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The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

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Page 1: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

Page 2: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

While giving gifts during the holidays is a time-honored way of expressing gratitude, it’s important for any entrepreneur to tread carefully when merging business with generosity.

Before committing fully to the season of giving, become more familiar with basic gift-giving etiquette for small business owners. To get you started, here are 10 tips you can apply to any holiday gifting endeavor, along with some added inspiration from members of our Staples® SUCCEED: Small Business Network on LinkedIn.

Page 3: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

01. For Employees

Know What “Appropriate” Looks Like

Tip:

When choosing a holiday gift for your small business’s employees, aim for practical and memorable tokens of your gratitude. Aim for gifts that are gender-neutral, under $50, culturally sensitive and not too intimate.

Gift ideas for your employees:

• Seasonal items, such as tea or hot cocoa sets

• A gift card

• Workplace items, such as a custom-made pen

• A day off before or after a holiday

Page 4: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

02. For Employees

Be All-Inclusive or Be Discreet

Tip:

Consider selecting a uniform gift for all of your employees.However, if your budget only allows for a few gifts, give them to the employees with whom you have a close working relationship, such as a personal assistant or a secretary. Do so quietly so as to not to upset other employees.

Page 5: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

03. For Employees

Don’t Give a Gift in Lieu of a Bonus

Tip:

Holiday gifts should not take the place of a bonus as this may cheapen either gesture. Clearly designate any holiday gifts as such so as not to blur the lines.

Page 6: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

04. For Clients

Think “Character,” Not “Costly”Tip:

Expensive gifts can make clients uncomfortable or could be misconstrued as a bribe. Choose holiday gifts that are not costly, but do have purpose or character.

“A friend of mine has been sending very unique and interesting holiday letters to a select group

of clients and friends. What makes these letters particularly prized is that they always include

a very unusual gift. Last year [I received] a trillion-dollar bill from Zimbabwe. Whatever it is [this

year], it will be memorable and I’ll be talking about it for years.”

– Brian Duvall, Business Development Consultant, SUCCEED Member

Page 7: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

05. For Clients

Personalize Presents

Tip:

Be wary of generic gifts. Sending a scarf to a client based in Hawaii suggests carelessness. Here is how one of our SUCCEED members personalizes her gifts without verging on being too intimate:

“We send out well-thought-out gifts for clients we work really closely with. I send

out individual handwritten cards to my close business contacts and clients as well.

The power of a handwritten note is HUGE.”

– Devan Marie Perine, Digital Marketing and Multimedia Specialist, SUCCEED Member

Page 8: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

06. For Clients

Know When the Situation Is Right

Tip:

If there are pending negotiations on the table, it’s best to refrain. Otherwise, your client may read your gift as a bribe.

Page 9: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

07. For Vendors

Avoid Pressure

Tip:

When gifting vendors, it should be clear that they are not expected to reciprocate. It helps to keep the dollar limit low or opt for a token that’s closely tied to your business or locale. A cafe owner, for example, might consider giving vendors a curated coffee set.

“Thanking clients and vendors should be a business’s [priority] on more

occasions than Christmas/the new year. Remember the old adage,

‘People will always remember how you make them feel.’”

– Eli Kaufmann, Owner of Hero Enterprises, SUCCEED Member

Page 10: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

Tip:

If purchasing a gift for a vendor, review his company’s policies in advance to determine his ability to accept gifts beyond a specific price point, if at all. (Unsure? Touch base with his HR department.)

When gifting internationally, always strive to acknowledge the recipient’s customs.

For example, according to traditional Chinese culture:

• To offer four of anything is good luck; eight is just the opposite.

• Gifts should be presented (and refused) a total of three times before they’re accepted.

• Red wrapping is preferable. The colors white and blue are associated with funerals.

08. For Vendors

Do Your Research

Page 11: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

09. For Customers

Think Scalable

Tip:

Make sure that the gift is something you can reasonably give to every customer. Trinkets or gift cards redeemable only through your enterprise are small tokens of your appreciation that are likewise economical.

“Last year I sent hand-addressed [notes] to every customer

who had purchased anything from us, with a small gift card

enclosed to acknowledge our customers and let them know

how much we appreciate them.”

– Peggy Hartnett, Supplier, SUCCEED Member

Page 12: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

10. For Customers

Keep It Relevant

Tip:

Select a gift for your customers that’s relevant to your business.

“I send a free gift with every purchase throughout the

month of December. It is usually a mesh laundry bag to

wash [delicates] in. They were very inexpensive and they

are extremely useful to my clients. It’s just my way of

saying, ‘Thank you for shopping with [us!]’”

– Brenda Gonzalez, Lingerie Boutique Owner, SUCCEED Member

Page 13: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

Determine a budget

for your gift giving well

before you make any

purchases.

Advice InspirationActionAs a small business

owner, know that

your gifts are not an

isolated gesture. They

are individual business

decisions and very

much a part of your

brand identity.

“Business is all about

relationships…how

well you build them

determines how

well they build your

business.” – Brad Sugars, Business Coach

and Author

Page 14: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners

For more tips on holiday gift giving, visit the

Staples Small Business Hub.

Page 17: The Etiquette of Holiday Gift Giving for Small Business Owners