NOVEMBER 2, 2009 · BY RICK ORNBERG

Pointers on holiday gifts for customers

    The holidays present an excellent opportunity to sift through your customer, vendor, and employee list and start planning how to acknowledge those that helped you through a tough year, and remind them you’ll be there to help them even more in 2010.

    Depending on budget, occupation and other factors, holiday gifts can range from logo’d containers or packages of candy or nuts or even candy that is imprinted with your logo. Some drop off nice logo’d glass jars filled with candy or nuts — providing an excuse to visit again and again to refill the glass, increasing customer contact.

   All sorts of gift items can be imprinted, engraved, embroidered or laser etched to meet either the needs of low budgets or provide suitable high end gifts for those who represent a large chunk of your annual revenue.
    This year, planning is even more important. Due to economic challenges, many suppliers have reduced the actual inventory they keep on hand.  Sometimes this can create a longer turnaround time if you’re relying on a specific color match or product model. So as a general rule, allow at least a two to three week turnaround time for any customized product involving a logo or other custom artwork. Some products requiring only a couple lines of type, for example, might be inventory dependent as well.

   Unless you like gambling, and can afford to lose a few bucks or sacrifice quality now and then, avoid the cheap online outlets and deal with a known and trusted distributor in your area whenever possible. (Check out www.CheapCrapOnline.com)

   Christmas Eve is a time to put out cookies for Santa, not waiting for the UPS truck.