, lots of great days to choose. You can be completely unexpected.
Great talking to you today!
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