Gift Baskets for Business Giving

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

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

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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