What do Leslie Knope, Oprah Winfrey, and my wife buying me a straw have in common? They nail the art of giving the perfect gift.
Leslie Knope, the queen of thoughtful gifts, knows how to personalize every single present she gives. Remember that time she tormented Ron Swanson by making him think he was getting a giant surprise birthday party? He was terrified. But in true Leslie fashion, she got him the ultimate gift: a quiet night, locked in his office, watching Bridge on the River Kwai – his absolute favorite movie. She nailed it by understanding exactly what Ron wanted, even if it wasn’t obvious at first glance.
And of course, Oprah Winfrey, who gave away cars, trips, and life-changing surprises on her show, knows that the right gift can make an impact.
And then there’s my wife who once bought me a straw. Yes, a regular plastic straw that was probably 5 for $1. BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…because that straw was the exact right size and shape to fit the cup that we were given when our child was born. The cup I used every day for about 18 months until my old straw got mold in it…Something that NEVER occurred to me to buy…
But whether you’re my wife (99% of you are not, but sometimes she reads these), Leslie Knope or Oprah, the principle remains the same: good gift-giving is about the other person, not you.
With that in mind, let’s dive into my top 10 tips for thoughtful, personalized gift-giving. Because your logo on a Yeti mug? Not a gift, my friends, yes, it’s marketing. Let’s do better.
1. Skip the Usual Holidays
Everyone expects gifts around Christmas, birthdays, and anniversaries. The surprise factor is gone! Instead, pick unique or fun holidays that align with your recipient’s personality. Think National Hawaiian Shirt Day, National Disc Golf Day, or even National Pie Day (Leslie Knope would approve of that one!). The more unexpected, the more memorable. And it’s not JUST about picking a random funny holiday. It’s about finding one’s that MAKE sense. So, me getting my coaching clients together virtual where we all wear Hawaiian shirts or buying a disc with my referral sources face on it when we go play a round together…little things like that make sense for me and them AND create better gifts.
Think about it: Which would you remember more—a holiday card in December or a thoughtful gift on National Donut Day…like a Donut, or a box of donuts that says “Referrals from you make us go Do-NUTS!?
2. Make It About Them, Not You
This should be a no-brainer, but apparently it’s not. I want to say this again…a gift with your firm’s logo is not a gift—it’s a promo item. Don’t be that person. Instead, think about what the other person would actually want. Do they love golf? Get them a set of custom golf balls. Are they into gourmet food? Send a curated snack box. It’s the difference between Leslie Knope hand-picking gifts for her friends versus Ron Swanson giving out… bacon.
Then again, you can send me bacon ANYTIME!
But seriously, find a way to make the gift meaningful TO THEM. If they’ve been working crazy hours, a day at the spa or a thoughtful book might be just what they need (like one that helps them Love their Law Firm…a wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more).
If they’ve been talking about learning something new, maybe gift them an online course. Channel your inner Leslie Knope and pick up on the little details that show you really know them.
3. Collaborate with Local Artisans or Small Businesses
Rather than sending a mass-produced item, partner with local artisans or small businesses (or REFERRAL SOURCES) to create a truly unique, customized gift. Whether it’s handcrafted leather goods, custom artwork, or gourmet food items made locally, these personalized gifts not only support local economies but also leave a lasting impression. Here you can make it a win-win-win for you, them AND the person making the gift.
It’s like picking up a one-of-a-kind piece of tech from Stark Industries—not something anyone else can get at just any corner store.
4. Don’t Forget the Assistant
Not sure what to get them? Have your assistant call their assistant and ask. Then if/when that person is helpful to the whole gift giving process you can play my pro-tip move.
Because a true power move is sending a small, thoughtful gift to someone’s assistant or key support staff. These are the folks who keep things running behind the scenes, and acknowledging their role goes a long way. Plus, when you’ve got their assistant on your side, it’s a lot easier to stay top of mind with the boss. This is your Alfred move—making sure the Batcave runs smoothly so Batman can save Gotham.
