2012 Holiday Gift Guide | Trims Unlimited
Gift giving in the corporate world is a tricky business under the best of circumstances. Add the holidays into the mix, and the process becomes even more challenging. Whether you are trying to strengthen an existing relationship, acknowledge a new one or just say thank you, Trims’ suggestion is to use your common sense and remember it is “better to be underdressed than overdressed.” Unless you have a specific request or special knowledge of a recipient’s wish list, understatement will most certainly win the day. But don’t confuse understatement with boring or cheap—it merely means thoughtful selection and flawless execution should trump optics.
To this end, I offer the following suggestions for those planning to send holiday inspired gifts this season:
Do apply the “Kiss” rule to all gifts—aka “keep it simple, stupid”
- Restrain yourself when ideas that are too cute, too seasonal or too personal come to mind
- Try to select gifts that have staying power
- Think “top of mind.” You want your gift to remain as a reminder of your thoughtfulness for as long as possible (one reason why we skip gift cards).
- Personalize items when applicable (initials & names)
- Avoid gifts that are too personal (perfumes, make-up, grooming items, certain types of apparel)
- Don’t give anything that requires the recipient to make a purchase to use it (i.e. batteries)
- Skip the “potent potables” unless you know for a fact it won’t offend
- If you are giving multiple gifts within a single office or across a company, consider gifts that are
- Unisex , uniform and of equal value
- Chosen by gender
- Mindful of established hierarchies
- Given to the entire office as a group
- Remember the “Tiffany Blue Box.” Presentation can be as important as the gift itself
- Keep your recipient list current (reassignments, promotions in addition to departures)
- Check company policy regarding gifts in general and possible dollar amount restrictions
- When giving overseas, or to foreign companies based in the States, do your homework or hire a company that is well versed in cross-cultural gifting
An appropriate gift is usually a welcome one. But when all is said and done, it’s how you conduct yourself throughout the year that really matters. If you are a valued partner, peer, supplier, staff member or service provider, the gift is nothing more than “icing on the cake.”
