'Tis the season to give, but what can you give someone who literally has everything?
If you are catering to high-net-worth clients and have not yet purchased a thank you trinket for the holidays, there's still time! We scoured the Internet for ideas on what to give your clients and found some very impressive gifts. If they are (understandably) too rich for your blood, you can get ideas from this list and make it work with your budget.
When you're through perusing, let us know: What do you usually give your clients as a thank you for their loyalty? Or, which gift on our list was your favorite, and why?
1. Splurge on a philanthropic event
Tugging on the heart strings, check. Tugging on the heart strings during the holiday, double check. If there is one thing that truly unifies people or a community, it is giving back in the form of volunteer work, a charitable event, a fundraiser, etc.
No gift will make you feel better about giving than inviting your clients to give back with you. This could mean tickets to a gala event to raise funds for a local or national charity. But it doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. You could simply organize a small group of your clients to join you and volunteer at a local soup kitchen or help out at a pet shelter. There are always organizations that need help.
An alternative:
Organize a fundraiser and take the proceeds to your charity of choice. Or, let your clients decide which charity they want to assist.
2. Ride a Formula One or NASCAR race car
This experience would be a one-on-one event with a valued client or, at most, a very small group. Just pay attention to your client's likes and you'll hit it out of the park with this one. An alternative would be to arrange for a super luxury car driving tour, where the client gets to drive in an amazing, possibly Italian-made, machine.
An alternative:
While driving in a luxury car can set you back around $200, depending on how long the drive is, you can create a similar experience by taking your client to a local race track or contacting a local racing club for a demo.
(Photo: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain takes a turn during the first practice session for the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix auto race in Mexico City, Oct. 30, 2015. AP Photo/Moises Castillo.)
3. Organize an evening with their favorite musician, athlete or celebrity
While this might sound like a dream (I mean, would Bono really come sit and sing with strangers for a night?), an article on InvestmentExecutive.com claims that a local investors group started what they've called "songwriter circles" events with their top clients. The events consist of inviting a well-known local musician to talk about their career and share an evening with the firm's clients.
The same could work with a celebrity or athlete. Now, if I could only organize an event with Peyton Manning …
An alternative:
If you can't enlist the help of a local celebrity, take them to the nearest jazz club for a night of music to remember, or to an outdoor concert or sporting event.
(Photo: Bono of U2 performs on stage during a concert, in Paris, Dec. 6, 2015. AP Photo/Thibault Camus.)
4. Fund a training session with their favorite athlete
Picture it: You and your top clients skiing in Vail, Colorado, with Lindsey Vonn. If you can make this happen, it could be the experience of a lifetime.
An alternative:
You can still plan a day of skiing — or surfing or mountain biking or any other sport your clients enjoy. Or, consider hosting a picnic at a local park or the beach sans athelete (if you're lucky enough to live in a sunny climate, that is).
(Photo: Lindsey Vonn celebrates her second place after completing an alpine ski, women's supercombined, in Val D'Isere, France, Dec. 18, 2015. AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta.)
