What to gift your business clients this holiday season

Do you want to show appreciation for your top clients this holiday season but don’t know what to get for them? If so, then you’re in luck. In this post, I’ll share with you some great ideas for seasonal gifts for clients that will surely make them feel valued and appreciated.

Choosing which clients to gift

One question you might have in relation to client gifting is to whom you should send gifts. If you have a small number of clients, then the answer is easy – all of them. If you have a large number of clients, then the selection might get a little tricky.

You can go with your VIP clients – clients who spend a certain amount with your business, clients who have been with your business for a long time, or clients who belong to a loyalty program for your business.

The challenge to selective gifting is envy. Your clients might snap a photo of their gift and thank you for it on your Facebook page, through a tweet, or on some other social platform. Clients who didn’t get a gift might feel left out or unappreciated. So, this is something to keep in mind in your selection process.

Setting your client gift budget

There are great business and corporate gift options for every budget. So, how can you determine how much to spend on your own clients?

Many businesses will base the number on the revenue they generate per client. You’ll likely think something much smaller for clients who are spending under $10,000 per year with your business and, conversely, something much larger for clients who are spending over $1 million per year with your business.

In most cases, it’s going to be the thought that counts more than anything else. An expensive but thoughtless gift will be worse than an inexpensive but thoughtful one.

The best corporate holiday gift ideas

Now, let’s look at some ideas for gifts you can give to your clients so you can skip the fruit cake! These gifts are also great for business partners, employees, and anyone else you would like to introduce your business to in a professional manner this holiday season. Most offer discounted pricing based on volume, so be sure to take advantage!

1. Holiday greeting cards

Cost: $1–$5 per client

At an absolute bare minimum, you should send your clients a holiday greeting card. It can be as simple as running out to the store and buying a package of cards that you sign and send to your clients. Or, if you want to do something with more pizzazz, you can use services like TinyPrints to customize cards with your business name and logo, like the one shown above.

You don’t have to write a long, sappy message inside each card. Depending on the size of your company, you may have the business owner only sign the card or have everyone in the office sign it. Or, for certain clients, you may want their salesperson, their project or account manager, and their customer support person to sign it along with the business owner.

2. Gift cards

Cost: $5–$$$ per client

Stop thinking of gift cards as the most impersonal gift option available during the holidays, and start thinking of them as the most personal. Your clients can do anything they want with a gift card. They are not pigeonholed to what you believe would make a great gift.

You can get gift cards that are delivered digitally, gift cards that you include with the above-mentioned holiday cards, or gift cards that you get boxed and shipped to your clients. You can get gift cards that work for anything – Visa and MasterCard gift cards, gift cards to restaurants, gift cards to stores, gift cards to massage and spa services, etc. The sky’s the limit on both price and application.

3. M&Ms

Cost: $4–$160 per client

Love M&Ms? Think your clients do too? M&Ms has business gift options that will allow you to customize packages of M&Ms with your company colors, logo, or name. This is one of those unique client gift ideas that can go a long way with a lot of your close collaborators.

4. Gourmet chocolate

Cost: $10–$200 per client

Chocolate is usually a safe bet, unless you have a health-based business or one that might cater to an audience with specific food allergies and sensitivities. Godiva offers a variety of business gifts to choose from, from small four-piece favors to outrageous gift towers.

5. Executive gifts

Cost: $11–$850 per client

When you browse the business gift section of Pottery Barn, you will find an assortment of choices sure to please any executive clients you may be gifting this holiday season. Christmas gifts for business clients can include business card holders, cribbage sets, leather drink coasters, crystal stemware, and more items that can be monogrammed and add up to a personalized gesture that will not go unappreciated.

6. Wine

Cost: $12–$500 per client

Do you know your clients enjoy wine? If so, Wine.com has a variety of gifts to choose from. You can send your clients an individual bottle of chardonnay or a quintessential wine collection. Vintage wines make great corporate holiday gifts and are especially appreciated by those with a refined taste and palate.

7. Food assortments

Cost: $25–$300 per client

Cookies, cheeses, and croissants are a few of the many business gift items that Williams-Sonoma have to offer. In addition to food, they also have bar tools, carving boards, and espresso makers that can be monogrammed with initials or your company logo. Think of it as a holiday gift dedicated to your client’s kitchens or office breakroom.

8. Embroidered gifts

Cost: $25–$100 per client

Want to make sure that your clients don’t forget about you in the new year? Consider giving them something they can use all of the time. L.L. Bean offers a variety of packs, throws, jackets, and pullovers that can be sent as they are to your clients or customized with your company logo. Be sure to consider where your clients are located, as someone in Phoenix will have a limited time to enjoy fleece apparel.

9. Desktop accessories

Cost: $25–$350 per client

Brookstone offers business gifts that will help your clients spruce up their desk or travel in style. You can send your clients Bluetooth virtual keyboards, Newton’s cradles, orthopedic desk chair cushions, global twist outlet adapters, leather passport wallets, stress-relieving sand, and many other useful items for professionals in the office and on the go.

Corporate Christmas gift ideas are hard to come by, but sometimes it is best to go with the obvious choice and offer your staff or clients something useful they will actually need around the office.

10. Elegant gifts

Cost: $25–$12,000 per client

Do you want to make an elegant impression on your clients this holiday season? Tiffany offers a business gift selection that includes crystal glasses, sleek pens, planners, business card holders, watches, jewelry, and more.

