It’s customer holiday gift season!

We urgently, I mean, helpfully reminded you last week with a timeline, how-to suggestions, and brainstorming questions!

This week, we cut right to the chase.

What gifts should you give your clients?

Here’s a list of 7 ideas and vendors with various price points, lead time, customization, and fanciness.

All of these I’ve used, received, or had highly recommended from other founders.

Let’s gift to it!

1. Swag Packs from Swag Up

• I’ve received a Swag Up gift box that was awesome.
• Several fun items, custom branded, in a great gift box.
• The founder/swag giver had a good experience too.

Why We Love It:

Swag Up handles manufacturing, packing, shipping, and storing inventory. One-stop shop.

But I love storing and sorting through old swag…said no one ever!

2. Great Wine from Starbright Wine

• Online wine retailer with highly curated options.
• Corporate gifting packages (they write the handwritten notes for you!)
• Local (Atlanta) delivery — arrives on the doorstep of your customer’s home or office.

Why We Love It:

Atlanta-based, woman-owned, and THEY KNOW WINE. Every wine recommendation I’ve had from Starbright has been perfect.

3. Sustainably-Sourced Gift Boxes from Sunroot Gifting Company

• Curated sustainably-sourced gift boxes.
• Unique goods sourced from female-owned small businesses.
• End-to-end services from gift ideation through production and fulfillment.

Why We Love It:

Woman-owned and “they are a DREAM to work with!” from a founder who used the service.

Great value alignment for companies with sustainability or do-good missions. (Um, which is hopefully all of us…)

4. Bulk Swag from Custom Ink

• T-shirts, mugs, pens, notebooks, whatever bulk item your heart desires.
• Can handle orders of all sizes including 5 or less.
• Tons of inventory and options.
• Test with a small batch first if you have time. (But you probably won’t. LOLZ.)

Why We Love It:

Customer service and experience is incredible. On par with Zappos or Stitch Fix.

Robust product reviews help you decide on items. I’ve been happy with 4.5 stars or higher.

5. Cupcakes from Baked By Melissa  

• Mini cupcakes in packs of 25, 50, or 100.
• Delicious, adorable, and easy to ship anywhere in the U.S.
• Branded corporate gifting options.
• Vegan, gluten free, nut free options.

Why We Love It:

Great for teams. Send to the executive sponsor who will share with everyone in the office.

Can be sent quickly with minimal lead time. Good for birthdays, thank yous, and other celebratory items too.

6. Reusable Ziplocks from Ziparoos

• Practical, fun, low cost, frequently used.
• Think: charging cords, snacks, toiletries, leftovers to freeze.
• Too many reusable ziplocks? NO SUCH THING.

Why We Love It:

Atlanta-based company that can do branded orders. Every day item that’s not your typical pen or tech t-shirt.

I have a 4 pack at home and would use at least 100 more.

7. Pick-A-Gift from Thnks.com

• Send something custom to every customer
• -OR- let them pick their own favorite item from a selection of several things
• No mailing address needed. Can be sent via email or text.
• I got a Thnks gift, loved the picking-what-I-want process, and still have the item.

Why We Love It:

High touch and custom. It’s a total flex if you know a customer well enough to send them something unique and personal.

Bonus: use in the sales process or for employee recognition too!

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Have you received or given a customer gift that was amazing? Other great customer gift brands or vendors to share?

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