I give great wines (California) $50-$100 a bottle. I tried baskets, but a few

told me the contents were poor. I definately don’t give anything with a

corporate logo, I find it rather tacky.   Personalized items are really nice.

I sent out baskets filled with gourmet chocolates to my A clients.  Everyone else gets a holiday card.

"I sent out baskets filled with gourmet chocolates to my A clients.  Everyone else gets a holiday card"

Good call. I just sent out some Godiva gift boxes to my best clients... Hit the B of A account a little bit, but its all good.. Gotta invest in client relations and your business right????

I send those cool calling cards you can buy at any 7-11.  For my A clients, I also include one of those nice roses in the tubes by the cash register.  People really dig it! 

[quote=joedabrkr]I also include one of those nice roses in the tubes by the cash register.  People really dig it!  [/quote]

Reminds me of the time I was in line behind a guy that was, apparently, on his way to a big date.  He was in the middle of buying a pack of condoms and bottle of Boones when, at the last second, he noticed the rose-in-a-tube.  And one lucky lady had the romantic night of her dreams.

[quote=jonesnewbie]

[quote=joedabrkr]I also include one of those nice roses in the tubes by the cash register.  People really dig it!  [/quote]

Reminds me of the time I was in line behind a guy that was, apparently, on his way to a big date.  He was in the middle of buying a pack of condoms and bottle of Boones when, at the last second, he noticed the rose-in-a-tube.  And one lucky lady had the romantic night of her dreams.

[/quote]

Sounds like my kinda guy!

What do you think of giving something at a different time of year to stand out more?

It’s not a Holiday gift it’s a Christmas gift - get it right will yas

I think this question get to the heart of NYSE Rule 405.  Except when giving a gift, it's more like 405 (a), (b), and (c).  How well do you really know your client?  For my clients who like to cocktail, I'll give a nice bottle of liquor.  Know what they drink--bourbon, scotch, vodka, gin.  Introduce them to something that they are unlikely to buy themselves.  Some of my favorites are Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon ($26), Basil Hayden's ($34), Leyden's gin ($30), and Grey Goose vodka ($28).  Maybe throw in a cocktail favor or two such as decorative picks, spiked cherries, or a special olive. 

For your wine drinkers, find out if they like red or white.  One of my favorite reds to give is Cigar Volante from Bonnie Doone winery.  A couple of nice whites are St. Supery Savignon Blanc or Conundrum.  I've been adding a few wine glass charms and a charm hanger tree this year as a throw in.

For people who like to dine out, get a gift certificate to their favorite restauarnt, or to a restaurant that you would like to introduce them to.  For your real home-body clients, I have given such things as a very nice plant (not a poiensetta, but something that will live for awhile) or a top shelf food item such as a whole smoked turkey or a box of USDA Prime individually cryovaced steaks.  I don't like giving items with corporate logos with the exception of golf balls, and I've had a nice divet tool made up with my company logo.  Nothing wrong with your name coming to your clients mind as they're out on the golf course with a few of their wealthier friends.  Not to be overly critical, but I think the Godiva choclate lacks "personal touch and attention."

[quote=joedabrkr]I send those cool calling cards you can buy at any 7-11.  For my A clients, I also include one of those nice roses in the tubes by the cash register.  People really dig it!  [/quote]

That's pretty classy.  Have you ever considered sending them beef jerky?

[quote=Mike Damone]

[quote=joedabrkr]I send those cool calling cards you can buy at any 7-11.  For my A clients, I also include one of those nice roses in the tubes by the cash register.  People really dig it!  [/quote]

That's pretty classy.  Have you ever considered sending them beef jerky?

[/quote]

Excellent idea!  That would be a great add-on for those top 5 A++ clients!  SWEET!

Thanks Mike!

[quote=Soothsayer]

I think this question get to the heart of NYSE Rule 405.  Except when giving a gift, it's more like 405 (a), (b), and (c).  How well do you really know your client?  For my clients who like to cocktail, I'll give a nice bottle of liquor.  Know what they drink--bourbon, scotch, vodka, gin.  Introduce them to something that they are unlikely to buy themselves.  Some of my favorites are Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon ($26), Basil Hayden's ($34), Leyden's gin ($30), and Grey Goose vodka ($28).  Maybe throw in a cocktail favor or two such as decorative picks, spiked cherries, or a special olive. 

For your wine drinkers, find out if they like red or white.  One of my favorite reds to give is Cigar Volante from Bonnie Doone winery.  A couple of nice whites are St. Supery Savignon Blanc or Conundrum.  I've been adding a few wine glass charms and a charm hanger tree this year as a throw in.

For people who like to dine out, get a gift certificate to their favorite restauarnt, or to a restaurant that you would like to introduce them to.  For your real home-body clients, I have given such things as a very nice plant (not a poiensetta, but something that will live for awhile) or a top shelf food item such as a whole smoked turkey or a box of USDA Prime individually cryovaced steaks.  I don't like giving items with corporate logos with the exception of golf balls, and I've had a nice divet tool made up with my company logo.  Nothing wrong with your name coming to your clients mind as they're out on the golf course with a few of their wealthier friends.  Not to be overly critical, but I think the Godiva choclate lacks "personal touch and attention."

[/quote]

OK all joking aside Sooth I have to give you props...that's pretty impressive.  How do you find the time to do all this?

I have a good assistant, and a great wife.  I work pretty hard at it myself, too.

Most of your better clients have everything they want. (they buy it themselves)  So a personal touch like Sooth has is a wonderful idea.  I do that for the very top of the heap.

For the rest we send out letters announcing that we have made a donation to charity on their behalf, which is rotated to diff charities, each year.  That way we are still touching base around the "holidays".

And, we send out Thanksgiving cards.  They don't get lost in the shuffle, and pretty hard to offend someone with a Thanksgiving card.

[quote=Mike Damone]

[quote=joedabrkr]I send those cool calling cards you can buy at any 7-11.  For my A clients, I also include one of those nice roses in the tubes by the cash register.  People really dig it!  [/quote]

That's pretty classy.  Have you ever considered sending them beef jerky?

[/quote]

Why not give them Cheap Trick tickets?

[quote=mikebutler222][quote=Mike Damone]

[quote=joedabrkr]I send those cool calling cards you can buy at any 7-11.  For my A clients, I also include one of those nice roses in the tubes by the cash register.  People really dig it!  [/quote]

That's pretty classy.  Have you ever considered sending them beef jerky?

[/quote]

Why not give them Cheap Trick tickets?

[/quote]

Hmmmm....that sounds familiar!