Gifts, Bosses and the Workplace

We recently fielded  the following request from a Senior Manager at a high profile tech company:
                 

‘Can you make recommendations for potential gifts for someone I work with - she's an admin, not my admin but has helped me a bunch.  Should I wait for Secretary's day?’

Waiting for a Hallmark Holiday, such as Administrative Assistant’s Day, April 27, is too far off in the future.  Express your appreciation once the job is done and the memory is still fresh.  This will go a long way towards cementing an ongoing positive working relationship.

Knowing only that the Admin is female, I would suggest a gift that she can make use of on a daily basis, at home or in the office, one that is practical but also attractive, a gift that indicates that  you have gone to some trouble to find something unique, and of good quality.

After all, flowers fade, and chocolates could send the wrong message (too personal, flirty) but a distinctive picture frame makes for a much appreciated desk accessory and is great way to express gratitude. 

At Chic by Design Collections, we feature three unique choices:

The leather  'Croc' Embossed Frame  is the more conservative and luxurious of the three. Pictured here with the Old World Paperweight, both make for excellent corporate gifting.

The Stainless and Wood  frame, which can be engraved, is a sleek, modern option.  Pictured here with the Globe Puzzle, another great corporate gift option since it, too, can be personalized.

The Mini Frame by L'Objet, aglow in Swarovski crystals and backed in leather, is bound to delight the Moms in the office.

Happy Gifting!

Heather

At Chic By Design, our 'Raison D'être' is to assist individuals, businesses and corporations in finding, quickly and efficiently, creative and distinguished gifts with which to make a lasting impression. Call us at 800.745.9239 for immediate service and check in with us regularly by visiting our Facebook page, for updates about events and exciting additions to our collections.

5 Easy Tips For Thank You Note Writing

Call me ‘old school’ but the power of the handwritten note should not be casually dismissed. 

When expressing gratitude, certain age-old standards of etiquette still rule, despite the ease and convenience of our digitally linked world.  The simple, straightforward gesture of penning a note of thanks conveys both respect and thoughtfulness.  As important as this can be in your personal life, it will resonate even further in business – yet it’s astonishing how rarely it’s done.  By committing to making note writing a priority you will set yourself apart from the crowd and make a lasting impression.

Come to think of it - when was the last time you received a thoughtfully written, hand addressed note in the mail?  I recently made a contribution to a friend’s charity drive - I get more and more requests each year and do my best to support my friends in their worthy endeavors - but when I received a generic digital thank you email after the event, I felt my generosity had been marginalized by the ‘convenience’ and remoteness of the mass email thank you. Instead of achieving the goal of thanking me, the gesture felt cold and meaningless. 

At Chic By Design Collections, our ethos is Smart Gifting, and a big part of ‘smart’ includes sending a hand calligraphed note to each gift recipient on our elegant stationary.  We wouldn’t expect anything else, and nor should you. 

Here are our top 5 recommendations for gentrifying your life and that of others' with the 'gift' of a handwritten note:

• Keep a supply of simple yet elegant note cards and matching envelopes, as well as postage stamps, on hand at all times.
• Commit to making note writing a weekly habit.
• Don’t let an opportunity slip by to express appreciation in writing, no matter how insignificant you may think the gesture is, you never know where your next big opportunity is going to come from.
• Be prompt.  No more than 2-3 days should pass before sending a Thank You note, be it for a gift received, contributions for your favorite charity/fundraiser, a business introduction, or to the host of a party. The exception would be for wedding gifts, but even that deadline should not exceed 3 months.
• Keep your notes short, focus on the positive, make them light hearted and above all, sincere.

Happy Gifting!

Heather