Christmas is nearly here, and it’s a great time to let your customers and team members know how much you appreciate them. But this has been a tough year – it’s not easy to know how much to spend or whether it’s appropriate to throw a party.
Gifts, cards and donations
The traditional professional Christmas gift tends to be food-related: hams; hampers; bottles of wine or spirits. Those can be ordered online and sent out, although it’s best to avoid anything that will spoil considering current delivery delays and people who may not be working in the office.
For customers or clients who you know really well, something tailored to their personal interests can show you’ve been paying attention. And for both customers and staff, a handwritten card is a lovely touch and costs very little.
Another option is a donation on behalf. Many people really appreciate an email or card that lets them know you’ve donated money to a charity on their behalf, particularly if you can include details like, “The local foodbank will use this donation to feed families on Christmas Day.”
If lockdowns allow, a coffee or lunch for higher value clients is an excellent way to build stronger relationships as well as making the most of the Christmas season. You might spend more this way, but for your best clients this can be far more memorable than a gift.
For your team, a hamper is probably a less popular choice. A Christmas bonus might be appreciated, but do run the numbers first. A supermarket voucher retains its full value, while a cash bonus must be taxed. Talk to your team – they may prefer a paid day off rather than any gift.
How much should you spend?
You might like to create categories based on how much your clients spend with you and how valuable they are to you. The top customers might all receive a larger gift, while the smaller customers might get a something more modest.
Christmas budgeting
Wondering how much each client or customer has spent? Not sure what you can afford to budget for Christmas gifts?
We can help. Get in touch and we’ll run the numbers to give you the insights you need.
