Today a couple from East Yokshire was featured in the press after being given 24 toasters for their wedding gifts! Imagine coming back from honeymoon and having your wedding gifts arrive only to discover 24 identical looking boxes each containing a Tesco's 2 slice toaster? It turned out to be a bit of a joke - the groom had been asked on his stag night by a friend what he'd like for a wedding present, and he said he'd like money or vouchers as he didn't want to end up with a whole load of toasters. His 'friend' then took it n himself to spread the word that the toaster was the key gift and voilia! Weddings are always a hard one though - especially nowadays when so many people who are getting married have been together for years or at least been living away from home. It seems that gifts to actually help set up your first home is something a bit of the past. I didn't get married late but still by the time we'd decided to get married, we already bought a house and most of the things to go in it. We asked for no gifts or gifts to charity instead. However, we found that some people ended up still wanting to buy us proper things and ended up having to create a wedding list anyway because people wanted or expected to buy one for you. And people want to get you something you want and something useful. But as the bride and Groom, my hubby and I thought it was saying about who we are to ask only for charitable gifts. It can be the same thing with gifts in business. Corporate gifts, charitable giving, promotional items. Got to get something useful, but at the same time if you want a gift to work it has to be part of your brand. If it is really going to enhance a customer base or make a potential customer think of you - but it's also got to be suitable. There is no point sending a data stick to a builder who doesn't use IT or branded pens to a paperless office. So next time your doing gifts - have a think about it. Better to get fewer gifts that work and bring back business or enhance your brand, than many that don't. And for those of you who are interested, here's a quick snap shot of my wedding. ;-)
