Top 7 reasons why to give Business Christmas Gifts in 2009.

It is tempting this yuletide, after a difficult trading year, to forgo the traditional Christmas gifts for clients and staff. But you do so at the risk of appearing at best like Ebeneezer Scrooge, and at worst, simply ungrateful. Here are seven reasons why to give business gifts this Christmas.

1.  It is more important than ever to show appreciation to clients, with a Christmas gift. They had choices this year, and have probably been courted with aggressive sales pitches from your competitors, yet they stayed with you.

2.  Client Christmas gifts allow you to show your appreciation of their business loyalty at the traditional gifting time. Giving gifts at other times of the year can make you appear obsequious.

3.  It is equally important to show appreciation to your staff who have worked hard in a difficult climate. In many cases, redundancies have left the remaining staff working even harder, in the face of uncertainty and in a strained work atmosphere. Employee Christmas gifts, when given with genuine appreciation, such as a handwritten note of thanks, will let your staff know that their hard work has been noticed.

4.  It can be appropriate to thank suppliers too. They may have helped with extending credit terms, or perhaps rushing urgent orders out to you, which were required because you have been holding less stock etc. Let your suppliers know how much you appreciated their assistance. You never know when you will need to call on their help again.

5.  It is true, many companies will give the thumbs down to Christmas client gifts in 2009, which means your clients will receive less. Your gifts will make even more of an impression this year.

6.  People love to be associated with winners, and displaying a little generosity gives an impression of success.

7.  By purchasing gifts locally, you may be able to purchase from your client or one of their clients, and in so doing assist the local business community.  Do what you can to help the money-go-round.

Your gifts do not have to be expensive grand gestures. But a well thought out gift, with a hand written note and if at all possible delivered by hand, will convey your thanks and appreciation. A genuine ‘Thank you’ always goes a very long way, and will be appreciated more than ever at the end of 2009.