As the holiday season approaches, wedding professionals around the world are starting the last minute scramble to decide on and purchase gifts for their clients. And while some people have figured out what they were sending over the Fourth of July weekend, most of us don’t get around to this until the holiday season is just around the corner. So today, we wanted to go over a few things to consider when you are deciding on what to gift your clients (at any time of the year).
Beware of Branded Gifts
You’re proud of your business and brand, we get that (we are too!) but during when you are looking to design and or purchase gifts for your clients, you should be weary of sending gifts that are overly branded. When you are sending gifts to clients, it should feel like a heartfelt thank-you and not an opportunity that you took to market your business.
That being said, your gift can still be “on-brand” without having your logo slapped across every bit of it. Consider purchasing gifts that feel like your brand or personality. Or, wrap your gifts in a way that definitely looks like it came from you.
Quality Matters
Remember this – just because the gift isn’t branded with your logo, doesn’t mean it is not a reflection of you and your business. Nobody like receiving gifts that don’t serve a purpose or feel like they are going to break the first time they get used and, you don’t want those kinds of feelings to be associated with your brand. So make sure to send gifts that are a high enough quality that you can stand behind it.
That doesn’t mean they have to be expensive though! Some of our favorite high quality gifts that won’t break the bank? Candles, wine (of course), or a bag of coffee beans from your favorite local coffee roaster.
Consider Shopping Small
To piggy back off our last point, consider purchasing gifts from local artisans or mom and pop shops. Most wedding professionals are small business owners and what better way to support that community than by putting your money where your mouth is? Plus, when you shop small you check off lots of boxes:
- Supporting a local artist
- Contributing to your local economy
- Showing your thoughtfulness
- Getting a quality product that you can stand behind
It’s Not A Competition
We know that you always want to be fine tuning your client experience and showing your clients that you care but don’t feel like you have to outdo yourself year after year! Gift giving is not about winning people over or buying likes or loyalty and once gift giving becomes a competitive sport, it’s strayed from it’s intent. Always be genuine with your gift giving and let the gifts come from a pure place – not from pressure to outdo yourself or other people.
Hero photos courtesy Shannel Aiken, Aisle Planner, and Caroline Dutton
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