11. Living gifts

Cost: $40–$300 per client

No, you don’t want to send your clients a fish or other pet for the holidays. But FTD offers the next best thing – plants. You can send your clients a real bamboo, money tree, or bonsai to decorate their offices for the year to come. In addition, you can also find some great gift baskets for those clients who like fresh fruit, kosher items, Starbucks, nuts, cheesecake, and much more.

12. Smart technology

Cost: $40–$400 per client

While I wouldn’t recommend any personal grooming tool for your clients (unless you are an ear, nose, and throat doctor or have a very specific client base), Sharper Image has an interesting selection of smart technology items to choose from in their corporate gifts section. Travel alarm clocks, digital password vaults, air purifiers, jellyfish aquariums, and other gifts will definitely stand out and keep your clients entertained throughout the new year.

13. Edible arrangements

Cost: $50–$600 per client

Looking for something a little more unique? If you live near an Edible Arrangements store, you can send beautifully arranged fruits and sweets to your clients as business gifts. These gifts will appeal to both the health-conscious and the chocolate lovers at the same time. And they are sure to make a lasting impression.

14. Coffee mugs

Cost: $12-$30 per client

They might seem like your standard choice, but coffee mugs make the best customized gifts, especially those made of high-quality materials, like tempered glass. The average gifting guide often features coffee mugs that are paired in gift sets, which increases their utility. Fashionable or not, coffee mugs are crucial around the office and at home, so they often make the best choice, by far.

15. Air plants

Cost: $6-$20 per client

If you’re looking for a gift that is both useful and easy on the eye, plants often check both categories. Air plants, in particular, can be highly decorative and take your office space to the next level. They usually come in highly decorative gift boxes, which can be reused later on. All in all, you will never go wrong with plants.

16. Water bottles

Cost: $3-$30 per client

What better way to let someone you care about their well-being than by giving them a personalized water bottle, with a special message? Water bottles make perfect gifts for clients, employees and family. People should always prioritize their health, although sometimes they tend to forget. Your kind way of reminding them will surely be valued at its right worth.

17. Christmas baskets

Cost: $15-$250 per client

Christmas baskets are the perfect gift to offer when you’ve run out of ideas and often are the obvious choice. The wide variety of objects they could contain makes it fail-proof, because products range from toiletry items to high-end groceries, or even office supplies. The point is it can serve every purpose and please even the most demanding people.

18. Membership cards, tickets, monthly subscriptions

Cost: $20-$300 per client

The best part about this sort of present is the endless number of possibilities you can choose from. Gym memberships, opera tickets, seasonal subscriptions…you can’t go wrong with any of these. There is a perfect gift waiting to be handed to one of your clients, a staff member or a close friend, you just need to think about what they enjoy doing in their spare time and choose the present that keeps on giving.

19. Power banks

Cost: $30-$300 per client

Power shortages are a buzzkill. Just when you thought you had it all covered and the ideas keep flowing in, you find yourself in the dark…literally. Here’s where backups come in: power banks might just be the must-have items of the year.

They’re lightweight, come in multiple colors to and fit into the smallest of bags. Looking for the perfect corporate Christmas gift? Look no more!

20. Oil diffusers

Cost: $40-$600 per client

If you want your office to feel like a second home, oil diffusers are the way to do it. They will make any workspace feel cozy, especially during the winter holiday season. This is why they make the perfect gift: you’ve got various scents to choose from, according to season or individual preference. Humidity levels are optimized, and the overall atmosphere is anything but dull.

21. Health and wellness products

Cost: $30-$600 per client

Health and wellness gifts for business clients are an excellent choice as they demonstrate a genuine care for the client’s overall well-being, extending beyond the professional relationship. These gifts offer long-term value, contributing positively to the client’s health, fitness, and relaxation, which is particularly meaningful in the context of the modern, high-stress business environment. Such thoughtful choices can also reinforce the importance of work-life balance, showing clients that their personal health and well-being are valued. This approach not only leaves a lasting impression but also promotes a positive image of your company as one that prioritizes the holistic health of its partners and clients.

22. Personalized gifts

Cost: $20-$1000 per client

Personalized gifts such as monogrammed briefcases, custom art, or engraved desk accessories are a thoughtful choice for business clients. They add a personal touch that goes beyond generic corporate gifting, showing that you have put thought and effort into the gift. These items can also enhance the recipient’s professional image and workspace, making them both practical and stylish. Personalized gifts tend to be treasured more because they are tailored specifically for the recipient, reflecting their personality and your understanding of their preferences. This level of personalization can significantly strengthen the business relationship, as it demonstrates a deeper level of care and attention to detail.

23. Charitable donations

Cost: $20-$500+ per client

The cost associated with charitable donations as gifts can be highly flexible and tailored to your budget. There is no fixed amount required, and the donation can range from a modest contribution of $20-$50 to larger amounts in the hundreds or even thousands, depending on your financial capacity and the significance of the client relationship. The beauty of this kind of gift is its adaptability; you can choose an amount that feels appropriate and meaningful without the constraints of a set price tag. Additionally, the value of the gift extends beyond its monetary worth, as it reflects a commitment to social responsibility and shared values between you and your client.

In conclusion

As you can see, there are lots of great holiday gift ideas for your clients and others related to your business that go beyond the cheesy stuff you can pick up at your local retail store. Best of all, you will find something great that both your clients and your budget will love. 

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and let your imagination run free; sometimes, the not-so-obvious choices make the perfect gift nobody even thought of, and this holiday season you might just make a client or co-worker very happy just by giving them exactly what they needed, when they least expected it.