Client Gift Guide for Interior Designers
/Whether you’re giving a client a gift for the holidays or celebrating the completion of a design project, a thoughtful gift can go a long way to express gratitude and appreciation for your clients. Read on for four occasions to give a client gift and four thoughtful client gift ideas.
Four Occasions To Give A Client Gift:
1. At the start of a project.
Especially if you’re working with a new client, the start of a project is a great time to set the expectations for the experience your client will have while working with you. Think of this as more of a welcome gift to kick-off your time together.
2. After wrapping up a project.
There is no better feeling than completing a beautiful project and celebrating with happy clients. This is a great opportunity to add value to their new design by providing a gift that can be used in their new space such as decor and other accessories.
3. During the holidays.
While Christmas tends to be the main gift-giving holiday, any holiday throughout the year can be a great opportunity to show appreciation for your client. If you know your client loves to celebrate a specific holiday, use this as an opportunity to give them a festive gift that shows you know them well.
4. Anniversaries or big events.
Celebrate the anniversary of your business, client relationships or other big events. If you have a client that has hired you for multiple projects over the years, celebrate their anniversary with a thoughtful reminder that you are grateful for the trust they’ve put into your expertise. You can also celebrate big events in your clients’ lives, such as weddings or the birth of a child, by providing a simple but meaningful gift.
Four Client Gift Ideas:
1. Food and beverages
Food and beverages can be very thoughtful and personalized for the right occasion. This type of gift is often appreciated because it can be used or consumed. Skip the generic fruit basket and focus on items you know your client will love. If their minibar (that you helped design) is always stocked with their favorite bottle of wine, consider gifting that with a meaningful message to show how well you’ve gotten to know your client.
2. Paper products or books
Coffee table books are a great opportunity to add to their home. You can also give books that showcase their favorite travel locations and serve as the perfect accessory for their styled shelves. Paper products such as customized stationery are also a useful gift that can provide beauty and a practical purpose.
3. Thoughtful decor and finishing touches
You are the design expert and therefore, you’re uniquely positioned to provide accessories and decor that complete their space. Trays or candles make a great gift for a living room, while hand towels and vases can be a wonderful opportunity to style a powder room or kitchen. Have you recently renovated a bar for a client? This is a great opportunity to give fun accessories like a beautiful cocktail shaker or glassware.
4. Branded items
You can include your logo or other attributes of your brand on customizable items such as mugs, candles, or paper products, but be sure to consider that a client gift is about providing an experience for your client and not just promoting your business. There are so many fun options available that can be customized.
Remember to keep your gift personal. If you’re giving the same item to multiple clients, be sure to add a thoughtful note. Select gifts that will have an emotional connection with your client and that are on brand and make sense with your business.
Do you give client gifts. We’d love to hear from you! What is your go-to gift?
Looking for help finding the perfect gift? Don’t forget to check out our new online shop for client gifts, fun t-shirts for designers & more!