Here are seven sure-fire ways to make your business gift-giving more effective and more appreciated by the recipient.  

Get off to a good start

1)  Start Early.  Target to have your gift delivered to your recipients the week before Thanksgiving.  Not only will your gift stand out by being early, but more of your recipients will be in the office to receive the gift.  In addition, if your gift is a consumable, your customer will appreciate the opportunity to share during December Holiday events.  

2)  Be Unique.  Although food baskets, desk accessories, and corporate logo apparel are frequently given, there is always a new twist that can create buzz and a lasting impression of you and your company. For example, since the Holidays coincide with cooler weather, a blanket with an embroidered logo will be timely and is a bit more unique. 

3)  Be Useful.  Try a practical gift that will actually get used.  Logo thumb drives or memory sticks are very popular.  Another useful idea is a commuter travel mug or thermos with your company logo.  Or consider a nice fold-up umbrella.  Since they are easy to misplace, another one always comes in handy.  

4)  Be personal, but not too personal.  Know your recipient, and look for gifts that go with their hobbies.  If they are a golfer, consider a nice Nike shirt or wind shirt. By monogramming that shirt, jacket, or winter scarf, you have added a personal touch.  Stay away from overly intimate items such as perfume or jewelry.  Your present needs to be appropriate when opened in the office in front of others. Another good idea is a book on a current business topic with a personal inscription. 

5)  Be memorable.  Desk accessories remind your customer of you on a daily basis.  Nice pen sets, tastefully embossed folios, or picture frames never go out of style.  You might also consider something unique like a crystal paperweight with a corporate design. Another approach is a gift that keeps on reminding.  A Dallas staffing firm delivers a logo candy jar to hot prospects.  Then at off-beat times through out the year, such as the 4^th of July and Halloween, the firm sends candy refills. Needless to say, that candy jar stays in the break room all year round for all to see.

 6)  Go for quality.  If your budget is $5 per recipient, pick the best $5 item you can buy.  Don’t try to find a more expensive item and get a $5 bargain.  The quality will not be there, and your recipient will be disappointed.  For example, purchase a nice $5 pen or some candies or goodies, and don’t try to find a bargain-priced bottle of wine. 

7)  Deliver personally.  If at all possible, deliver the gift personally.  This is another reason to talk to your customer and to get to know them better.  Take advantage of it!