5. Research, Research, Research
If you’re still unsure what to get, (or they don’t have an assistant) do some digging. Go on their social media and read through it…I PROMISE that if they post consistently you will figure out something that makes sense for them. It’s like doing Batman detective work—because the best gifts often come from having the right intel.
6. Go for Quality, Not Quantity
It’s not about how many gifts you give; it’s about the thought and quality behind each one. Would you rather get five generic gift baskets or one thoughtful item that shows someone truly gets you? One great gift is always more memorable than a dozen throwaway items. Think of it like Indiana Jones—sure, he found lots of artifacts, but it’s the Holy Grail that really mattered.
And yes – spend MORE money on fewer things and make them actually stand out. Seriously a Suite to a great concern or sports event for your top 20 referral sources will stand out and maybe even be cheaper than the same wine bottle to 100 people.
7. Experiences > Stuff
Material gifts are nice, and we have mentioned a lot of them… but experiences are often more meaningful. And they allow for better reminiscing. A charcuterie plate is nice, but I can’t tell you how many times I hear about the Elton John concert we went to from a friend (and his mom who joined us too).
A gift card to a local restaurant, tickets to a concert, or even a weekend getaway can leave a lasting impression. People remember how you made them feel, not just the item they got. This is your chance to give them something they’ll talk about for years, like Back to the Future’s hoverboard – something they’ll never forget.
8. Gift Someone In Their Life
If you’re STILL stuck on what to get them. Or it’s that kind of asshole who is impossible to shop for (which don’t worry, my wife will tell you that’s me and that’s why I got the straw)…then think about who else in their life you can gift.
I have a buddy with a family law firm who gets more cases from some of his “referral” sources’ spouse than he does from the “source” directly. But in those cases the gift cards to a fancy dinner mean more to the spouse who never gets gifts than the lawyer/doctor/professional to who gets random shit all the time.
And if you ARE going to give holiday gifts…think about giving it to your referral source’s kids. I am very grateful and appreciative of all the gifts I get from my amazing network…but I can tell you EXACTLY who got my kid the Mandalorian Lego Set for Christmas last year (or maybe Hanukkah, we celebrate both).
9. Handwritten Notes Matter
In this digital age, the power of a handwritten note is often underestimated. Sure, sending a thoughtful gift is important, but pairing it with a personal note makes the impact even stronger. It’s like the cherry on top of a Captain America-level team-up. Plus, people hold on to handwritten notes—they become keepsakes. When you do this, make sure you get a nice card too. I had some printed for our firm, but I also have a referral source who sends the cutest Bavarian house shaped cards every year for Christmas.
10. Be Unexpected and Fun
Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that make people laugh or bring joy. Send something quirky or unexpected that shows you know their sense of humor. Maybe it’s a set of custom bobbleheads that look like them (a judge I know got this for doing someone’s wedding), or a Back to the Future hoverboard replica (I’m not saying I would go wild for this…but I did think of it twice). As long as it’s fun and personalized, they’ll remember it (and you).
My sister bought my dad and I Hawaiian Shirts with my Son’s face on them. I CANNOT tell you how many times I’ve worn that shirt until I lost 40 pounds and my son got way older…but it was the coolest gift.
So cool, that other people grabbed the idea and used it for their family (or one friend who did it for a fantasy football draft).
Conclusion
Gift-giving doesn’t have to be a holiday checklist or an excuse to slap your logo on something (I cannot stress this enough). It’s an opportunity to show people you’re thinking of them and that you care enough to put in the effort. Whether you’re celebrating National Cheese Lover’s Day or just want to brighten someone’s week, the goal is to make it about them, not you.
Until then, keep your cape ready and your gifts thoughtful!
Keep Reading
For more on turning relationships into the right clients, read What Happens Between Being Known and Being Hired?, or browse the Marketing & Client Growth newsletter archive.