Category: Christmas

Whether you just opened your doors this year, or your small business has been operating for 25 years, it’s always a good idea to invest a little in client appreciation gifts.

And those gifts don’t have to be ordinary, nor do they have to cost an arm and a leg. Some might even cost you next to nothing—but could instill a lot of gratitude and trust in you, the small business owner.

We understand that holiday gift ideas for small business owners are seemingly endless, so we have some ideas for you—based on experience and talking to several of our small business customers—that we think will help you out.

Here we go.

1. Gift card to a local store or restaurant

Alright, so we’re starting off with a generic—if not overly obvious—idea.

But this one works! Even if they don’t end up using it (perhaps they prefer Dunkin’ over Starbucks), they’ll still appreciate the gesture and understand that you were willing to invest in a gift for them.

No business owner has to hand out client thank you gifts at Christmas, but those who choose to do so will surely make an impact.

How On The Ball Promotions can help: You can certainly hand out gift cards in the envelope the store or restaurant provides. But if you want to up your branding game while saying thanks, here are a few easy ways we can help you out:

• Card Holders: We can custom print your logo and branding in full color on a gift card holder.
• Christmas Cards: Christmas is a popular time to send customer appreciation gifts, so why not throw them in with your company Christmas cards this year?
• Logo Note Cards: Did you know we can add custom die cuts to any of our greeting cards? This makes our ivory logo note cards a very appealing option to small business owners. On the front cover, write “A token of our appreciation” or “Just our way of saying thanks” and add your logo underneath. We’ll add die cuts to fit your gift card on the inside. With the foil stamped personalization, this is a more upscale look for your gift card holders.

2. Food

Skip the gift card, and go straight to the source yourself. Find a local bakery, buy some boxes of cookies or pastries, and deliver them yourself.

This method might work best if you are planning on handing out these gifts to just a handful of customers.

It’s worth it to pay a little extra for well-made, bakery-fresh cookies than tinned cookies that were baked days ago and shipped halfway across the U.S.

3. Discount on a product or service

Whatever your line of work, you can give some sort of deal to your customers. Doing so helps cultivate customer loyalty not because they’re getting something for free or at a discount, but because you are willing to give them that, knowing they will make no profit from that “transaction.”

Ultimately, it’s a goodwill action toward your clients. These gestures are rarely forgotten.

They can also lead to some good reviews or solid referrals for your small business.

Here are some other holiday discount ideas for small businesses:

• HVAC – Offer deals on an AC cleaning when you’re cleaning their furnace, and vice versa.
• Beauty salon – Discount a massage, cut, or color.
• Dog walking service – Offer one or two free walks.
• Bookstore – Offer a discount, a free staff-recommended book, or their choice of book (be sure to set a price limit, though).
• Restaurant – On a specified night each week, hold a drawing. The customer’s name who’s drawn can receive something free, like appetizers, drinks, entrée… or even their entire bill!

4. Give them something from a fellow small business owner

First, we tell you to offer them a discount on your service, now we’re telling you to give them something from someone else? We’re not crazy, promise. We just have some unique ideas.

Bear with us.

Here are some services from your fellow small business owners that you could offer to your clients:

• House cleaning
• Lawn mowing
• Snow plowing
• Photography mini session
• Pet sitting

Why does this work? Because when small businesses support each other, everyone wins. Referrals are made, trust is built, and business grows. It’s a win-win-win-win-win…. well, you get the idea.

It is important to note that this customer appreciation gift might cost more than others, so plan accordingly when budgeting for this.

Not everyone will jump on the offer, but for budgeting purposes, plan on everyone cashing in on this.

5. Donate to a local non-profit or charity group in their name

Whether you have a connection to the charity or not, this feel-good gesture is sure to warm their hearts. Send them a Christmas card with a note saying “We’ve made a donation on your behalf to [name of non-profit].”

