BASIC RULES ABOUT GIFTS: Don’t just buy gifts because “you” think they “look nice”. Think of how your gifts can meet the specific interests and needs of the receiver. Some of the most expensive gifts we’ve ever received have not been the most useful. Here are some key factors to consider: · Buy gifts that are appropriate, which the recipient/s will use · The order of Importance normally is; Children, Family, Helpful mates and friends. CHILDREN: · Children value gifts in terms of how it improves their “status” among their friends…the “cool status”. · Children want to fit-in with their colleagues, so be mindful of the trend among their peers! · Children these days are quite technologically oriented, so video games for the boys can be just right! FAMILY: · Spending time with the family is the most effective and cost-efficient way of celebrating Christmas. · Bring the family together to fix the Christmas Tree · Focus on family-centered activities, such as a party in the park STAKEHOLDERS AND CORPORATE CLIENTS: Avoid falling into the traditional pitfall that fat hampers guarantees business deals from clients. A great alternative to costly “marketing” could be to seek out the real needs of your clients and staff and find the simplest approaches to helping them satisfy them. Sometimes, the simplest approaches work. · Christmas Cards to staff and clients will do fine, if hampers are an expensive treat. (Write you personal notes in them and deliver them personally!) · Spa treatment for members of staff/clients will be a memorable gift · Shopping vouchers for staff, to shop in a client’s business/shop COUPLES: Think of what will be “special”, being mindful of the key objectives; spending time and bonding. · Romantic dinners together · Private room pampering at a spa · “Bonding” visits to partners if you stay apart · Hand-in-hand beach walks (don’t forget to cuddle)