Gift giving is an expectation during the holiday season. Sometimes choosing the right gift for our clients, networks, and employees can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there is a guide that helps us pick out more thoughtful (and useful) gifts for those who are most important to us. Giftology by John Ruhlin, explains how gift-giving can expand business and referrals while developing fruitful relationships, both professional and personal.

First, consider the recipient

Do you know who they are and what is important to them? If they are golfer, a leather ditty bag with their name on it will hold more value for them than a new, top of the line driver (they already have the one they want). Not only will they use it, but when asked about it, they will refer to you.

The key is to focus on what you can do to make a lasting impression. Gift giving and those “little touches” (such as accompanying handwritten notes) commemorate not just events, but people, places and things that are important to us. They become symbols of the value you place on the relationship.

Corporate Gifting

Corporate gifting tends to be done very poorly and without much thought. It’s as if everyone reads from the same playbook regarding what to give and when to give it. Instead of sending a bar of high-quality chocolate during the holidays (when everyone else is sending high-quality chocolate), give a gift the recipient will be happy to use again and again. Consider how often you receive a polo shirt with someone else’s logo on it, essentially making you a walking billboard for them (if the recipient is an employee, company logos are acceptable). Instead, personalize the gift for the recipient, with their name or logo.

Gifts are meant to be for the recipient, from the timing to the personalization of the gift itself. When it’s all about you or your company, it shows a lack of genuine appreciation of the recipient.

If you have a great product or service, treat your clients and employees like gold. Give them cool things that they are going to use around their friends, families, and circles of influence, and you’ll have a recipe for exciting opportunities where your name, products, and services are brought up naturally. The gifts we like to give our clients are things that initiate these conversations—whether it’s an engraved cutlery set, a high quality, monogrammed leather bag, or engraved decanter and glass set. When someone asks, Wow, where did you get that?” Raine Digital and the gifting and promotional services we offer become part of the conversation.

Be genuine, but don’t overspend.

Finally, it is essential to note that we are no way suggesting overspending to make a lasting impression. Also, many people have many people they want to give a gift to. You may want to narrow your focus and identify the one person or five people you most want to make an impression on and give them a creative gift that is within your budget. If you are not able to limit your focus, consider quality, inexpensive gifts with a handwritten note (it will mean a lot more than a cheap or generic gift).

At Raine Digital, we are here to help guide you through the maze of gift-giving. You can look at our holiday specials or contact us at support@rainedigital.com for concierge service.