Manners are a funny thing. In general, I think we all know what kind of behavior is appropriate and what kind is not. That's not to say that we always act in accordance with those beliefs.

I can think of several instances when I’ve knowingly dismissed what I know to be polite and proper. Most often it’s when I’m in trusted company, and I feel comfortable enough to relax the rules. When dining out with strangers, I would never dare claim the lone roll in the bread basket for myself. On the other hand, the last of the strawberries in my boyfriend’s fridge might as well have my name on it.

There is one area where I feel etiquette should never be ignored- and that’s in business.

(source)

A lot of our projects at Sonic Promos focus on helping our clients improve or maintain relations with their customers. Though there is no substitute for consistent professionalism and good service, a small gift can go a long way towards preserving a positive rapport.

Gift-giving in business can be a surprisingly complex practice, with a lot of grey area. Before diving in, take the time to consider a few points below:

How much money are you willing to spend? Before you even start to think about what to send as a gift, think about how many gifts you plan to send. Let’s say you’re planning to send a holiday gift to your top 25 clients. 25 clients might mean that you need to purchase 25 gifts, or it might mean that you need to purchase 60 gifts. If you work with a team of individuals at each organization, would it be appropriate to send a gift to just one person, or should you send something to each person? Don’t do anything that might leave someone out. In this situation, consider sending a gift that the whole office can enjoy- an engraved cutting board for the kitchen or a woven floor mat for their entryway are two unique ideas.

If you have a small list of people in mind, you can afford to give a nice gift to each person. On the other hand, if your list is hundreds of people long, adjust your budget per gift accordingly.

What is your motive? Never send a gift simply because you feel obligated to. You should have a clear intention in mind. Leah Ingram, etiquette specialist and author of “Gifts Anytime: How to Find the Perfect Present for Any Occasion,” says:

There are two very real reasons to buy business gifts that are not necessarily warm and fuzzy. One is obviously to thank someone for their business for the year. The other is to make sure you remain top of mind, and to get your name in front.

Ingram brings up an excellent point- a great business gift should be regarded as a marketing tool. For greatest effect, consider a gift that has a utile value, something non-consumable that will be seen and used often.

What kind of relationship do you have with the recipient? Do you have a strictly professional relationship with this person, or would you call it a friendship? Let the formality of your relationship dictate the formality of the gift. A nice bottle of scotch and an engraved decanter might appeal to some, but offend others.

When will you mail out your gifts? A word of advice here- if sending a holiday gift, do so right after Thanksgiving, or wait until the New Year. Don’t forget that many people are out of the office between Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you’re giving a gift to thank a client for recent business, send the item within two weeks of the project’s close.

Did you know…

That gift-giving is forbidden in Chinese business culture? The official policy recognizes the gesture as an illegal act of bribery. Recently, this attitude has begun to relax, but there are still many guidelines one should respect. For example, be prepared to insist. It is customary to decline a gift at least three times before it is finally accepted. Additionally, giving a gift to the entire company is more acceptable than giving to a single individual.

I hope you find these tips useful. We may not be experts on good manners- note to self: elbows off the table- at Sonic, but we definitely know good gifts!

From a young age, we are cautioned "not to judge a book by its cover" and taught "it's what's on the inside that counts". Though sage advice indeed, sometimes it can be really hard to avoid making assumptions at first glance.

When selecting branded items and designing a promotional campaign, keep this basic human tendency in mind and make it work to your advantage. Opt for creative presentation.

Several months ago, my parents brought me a souvenir from their special meal at The Inn at Little Washington. Sadly, it wasn't leftovers, but an adorable little paper house. I'll ignore the fact that they ate the chocolates inside- the box alone was enough to get me excited.

    



Most restaurants strategically position a large bowl of candies near the door. Some even slip a few butter mints directly onto your check at the end of the meal. The Inn at Little Washington is not "most restaurants" and their post-meal send-off certainly preserves their reputation as one of Washington's premier culinary establishments.

Nothing captures attention like something novel and out of the ordinary. Here are some other great options to make sure your gift or package elicits attention and stands out.

Puzzle in a can



Eco tube



Mailing tube with business card holder



Candy tennis tube, paint can, and milk jug



Tumbler golf kit 



When the contents of your package are consumable, and even when they're not, take a cue from The Inn at Little Washington and focus some of your branding energy on the container itself.

Last weekend I enjoyed a lovely lunch with my parents and boyfriend at Clyde's restaurant. The Clyde's Restaurant Group owns 13 restaurants throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area, and if you're in the neighborhood I highly recommend the Tower Oaks Lodge location in Rockville, MD. The building's design resembles the log and stone "Great Camps" of the Adirondacks, and multiple fireplaces and cozy booths make for a special meal.

I don't work for Clyde's.
Promise.

The main reason we chose Clyde's for lunch was to spend a gift card that had been burning a hole in my dad's pocket. When our server dropped the check, I was surprised to see my dad place a heavy, gold coin on the table. We all took turns excitedly examining the coin's details, and since we had only spent half of the gift's value we mused about how our change would be returned. My boyfriend joked, "Watch them bring back a silver coin or something."

To our surprise, they did! They have three coin options: $100, $50 and $25.



I think these coins are an excellent promotional item. The novelty of the coin generates positive buzz- here I am three days later, still talking/writing about it- and the overall concept provides a smart solution to anti-gift card purchasing behavior.
Personally, I think gift cards make a wonderful present, but I know many people who avoid giving them. Many argue that gift cards:
A. are impersonal.
B. look "easy".
C. are uncreative.
D. look unimpressive.
E. are un-wrap-able.

Clyde's gift coins present an excellent solution to a few of these purchasing deterrents. Their hefty coins come packaged in a small, wrap-able gift box and the overall presentation offers a greater perceived value than your standard plastic card.



All in all, gift coins are a great idea for restaurants or retail stores looking for a more upscale alternative to the plastic gift card.

The third and final part of our list; Jamie and Debbie have some great picks!

Debbie:

Ceramic Travel Mug with Silicon Lid
We used this same mug for our holiday gift last year, and our clients still rave about it. The double-walled ceramic body and removable silicon lid mimic a take-out cup's design, without the waste.

Silly Bands
This item was a huge hit this year with children and adults alike. With options to customize band shape and packaging, these bracelets are now very popular promotional products.

American Apparel Shirts
These are some of the softest T-shirts we've ever felt, and the colors are great!


Jamie:

TSA-approved Travel Luggage
Security lines at the airport aren't getting any shorter, so we especially love carry-on luggage that saves you the trouble of removing your laptop.

Video Camera
This video camera is pocket-sized, simple to use, and has a convenient USB arm that plugs directly into your computer. Built-in software makes it a cinch to share videos and photos with others.


If only I could end this list by promising one of each item to all our readers... but only Oprah is that good!