With the holidays coming up, we’d like to express appreciation for our customers and say thank you for allowing us to work with you. We wouldn’t have made it 20 years in the business without your support. Be sure to enter our drawing for one of the free Cutter & Buck windshirts (one men's and one women's) that we are giving away. Just click on the link in the left column. It's already November and we are here to help you express appreciation as well – here are some thoughts as you decide on your holiday gifts.

Every company and organization wants to make an impact with their holiday gift. It’s hard to shine in a blizzard of fruit baskets, however, so to select a standout gift you have to think differently from the masses.

Here are four ways to set your holiday program apart:

Think utility. Look for gifts that will linger in your recipients’ possession for the long term. This requires a bit of analysis because you want your gift to be useful. For example, are your customers frequent travelers? If yes, consider a comfy travel pillow. Sports enthusiasts will benefit from a pair of stadium binoculars or a duffel bag; golfers a nice divot tool in a holiday card.

Go for high quality. It will most likely be appreciated and used more. If you send a nice cashmere scarf to your top clients and your competitor sends a cheap synthetic version, which company stands out impressively? Whatever your price point, think quality not size. A smaller but better gift will outshine a larger, lower quality option.

Personalize whenever possible. You can make a statement with modest gifts when you go the extra step of personalizing them. Even a package of golf tees or pencils are special when they bear the name of the recipient. Just make sure that your company’s logo is there as well. Many products are good personalization candidates – from photo frames (personalized with a family name such as “The Smith Family”) to the traditional pen, a classic that always has a place at the executive or home-office desk.

Adjust your timing. Plan the sending or distribution of gifts so they don’t arrive at the same time as a flood of others'. You can be the first to make a holiday impression by sending a “fall harvest” basket early in the holiday season, accompanied by a note thanking clients for a fruitful year. Or send an imprinted blanket, including a card expressing your “warmest wishes” as well as the reminder that you’re available to help customers “wrap up” the year-end successfully.

To get your holiday gift program on track for maximum impact, give us a call or send us an e-mail. It’s never too early to plan a gift that gets noticed.