DON'T BUY GIFT CARDS THIS YEAR!

Miriam, good and timely post. I am always afraid that some clients will either lose or just forget to use that gift card I gave them.

Agree, do not buy gift cards. Even if the store does not go out of business, it is possible the card value will shrink each month - many of the cards have this deduction of value built in.

That made me think of my last Christmas. My parents turn in their reward points on their credit cards for gift cards every year - they are retired. I felt terrible when my Home Depot card for $100 got lost in all the wrapping paper and was thrown away!!!

I'm just making cookies and mixes...lots of them!

This is a great posting - I just got a list of stores that are closing down in the area and others that are shutting down completely.  Need to keep your eyes open and don't waste your money.  Good luck everybody.

I agree, gift cards are not a good idea. I have a useless one for Bombay.  I hate to throw it out, do I think the store will suddenly reopen and my card will have value??? I had a closing today and gave my client a gift bag full of things that were tailored to her personality.  I chose things like a bottle opener for her new deck, a travel candle, a drinking game, funny coasters, teas, bath oil, etc.  The best business marketing I know is blogging. It's free and very effective.

Miriam - I know alot of retailersare going to have one the worst holiday seasons this year. I wonder who else we will see go out of business. I always buy gift cards and support businesses this way. I won't be buying any this year. 

I've still got gift cards from last year.  Sometimes I just don't get to the store that the gift card is tied to.  If I do make it to the store I usually forget I have the gift card.  I prefer cash I can use it anywhere.

My friends and family always give me a Starbucks or Peets card and I love them. It saves me money on buying my nonfat mochas now and then

Hi Miriam - A good way to leverage your marketing budget is to co-market with other local businesses, and they don't always have to be real estate related. How about putting together a book of current listings, market reports, and a newsletter from you and placing it in barber or beauty shops? The shop owner could give you coupons to distribute to your clients and in the office. That could create some great word-of-mouth advertising.

Hi Miriam,

Good info.

Thought I'd to share my (last year's) gift card experience. I bought American Exp. gift cards at our local super market, never again. Although the envelopes had a tiny gold seal one turned out to be empty (no card inside) and two of the other cards had already been used. It was quite an experience.

I loved what you said about, "It doesn't need to be expensive to be a thoughtful gift. This all takes a little time, but what the heck..it makes me feel good and a "Personally Delivered" gift makes a huge impact".

I do a little thing I call my "12 Days of Christmas" which consists of 12 small gifts 12 days in a row for a select group of special clients for the year. It came about when I wanted to do something really special for clients, something more than sending a flower arrangement or something like that. The gifts all began as something small like a poem, a holiday story, a Christmas ornament, a poinsettia plant, a pie gift certificated...things like that. Something small every day for 12 days in a row, some mailed and others personally delivered. Each one is accompanied by a personal note, letter or story to go with the item. It's been a wonderful experience!