If you’re running a successful business, there are two groups of people you have to thank for your success—your clients and your employees. Without them, your company wouldn’t even exist. Therefore, it’s only fair to show your appreciation for their loyalty and hard work by providing them with thoughtful gifts, especially for certain special occasions. So how do you come up with a perfect gift for your business partners? Here are a few ideas that all clients and employees will love:

Offer an upgrade

Your most loyal customers and employees deserve to be treated like royalty. Create a list of your most loyal clients and surprise them with a free upgrade to their services for a month or two or even a year. This doesn’t just benefit the gift recipient but also creates an opportunity to gain a new premium client after they get a taste of all the goodies your company offers. When it comes to your workers, you can provide them with an upgrade to their office, get them a better parking spot or upgrade their work hours with more flexibility.

Donate in their name

Here’s a pretty unique and very thoughtful gift idea that all clients and employees appreciate: donating to charity in their name. This gift works overtime when it comes to making people happy because it benefits the recipients, makes donors feel seen and is a great business strategy that allows your company to do something socially or environmentally responsible. Pick out a charity that aligns with your client’s or employee’s cause and extend a donation. It shows that you pay attention to things close to your contacts and it’s a gift that will not go to waste 100%.

Send a handwritten note with a gift

If you can’t afford any expensive gifts for your customers and employees, it’s possible to make any small gift feel special with a personalized note. A water bottle, small gift basket, a bouquet of flowers—they can all have so much more meaning with a note that expresses your gratitude and appreciation. Be specific and make the note feel genuine.

Gift them something related to their hobby

People with hobbies can never get too many things related to what they love, so why not opt for a gift connected to that hobby? No matter if your gift recipient is a collector, an outdoorsy person or a tech buff, you’ll easily find a perfect gift. For instance, if you know your client’s favorite hobby is hiking or camping, simply check out stylish and practical OTF knivesand pick out a model that you think they’ll like. This gift is both useful and thoughtful and can be used for years and years without failing the owner. Every time they go on a new adventure, your gift recipient will have their knife with them and get reminded of your thoughtful actions.

Provide them with an experience

If you have a minimalist nature and don’t like to burden your gift recipients with objects, you can easily surprise your clients or employees with the gift of experience. No matter if you opt for concert tickets, sports event tickets, passes for water parks or national parks, memberships in certain clubs or vouchers for restaurants, you will be providing your gift recipient with new experiences to appreciate. These tickets or passes can be shared (provided that you get at least two, which is the only logical way to go about this gift) meaning your gift can make more than one person happy.

Provide them with new skills and knowledge

If you have clients and employees who constantly try to improve themselves and learn new things, then providing them with the gift of knowledge is the right way to go. Today, it’s possible to find classes, seminars and tutorials on absolutely anything, so don’t hesitate to book some for your gift recipients. From cooking classes and dance lessons to industry-related seminars and even professional development books—these are great gifts that pay off and provide the recipient with a world of knowledge. Be a bit careful with these gifts though and try not to present your marketing client with a Marketing for Dummies book, because it will clearly insult them. As long as you’re politically and socially correct, books, classes and any other type of knowledge source can be a great gift for any ambitious person in your company.

Conclusion

It doesn’t take much to make your loyal customers and workers feel appreciated. These gifts above are probably the most thoughtful way to express your gratitude and deepen the business connection you have.

About the author: Stella Van Lane is a passionate traveler and writer, in love with coffee, food & wine, interior design, books, and good vibes.