PRactical P.R. BlogThe Leader in Small Business Public Relations

It’s that time of year again.  That’s right.  The time when you start sweating out the details of business holiday gift giving. 

Or at least I sweat it out.  It’s pretty stressful for me.  Although when I asked others how they handle the gift-giving process, the answers surprised me.

I asked a group of business associates the following questions:

1)  Do you give gifts to all of your clients or just your “A” list clients (top clients)?

I was surprised to hear that many of them don’t give gifts to any of their clients.  Their gift is the fact that they give them exceptional products and/or service throughout the year.

Others give gifts only to their top clients, and a handful give gifts to all of their clients (different gifts for different levels of spending).

2) What is a great business gift to give?

Most said that they try to get customized gifts that mean something special to their clients (such as a pen in a color the client likes).  Some gave to charity and explained in a holiday card that a donation had been made in the Client’s name to a charity.  Others liked to buy gifts from their own clients and send them to other clients.

3) Do you give gifts to your referral sources?

Most said that they give gifts to their top referral sources.

4) Do you give gifts to employees?

Most said yes.

5) Do you send cards to clients, referral sources, employees, etc.

Yes.

To sum up:  When deciding on holiday business gifts, always send a card, and let gift-giving be a personal decision.