It’s called the season of giving, and businesses express that spirit in various ways. Some organize volunteer opportunities, and others send messages of thanks to their customers. But the spirit of generosity can run into some snags when gifts run afoul of industry regulations, best practices, or company policies. Here are a few dos and don’ts of gifting for clients that business owners must consider.
Dos of Gifting for Clients
Your clients will appreciate the thought you put into selecting a gift for them. You’re trying to convey gratitude, so consider these “dos” of gifting for clients:
- Do: Consult with your attorney and accountant about appropriate and inappropriate gifts. The rules are stricter if you or the recipient work in financial services, government, pharmaceuticals, medicine, or other licensed professions.
- Do: Personalize your gift by selecting something specific to the individual recipient. Put some thought into it. Maybe you recall a meeting or conversation when the client mentioned that they love fishing, tennis, or cooking. You won’t be able to drill down to super-specifics, but you can show a client you paid attention to them and that you remember things that matter to them.
- Do: Give something that won’t disappear into a drawer—something that they’ll keep out to admire and that will spur your client’s friends to ask where they got it.
- Do: Give practical gifts. You’ll know the types of things a long-term client will actually use, like a set of new wooden spoons for the cook or a fresh can of tennis balls for the racquet sport enthusiast. Your regular manicure client will love a salon gift of new nail-care sample items to try. When in doubt, food or other consumables are reliable, festive, and practical gifts.
- Do: Give gifts that your client can share with their employees, “experience” gifts like tickets to a local holiday concert (but keep the price in mind), or novelty gifts that are inexpensive, fun, and relate to your client’s hobbies and passions.
Don’ts of Gifting for Clients
There are a few pitfalls to avoid to ensure your recipient receives their gift in the spirit you intended. Be aware of these “don’ts” of selecting gifts for clients:
- Don’t: Spend too much. A business gift should never seem like a bribe or be so lavish that your client feels obliged to give you their business in return. You are simply trying to communicate your appreciation for their patronage.
- Don’t: Give everyone the same thing. Your clients may run into each other around town and discover through conversation that you sent each of them exactly the same box of fruit or coffee and mug set. Instead of feeling appreciated, they may take it as an insult, and instead of communicating gratitude, your gift may make you look lazy.
- Don’t: Overwhelm your gift with your logo. While it’s fine to include a tasteful card indicating where the gift came from with a handwritten note of appreciation, a gift that gets lost in the repetition or size of your logo won’t express your message of gratitude effectively.
These are just some basic dos and don’ts of gifting for clients. Remember personal, practical, and not-too-pricey as a rule of thumb, and you should be able to select memorable gifts that show your gratitude to your clients.