Here are some non-profits you can consider:

• Food pantry: donate money or non-perishables.
• Homeless shelter: donate money. If you volunteer, share a photo of you and your staff volunteering.
• Kid’s organization: There are many non-profits that provide services, products, or even social, relationship-building outings for children either from low-income families or who are at-risk.
• Animal shelter: donate money or supplies.
• Habitat for Humanity (or similar local service)
• Refugee Aid: donate money. This might only be available larger cities or their suburbs.

6. Host an event for their kids

If a lot of your clients have kids, host a Christmas party with food, fun, and games.

Have a large space? Rent a bounce house or inflatable playground. Are you on the chamber of commerce with a catering company? Hire them to cater the event. Have some small games like a candy cane hunt, tree decorating contest, or even pin the nose on Rudolf.

Parents will appreciate the time for their kids to burn off some of that energy. Be sure to provide some comfy seating for the parents, and have your employees help watch the kids.

Oh, and don’t forget to invite Santa.

Not just for Christmas parties, you can also host customer appreciation open houses for other celebrations, like your business’ founding date, end of the school year, any school holiday or day off (think teacher institute days), Fourth of July, or Valentine’s Day.

Or do it just because, on any given date.

Party planning tip: have age-appropriate game or play stations available so kids can play games that cater to their development. Pre-teens might not want to play the same games as toddlers.

7. Celebrate the momentous occasions

This one is less of a thank you gift for clients, and more of an I-pay-attention-to-you gift for clients.

For this idea, you’ll either have to take notes if you have a conversation with a customer, pay attention to news mentions, or listen to talk around town (if you’re from a small town, you’ll understand the last one).

Here are some ways you can mark these occasions:

• If you repair a heater in January, and the homeowner tells you their son is a senior in high school, send a congratulations note in June to the son and his parents.
• If you learn a new client had a baby, send a onesie, a teether, or even a gift card. Even if it’s six months after the fact, it’s still appropriate to send these gifts.
• If you’ve learned a client recently retired, celebrate it! A congratulations note card would suffice as a gift.

8. Offer a rewards program to loyal customers

Punch cards, points programs, anniversary discount… there are many different ways you can reward loyal customers.

Just be sure to make it as easy as possible for them to accrue points and cash in on their rewards.

Here’s how some small businesses use customer loyalty programs as a way to say thank you:

• Clothing boutique – Punch cards. Every 10 punches (or stamps) gets you a discount on your next purchase, or something like a free accessory.
• Lawn care – If a customer has been using your service for a number of years, offer a discount, a few weeks of free mowing, or some other additional service that isn’t included in their usual weekly maintenance package.
• Café – Punch cards for a purchasing food either off your entire menu, or even just from a certain portion of your menu (for example, a sandwich punch card).
• Garden center or nursery – For an amount of money spent, give a gift card for their next purchase.

9. Buy them lunch Buy their entire office lunch

If you are in a B2B industry, you have to consider not just the person or team you work with, but everyone else they work with.

After all, the work you do with that person or team affects their entire company.

Offer to order pizza, sandwiches, or whatever food they want from their favorite local restaurant, and bring it to their office. Sit down and share a meal, stories, and learn more about them.

This could work as a great ice breaker, or as a way to stop “talking shop” and really connect with your customers.

10. Send a genuine, heartfelt thank you note

Choose a thank you card and start writing. While we offer a free stock sentiment and your logo imprint, you can skip that. Gives you more room to write a note to them telling them why you’re thankful.

Why this works: Sometimes, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on client appreciation gifts. Saying thank you—in your own handwriting—might mean more to them than a box of cookies, free home cleaning, or restaurant gift card.

In Dale Carnegie’s timeless book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, he has this to say about people’s desire—and need—to feel appreciated:

“In our interpersonal relations we should never forget that all our associates are human beings and hunger for appreciation. It is the legal tender that all souls enjoy.”

– Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

We’ll leave it at that.

---

On The Ball Promotions can help with customer appreciation gifts

Call our team at (800) 475-2255 or send us an email. Our creative team can help you find the best thank you gift for your clients—without breaking the bank