Selecting the right Corporate Christmas Present
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September has become known, throughout the world, as the month in which companies start to give thought to, select and place orders for their Christmas promotional gifts. Even in those countries where Christmas is of minor significance, this time of the year is dominated by ‘Holiday season’ gifting and recognised as the busiest time of the year for the promotional gift industry – people are looking for great Christmas gift ideas. Gifts are normally given towards the close of the calendar year and are used to promote good relationships with both well established customers (“customer thank you gifts”) as well as those who may be relatively new but show potential for advancement. Thus, the corporate Christmas gift is one step up from the traditional Christmas greeting card and shows a bit more appreciation.
Gifts selected for this period of ‘gifting’ should be carefully selected with the view to exposing the customers as frequently as possible to the branding of the giver. This brings an important fact to the fore: The branding of the gifts should not be too garish and overwhelming so as to limit the use of the item. Don’t become obsessed with the branding – more often than not less is more. Too often gifts are put aside and hidden from view because the branding is too heavy and over powering. For instance a cheap throw away T-shirt could have a logo the full size of the front of the shirt. But a classy golf shirt would only need a smaller image on the pocket to be an excellent Christmas promotional item. While a really classy lounge shirt needs only a subdued small mention above the pocket or on the shirt sleeves.
Some further considerations on corporate business Christmas gifts
A promotional gift during this season can be anything from the cheapest pen to expensive and unique items. BUT this brings to the fore an absolute must: Before selecting gifts the giver must ensure that the recipient will be allowed, because of company policy, to receive such items. Nothing is more dangerous or embarrassing than to give a gift, with good intentions, to have it given back to you because management have an anti-gifting policy within the company. Also there must be a deliberate decision whether gifts are going to be given to specified and preselected individuals [sales managers, administrative managers etc], groups, or teams [sales team, production team, warehousing team etc]. Never must a gift be left [and this happens too often] with an individual to be given out on behalf of the giver. And never should the gift giving be an after thought – that becomes an insult although the gift will most probably be taken to avoid further embarrassment. In fact, when it comes to the more expensive gifts, it is better to check with the recipient's wife or secretary whether your proposed gift will be enjoyed – it is such a waste of money [and it happens every year] to give a gift that is never used and just stored away until a clearing out session.
Selecting the gift requires forethought and not merely a glance through a catalogue to see what ‘you’ like. The item should be selected to ensure maximum usage or maximum awareness – two very different objectives but great if they can be achieved together. Also, bear in mind whether the receiver is male or female: a Christmas gift for her might not necessarily like in the same manner as a Christmas gift for him.
Some companies are able to achieve a dual objective in the promotional gift processes – they are able to achieve increased awareness and improve relationships with customers BUT many use the process to support or promote social needs. Such as; they either buy their gifts through a charity shop connected to the industry or they double brand their gifts [once with their brand and once with a message or brand of a charity or other social commitment].
Gifts at this time of the year can include almost anything. Investigate, as possible XMAS Gift ideas, the following suggestions:
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