Client gifting can be an effective way to increase the number of clients that return to you for work, boost brand awareness, and generally improve the business relationship between you and your clients. 👀
Plus, client gifts are classified as a business expense. That means you can deduct them from your business taxes. These gifts are a great way to deepen your connection with clients and make both you and your customer feel good. 🙏
Here comes the hardest part: choosing a gift. No worries though—Relay has you covered! 💚
We’ve pulled together a list of the best unique corporate gifts under $50, gifts for the holiday season, thank-you gifts, and other gifts to show your appreciation. These perfect gifts won’t break the bank but will show your clients how thankful you are for them. After all, without them, your business wouldn’t exist! 🥰
How to select the best client gifts ✍️
When selecting a gift, you’ll want to consider several different factors:
1. Meaning
Consider the meaning of your gift. For a large amount of people, gift cards are a really easy way to make sure everyone is accounted for. But for a single person, a more personalized gift may be the better way to go to make sure they feel appreciated.
2. Recipient 🤵
You’ll want to think about your recipient when giving client gifts. Even if you’ve only interacted professionally, they may have mentioned a hobby or interest that you can use to personalize their gift. We’ve also included well-rounded gifts on this list that can appeal to everyone.
3. Budget 💵
Finally, think about your budget. You want to budget enough money for gifts so that they are of high quality and taste, but at a certain point, more money spent on gifts doesn’t give you an advantage. Balance a thoughtful gift with your budget and think about the return on investment: you’re making a business decision and an interpersonal decision at the same time.
Best client gifts under $50 🎁
These gifts are all $50 or less, making them a great lower-budget option. We’ve included a variety of different generalized gifts here, with more ways to personalize them and where to purchase them.
1. Themed subscription box
Subscription boxes combine the best of hobbies, interests, and mystery! If you know some of what your client loves, consider purchasing a themed subscription box for them. It could be a one-time subscription or a subscription that lasts several months.
Regardless of the timeline, there are hundreds of boxes to explore on CrateJoy. You can also find them on sites like Etsy for even more options. Box themes range from self-care to crafting to puzzles, making this option an inexpensive way to easily personalize a gift.
🏷 Price: $15-$50
2. Bluetooth headphones or earbuds
If you’ve got a client who works from home and/or enjoys music, a good pair of Bluetooth headphones can be life-changing. They give clients the ability to walk around untethered while listening to music or taking a call, which feels like so much freedom!
🏷 Price: $49.95
3. Blind date with a book gift set
Reading is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures, and if you know your client’s favorite genre, you can surprise them with a blind date with a book! The mystery of what book you’ll get combined with the great treats included in the box (like caramels, a bookmark, and annotation stickers) makes for a great reading session for avid readers.
You can personalize the genre and box options with the Etsy listing above. There are plenty of different sellers of blind book dates online, so make sure to pick your favorite!
🏷 Price: $31-$47
4. Around-the-world snack gift box
Each month, Universal Yums releases a set of snacks and candy from a different country. Take your client’s taste buds through a country’s most interesting and tasty flavors with trivia and facts included with the snacks in every box!
You can choose between three sizes of boxes, containing between 5-18 different snacks. Each box comes with a 12-page booklet of trivia and games for all ages.
🏷 Price: $16-$41
5. Eco-friendly gift set
For clients who care deeply about the environment, this eco-friendly gift set is a perfect way to honor their care for the environment and show appreciation for their business. The one above is a zero-waste starter kit and can include a bamboo cutlery set, reusable bamboo cotton swabs, and more eco-friendly products.
🏷 Price: $36-$43.20
Client gifts for the holiday season 🎁
The holiday season is a joyful time of year, but it can also be stressful! After all, with so many options for gifts and the potential of receiving a gift also on the horizon, there are a lot of things to consider. Here are some great holiday gift and Christmas gift ideas for the festive season.
1. Unique advent calendars
Advent calendars are an exciting way to count down to Christmas Day, and there are so many out there for so many different personalities! You could have a food-themed calendar or a candle-themed calendar—the possibilities are endless! Choose a calendar that resonates with your client’s hobbies or business to make an impact.
🏷 Price: $30-$150
2. Fancy tree ornaments
Many people keep their Christmas ornaments as priceless treasures and traditions for years to come, and you can help your client keep a tradition with an ornament from the Old World Christmas collection. There are dozens of these classic ornaments to choose from, adding a personal touch to your gift.
🏷 Price: $5-$100
🔗 Choose an ornament from the Old World Christmas collection
3. Personalized scented candles
Many holidays during the holiday season celebrate joy with candlelight, and you can personalize scented candles from their scent to the jar, making candles an excellent custom gift for the holidays. Yankee Candle allows you to choose the type of candle, the scent (from about a dozen options), and the custom photo or message.
🏷 Price: $36-$50
4. Photography session
Family photos are a great way to ensure lasting memories of your client and their family for the holidays. Give your client a voucher for a local photographer. Your client can use the photos for holiday cards, celebration announcements, and as keepsakes. Alternatively, you can offer your client a personal photoshoot for headshots and professional photos to use for years to come.
