‘Tis the season to show a bit of client appreciation, and nothing brings the warm and fuzzies like a good gift. But what to buy?
Assuming you have built a relationship with the client, think back over your conversations. What are their hobbies? What do they enjoy? What can you get them that will make their lives a bit easier, fun, or relaxing? There's an art to gift giving -- the more thought you put into it -- the more it will mean to them. A great gift gives your client one more reason to love you. To help jumpstart your gifting journey, here are a few suggestions:
Sofia Cashmere Travel Set
Has your frequent-flyer client complained about the times they have not had enough miles to fly business or first class? Help them bring first class to coach with this luxe cashmere travel blanket, sleep mask, and carrying case that doubles as a pillowcase for an airline pillow.
Found at: saksfifthavenue.com
Cost: $295
The Toshiba Camileo BW10 HD Camcorder“Action” is your client’s middle name -- nothing delights them more than sharing stories of finding the perfect wave at an undiscovered beach in Taiwan or snorkeling with a school of fish in Honolulu. A gift of a Toshiba Camileo allows them to dazzle their Facebook and YouTube fans with full HD video of all the excitement.
Found at: Walmart
Cost: Starting at $114
Felt-Inspired Neckware
Your client is all about personal style -- have you noticed how much she loathes the “off the rack” look? These warm, swirly bits of goodness are the epitome of stylish.
Found at: Takara, 123 N. Marion St., Oak Park, 708-445-7511
Local
Cost: Starting at $59
Woven Newspaper Placemat
Does your client love showing you their new purse or golf bag made with recycled material? Give them the opportunity to wipe their feet on the same eco-friendly wares. Indonesian artists of Pekerti innovatively use recycled newspaper to weave soft-textured yet durable placemats. Plus, proceeds supplement the incomes of subsistence farmers and rural people.
Found at: Ten Thousand Villages
Cost: Set of 4 for $24
A Total Music Immersion
Is your client a fan of the arts and a lover of all things highbrow (think: Fraiser Crane)? This package features two A-level tickets to the January, April, and June concerts, admission for two at an exclusive pre-concert reception in June, a CD to relive the concert experience and chance to go backstage after a concert and meet Maestro Mei-Ann Chen.
Found at: Chicago Sinfonietta Website
Cost: $500
Whiskey Stones Gift Set
Does your client break out the bourbon or whiskey to celebrate those victories you helped them win? Whiskey stones will allow them to toast to success in style. Designed by single-malt scotch fan Andrew Hellman, the natural soapstone cubes will chill the drink to the perfect temperature without diluting its flavor. Gift set comes with six cubes and two glasses.
Found at: online at Uncommon Goods
Cost: $58
Jetta Bates-Vasilatos is founder of Twist Communications and a life stylist with 10+ years of award-winning consumer engagement/strategic planning experience for luxury and global brands like BMW and Coca-Cola. She also serves as an on-air correspondent and writer with a focus on luxury and experiential tourism, lifestyle, sustainability, and personal finance (how to be chic yet savvy). Jetta has appeared on stations such as WCIU-TV, KBS-TV(Korea), ABC-7, CLTV and KBC-TV (Kenya), writes for national print publications such as Essence, Recommend, Ebony and HomeStyle Design and is the host of the Jettasetting segment on WVON radio.
Visit her website jettasetting.com, find realtime tips on her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter: @jettaset.
