Etiquette for Giving Clients Holiday Gifts

Giving gifts is one of the things that make the holidays special. Take advantage of this time to show your appreciation for your clients. They are, after all, the reason that your business exists. When you give your client a gift, you are telling them that they are valuable to you, and valuing your clients is an important part of your business relationship.
 
There are a few guidelines to follow in the gift giving process. A gift given with good intentions can still cause offense, so take care when purchasing gifts for your clients.

Sending a gift to everyone of your clients is expensive and unnecessary. There are, in fact, a few groups of people that you should avoid giving a gift to. Potential clients are one such group. They may see this gesture as a bribe to get their business. Another group is customers that have "fired" you. They may perceive this as groveling, not an image you want to portray. Do give gifts to your loyal customers and those that refer you to others regularly. It is also a good idea to give a gift to customers you haven't heard from in a while.

Pay attention to what your clients are interested in outside of the office. What do they enjoy doing? Do they have a favorite wine? Are chocolates or other sweets an option? You can also think about a gift to use in the office: quality pens, paperweights, desk clock. Calendar printing is a wonderful opportunity to promote your business while giving a gift. Most clients will appreciate the thought you put into calendar printing. If you take care in creating a pleasing calendar, it will be a gift that is both useful and appealing. Calendar printing may allow you to send a gift to all of your contacts because it is relatively inexpensive. Gift baskets are another excellent option. With so many online shopping options, you can easily find a great gift basket for everyone.

A great gift given in the wrong way can be a wasted gesture. Make your gift-giving professional. A sloppy gift will give the impression that you don't really care. Wrap the gift or have it wrapped and include a hand written note. Give the gift in person if possible, since this will give you the most impact. Your customer will know that you care about them if you give well and enjoy the process of gift giving.