When I started my business, my funds for holiday gifts were very small. So, because of this, I had to decide a way to give thank you gifts that were affordable for my growing business. If you just started your business, here are some holiday thank you gift tasks and tips for your clients that won’t break the bank.
First, determine what you want to give to your clients/employees and what the budget will be. Pick a gift that your recipients will really enjoy. Here are some ideas on what to offer as a thank you gift:
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Discount Coupons Gifts: Give a coupon discount offer exclusively for your clients that have used your services more than 2 times in one year. For the other clients, give them a one-time only discount that expires a few months after the holidays.
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Discount Coupons Gifts from 3rd party colleague: Give them a third-party promotional discount if you deal with other affiliates. Establish an arrangement with another small business owner to give your clients a discount for a period of time.
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Create a webinar specialize designed for your clients: Offer a FREE webinar for your clients if you offer these fee base teleclass as services in your business.
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Create a physical thank you gift from items you already have in your office. It could be leftover parts from the products you sell or sample products you sell. If you make jewelry, you can use the extra pieces and make custom pieces for employees.
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Make baked goods: Edible gifts are great. It could be cupcakes, cakes, spices or mixes you purchase from another small business owner. It could be something you create. Your signature rub, your most famous dish, or a spicy sauce you make at home, whatever it is, customize it to each client / employee so they know you are making it for them.
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Make your own theme gift baskets. Visit the dollar store and get baskets and other items to make your basket extra special. Pick one item that will be your focal point then go and find items to complement that item. If you have a bottle of lotion, you may want to add moisturizing gloves or soft socks.
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Write a thoughtful letter. Write a written special note to your employees expressing your gratitude for their commitment to your business. Or, write a letter to your clients to express your gratitude for the opportunity to work with them.
After you determined your thank you gift, schedule when you want to make them, and who you want to give them to. Also, determine how and when you are going to give them.
By starting this process at the beginning of November, you will have plenty of time to get your gifts together and ship or bring them to your clients or employees.
Now it’s your turn, what do you do to thank your clients / employees this time of year? Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
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Sabrina,
Great post and a lot of good ideas thanks for the good thoughts and how grateful that we have to be a part of this.
Thanks Lori English
Sabrina — excellent gift ideas. I think it’s more important to do something unique for clients than to spend a lot of money. In the past I’ve given gifts of wine or champagne to certain ongoing clients. But for years I developed lists of inspirational and motivational quotes and sent them to prospects and business associates at the holidays. They always got a good response.
Hey Sabrina,
Excellent thank-you ideas for gifts at the holidays 🙂 Will be utilizing a few!!
These are all super ideas. I like to splurge on beautiful holiday cards and hand-write personal notes inside. I also love the discount coupon idea.
For my thank yous, for referrals I used to do a Starbucks gift card and now I try to offer a local business offering, like Organo Gold coffee packets, etc. Great tips Sabrina
Great inspiration to start planning for the holidays. Creating a gift certificate for an intuitive reading with a discount sounds like a good idea. It is perfect for people who have everything. There is something fantastic though about homemade gifts.
Many good ideas Sabrina. I think the best one is the thoughtful letter. I remember early on getting a thank you note from a marketer whose course I had signed up for. It was a real surprise to be noticed and acknowledged.
good ideas that will not break the bank. I love the discount code to current clients. Have considered doing something along these lines but did not implement it. Now might be the time. Also love the gift basket idea. I have done this for years in my other business. We have included a few of our promotional products along with candy canes and other Holiday goodies. People love it
These are so thoughtful. I’m guilty of spending more money on homemade gifts than I intend, so these options are really great. I might add a note to the edible goodies – a lot of us have dietary restrictions and can’t eat everything, so you might only do that if you’re aware of what someone can and can’t eat. I’ve had to regift a good number of edible gifts in the past. It’s the thought that counts, but I know you want your recipient to be the one to enjoy it.
Great point. It’s important to make sure you know your recipient pretty well before giving them an food gift.
Ugh, I am not willing to think about Christmas gifts at all right now. Business gift giving seems to have declined the last few years.
These are great ideas, Sabrina. I’m not really selling anything at the moment but I love the idea of a thankful letter to those who have been supporting my blog writing efforts.
I love making things and also from my experience, I do find that people really appreciate something they know you created just for them! Wonderful ideas in this post, Sabrina and I gravitate most to the ones that are made by hand and customized to the individual.
My employees always got bonuses… my clients, I would order a scarf or hat with our logo.. With over 100 clients, that was easiest for me. Now that I’ve sold my businesses and just have a few clients, I’ll have to give it some thought. Maybe a basket of vegan cookies? LOL
I love the gift ideas you share, especially the homemade or home baked ones. I love the effort that you put in to showing this kind of recognition and appreciation of your clients, employees, and others in your life. These sweet touches make the world go round!
I totally agree. Thanks for sharing, Reba.
I’ve never really thought about gifts for my clients at the holidays. I guess that’s because I’ve never received a gift from a vendor of mine. I think it might be easier to do things throughout the year to let clients know you’re thankful for them . It would also be less anticipated and therefore, more appreciated.
Good point, Carol. Sharing your gratitude will definitely be more appreciated if they don’t expect it. Thanks for sharing.
I’m not good at making things, Sabrina, but your last one–write a thoughtful letter–really spoke to me! Many years ago, I wrote letters to folks who’d made an impact on me, thanking them. Oh, the richness it gave to me! And how appreciative they were.
That’s what I’m going to adopt as gifts. Thank you!