🏷 Price: $250-$500
5. Holiday team building
You could host a holiday team-building activity for you, your employees, your client, and even your client’s employees. You could even offer to invite your client’s friends and families! Host a Secret Santa, an ornament decorating contest, or an ugly sweater contest to build some great memories for years to come.
🏷 Price: $50-$150
Client thank-you gifts 🎁
If you’re looking for a quick way to thank a client, whether it be for a small gesture or a big project, these kinds of gifts are easy to curate and personalize for any client.
1. Handwritten note
If you’re looking for an easy way to thank a client, consider a handwritten note or thank-you card. It’s a perfectly simple and classic way to tell a client how you truly feel. Written notes from the heart often mean a great deal, especially in the digital age. You can always include handwritten notes with other gifts as well.
🏷 Price: $8.49
2. Photo frame
If you have a photo of yourself and the client from a big project or important event, give the gift of a memory! A professional photo printed and put in a nice frame is a great way to celebrate big moments in you and your client’s careers.
🏷 Price: $19.99
3. Charitable donation
If there’s something you know your client is passionate about, you could make a charitable donation in their name or honor a charity of your choice. This could be just a simple donation, but there are other options, too! Many animal-related charities and nonprofit organizations will allow you to “adopt” an animal there. Check your local aquariums, zoos, and rescues for options.
🏷 Price: Any
4. Handmade gifts
A handmade gift can show that you put time and effort into your client’s gift, and it can be really fun to make, too! From custom tile coasters to mason jar planters, there are so many crafts that even beginner or novice crafters can complete.
🏷 Price: $15-$50
5. Gratitude video
Assemble your team and your client’s team for a gratitude video! You can combine thankful videos and mini speeches from multiple people into one video montage for a very special gift that can be watched again and again. All you need is to record the people you want to include in the video, including family, friends, and employees - which could be made with just your phone!
🏷 Price: Free!
Appreciation gifts for clients 🎁
If you’re super appreciative of a client, consider these gifts! They are slightly higher in price, but the best clients are deserving of something amazing. Show client appreciation with these beautiful ideas.
1. Charcuterie board
Charcuterie boards made of gourmet meats and cheeses are delicious and gorgeous, and a perfect way to show your appreciation to a client. Boarderie assembles charcuterie boards for corporate gifting specifically, and they look delicious!
🏷 Price: $129-$289
2. Flight ticket gift card
Whether you know your client flies often or you want to give them the ability to travel, a flight ticket gift card can be a great way to help out or inspire a client. FlightGift allows you to customize the amount on the gift card (anywhere from $25 to $10,000) and the card can be redeemed on airlines from Spirit Airlines to American Airlines.
🏷 Price: $25+
3. Truffle gift box
Truffles are expensive ways to elevate food to the next level, and this truffle gift box from Williams-Sonoma will give your client a new love for them! For both truffle lovers and adventurous cooks, this box includes truffle butter, olive oils, and honey.
🏷 Price: $129.95
4. Custom champagne bottles and glasses
Pop a bottle and celebrate your hard work! This custom champagne bottle and metal glasses case is super luxurious and elevates your client’s tastes to the next level. There’s a non-alcohol option for non-drinkers, too, and you can choose your custom message to be engraved on the bottle.
🏷 Price: $250
5. Le Creuset Dutch oven
Any cooking fanatic has probably had their eyes on Le Creuset’s brilliantly-colored sets and Dutch ovens. If you know your client loves to cook and bake and you want to show your appreciation (and knowledge of great brands!), any Le Creuset product will be perfect. They come in so many amazing colors and sizes, perfect for any established chef.
🏷 Price: $260-$625
Client gifting apps 📲
If you’re stuck on what to give a client, or you don’t know a client particularly well, don’t panic! There are great solutions for you. 😮💨
Corporate and client gifting websites exist for this very purpose. They allow clients to pick their gifts from a broad selection within your price range, which can eliminate the decision paralysis you may face when trying to pick a great client or employee gift. 😁
1. Goody
Goody is a corporate gift-giving platform where all you need is an employee or client’s name and email to give gifts. No address needed! They have a large catalog of great gifts, with everything from tumblers and water bottles to home decor and cooking supplies.
You can find Goody here.
2. Snappy Gifts
Snappy is another website where you can send gift choices to your clients and have them choose from any number of gift options. Gifts can even be branded swag and you can customize the gifting experience with your company logo and a personalized message!
You can find Snappy Gifts here.
Looking for more small business insights? 🤔
Relay’s “On The Money” small business newsletter is perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners. You’ll learn all about what’s happening in the finance world, top news for small businesses, and tips to maintain a successful business, all in one newsletter!
Subscribe to “On The Money” and watch your knowledge blast off! 🚀
We also have articles that can help you learn more about leadership and entrepreneurship. If you love leadership and listening to expert advice, check out the best leadership podcasts of 2024. If reading is more your thing, we also have a list of the best entrepreneur books of 2024! 📗
No matter what kind of business you own, Relay is here to help. Learn more about our online banking platform designed for small business owners like you here.
