Corporate Gift Giving
/Giving a holiday gift to a client is giving you an opportunity to strengthen your connection. Expressing your appreciation is part of business. You want your gift to leave an indelible mark. You want them to feel so appreciated that they pick up the phone and call you.
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No matter how yummy and overpriced the Harry & David holiday treat tower may be, it will not leave an indelible mark worthy of a phone call just to say “Thank you Tom. This gourmet apple butter and accompanying cranberry bread is the best ever”. For the love of God, please do not send a fruit basket, especially if the fruit is cut to look like flowers which only makes me think of the time I had food poisoning so bad Jetblue would not let me board.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Sur la Table, Harry & David, William Sonoma, Stonewall Kitchen, Bloomies yummies, etc. but I am not going to call you and give you the opportunity to chat about whatever and I am going to forget about you in about 5 minutes.
Consider the following……
If it is not edible, you want this gift to be used and used in a positive context.
If it is edible, it cannot be what's expected. For example, do not give a 3 month subscription to the fruit of the month club or a heap of moosemunch.
For smaller budgets, consider the following…
o Spice’s from www.Penzeys.com . At the top right click “enter online store’. Sending a gift that requires effort to use is usually risky, however some of the spice gift boxes from Penzeys are a safe purchase.
Steak seasoning: Eight jar box $ 64.95; what man does not like to bbq? http://www.penzeys.com/scstore/giftboxes/new/steakSeasonings.html
Herb 8 jar gift set at $ 36.99 http://www.penzeys.com/scstore/giftboxes/new/herbGift8jar.html
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o Everyone drinks wine, so a set of glasses with your client’s name engraved will register as positive over and over again.
Try a set of 6 stemless red wine glasses for $49.95 from Red Envelope. www.redenvelope.com
Pottery Barn’s classic beer goblet, set of 6 at $ 40 + engraving www.potterybarn.com
For larger budgets try “experience” gifts!
o A gift certificate to a restaurant that has a private chef’s table. Often times a Chef’s Tasting Menu has the option for a wine pairing at a set price. This certificate may read something like: Chef’s Tasting at the Chef’s Table for 4 or 6 or 10, along with the Tasting Menu’s current wine pairing.
The following are a few restaurant suggestions.
New York City
Db Bistro Moderne 55 West 44th Street, New York, 20016 www.danielnyc.com/dbbistro.html Private Chef’s table accommodates up to 12 guests Please Contact Rachel Ossakow, 212.391.2400 or email rossakow@danielnyc.com.
Westchester
The Farmhouse at Bedford Post Inn, 954 Old Post Road, Bedford, New York 10506 www.bedfordpostinn.com/farmhouse/chefs-table/ Private Chef’s table accommodates up to 12 guests. Please contact Alex Corbett at 914.234.7800 or email events@bedfordpostinn.com
Connecticut
Elm Restaurant, 73 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 www.elmrestaurant.com Private Chef’s table accommodates up to 12 guests. Please contact Frank Kwei at 203.920.4994 ext. 802 or email events@elmrestaurant.com
Artisan Restaurant, 275 Old Post Road, Southport, CT 06890 www.artisansouthport.com Private Copper Room accommodates up to ten guests. Please contact the General Manager at 203. 307. 4222
Long Island
Peter Luger’s Steakhouse, 255 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, NY 11021 www.peterlugers.com/greatneck Contact Maria at 718.387.0500 for private dining of 10 or more, or Great Neck’s main line is 516.487.8800
Other ideas....
Consider a gift certificate to Grand Prix New York, www.gpny.com. This option is good for clients with families. This go cart race track is located in Mt. Kisco. They offer racing for children and adults, and they also have a bowling alley on site.
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O Consider a gift certificate for a tour of Long Island's wine country. This is a great one day get away come spring, summer or fall.
www.elegantlimo.com 631.345.9463
www.twinforkslimo.com 631.208.1010
If you are not familiar with Long Island’s wine country you would be shocked how many there are and how beautiful it is out there. Trust me, I lived in California for a bit. While in the North Fork you really feel as though you have gotten far away from it all.
Out of the many vineyards some of my favorites are as follows: Duck Walk, Martha Clara, Palmer Vineyards, Pugliese, Sherwood House Vineyards, Wolffer Estate, Water’s Crest and Osprey’s Dominion which won best Pinot Noir 2012 at the New York Wine and Food Classic.
For budget’s that do not exist…..
Dale Jarrett’s Racing Adventure, 888.467.2231 www.racingadventure.com They have locations all over America including Chicago, Miami and Vegas. Try arranging a weekend getaway to Vegas with a day of racing like a rock star.
Porsche Driving School at the Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa in Birmingham Alabama. www.porchedriving.com Courses begin at $1,800 and go upwards of $15,000, call 888-204-7474. www.rossbridgeresort.com Overnight accommodations for a basic room begin at around $199 ++