Christmas gifts for real estate clients reinvented

Six years ago, with the internet slowly creeping into our lives (and our business), I felt like there was a change in the air, when it came to my clients’ annual holiday gifts. So I conducted a not-so-scientific study by sending out a postage-paid questionnaire to active and closed customers asking for their opinion on what they would like to receive from me as a year-end gift.

First they said thank goodness I sent them an attractive calendar and not the silly magnets and notepads that screamed “this is me, your real estate agent”. But, they went on to say, my schedule really wasn’t enough either. It merged with the stack of other calendars from your insurance agent, paperboy, and other home-related service providers. So I asked, “what do you want?” They told me how much do you spend per client? I said “about ten dollars”. They responded, “be creative, but it has to be about us.” oh boy.

The good thing was that I did my focus group in August so I had time to “be creative.” The biggest problem was how do I give so much for ten dollars. So I decided, I can’t hide how much I spend, to give the ten bucks and find something my clients would appreciate during the busy holiday season. Starbucks gift certificates. That was the revelation, something they could indulge in, and I couldn’t even engrave my name on the gift card! Dutifully, I went to Starbucks one morning in late November and bought a bunch of $10 gift cards. I bought some clear card holders at the office supply store and put them on the inside flap of my Christmas cards. I put my business card behind the gift card. And they left on the first of December. Score! The emails started pouring in thank you we love it we talked about you when we stopped for coffee while shopping we used it as an excuse not to go shopping our friends thought it was cool. And it wasn’t about me. I have it. Here are some additional holiday gift ideas for clients around you.

-Zaggat restaurant guide, in your city or nearby.

-Subscription to a local magazine in the city or nearby.

-Entertainment coupon book.

-Picture frames.

-Nice stationery.

-Candies, candles, jams and local baked goods.

-Car wash gift certificates.

-A note that you made a donation to a local food pantry in lieu of your gift.

– Cookie gold fruit sneakers.

-Flowering plant of Christmas season.

-Gift cards from a variety of places.