Business Gifts From Lavish to Tacky
Forget the fruitcake.
Business people are spending more money on holiday gifts this year, thanks to the vibrant economy and bright prospects for 1995.
For example, Hal Berger, a partner at El Segundo-based Image Design Marketing, is giving his three best clients $600 Sony camcorders. Berger, who also developed the Family Channel’s “Masters of the Maze” game show for kids, says he fell in love with the camcorder and wanted to share its benefits.
Another 200 business contacts can expect something more modest: a software disk featuring a customized, animated Christmas message. Berger and partner Gary Yamron also plan on feting their 40 or so employees at a beachfront restaurant.
While you might not be spending thousands of dollars on gifts and parties, it pays to put some careful thought and consideration into your business gifts. If your budget is limited, sending handwritten holiday cards is much better than shipping out a tacky gift.
To help you make the right choices, we asked business owners, executives and journalists across the country to recall some of their best and worst holiday presents.
Daniel Kehrer, editor of Independent Business magazine in Thousand Oaks:
“My best gift was a simple card announcing that in lieu of business gifts, the firm was donating the money to a private group that provides shelter to homeless individuals while helping them find jobs,” Kehrer said.
His worst gift?
“A box of artery-clogging sausages of unknown origin, in the shape of barnyard animals.”
This year, Kehrer is giving his best clients Mont Blanc fountain pens.
Lorraine Velona, director of operations, Fox Television:
Velona has received some lavish holiday gifts. Among them: luggage, crystal, jewelry and gourmet food baskets. But she’s also been stuck with a few duds, including mugs with company logos, socks, pencils and a box of cranberries.
What’s she giving to her best clients this year? American Express gift certificates, crystal, picture frames, perfume or electronic games.
Steve DeLuca, director of research for Orange County-based Cruttenden & Co.:
He said his best holiday gift was an economic calendar showing the dates on which major economic statistics would be released.
His worst gift: a paperweight.
What’s he giving this season?
Bottles of good regional wine to his “top tier” clients and coffee mugs to his “mid-tier” clients.
Patty DeDominic, president of PDQ Personnel, Los Angeles; president of the National Assn. of Women Business Owners:
“The best gift I received was a donation in our name to a favorite charity,” DeDominic said. “The worst was a plastic portfolio-calendar with the giver’s birthday marked in it.”
This year, DeDominic is giving out crystal Post-it note holders.
Amy DeLouise, president of Take Aim Productions in Bethesda, Md.:
“My best gift was getting a pair of silk long johns while I was working on a very cold film shoot in the winter,” she said.
Worst gift?
“A pocket-size date book with my name on it.”
DeLouise is giving clients spiced wine from a local winery.
Cheryl Reich, vice president of Harris Bank, Chicago:
Her best gift was a music box featuring the characters from “The Wizard of Oz.” The giver said he thought of her as his personal wizard.
Her worst gift: a box of jellied fruit.
What’s she giving clients?
“A personal call to wish them much health, happiness and success in business and with their family.”
John Galles, president of National Small Business United, Washington:
“My best gifts were a pocket computer telephone directory and a sincere thank-you for a job well done,” Galles said. “My worst was a check for $25.”
What’s Galles giving as business gifts this year?
“Honeybaked hams or turkeys or a book of thoughtful quotations or poems.”
Gillian and Jack Schultz, co-owners of Metronet Protection Services, Chicago:
“I can’t think of a bad business gift, but I’m sure it was so awful I’ve forgotten about it,” said Gillian. Great gifts she’s received from employees are gimmicky desk accessories and stress-relieving toys.
What’s she giving this year?
“Motivational tapes with a lasting value.”
Meg Whittemore, columnist for Nation’s Business magazine, Washington:
“The best holiday gift I’ve received was a voodoo doll in the likeness of my editor.”
*
Jane Applegate is a syndicated columnist and author. Write to her at P.O. Box 637, Sun Valley, CA 91353. If you receive a great or awful holiday gift, please write and tell her about it.
