Business Gifts

DO

Give gifts for work-related anniversaries, birthdays, personal milestones such as a marriage or a new baby, or a thank-you for help with a difficult project or client.

Check to ensure that recipient's company allows gifts. If individual gifts are prohibited, you might show appreciation by sending a gourmet food basket or subscribing to a trade magazine for the entire office.

Include personal notes with all gifts. If this is impossible, send a special letter explaining that the gift is coming.

Deliver gifts in person when possible.

Send a thank-you immediately. Every gift deserves a response even if you didn't like the gift. Handwrite the thank-you; don't call or send an e-mail.

DO NOT

Send generic, inappropriate, tasteless, or offensive gifts. Learn about the recipients' religious or cultural preferences and the recipients' lifestyle.

Offer a business gift as a bribe!

Generally give gifts to your boss, especially if the gifts are expensive or personal.

Give gifts of different value to people in the same office; recipients of the less valuable gifts might feel slighted.

Send a gift of flowers or food without making sure the recipient will be available to receive it.

Recycle business gifts.

Give someone a gift that is more expensive than a gift you might expect to receive from him or her.