How are you thanking your clients this holiday season? - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007

Just curious if anyone distributed cards or gifts to your clientele?
If so, do you send the same thing to all or do you decide on individual gifts for each?

What kinds of client gifts did you give this season?

#2 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007

I sent key clients brownies by Fairytale Brownies. Other project only clients I sent a holiday card that I hand wrote in and personally addressed.

Here is quote from a client:

"Has anyone ever told you how evil you are? THANKS for the brownies. You do realize that like superman I have a weakness ( ok 3 of them, brownies, carrot cake and tarami su). I did share with my wife, daughter and Heather but the rest are all mine. Merry Christmas."

#3 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007

I sent gift cards, to several clients, and to my favorite client(yes, I am partial), I sent him two tins of cookies...He's already sent me two emails at how much he loves them!!

And I sent our ECards... Just as an extra way to thank them for what they do all year long!!

#4 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007

I sent out bon bons from South 'n France (www.southnfrance.com) to some clients. And I too sent a client some of the very same brownies Doreen!! (The Santa Pack http://www.brownies.com/ )

#5 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007

I am definitely putting the brownies on my list for next year!! YUM!

#6 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007

I sent my 3 clients gifts from Harry and David

#7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007

My hubby just came home with a box Godiva chocolates from his work! Guess what I just consumed! I had also thought about sending coffee gift sets. A couple of other contenders this year was Wine and Country Gifts and Harry & David.

#8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007

Since I'm just starting out, I don't have very many clients and honestly, I didn't think to send them anything other than a handwritten note inside of a card. Since I just gave them giftcards to local coffee shops for choosing to do business with me, I thought it might be overkill. I LOVE the brownie idea, I'll keep that in mind for next year.

Loralea

#9 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007

I just didn't get it together to send out christmas gifts, plus, I'm always worried that they don't celebrate christmas like one client I sent stuff to last year. Last year was my first holiday in the VA business and I packed up 12 gifts and trucked my way (ok carred) to the post office to mail them all.

So, this year I've sent nothing!

But I've decided I'm going to send out cards to every client for the new year thanking them for their business in 2007 and looking forward to continuing our relationship in 2008 and will send a few gift cards and maybe a few chocolates.

Last year I had only about 3 of those 12 tell me thank you for the gifts. It's not that I absolutely cared about the thank you, but I just wondered if they actually got the gifts.

#10 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007

I just sent out cards. They were the cutest cards shaped like gingerbread houses, with beads and candy on the front. They were blank inside so I hand-wrote a message inside each one. There's a little red bow that you tie to close the cards at the top and then then it expands at the bottom so you can stand it up. They were too cute, I couldn't resist.

I may do some sort of gift next year, but didn't have the money to this year.

#11 (**permalink**) 11-19-2008

Hi everyone!

It's Christmas again for 2008 - any new ideas on Christmas gifts to send to your clients? Whether it be via email, snail mail, rush package shipping, by phone - let everyone know your ideas!

#12 (**permalink**) 11-19-2008

I was just thinking about this yesterday. What do I send to my clients? I already bought some really nice cards. I don't know if I will be sending gifts to all my clients. Too many and too expensive. Maybe gift cards to my retainer clients and just cards to my project clients. I will most defintely be adding a coupon to the cards though. More business!

#13 (**permalink**) 11-19-2008

I usually send clients a thank you after the first of the year. A card, maybe a gift card. I make it different and individual for each one. This year I found a great, local, home-made toffee that I'm thinking of sending.

#14 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008

This year I have decided to send a small gift to my ongoing clients along with a handwritten card and a card to my project clients. I am sending different gifts to each client such as cookie tin, gift card, etc depending on their location. I have one client that is in the middle of nowhere and there are no stores close by so she will get a cookie tin. I also do not buy the cookie tins from the store. I buy an empty tin and then fill it when we make our family holiday cookies. I send these express so that they get there in a fast manner. I have found that these personal gifts go a long way.

Also, I always put a "coupon" in the cards, whether they receive a gift or just a card. I usually give a discount to be used anytime during the year (always put an expiration date on them), but I have also used free time coupons.

#15 (**permalink**) 11-26-2008

I've got some really nice cards made up, and I've got some A5 magnet calendars, but not really sure what else. Maybe some really nice chocolates? still thinking about that one!