October might seem a little early to start planning holiday client gifts, but believe us, it’s the perfect time. The earlier you start planning, the better. Give yourself ample time to gather a budget, make a list of clients who will be receiving a gift, and decide on the gift. One of the greatest benefits of planning holiday client gifts as early in the year as possible is that it gives you time to figure out a budget or secure funds.

You appreciate your clients all year round, but you may not always get the chance to show it throughout the year. The holidays are the perfect time to show that appreciation; it also acts as a great form of outreach that is sure to improve your bottom line in the coming year. That doesn’t mean you need to break the bank and splurge on extravagant gifts. The thought really is what counts.

Holiday gifts are a great way to not only show appreciation, but to get your name out there. You can do that with creative and branded gifts. Everyone loves a good theme. For instance, if your business sells coffee, consider giving out branded coffee cups or thermoses and a snack to go along it, like a chocolate bar with your logo on it. Customized and branded promotional products are the way to go. There are tons of options, and you can be sure that your client will remember your name as they use that stress ball, coffee cup, or fidget spinner at their desk every day.

If you’re sticking to a tight budget this year, we encourage you to go the creative route. There are several free (or nearly free) options you can choose from. If your business offers a service, rather than a product, consider offering a free consultation. This could end up benefitting not just the client, but you as well because this may encourage them to opt for more services in the long-run. You could also offer them product discounts or provide them early access to special products. If you have a large social media following, you could choose to highlight them on your social media platforms and in your newsletter. Your customer will not only receive great exposure, but you will promote your level of expertise in that particular field. Also consider offering a free webinar or providing a free download of a guide that only your customers receive access to.

If your holiday gift budget is nonexistent this year, consider sending out holiday cards. A card can go a long way, especially in this digital age. Taking the time to write a special note to your customers will make all the difference. You could even take a silly staff photo and turn that into the holiday card.