The older I get, the more I realize how difficult it really is to shop for those closest to me. Other than my young niece, I'm often left scratching my head on gifts to deliver to the rest of my family members and friends. And while I'm sure that everyone will say that "it's the thought that counts" when it comes to giving or receiving gifts, the truth is that we all want something that we can actually use. As a business owner, I can say that although I have absolutely been thankful for any and everything that has been gifted to me during the holidays, I also don't want people to waste money on things that I know I won't use. And I'm sure other business owners feel the same way. That's why I thought it would be helpful to create a list of thoughtful last-minute gifts for business owners that can be gifted even after the holiday season has passed.
And the best part? You won't even have to leave the comfort of your home to do (most) of them. Check out my top 10 list below.
Purchase something from their business: Whether new business owners or those considered as veterans, there's nothing more sincere or thoughtful than purchasing a product or service from your friend or family member that is a business owner. If they offer a service that you do not use, choosing to donate the amount of a service to them will work, too. If that isn't an option though, you can opt to gift the service/product to someone else that you know would benefit from it. That way, you've given a gift to two people and who wouldn't want to spread that much joy?
Give them gift cards or gas cards: Anyone who owns a business (and even those who don't) can tell you what they really want for Christmas and trust me, it's rarely that robe you found at Marshalls for $20. Although that is a nice gift to give (and perfect for the person that has requested it!), a thoughful and very, very useful gift to give a business owner would be a gift card that they can use anywhere or a gas card. Likewise, if you know that they shop at one particular place for their business, getting them a gift card there could be a great gift, too.
Buy them business cards: Every business owner — no matter how long they've been doing it — deserves to have an eye-popping business card to show off thier service. Regardless of what anyone says, having a professional and well put together business card is essential. Having the right business card can be the determining factor for whether or not people will purchase your service or product. It can also determine whether or not you make a huge business deal. Although that may not always be the case, there are many times where not having a business card can actually lose you a business opportunity.
There are plenty of sites and businesses that can help you to create memorable designs, but my absolute favorite right now is MOO to get them done.
If they have materials that need printing, pay for their printing fee: You may not know what their fee is unless you ask, but I can guarantee that they'll appreciate any fee being eliminated from their plate. Printing fees can be cheap or can be very costly — depending on their business and what they're printing. If you can't afford the full fee, offer to pay a portion of it. Trust me, anything will help — especially if they're a new business owner.
Spread the word about their business: Sometimes purchasing from your friend or family member's business may not be financially feasible for you. And as business owners and those that are close to you, they should understand that sometimes, it's just not possible to spend in areas that your money is not already allocated. As a good alternative, you can spread the word about their business to those that you know. From sharing a post on Facebook or Instagram to mentioning the brand and/or services to anyone whenever you can, this is a great way to show support as well as help them become a bit more visible.
Write a review about their business: This may seem like a small and unimportant step in supporting your friend or family member's business, but it can be a game changer for some. Writing a positive review about their product or service on Yelp, Google, Facebook, their website or any other platform that they use, can bring in more business for them.
If they have a website and pay to upkeep it, pay for a few months of their subscription: Having a website is essential and just about necessary for any business. Although they are very much needed, not many business owners have a website for their business because it can be a bit costly to have. And while social media is a free marketing tool for a business owner's services, they can't always display everything that the consumer needs to know about the business. Eliminate that problem for them by offering to pay for a month or two of their subscription to a website building platform like Wix, Squarespace and Wordpress. Or, if you really feel like blessing them, pay for a year.
Buy them office materials: Business owners can never get enough of the materials that they need, so blessing them with a few new notebooks, pens and other things can be very helpful and inspirational for them. Office materials can also be a way to encourage them to keep going. It could be something as simple as heading to stores like Dollar Tree or Five Below and spending less than $20 to stock up on useful items. Doing this simple thing can say to your business owner friend "I see you, I believe in you, and I want to see you win."
Give them rest: One of the most vital and underrepresented things in a business owners life is getting some rest. When I say rest, I don't just mean getitng enough sleep each night. Finding some time to rest can also mean ensuring that they are taking better care of themselves. Gifting them with a spa treatment can be a way to do that. From massages and salon/barber visits to manicures and pedicures, there are so many ways to give them a moment of well-needed "rest" that they will forever appreciate.
Buy them books or a subscription to Audible: Every business owner has spent their fair share of time reading books or watching videos for inspiration. If they are busy with growing their business though, the time to read books or even shop for new ones may be impossible. Give them a jumpstart on boosting their reading time with a few inspirational or helpful books. Or, if you know that they'll just let the book sit on the shelf, sign them up for an audio book platform like Audible.
What are some gifts that you would appreciate as a business owner? Let me know below!
Until then though, praying for the happiest of holiday seasons for you!
With Creative (and Gifting Thoughts),
-Kp