Holiday Gifting as a Business Owner – Who to Gift, How Much to Spend, and When to Start Planning
The holiday season is a perfect time to spread some cheer and show appreciation to those who make your business thrive. Whether it's your wedding couples, event clients, trusted vendor partners, or the team that keeps everything running smoothly, a thoughtful holiday gift can create lasting connections and a little holiday magic.
In this post, we’ll dive into all the helpful details on who you should be gifting, how much to spend, and when to start planning. Plus, we’ll share some timeline tips on how to budget for holiday gifts as a wedding business owner. Looking for more specific gift ideas for each category? Download our Holiday Gifting Guide for links to gift ideas for clients, vendors, and team members to make gifting this holiday season as easy as (pumpkin) pie!
And, if you're wondering when to gift your clients throughout the year and looking for a more big-picture framework, be sure to check out our post on 9 Ways to Gift Your Clients for some fun strategies.
As a luxury wedding planner of 12 years and coach to hundreds of wedding pros across the country and globe, I’m here to simplify your holiday gifting strategy with this easy framework below!
Who to Gift Around the Holidays
When it comes to holiday gifting, it’s all about showing gratitude to the people who’ve had an impact on your business. Here’s a quick rundown of who should be on your gifting radar:
Clients (Couples): Whether they’re wedding couples or corporate event clients, a well-timed holiday gift can leave a lasting impression. It’s a thoughtful way to thank them for trusting you with their big day and helps keep your business top of mind. Creative holiday gifts for wedding couples are a great way to make them feel special.
Vendor Partners (Preferred Pros): Your vendor partners are like the dream team that helps make every event a success. From venues and photographers to caterers and florists, these collaborations are invaluable. Showing appreciation with a thoughtful gift can strengthen those relationships and build loyalty for future events. Gifting ideas for preferred wedding vendors should feel personalized and sincere.
Team Members: Don’t forget about the rockstars who keep your business moving forward. Whether they’re employees, freelancers, or virtual assistants, a holiday gift is a great way to recognize their hard work and let them know how much you value their contributions.
How to Determine Which Vendor Partners to Gift
When deciding who to gift in your vendor network, it’s important to prioritize based on the role they’ve played in your success. Here are some considerations:
Top Referral Sources: Vendors who send you the most business—like venues, planners, and other pros—are critical to your continued success. Showing appreciation with a meaningful gift helps strengthen these high-value relationships.
Frequent Collaborators: If you work with certain vendors often, consider them part of your extended team. A well-chosen gift can keep the collaboration going strong and set a positive tone for future events.
Occasional Collaborators: For vendors you work with less frequently but still value, a smaller, thoughtful gift can go a long way in maintaining goodwill and keeping your relationship warm.
Now, when it comes to budgeting for vendor gifts, think about creating different levels based on their role in your business:
High-Impact Partners (Top Referral Sources): These vendors are your go-to pros who help bring clients your way. Consider setting aside a higher budget for them to show your appreciation.
Core Collaborators (Frequent Partners): Allocate a mid-range budget for those you collaborate with consistently throughout the year.
Seasonal Collaborators (Occasional Partners): Even if you only work with certain vendors once in a while, a small but thoughtful gift shows you're invested in the relationship.
How to Budget for Holiday Gifts as a Wedding Business
Let’s talk money. How much to spend on holiday gifts can feel a bit overwhelming, but here’s how to keep it simple:
Clients/Couples: For your wedding clients and couples, consider the package they booked. Those who opted for your premium services might warrant a slightly higher budget, while those who booked more basic services can still be gifted something thoughtful, but on a smaller scale. Holiday gift ideas for wedding clients don’t have to break the bank, but they should feel personal!
Vendor Partners: As mentioned above, your budget should reflect the value that these partnerships bring to your business. How to plan holiday gifts for clients and vendors is all about balancing your gratitude with what makes sense for your budget.
Team Members: For your in-house team, a mid-range budget is a great way to show your appreciation. Personal touches go a long way in making your gifts feel more meaningful.
No matter how big or small your holiday gifting budget is, the key is thoughtfulness. A little planning can go a long way, and the goodwill generated by showing appreciation will carry over into the new year and beyond.
When to Start Planning Your Holiday Gifting
Here’s your friendly reminder: the holidays come up fast, so don’t wait until the last minute! Also,if you have additional support, this can be an amazing project for them to take on to lighten your own to-do list! Have your VA or intern help with sourcing and organizing holiday gifts, handling logistics, and making sure everything goes out on time.
Here’s a quick timeline to help you stay ahead of the game:
October/Early November: Start brainstorming who you’ll be gifting and set your budget. If you have a virtual assistant or intern, now’s the time to delegate! They can help you organize and handle the logistics.
Mid-November: Finalize your gift list and place orders for personalized items (especially anything custom). This will give you plenty of buffer time for shipping and any unexpected delays.
Early December: Aim to send your gifts in early December to ensure they arrive on time. No one likes dealing with the holiday shipping rush!
Bonus Tip: Don’t feel pressured to send your gifts during the holiday chaos. Sending gifts in the new year can actually help you stand out from the crowd. By avoiding the sea of holiday gifts, you can make a fresh and memorable impression as clients and vendors begin their new year. Plus, there are some great New Year gifting ideas inside our Holiday Gifting Guide to help you nail this timing!
Need More Inspiration?
Looking for specific ideas on end-of-year gift ideas for wedding professionals, clients, or vendor partners? Be sure to download our FREE Holiday Gifting Guide for personalized ideas that will make all the VIPs in your life feel appreciated. And if you need help with year-round gifting strategies, don’t miss our blog post on 9 Ways to Gift Your Clients!
With a little thought and preparation, holiday gifting can be a stress-free way to spread joy, show gratitude, and build loyalty in your business. Happy gifting!
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