If you’ve been in denial for the last few weeks, shouting at the TV when the Christmas ads come on and scowling at the shops who have their decorations up, November is nearly over and it’s time to get festive! If you’re the office Grinch but have to organise Christmas corporate gifts for the company, it can be quite difficult to consider what to get before December comes around, but when shopping for corporate gifts for the festive season it can often pay to shop early.
So with December almost upon us it is time for even the grumpiest of gifts buyers to start considering their options, so what should your considerations be when shopping for Christmas corporate gifts?
One of the main reasons for businesses to buy corporate gifts at Christmas is to say thank you to their best clients. It can provide an opportunity to say thank you to your customers and show that they have not been taken for granted. Although this is important every year, it takes on special importance during tough economic times and is a special opportunity to thank those who you do business with for their loyalty and custom.
So what should you think about when shopping for Christmas corporate gifts for clients? Although there are no strict rules to follow, there are some guidelines that should be considered to make sure your gifts have the right effect.
Who To Buy For?
This should be your first consideration as it will effect everything from the budget to what gifts you buy. The general rule is to split your clients into categories depending on how much they spend with you, giving higher quality gifts to those whose custom matters the most. If a client is spending a great deal of money with you each year, receiving a promotional pen will feel like something of a snub. Although nobody expects to receive Christmas corporate gifts, if you are going to use them then make sure they are of a sufficient quality whereby the recipient won’t be offended by it. In this situation it would be better to not give a gift at all!
Make a list of your clients and structure it to reflect their annual spend with you, then allocate your gift budget accordingly. There will always be exceptions to the rule, so make changes where you see fit.
Can The Client Accept Your Gifts?
In recent years, many industries have banned the use of corporate gifts to prevent any accusations of bribery, and this usually effects any sector where you have to tender for the work. It pays to do a little research and make sure your planned recipients are allowed to accept corporate gifts, otherwise you will not only be wasting your money but could be jeopardising your relationship with your client.
Quality Over Quantity
While it’s fine to promote your company through your Christmas corporate gifts, you have to try and walk the thin line between a quality gift and a promotional item. It’s fine to have your company logo on your gift, but choose quality Christmas corporate gifts that are not a complete promotional exercise. Your recipients will notice this and what may have been intended as a thank you gift could be interpreted as a piece of spam marketing. It is perfectly possible to find gifts with a high perceived value even if you are on a budget. Consider how you would feel if your intended gift landed on your desk and that will be a good guide to how your recipient will interpret their gift. While it is the thought that counts, your motives could be misconstrued if your gifts are purely an exercise in marketing.
Bear these tips in mind when you are shopping for your Christmas corporate gifts and you will have a successful festive season. Christmas provides a once in a year time to thank your customers and make them feel valued, and Christmas corporate gifts are the perfect way to show your gratitude.
