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Posted at 10:34 AM on 11/23/2009
Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor , Entrepreneur Editor

What makes a good client gift?

What guidelines do you follow when buying gifts for your clients? What are some good gift ideas this holiday season? Have you ever received an unusual or inappropriate gift? Let's share stories here.

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
MaryEllen Jaeger Hurtado says:
How about Hurtado Chile Company salsa gift baskets? Great prices for a much loved gift.

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
Matthew Egan says:
A great client gift is something that you didn't buy 50 of and sent out the same form letter to each. Building that relationship with the good clients, knowing where they'd appreciate a gift card from, or a new DVD of a genre they've shared with you. It's all about the relationship, give what they will remember, because if they remember the gift, they'll certainly remember you.

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
Amir Parsi says:
I agree! the gift should be something that customers remembers you when looks at it later on or uses it! I would prefer to categorize customers and give different gifts according to the value they have! Some customers are more equal than others!

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
Dana Concierge says:
The best gift is always cash $ :), this is what we want and expect from clients.. Happy Holidays.

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
Paul D Erickson says:
Gift and Incentive albums so they can choose what they would like!

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
June Carroll says:
I got a branded waiters corkscrew bottle opener 15 years ago which I still use and love - when I use it I often remember the happy times working with that team

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
Andres Matheu says:
gift cards do the job!

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
Alexandra Gibson says:
I would never give a client a gift card. From a functional perspective, I definitely understand that they're great as the client can buy whatever they like. However, it feels weird to say "You and the business that you did with our company last year are worth $X. Happy Holidays!"

Entrepreneur Editor
Community Editor
Entrepreneur Editor
Posted 11/24/2009
Shaun Conyers says:
my company is sending a card to all clients stating: thank you for your business, instead of sending you an not useful gift, we are spending this budget at XYZ charity organization.
This is useful, and brings up emotions in the clients. Emotions are good if they can be tied to you and your company :)

Stephen Perkins
Founder & Creative Director
Stephen Perkins Blog Network
Posted 11/25/2009
can't go wrong with a gift basket and a card. Make sure your cards are peronal for each client.

William Nunn
President, Founder, CEO
Posted 11/25/2009
A gift card that can be used anywhere (AMEX, Visa) gift cards do the trick for us. Nothing excessive but enough for a dinner two.

Posted 11/29/2009
Something that has thought put into it. From the many meetings you may of had a client might have mentioned an interest in something.

mortal Fox
Wrinkle Cream
Posted 12/2/2009
good i thing some thing care for health like skin
Wrinkle Cream
The best wrinkle cream today is no easy task with so many to choose from and the daily bombardment of advertising. It's essential to understand the causes of wrinkles and aging in order to get the best product.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Anti-Wrinkle-Cream-Review---Revealed-by-Dr-Oz-on-Oprahs-Show&id=2271470

Julia Wooster
Owner
Prime Admin Solutions
Posted 12/2/2009
I’m not a fan of branded gifts – I think it depends on the client what you give – how well you know them. In my business I tend to get to know my really good clients well so I know what they like. For example, one client loves flowers, another loves chocolate. I’m not a fan of gift baskets at Christmas because everyone does it and to me it lacks originality. Having worked as an Executive Assistant in the past I remember seeing gift baskets come in and in large departments the staff like them. For one person, if they get a lot of them, there are way too many to take home.

I also send little gifts to clients throughout the year. I think these are actually more meaningful because they arrive for no particular reason, just to say I appreciate your business. I use Send Out Cards to send custom cards with gifts to clients. For example, one client is a department of a larger company and I recently sent the eight ladies in the department two dozen gourmet cookies and a card. Another client got chocolate brownies. One of my oldest clients referred a new client to me and I sent her a floral arrangement from a florist in her town. All were appreciated.

Audrey Johnson
President & Founder
AudreyLynnJo LLC
Posted 12/13/2009
Client gifts should depend on the client and your relationship. Because my relationship with my clients are personal i.e. getting to know their families and having access to personal and confidential info, I find gifts that are not only a representation of my business, but are personalized and useful. This year for a few clients I purchased personalized family stationary... something they would never order for themselves, but will appreciate and use. For a different client I purchased a bottle of their favorite wine. I believe personalized gifts mean so much more in the long run!
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