With the arrival of the holiday season, many businesses are beginning to plan holiday parties and end-of-year festivities. You may also be thinking of giving gifts around this time of year. Gifts are a wonderful way to improve employee morale, reward someone for a job well done, show appreciation to a client, or simply to keep your business top of mind in a tasteful way. Though a well-timed and well-chosen gift can be a wonderful gesture, there are a few guidelines worth considering so that your expression of appreciation is well received.
Be Thoughtful and Aware
- When writing the card to go with the gift, make sure to spell the recipient’s name correctly. You’d be surprised how often people miss getting this part right.
- Consider the gift’s suitability for the recipient. You want to be sure that the gift will be well received and that it will be a match for them. Does the person have dietary restrictions, for example? If so, make sure the gift is suitable from that standpoint.
- If you are gift giving across cultures, it is worth taking a moment to read up on the gift giving practices in the recipient’s culture. You could find that the cultural norms are quite different from your own. If you feel it is appropriate and comfortable to do so, you might gently ask if there are specific types of gifts that most interest the person to whom you’d like to give a gift.
- Consider a charitable gift to honor an employee or client. This can be a great way to show appreciation for someone while also making a positive difference in the world.
Give the Right Impression
- Above all, when giving a gift, particularly to a client, make sure that it could not be construed as a bribe. There should be no expectation of business, favors, or special consideration in return for the gift.
- Depending on your industry, there may be specific rules and regulations governing gift giving and when it is permitted. If you think your business may be regulated in this way, make sure to familiarize yourself with the appropriate rules.
- Some companies have set price ranges for gifts or have banned gift-giving altogether. Check with your company’s HR team to see what the policies are.
- Timing is everything: to avoid the appearance of an ulterior motive, don’t give your gift during a sensitive business exchange. For example, giving a gift to a client during contract negotiations would be considered inappropriate. Likewise, giving a gift to an employee in lieu of a raise at the time of a promotion might not send the right message.
Are you wondering how you can surprise and delight someone with the right gift this holiday season? We’d be happy to recommend some fitting choices that will thoughtfully express your appreciation. Reach out to us on Twitter and Facebook—or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise on ways you can make a positive impression through well selected gifts.
