Online Christmas Magazine

Christmas Gift Baskets: Extend the Goodwill of your Customers

Don't you just love gift baskets? Receiving one of them feels like you've been given a whole year's worth of presents, all neatly wrapped up in one big handy multi-maxi-present. It's so great to remove the wrapping paper and discover all the wonderful goodies inside: a nice bottle of wine (or even better, a great bottle of champagne), a selection of delicious Belgian chocolates, a luxurious range of bath oils and other indulgent spa stuff, maybe even some luxury food like truffles or caviar... Nothing says "I value you" quite as much as a Christmas gift basket. And that's exactly how you want your customers to feel: valued.

We all know that no success is the work of just one man or woman: behind every successful undertaking stands a team of people. Be they employees, partners, collaborators, family or customers: there is no time like the holiday season to thank all the people who have contributed to the success of your enterprise. Customers really appreciate being valued not just when they spend their money with you, but also at times of the year that are usually reserved just for loved ones. It makes them feel special, and in making them feel that way, you will create a huge incentive for them to bring their future business to you again.

Gift baskets are a great gesture then, and a smart business move. But you can't just send anything to anyone. Keep in mind that what you will send to your customers will represent your company: make sure you send them a basket filled with tasteful goods that reflect the image and attitudes of your company. If you are running a very relaxed enterprise, for example, you might consider sending out baskets filled with luxurious bath and body lotions and potions. If however you are running a hard working, hard playing kind of operation, you might want to consider having baskets holding whiskey, cigars and a fancy deck of poker cards delivered.

And it's not just about your image and that of your company: the contents of your gift basket will also reveal to your customer how you see him. In other words: the gift basket will reflect your attitudes towards him. So make sure to send a big old basket filled with the nicest stuff you can afford to your biggest clients, but don't send all too small and poorly stocked baskets to your smaller customers. That would be meaningless and even insulting, and in that case you are better off sticking to a nice Christmas card and possibly a single bottle of wine delivered in a nice box. Remember: perceptions create reality, so you want people to see you and your company in the right way. And if you do, there's no telling what you might be able to afford to send them next Christmas.