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Looking for shopping ideas for client gifts during the holiday season

By Pacita Dimacali

Real Estate Agent with Alain Pinel BRE 01367196

November 28, 2008 05:34 PM

The last few years, I bought freshly cut wreaths and Christmas tree-shaped rosemary plants as presents for the holiday season. I tie them up with gold and red bows and hang them on my clients' door (if there's already a hook). My favorite source of these wreaths and bushes? Home Depot.

Then I take the opportunity to personally drop these off at my clients' homes.

Some of my clients told me that they used the rosemary bush as their table centerpiece. Others said they were so busy moving into their new home that they haven't had a chance to buy a Christmas tree, so the they were happy to get the rosemary bush. Another couple told me that after the holidays, they planted the tree in their front yard (I drove by again, and there it is!)

This year, I'm hoping to vary the presents. For my first time buyers, I'm looking for ornaments to hang on their first tree in their new home. Chocolates are still popular --- but they're a bit tiresome and unoriginal.

So... looking for help from my creative and thoughtful colleagues. Your ideas?

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Karen Nusbaum

Coldwell Banker Brenizer Realtors - Eau Claire, WI

Pacita - I am in the same situtation, I also did Christmas wreaths last year and delivered them. I have decided this year to do a nice christmas tin with homemade cookies and candies for some and I will also purchase vouchers from our local Chamber of Commerce office to use at basically any business that are chamber members which in our towm covers most of the business and retail areas. I will be watching your blogs for any other ideas also. Thanks

Nov 28, 2008 06:23 PM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Karen,

I'm going to World Market to look for Christmas ornaments, placemats and napkins and rings. Hope to find some things there. But if I have to spend too much time deciding, I may end up doing the wreaths and rosemary plants again. My car always smells so good when I load it up.

Nov 28, 2008 07:05 PM

Gayle Balaban

The Best Spot Realty/Waterfront Real Estate/Ooltewah Real E - Chattanooga, TN

E. TN Waterfront Real Estate

Sounds like very thoughtful gifts. I am lucky this year to afford the basics for my business so gifts are not in the picture.

Nov 28, 2008 07:48 PM

Robert Havana

Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking - Calgary, AB

Alberta Real Estate License Parking

I decided a couple years ago that i would only provide gifts which had some sort of logo or marketing angle to them, so that they would always act as a reminder to the client where the gift came from. I used to give food trays out and chocolates, etc, but i found that so many office that i sent snack trays to received similar gifts from so many other sources that mine was just one of many and was lost in the mix.

My first attempt at sending personalized gifts was big fluffy blankets from costco. I took them to a local embroidery shop and had my logo and name put on the corner of them. They were extremely well received and the logo wasnt large or obtrusive.

The year after that i purchased high quality sportswear, hoodies, etc. Once again i had my logo put on the upper left chest of the items and gave them to clients. |They were a massive hit and several clients even called and asked if they could 'buy' a matching one for their spouses. Of course i dropped another off for them. I highly recommend doing this, buying really decent quality gear, and getting your logo on it. Cost of the jackets is roughtly 20 to 50 dollars and the logo cost only 5 bucks to get added. Cheap gifts that market you for the next 10 years.

Nov 28, 2008 08:16 PM

Marjorie Taylor

Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage - Saint Augustine, FL

New Homes in St. Augustine Florida

Robert - You are right on target with your personal branding! I love the idea about adding your logo to your client gifts that they can use all year long, and advertise you along the way!

Nov 28, 2008 09:16 PM

Lisa Schlitz

Home Run Real Estate, Inc. - Wellington, FL

Realtor - Wellington, Florida Homes 561-214-3216

Thanks! Love the wreath idea, especially since I've had some recent closings and was thinking what I should bring my new homeowners!

Nov 28, 2008 09:52 PM

Janice Roosevelt

Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA

OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Spot on with using your logo - yoru ideas and all the additional ones were really helpful as I set out today to go look. The wreath is a particularly great idea. I've also given out CDs with labels with logos and clients love them. Best, Janice Roosevelt, Kennett Square, PA - Keller Williams

Nov 28, 2008 10:22 PM

Charlottesville Solutions

Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

I like the rosemary bush idea, it is a great holiday scent and it outlasts the holiday!

Merry Christmas

your friend in Charlottesville!

Nov 29, 2008 12:22 AM

Carol Swain

Keller Williams Real Estate - Langhorne, PA

Realtor, -www.swainsells.com- Bucks County, Pa

Those are some cute ideas. I did not start thinking about it yet. That was Monday's plan.

Nov 29, 2008 01:00 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Gayle --- Like you, I am grateful for the business I do have. Client gifts (or personal notes/cards) are how I can make sure they will always remember me when they or someone they know need a realtor in the future.

Robert --- thanks for the reminder about the logo. I do have some client gifts with my logos on them, specifically, first aid kits and grilling set. But for the holidays, I was looking for something less commercial and seasonal. I like the idea of getting stuff embroidered. And we do have a local company that offers fleece hoodies, etc. Good idea!

Marjorie -- guess I have to be reminded about I, me and myself when it comes to promotions!

Lisa --- I like the wreaths, too. So that may be a staple for the holidays. Depends on how many I can get at Home Depot.

Janice --- I thought of the CDs...how well was it received?

Charles --- I like it when they tell me they planted the rosemary bushes. That's a gift that will keep on giving.

Carol --- usually by this time, my house is decorated, my tree is up, my gifts selected. The holidays just snuck up on me!

Nov 29, 2008 08:42 AM

Ken Cook

Content, coding, marketing, host. - Marietta, GA

Content Marketer/Creator

One of the best gifts I get each year from a different person each time is a gift that really gives all year and it's one of those coupon books full of coupons that last the full year. One year I gave cards I bought from the local high school football team and people LOVED those. In fact I bought one for myself for $10 and saved over $250 on Arbey's alone that year!

Nov 29, 2008 08:43 AM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

One year we had PARC (Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens) make house ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree - it was very successful, but it's too late for this year - it took several months.

Nov 29, 2008 09:04 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Ken --- are you talking about the Entertainment Book? We get discounts for those books if we buy them through our local realtor association. It's a great way to introduce newcomers to the area by giving them coupons to restaurants, theaters, tourist spots, etc. I most especially like the restaurant discounts. One good restaurant discount/savings paid for the book.

Thanks for the reminder. That's another gift I'd like to do again.

Nov 29, 2008 09:07 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Sharon --- that's a cool idea. Maybe we can propose that to the local schools as a fund-raising project for the next year.

Nov 29, 2008 09:09 AM

Kathy Kooyman

Home Realty - Pella, IA

Pacita, I ordered glass candle holders with a red candle for each one. They will cost around $20 each. I like to keep my business in town so I purchased them from one of the local retailers.

In the past I have given coffee table Christmas books and gift baskets.

I like Fran's popby idea of the Chicken soup books with a ribbon for smaller thank you gifts.

Dec 05, 2008 06:10 PM

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