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Toni Klym McLellan

Guide to Gift Baskets for Business Giving

Choosing the perfect — and appropriate -- way to thank valued clients

By Toni Klym McLellan, Freelance Writer & Editor, Toni Writes

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.

The official source of Gift Baskets for Business Giving is
the Gift Baskets page at Business.com

More Featured Listings
Gift Baskets Delivered
Gift Baskets Delivered: Corporate, Holiday or Any Occasion Gift Basket Delivery.
www.giftbasketsdelivered.com
Gift Baskets from $29.95
Gift baskets for corporate gifts or special occasions. Offers gourmet baskets, wine gifts, spa and chocolate gifts. USA Only.
Corporate Gifts | Wine Gifts | Gift Baskets | Holiday Baskets
www.winecountrygiftbaskets.com
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
Premium chocolate gifts and baskets, the perfect way to offer every business connection a delicious thanks. $5 shipping special on all orders!
Gift Baskets | Chocolate Bars | Holiday Gifts | San Francisco
www.Ghirardelli.com
Fresh Roasted Pure Kona, Maui, Molokai and Kauai Coffees
Perfect for Employee Gifts or a Gift for a Friend. Maui Coffee Co. specializes in roasting 100% Kona Coffee and deep, rich, Hawaiian coffees.
Kona Coffee | Maui Coffee | Maui Blend Coffee | Gift Baskets
www.MauiCoffeeCo.com
Related Resources

Recommended Solution Providers

The Corporate Gift Source: Professional Gifts for All Occasions
This site offers many different types of gift baskets and personalized service. They have gifts in all price ranges and for all purposes including employee motivation and business loyalty. Five percent of sales goes to Special Olympics.

Dale and Thomas: Popcorn Gifts
Order large quantities of popcorn for your clients and receive free shipping and free personalization.

Red Envelope: Business Gifts
The Red Envelope offers a unique selection of business gifts and many customer service options.

Wine Country: Corporate Gift Baskets
Wine Country Gift Baskets offers a selection of corporate gift baskets. They provide a modest volume discount for large quantities.

Harry and David: Business Gifts
The popular Harry and David store offers gifts for business purposes.

Great Arrivals: Corporate Gift Baskets
Great Arrivals offers a selection of elegant gift baskets. They provide a modest volume discount for large quantities.

Nouveates USA: A Taste for Business
Nouveates is an online gourmet gift shop specializing in corporate gift giving including incentive programs and holiday giving. They sell a large variety of brand-named tems that can be customized.

Proflowers: Corporate Gift Boquets
Proflowers ships direct from the grow and passes the savings on to its customers. They have a corporate program available.

Bouquet of Fruits: Corporate
Bouquet of Fruits has a special corporate catalog where companies can order wine, nuts and fruits.

Lobster Anywhere: Corporate Gifts
If you're looking to impress clients, you might want to check out Lobster Anywhere and order them a Maine lobster gift. Modest discounts are available on large orders.

Best Blogs and Forums

Yahoo! Groups: Gift Baskets
This is a discussion forum on making gift baskets for the beginner to the more advanced. Find advice on vendors and share ideas.



FEATURED LISTINGS
Gift Baskets Delivered
Gift Baskets Delivered: Corporate, Holiday or Any Occasion Gift Basket Delivery.
www.giftbasketsdelivered.com
Gift Baskets from $29.95
Gift baskets for corporate gifts or special occasions. Offers gourmet baskets, wine gifts, spa and chocolate gifts. USA Only.
www.winecountrygiftbaskets.com
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
Premium chocolate gifts and baskets, the perfect way to offer every business connection a delicious thanks. $5 shipping special on all orders!
www.Ghirardelli.com
Fresh Roasted Pure Kona, Maui, Molokai and Kauai Coffees
Perfect for Employee Gifts or a Gift for a Friend. Maui Coffee Co. specializes in roasting 100% Kona Coffee and deep, rich, Hawaiian coffees.
www.MauiCoffeeCo.com
Williams-Sonoma Gifts
Choose from distinctive corporate gifts. Save 10% on volume orders.
Williams-Sonoma.com

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