Deciding on which gifts to give family members and friends is relatively easy compared to when you are choosing gifts for clients. You know what your family and friends like, and what makes them tick, but not as much when it comes to your clients.
A personal touch on your token of gratitude for choosing your services is always a good idea. This is especially so if you have a handmade-related business or something similar. Putting some thoughts into creating creative client gifts will manifest in the outcome of your efforts. Here are some examples of the gifts we make for our friends and clients:
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Photobooks
As one who enjoys taking photos (with permission, of course), I have accumulated photos of friends through the years. With apps that can pick out photos from your social media feed, printing a photobook is now easier than ever. You just need a proper layout to make your photobook coherent.
Handwritten cards
With the advent of the digital era, designing cards online, printing them, or simply ordering one from a store removes the personal touch a handwritten card envelopes (no pun intended). Thank goodness, there’s Handwrytten, you can create handwritten cards with your own penmanship if you need loads of cards to give. This, without having to write everything all over again.
Graphology, the psychology of handwriting, points out that one’s style of writing might reflect his or her personality. Thus, giving a personal note seem to denote that showing one’s handwriting to the receiver conveys trust. Receiving a handwritten note, on the other hand, can brighten a person’s day, making them feel special considering the time and effort given by the sender.
Baked Goodies
If you bake, giving out goodies such as macarons, custard cakes, or any of your specialty would be a great gift. You can include other snacks to create a basket of feel-good yummies. You can put your thank you note in the basket too!
Frames
By frames, we meant pictures, abstract art, a quote or even dried leaves artistically arranged within the corners of said fixture. Inspirational quotes seem to be the popular trend nowadays, so pick one that will resonate with your client well.
Personalized Mug or Tumbler
Mugs and tumblers are best for coffee and tea people, while surely they have a collection already, having a new and unique one would be a welcomed gesture.
You can include a bag of beans, a box of tea, tea caddy, or your homemade goodies along.
Fabric Tote
Tote bags with customized prints are our favorites. Tote bags are practical and can be very dear if you know what makes the person you’re giving it to tick. For my cat-loving friends, I usually print one with a cat image like below. These reusable bags are handy when grocery shopping. You can tuck it in your everyday bag to use for later (unplanned store purchase), no need to buy bags at the store!
Painting
If your friend or client enjoys the art, a painting, be it abstract or realistic and in whichever medium will be appreciated. Sure, it’s not a Van Gogh but the effort you put in creating a masterpiece will not go unnoticed. If you aren’t so confident in combining colors, involve the kids and see what they come up with!
Scented Candles
Aromatic candles are perfect for relaxing, soothing the senses, can do wonders for one’s mood. Scents can also evoke joyful memories to which a receiver of such gift would be truly grateful. Candle-making can be a little daunting but there are ready-made kits you can buy to start with. Who knows, this might be another business for you in the future!
Painted Bowls
While ready-made wooden bowls are in itself already pretty, adding some personal touch to it by painting it is an art on its own. Another personal gift you can give, which also minimizes waste is a kintsugi bowl.
Kintsugi, the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together using gold, is practised on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, one can create an even better, more beautiful piece of art.
Upcycling doesn’t only reduce waste, it gives things a second chance at life and shows others that becoming green is fun and cool.
Plant Arrangement
Sure you can give cactus, snake plants, even a monstera to your friends and clients, but these plants require constant care and some conditions that might not be met if they are placed in the office.
A plant jar is an ecosystem that doesn’t require much attention, for those who doesn’t have green thumbs, these mini-terrariums won’t only make their desks pretty, it will not frustrate them as much as pot plants do. ^_^
There are a lot more items you can DIY to give as gifts to friends and clients. Whichever you choose from this list, a handwritten note is always good to add.
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