Christmas gifts that say it all…

For over 10 years, I have been sourcing Christmas gifts for staff, suppliers and clients. I’ve found some great gift suppliers that offer gifts that truly reflect how we feel about the people we work with. With Christmas being less than 100 days away, I wanted to share my do’s and don’t’s when it comes to sourcing Christmas gifts for valued colleagues. 

Do’s 

- Plan in advance - write a list of who you are going to send a gift to. Alongside each contact, collate their addresses and be mindful of extended lead times for international deliveries (and customs restrictions). 

- Make it personal - if there is the ability to personalise gifts, providing it adds value to the gift, go for it. It always shows that extra effort and is hugely appreciated.

- Customs - if you are sending food-stuffs, be sure they will accepted through customs. Glass also needs to be treated with such care so look to engage a specialised courier. 

- Think outside of the box - gifts that show that extra thought stand out the most. Whether the gift is an experience, a personalised gift or is delivered or packaged in a clever way, these extra details make all the difference so plan in advance and aim to stand out from the crowd. 

- Handwritten notes for all the team - be sure to hand write any cards or notes that go alongside your gifts. If possible, include the names of the whole team that you work with to offer a personal thank you. Writing ‘and the rest of the team’ does the exact opposite. 

Don’t’s 

- It’s about them, not you - avoid at all costs gifts that include your branding. A gift should feel like a gift and not a branding opportunity. The gift is about the receiver, not the sender.

- Timings - imagine how many gifts your contact(s) are going to receive during the middle of December - the answer is a lot! Think about your timings - the best gifts I've received and sent out have been at times when they were unexpected. Early December or early January is always a nice way to cut through the noise so avoid sending gifts in the week leading up to Christmas. 

- Big doesn't always mean the best - when I say big, I refer to both size and brand. The best gifts I’ve sent out have been from boutique and independent gifting services, many of which are online. The thought does count, so take time to research gifts that are a little different whilst at the same time, supporting smaller businesses who hugely appreciate the order.

- Questions - never follow up by asking if your contact received their gift. If it’s important to know if something has been delivered, track the delivery but never ask your contact. 

A little planning goes a long way - it takes the stress out of last minute panic buying and reduces the possibility of missing something important along the way. If you’d like me to share with you where I source the majority of my staff gifts from, be sure to get in touch.