During the holidays, corporations always struggle with what to spend, what to give and who to give it to.  Food basket or candy jar?  Clothing or lifestyle item?  The entire customer list or just the top tier?  And, not the least of the annual holiday questions … logo or no logo?  After getting these types of questions for over 20 years, my answer is always the same for appreciation gifts – give what you would like to receive!

Large logos on inexpensive items for trade show handouts is exactly the right intent for promotional merchandise.  But for gifts of appreciation to customers and employees that made the year possible, common sense and good taste should prevail.  A subtle logo on a gift ribbon would be a tasteful way to present a gift basket; a small logo etch on a crystal candy bowl would be discreet branding that noone would mind; or a downsized tone on tone embroidered logo in the corner of a blanket would be a branding touch that mimics some of the retail designers and would reinforce your sense of corporate style.

Sometimes a client’s corporate gift policy doesn’t allow for holiday gifts.  In that case, a handwritten note on quality paper stock is an often-overlooked personal approach to customer appreciation.  In this case, a debossed logo on nice card stock is appropriate and effective.   In the era of email, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, it is a gesture that is noticed and appreciated.

The bottom line for the corporate holiday season is to determine the best way to recognize our friends, associates and corporate partners.  With the help of a seasoned professional who understands your company and the subtleties of gift giving, you can feel confident that the recipients will remember the giver, even when you say no to the logo!