Fifty five shopping days left!  For those companies that want to express their gratitude to customers during that all-American holiday season of thanks, now is the time to solicit ideas for small, but meaningful gifts of appreciation.

While employee gift choices are guided by company policy and budget, most corporate customers will have a vendor gift policy that limits the dollar value of the gift – usually $25.00 to $50.00 – or restricts the type of gift to something that can be shared in the office, such as a food or beverage item.  The added benefit of no wrong sizes or colors makes food, in a creatively designed package, a perfect appreciation gift for valued customers.

With this in mind, one of my favorite ways to share food without worrying about all the multiple hands diving into the same box of goodies is a new version of the old-fashioned gumball machine.  Fill the glass jar (imprinted with the company logo, of course!) with jelly beans … place it in the break room or reception area … and your brand will always be associated with sweet things!  Jelly beans are gluten-free, some are sugar-free, and they come in a variety of flavors that allow for equal-opportunity snacking.

Thanksgiving is November 22nd – don’t wait for the December holiday season to say “Thanks for being a great partner!”.