In case you didn’t notice, 2020 hasn’t been what everyone expected when the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve. Most of the world threw out their 2020 planners by mid-April, and we’ve all been in a constant state of adjustment to a rapidly changing environment. It’s the beginning of the end of the year with the start of Q4 – and although those 2020 planners are still chilling in the garbage, the holiday season isn’t cancelled and is quickly approaching. We know, we know – wasn’t it June just a few days ago?
With Q4 budgets in hand and everyone living in unprecedented circumstances, planning for the holidays may look a little bit different than usual. Even if your budget is small, and things seem challenging – don’t push holiday gift giving to the side! It’s more important than ever to show your employees and clients how much you appreciate them. When planning out gifts for this season, keep in mind the current environment and what items are trending. People are spending the majority of their time at home with their families, and your gifts should resonate with that. Here’s a few ideas to make the most of 2020 holiday gifting, keeping Q4 budgets and today’s trends in mind.
Be Mindful of Sustainability
The demand for eco-friendly apparel and products is growing more and more people place a deeper focus on the environment. People are paying more attention to the sustainability of the products that they use, as well as the practices of the companies who manufacture them. Consider choosing products that are made from recycled materials, and that come from companies with environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. Consider the functionality of these products as well – just because it’s eco-friendly doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a useful gift. Choose items that your clients and employees are likely to incorporate into their everyday lives, that can be used to form habits that support the health of the environment. Reusable totes are a great example – these encourage people to avoid single-use plastic bags.
Keep it Comfortable
These days, getting ready for work looks a little different. For example, you’re likely reading this post in a comfy pair of sweatpants from your home office. Comfortable logoed apparel is a great gift for this year as people continue working from home with their suits and dress shirts sitting in the closet collecting dust. Consider a neutral color hoodie or sweatshirt, or even a lightweight athletic jacket. Trucker hats are another great option that people are very likely to use, especially when quickly covering up messy hair right before morning Zoom calls (it’s cool, we know you just rolled out of bed).
Color is Key
It’s no secret that color can be a major influence when it comes to moods and emotions. Be mindful when you are choosing gifts for this season, to choose a color palette that blends well with the gifts you are sending out. For example, if you want to create an at-home spa kit, you would likely use light blue and lavender, which are known to invoke a sense of calm. If you are sending out backyard BBQ kits, you’d likely use red and yellow, as those colors create a sense of energy and happiness. Worried that the colors you choose won’t coordinate well with your company color palette? Consider using a black or white version if your logo on the products, or even leaving it off all-together. You can always brand the packaging, or a notecard inside of the gift.
Don’t add to the Clutter
People are spending lots of time at home, so choosing items that will be useful and not just take up space will be seen favorably. Think about items that can be incorporated into everyday life, such as kitchen gadgets, Bluetooth speakers, or fitness accessories. Another great option for sending a gift that won’t take up space is food. Gift boxes from Batch & Bodega make an excellent holiday gift that the whole family can enjoy.
Choose Items for Everyone
Speaking of family, there is a lot of family time happening this year for many people (maybe a little too much at times). Choose a gift that can be enjoyed by everyone living in the home. We mentioned food baskets earlier, which are sure to be a crowd pleaser. Another great option is a family game night kit with a custom board game and gourmet popcorn included.
Make the Most of Smaller Budgets
If you are working with a very tight gift budget this season, you can still create something memorable for your employees and clients. Consider investing in a high-end holiday card with a heartfelt message from your company executives. More often than not, words of appreciation and thankfulness will have a huge impact on people as opposed to a physical gift. Another great option to make the most of 2020 holiday gifting on lower budgets is sending vouchers for a food delivery service like DoorDash or UberEats. Taking care of the cost of a meal is always appreciated, and gives people to the chance to take a night off from cooking at home.
Gift giving this year doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Let us help you make the most of 2020 holiday gifting, and find the perfect way to say thank you to your clients and employees. Contact us today to start your holiday planning!
