December 2003
Best Holiday Gift Ideas
by Kathryn Smith
The holidays are a perfect time to show your appreciation for
a client in a unique and thoughtful way. As you begin planning
your consulting projects for 2004, make sure to remember those
clients that have really helped you and your business in 2003!
We asked WIC members about their “favorite gift” suggestions
for clients. The response was overwhelmingly creative! The ideas
were thoughtful, and the suggestions came in all shapes, sizes,
and prices. We hope you enjoy “shopping” and perhaps
choosing your gifts from among them.
Thank you to all WIC members who shared their “favorite
gift” ideas and happy client shopping!
Donations to Charities
- Heifer International provides animals to
families in developing nations to help them establish a business
(i.e. sheep for wool,
etc). The bulk of the monies donated end up benefiting recipients.
www.heifer.org
- Charitable contributions made in the client or company's
name. Send them a card saying how you appreciate their business
and choose to share your prosperity from the year with the
community.
Practical & Useful
- Sending emergency kits is a great way to give the gift of
caring during the holiday season (www.911Kits.com)
- Pottery Barn
has a three faced table clock that allows you to see the
time in your three most frequently called time zones,
especially handy for overseas calls with 9-16 hrs time difference.
- The
aerolatte! From Restoration Hardware or their web site www.aerolatte.com
- Give
a gift of the best business book you’ve read
this year with a brief summary of the benefit you got from
reading it.
Tiffany Gifts
- Tiffany key chain
- Tiffany champagne flutes
- Mini-compact rain umbrella
Coffee, Tea, and Other Treats
- Spirit Soother Teas and Bath Salts SpiritSoother@barbarachan.com
- Uncommon Grounds gift baskets and Fair Trade Organic coffee
www.uncommongrounds.net
- The Bucket O'Hospitality & several other gift baskets
from Rancho Alegre: www.ranchoalegre-lavender.com.
- Lovely little Joseph Schmidt truffle gift boxes are elegant
and different every year and make a great, classy impression.
Saks, at about $50-60 plus shipping.
- Have beautiful, handmade, fresh Hydrangea/berry wreaths
made for clients and deliver them the week of Thanksgiving
(with thanks!), before the Christmas craze. They will last at
least a
year. $40-$60 *F.Moggia & Sons: 415/495-5977 (at SF Flower
Mart. Delivery available)
- GOURMET CARAMEL APPLES (individually wrapped) - Available
in plain caramel, M&M covered, caramel/chocolate/nuts,
etc. Add a personalized tag and beautiful ribbon, hand deliver
a basketful,
or individually. Only good for one week before they turn inside.
$3.50-$6.00 from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
- ORCHIDS- Make your own display or order an elaborate one
at the SF Flower Mart's or from Half Moon Bay. ($16 ++) McClellan
Nurseries: 650/726-3232
- Balloon tree for display in the office
- Blank journals that fit in a purse (5x7 in) or a pocket
(4x5 in), my limited edition of "dog poems", or chocolate
bars wrapped with paper I design with dog-related sayings. Something
by my own hand is always happily received. - Donnasue Jacobi
www.paws4art.com
- Fairytale Brownies are a HUGE hit with clients. www.brownies.com/
- Music CDs with an up & coming artist are personal,
shareable, appeal to all tastes, and helps the arts. "Just
A Songwriter" from Kenny Butterill, was a huge hit last
year. www.nobullsongs.com
- My handmade CARDS (ribbon tied or gift bagged) and /or
a box of chocolates. I don’t usually sell to individuals
but if a few wonderful WIC people are interested I will take
orders of $25 or more until December 15th. Shipping for a set
of nine
or less is $2.50. Sorry, no credit cards. - Rachel Perry -
By Design Productions www.onlybydesign.com/FloralCards.Sell.jpg
Wines
- Signature Wines in Hayward
offers wines with customized labels. Order 2 bottles or 4, or
an entire case online from great
wineries.
Customize using their holiday template labels with up to 3 lines
of text for free, or upload a logo or image for a small fee. www.signaturewines.com
- Clients adore it when I send them a bottle of California
wine that they can't find in New York or Chicago. A favorite family-run
winery with sure-fire hit offers is www.forthvineyards.com
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