Creative Client Holiday Gift Ideas for Professionals

Your clients are the lifeblood of your business.  While it’s easy to become consumed with winning and performing the work, it’s important to never stop nurturing the relationship at the center of it.  Clients want to be seen and know that they matter to you.

While it is ALWAYS a good time to show your clients gratitude, gift giving is likely top of mind given that we are just a week away from the busiest shopping day of the year.

What are the the best ways for a professional to show her top clients how truly grateful she is for their trust and support?

Your high end clients will appreciate a creative personalized gift or shared experience.

These gifts/ experiences take the individual’s unique personality into account and can make a person really feel SEEN and KNOWN by you.  This should be a premium gift and cost about the same amount of money as a nice dinner at a top restaurant.  Interesting Ideas:

• Pet Portraits – People LOVE their dogs but don’t normally take the time to honor them with a portrait.  If your client has a pet, you can usually find a picture of it on Facebook.

• Long Lasting Flowers – These flowers are great for the office because the arrangements last for 12+ months.

• High End Earphones – Bose Noise canceling earphones for the frequent traveler or Beats headphones for the music lover.  It’s a luxury gift most people don’t buy themselves.

• Stemless Waterford Wine Glasses – If you have a long-standing client relationship, you can add to this collection over time.

• Memberships – I love giving people the gift of a museum, aquarium, or zoo membership, especially if they have young children.

• Gift Card – A gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or a hot new restaurant in their city can be a really thoughtful gift.

For your key clients, a signature gift – maybe one of your favorite things – is a good way to build deeper connections.

This is a gift with broad appeal at a lower price point that evokes you and your professional services.  You would typically send a “signature gift” to your entire gift list once a year. Interesting Ideas:

• Christmas tree ornament that evokes your city or your services – like the annual White House ornament.

• A foodstuff that evokes you or your city.  Think Georgia pecans, Chicago’s Garrett’s popcorn, Virginia peanuts, hot sauce, your favorite tea, or Philz Coffee.

• A beautiful desk accessory like a paperweight, pencil cup, or mousepad.

• A bottle of wine or Champagne.

• An art print or plant for their office.

• A business card holder.

For your key prospects, a practical gift or promotional item from your marketing department is a good way to stay on their radar.

• Mug

• Water cup with reusable straw.

• Water bottle

• Luggage Tag

Remember, anything or anyone who doesn’t LIGHT YOU UP is too small for you,

Sarah-Nell Walsh

Wayfinders, LLC

Executive Coach, Atlanta