September is the real new year in business. The kids are back at school, routines return, and suddenly Q4 feels just around the corner.
Which means… so do last events of the year, and end-of-year celebrations (yes Christmas gifts I went there ! 🫣)
The mistake most founders make? Waiting until November (or worse, December) to start thinking about gifts... and ending up panic-buying hampers, bottles of fizz, or something that doesn’t really reflect their brand.
This blog will show you how to avoid the scramble and create a client gifting plan that feels thoughtful, on-brand, and stress-free.
Why You Need to Plan Now
Think about it:
- Stock and suppliers get busy from October onwards.
- Shipping times lengthen (especially for international clients).
- The most meaningful gifts take thought — not last-minute Amazon Prime.
Planning ahead means you can be intentional, aligned, and proud of what your brand is sending out into the world. It also means you get to enjoy December without the stress of “gift guilt.”
If you’d rather hand it over, this is exactly where bespoke gifting support makes all the difference.
The 3 Pillars of a Q4 Gifting Strategy
1️. Timing
When to send matters just as much as what you send.
- September/October → event gifting, launches, or seasonal campaigns.
- Early December → festive appreciation gifts that land before the rush.
- January → fresh-start gifts as a clever alternative to the Christmas noise.
Being early not only sets you apart, it means your gift doesn’t get lost in the sea of mince pies and branded calendars.
2️. Budget & Volume
Decide upfront whether you want:
- A few high-impact, personalised gifts.
- Or a larger batch of smaller, thoughtful ones.
Not every client needs the same treatment. Match your spend to the relationship — but remember, it’s not about the price. It’s about the feeling you create.
For smaller budgets, my mini gift boxes are a powerful way to show appreciation without compromising on impact.
3️. Emotional Impact
Ask yourself: What do I want them to feel?
Appreciated? Celebrated? Like part of my inner circle?
That feeling becomes your design brief. The gift is the vehicle — but the emotion is the destination.
Even a simple touch, like one of our Connection Collection ceramics, can carry a powerful message when chosen with intention.
How to Build Your Gifting Game Plan
Here’s a simple process you can follow today:
- List your gifting priorities — clients, partners, team, event attendees, Christmas
- Decide the purpose for each group — thank-you, celebration, loyalty, recognition.
- Map your calendar — who gets what, and when.
- Start sourcing (or outsourcing) now — so it’s wrapped and ready before the Q4 rush.
Pro tip: Always add a handwritten note. It’s the human touch that creates loyalty, not just the object.
The Ripple Effect of Getting it Right
When you approach gifting with care and intention, you’re not just sending out a gift, you’re creating an emotional anchor in your client’s memory.
That anchor…
- Keeps them connected to you long after the project ends.
- Inspires them to recommend you.
- Turns “just a supplier” into “I’d never work with anyone else.”
Final Word
Q4 will come faster than you think. The founders who plan now will be the ones sending out gifts with confidence... not queuing at the Post Office on December 22nd.
Not sure where to start? I help founders create gifting strategies that align with their brand, their budget, and the feelings they want to leave behind. You can book a call here and let’s design a gifting plan that makes this Q4 your most memorable yet.