If you think it’s hard to shop for your friends and family during the holidays, think again — shopping for the people you work with is even worse. Finding something that’s both fun and professional is no easy feat. Add a budget to the mix and it’s even more difficult.
But what’s even harder than buying gifts for your co-workers? Finding the perfect holiday presents to say “thank you” to your favorite clients. When you’re shopping for clients, it’s even more important for your gifts to be thoughtful and unique.
To keep your best clients coming back in the new year, try sending them one of these cool holiday gifts. Each item is under $20 — so you don’t have to break the bank in the process, either.
Postcarden ($12.50)
This incredibly unique gift starts out as a postcard and turns into a cute little garden diorama for your client to keep on his or her desk. How does it work? Just open the card, water the base, and sprinkle the included packet of seeds on top. Both the “Botanical Garden” and “City” designs are just $12.50. From UncommonGoods.com.
Etched Glass Catchall Tray ($19.99)
Give dad a hand staying organized while reminding him every day just how awesome he is with this elegant tray from gifts.com.
Handstand phone stand ($4)
Propping up your phone has never looked so fun, and at just $4 this smartphone stand is a steal. It features a pixelated black-and-white hand design complete with suction cups for easy attachment and setup. At PerpetualKid.com.
Good luck bottle opener ($9)
What could be better than an inexpensive gift that’s both unique and useful? This polished brass horseshoe bottle opener is classy and fun. Bonus: Your clients will think of you every time they enjoy a drink, too. At West Elm.
Chocolate gift set ($14)
When in doubt, food is always appreciated — especially when that food is fancy, gourmet chocolate. This 6-piece chocolate set is almost too beautiful to eat, but your clients will love indulging, anyway. At Maggie Louise Confections.
Electronic travel mug ($12.99)
The holiday season also means colder weather, so help your clients stay warm with this electronic travel mug. It plugs into cigarette lighters and USB ports, so your client can keep his or her beverages hot on the go. At ThinkGeek.com.
Coffee maybe spoon ($15.99)
Speaking of hot beverages, this hand-made, stamped coffee spoon is a great gift for the caffeine-obsessed client. A play on the hit song “Call Me Maybe,” this “So Coffee Maybe” is one more way to brighten your client’s morning. At Etsy.
Bath truffles ($18)
Spa trips are expensive, but these luxurious bath truffles are perfect for inexpensive, at-home pampering and relaxation. With ingredients like shea butter, goat’s milk and lavender petals, your client is sure to love this gift. At Anthropologie.
Portable laptop stand ($16.95)
This laptop stand is so simple, but so handy. It’s portable, so your client can take it back and forth from his or her home to the office without any issues, and works with laptops ranging from 13 inches to 17 inches that weigh less than 10 pounds. At TheGrommet.com.
Want to send food but don’t want to go the chocolate route? This snack-packed gift box is sure to please your client. It contains gourmet crackers, cheese, nuts, hickory-smoked sausage, honey-hot mustard and caramel popcorn. At Harry & David.
Coffee explorer set ($13)
This is the perfect gift for the adventurous coffee drinker. The set includes coffee samples from Ethiopia, Brazil, Colombia and Honduras. Each sample makes approximately 5 cups of coffee (20 cups total). At UncommonGoods.com.
Crossword puzzle mug ($11.50)
Multitasking — and procrastinating — has never been so easy. Combine the joy of coffee (or tea) with the fun of doing crossword puzzles, and you’ve got a great gift. This mug is erasable and comes with a pencil, and is dishwasher-safe. At Vat19.com.
