Client holiday gift ideas that people actually keep

Every December the same things show up at offices: popcorn tins, branded tumblers, a gift basket nobody opens. If you're the one picking client gifts this year, here's how I'd think about it, and where flowers fit in.

Start with who's getting it

• One decision-maker: you can go more personal. Think about what you actually know about them.
• A whole team: pick something that can be shared at the office, like good food or something for the front desk that everyone sees.
• Check the rules first. Some companies, especially in finance, healthcare and government, cap gift values or don't accept gifts at all. One quick question to your contact saves an awkward return.

What tends to land

• Something consumable from a local maker: chocolate, coffee from a Boston roaster, good olive oil.
• A handwritten note. This matters more than the price. Mention one specific thing you worked on together this year.
• Something for the office that the whole team gets to enjoy for a week.
• A donation in their name, for clients who can't accept gifts.

What usually doesn't

• Anything covered in your logo. It feels like marketing, not a thank-you.
• Gifts that need assembling, explaining or a lot of storage space.
• Anything arriving the week of Christmas, when half the office is already out.

Timing

Aim for the first two weeks of December. It reads as thoughtful instead of last-minute, and people are still at their desks. If you're sending a lot of gifts, build the list in November: names, addresses and a line for each note. That's the part that always takes longer than you think.

If you go with flowers

Flowers work well for teams because they sit on a desk or reception counter where everyone sees them. I make client gifts in three sizes: Petite ($95), Signature ($165) and Executive ($300), each with a printed note card. Orders of 10 or more are 10% off and 25 or more are 15% off. A logo ribbon with a printed card is $8 more, and the whole order goes on one invoice.

Missing some addresses? Send me the person's phone number or email and I'll reach out to them privately to set up delivery, without giving the surprise away.

This season: order by Friday, December 4 for delivery December 9 to 19. For 25 gifts or more, order by November 20.