The Five Step Guide To Gift Giving

Gift giving is a generous way of thanking clients for their support and contribution to your business. The act of gifting may seem easy to many, research has however indicated there are many factors to consider when awarding a client or potential client with a gift. Our Five Step Guide To Gift Giving outlines the do’s and don’ts hereof, aiding you during your next purchase. 1. Gift within your budget: When purchasing a gift, we want the receiver to know we’ve put thought into the purchase, do not feel obligated to overspend to create a good impression. Your client may appreciate the gesture more than the monetary value of the gift itself. Shopping for gifts can be made easier by following a strategy; determine your budget and shop around, this allows for a wider variety and ideas to choose from. The portable humidifier may very well trump the leather wallet you’ve considered getting your client. 2. Make it Personal: Personal gifts merely suggest you have considered their likes, dislikes and/or hobbies. Thoughtful gifts hold more sentimental value to the receiver than the generic gift. You may find a set of golf balls or a golf sports bag to be more useful for the golfing client and adventure gear to suit the outdoor junkie. 3. Age and Gender: Much like a gift for a toddler will differ from a gift given to a teen, one needs to consider the age bracket and gender of the client. Scented candles and incense are deemed more ‘womanly” while pocket knives and tool sets are considered to be suited to the male gender. 4. Consumable Gifts: Consumables such as chocolates, pastries and fruit baskets are popular all year round. It is important to be mindful of the clients’ possible dietary restrictions and allergies. Though a box of chocolates may not be ideal for the diabetic, a wine cooler could compliment the dusty bottle of Merlot on his next picnic trip. 5. Cultural/Religious Differences: Keeping the cultural and religious differences of clients in mind signifies a sign of respect for them and their beliefs. A person from the Muslim religion may reject a bottle of wine as their religion does not allow consumption of alcoholic drinks, likewise, a Chinese national may not accept an umbrella as they view it as bad luck. While a mindful gifting strategy may take time to devise and execute, implementing such a strategy will be well worth your while. A gift says, “thank you, we value your business and look forward to working with you in future.”