Gift Giving and the Holidays

With the holiday season officially started with Thanksgiving tomorrow, we thought it a good idea to pass along a few ideas on gift giving for your clients and hosts.

Here's a short list of what and how to give:

• If you go to a dinner party or holiday part, consider bringing a bottle of wine. If your host isn't a drinker, opt for a simple fruit basket.
• Company gift exchanges usually have rules on dollar amounts and types of gifts. Neutral gifts such as artwork, desk accessories or a clock work in these instances.
• Annual gifts to clients or prospects can vary depending on how many you have and your budget. From elaborate gift baskets to gifts such as warming blankets, choose carefully.
• Thank you cards after you've attended an event are an excellent idea, when done sincerely, to keep you and your host in each others' thoughts.

Happy Holidays and have a great Thanksgiving.

The Executive Pressman

More Holiday Printing Ideas

With Christmas and the other end-of-year holidays approaching, it is time to consider other printing projects to help grow your business. We've already covered Christmas Cards. Here are a few more ideas:

• Consider customizing your business cards and letterhead for the reason. Either print a small quantity or add adhesive messages.
• A direct-mail offer for a reduced price item or special good during the season.
• A first-quarter catalog--we really need to think about holiday and Christmas catalogs the summer before the current holidays.
• A Christmas Card that is an ornament. Dye-cut printed items are easily done in small quantities.

Try something different and get attention for your business at this busy time.

The Executive Pressman

Christmas Cards

It is almost the end-of-the-year holiday season. Time to be thinking about Christmas Cards.

Whether you send out customized or off-the-shelf cards, send them to business associates or friends or family, cards mean a lot at this time of year. In business, they help you keep in touch with your clients and prospects by letting them know you are thinking about them.

Some rules of thumb when it comes to cards:

• Consider a custom card. Your contacts are less likely to find it in a store or receive it from someone else. You are more likely to be remembered as well.
• Sign your cards personally. If you have a large number of cards, this could be an issue. You might consider dividing up the list between your colleagues in the office to make it more manageable as personal.
• Do it in a timely fashion. Aim to have them arrive two weeks to 10 days before the actual holiday so that they can enjoy the card as well as be able to respond. Cards that arrive in January will be remembered but for possibly the wrong reasons.

The Executive Pressman