Gift Baskets

Guide to Gift Baskets for Business Giving

Choosing the perfect — and appropriate -- way to thank valued clients
By Toni Klym McLellan

Who doesn't enjoy receiving a well-stocked gift basket? Whether seasonal or offered as a special shout-out to a vendor who went above and beyond, gift baskets are a great way to show appreciation. Make sure your gratitude doesn't get lost in a pile of crumpled cellophane and ribbon by following some basic business gifting etiquette and by finding the best gift basket retailers.

Types of gift baskets include:

1. Specialty baked goods
2. Gourmet goodies
3. Thematic: sports teams, industry tie-ins, movies or books
4. Spa or pampering items
5. Meat, cheese or fruit assortments

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Let them eat treats Somehow treats taste even better on someone else's dime. Spoil your favorite customers with delectable fare ranging from gourmet meats and cheeses to sweets.

I recommend:  Harry and David set the gold standard for food gift baskets — their pears are a popular item. GourmetGiftBaskets.com offers everything foodies want, from savory to sweet. Wine Country Gift Baskets offers baskets laden with gourmet foods from soups to chocolates. Omaha Steaks can rush deliver a filet mignon or any other cut.

Thematic gift baskets Whether giving books to publishing clients or spa gifts for the meditation expert who spoke at your corporate retreat, thematic gifts offer a creative, personal touch.

I recommend:  SportsGiftBaskets.com sends out not a basket but a bucket of gift items with team logos. RedEnvelope.com offers luxurious spa gift baskets. The fitness-minded might appreciate a healthy gift basket from Well Baskets.

Brush up on your etiquette The rules on gifting differ when sending to colleagues versus friends and family. Some basic research can avoid making your well-intentioned present a goof basket.

I recommend:  The 1800flowers.com Web site has a business gifts section with extensive etiquette tips. Find a business etiquette consultant to offer personalized tips in the Yahoo! Directory.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• While wine is a popular gift basket item, alcohol may not be considered acceptable for business gift-giving, so use your judgment.
• Consider a regional or state-themed gift basket to remind customers of your area, such as Wisconsin cheese, Georgia peaches, or locally produced books, music or movies.
• Keep gift basket purchases within your budget; it's pointless to go into the red trying to impress customers.
• To avoid causing offense, keep holiday gifts as culturally and religiously neutral as possible.
• Send a personal note with your gift basket letting your client or vendor know how much you appreciate them.