With Christmas just around the corner, I have been asked (by my clients) to look for gifts for their employees and their key clients with an emphasis on small or local companies (Kent and surrounding areas).
Here is what I have been asked to source and the companies that were recommended to me.
#1 Christmas Hampers
Christmas hampers are the perfect Christmas gifts for clients and employees. Hampers are filled with the finest festive treats or local flavours, and usually beautifully presented in a gift box or basket.
Arch
This is a new business that delivers nationwide. Their food looks delicious and their Christmas hampers look great - Sweet, Christmas Treats, Christmas Party and Cheese Board to name a few. Add-ons such as mulled wine and Christmas Pina Colada can be added to the boxes and delivered as part of the selected hampers.
Macknade
Macknade is a Kentish independent grocer and delicatessen. They have 2 stores in Kent: one in Faversham and one in Ashford. This Christmas, they are offering Christmas boxes/hampers such as Organic and Vegan Wines, Kentish Christmas, Relax and Indulge (nibbles as well as candles, oils and lotions), Gin Tasting boxes/hampers (and much more).
#2 Alcohol gifts
Alcohol gifts, as well as hampers (or both combined), are always extremely popular and always spring to mind first, when it comes to corporate gifting. Alcohol gifts are perfect for (almost) any occasion and any recipient and great for sharing with loved ones during the festive season.
Perfect Cellar
Perfect Cellar offers luxury wine gifts delivered with a complimentary personalised card. I like the name of their Christmas gift sets: the Three Musketeers (trio of reds from Bordeaux), the Fizz, the Holly and the Ivy (a box of white, red and sparkling wines) and the Tree Wise Reds (trio of award-winning reds). They even offer a product called “Saving the Christmas Party”. Perfect for a remote team get-together, the pack includes a virtual wine tasting experience.
#3 Gift vouchers
Gift vouchers are great Christmas presents, as they give the recipient the option to buy a gift of their choice and if you want to make it a bit more personal, the gifter can select a particular type of gift card - shopping, experience, beauty/pampering, sport, food or travel.- pick a specific colour scheme or even add a personal message.
Travel Counsellors – Steve Gostling
I think that with the year we have had, travel vouchers are a fantastic gift idea - something to look forward to in 2021 - and a way to support the travel industry as well.
Based in Sittingbourne, Steve is an independent travel counsellor who offers tailored travel services, and products ranging from train tickets to luxury villas, and everything in between (nationwide or worldwide).
#4 Wellness/Pamper gifts
This is something a little bit different that was suggested to me by a LinkedIn connection. And I think it is a brilliant idea. Employees who have been juggling homeschooling and working from home at the same time will be eternally grateful for this gift; and massage therapists and pamper places will be delighted to sell pamper products/gift vouchers whilst they are closed (for good and obvious reasons) during lockdown. It is a gift that everyone can benefit from.
5# Funky gifts
From companies with smaller budgets or companies who prefer something funkier or more personal, I have been asked to source various items ranging from chalk mugs (you write your beverage order directly onto it with chalk), wellness items, funky desk accessories, and movie night boxes (sweet treat box and Google Play gift card for a cozy night in). They are usually creative or practical gifts and are the perfect token of appreciation for an employee or client.
I would like to hear from you too. What are you planning on gifting your employees/clients with this festive season?
