Top 10 Gifts for Business Owners in 2024

Although we don’t need LinkedIn to remind us, their study showed that as many as 76% of those surveyed agreed that networking is something that helps you get ahead in business, and in life. Relationship building and networking are always a work in progress, whether you’re the CEO of a major corporation or an entrepreneur just starting out. 

Gifts are always a great way to strengthen a relationship, show appreciation, or even congratulate someone on their new business. However, it’s 2024 and the same old corporate gifting standbys might not be doing the trick anymore. When is the last time you gave a real, thoughtful gift in your networking efforts? 

The good news is that while the gifts may have changed, the process of selecting them hasn’t. Before we cover the top 10 gifts business owners will love, let’s go over the best practices for picking out business gifts. 

How to pick the best gifts

No two people are the same. Therefore, you’re not going to give the same gift to two different business owners unless you’re handing out leftover promotional gear from the storage closet and calling it a “gift”—you need to know how to pick the right gift for the right person. That includes:

• Choose something personal: Nothing is worse than getting a gift that looks and feels generic or thoughtless. Take the time to think about the recipient. 
• Select something useful and practical: Although gifts that look nice are nice enough, practical gifts are much more appreciated in business relationships. 
• Make it relevant to their business: It’s always a good idea to choose something relevant to the business, your relationship, etc. It goes back to showing you took the time to think about it and it will get their attention. 
• Get excited about it: Who doesn’t love gifting? If you’re excited about what you have to give, it will be that much more enjoyable. Make the shopping experience fun. 

And now, let’s look at the best gifts for business owners. 

The top 10 gifts for 2024

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Wall plaque for first dollar earned

This is a cute gift idea for anyone that is starting a business. Giving them a place to put their first dollar on display can be a permanent inspiration. If you know someone new to business, this could be the perfect gift. 

Branded coffee kits or water bottles

Branded items are always a hit because they show you went the extra mile. Anyone can get a gift, but to get a custom gift, it takes a special person. Coffee kits and water bottles are always appreciated, too, and they’re super trendy right now. 

Luxury planners, organizers, and journals

You can’t go wrong with some kind of luxury journal or organizer. Again, you can even take these a bit further by upgrading to customization and adding a business logo or name. Plus, they come in all styles and types imaginable, so you’re sure to find something for just about every taste. 

Essential oils and a diffuser 

The world is a lot more stressful than we’re used to. This means that something as simple as a diffuser with essential oils can make a big impression. It’s another simple gift that makes a good impression because you put thought into it. You’re also giving people the benefit of learning aromatherapy, so don’t forget that. 

Custom-branded gifts and promotional gifts

We’ve talked specifically about a couple of branded or custom options. However, the reality is that you can customize just about anything. Promotional and branded gifts are ideal for situations where you want to also build brand visibility and give people something unique. There are gifts in this category for all budgets and occasions, too. 

Self-care gift boxes

Consider making up a gift box that includes candles, snacks, and other self-care items that you know the recipient will enjoy. You can also buy these pre-made and gift them if you prefer. There are even places online that curate boxes like this for personal purchases and gifting alike, so be sure to check that out. 

Favorite things

Nothing is better than getting one of your favorite things as a gift from someone when you didn’t think they knew what you liked. Take the time to get to know people and find out their interests. That can make gifting a lot easier. Giving people their favorite snack, pen collection, or brand of scented oils can go a long way and goes back to putting thought into the gift. 

Event tickets

From football to the opera, event tickets have long been a big gift in the corporate world, and for good reason. Event tickets usually aren’t cheap. However, when you’ve got season tickets or you know someone who does, it can be easy to grab a pair of tickets to really thank someone for their efforts or show them how much you appreciate them.

Business card holders

Business card holders are always a safe bet when you’re looking for a small, simple gift to give. They come in all styles and you can even have them customized with a name, logo, or initials to add a special touch. They’re functional and always a favorite on the corporate gifting list. 

Business/entrepreneurial books

Books are always a great gift. And when they’re relevant to someone’s industry, even better. Business books are available by the truckload, but you’ll want to stick with popular titles or something you know they’ll like. A few ideas include:

• Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
• Daring Greatly, Brene Brown
• Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki

You can even choose audio books instead of printed books if you desire, or if your recipient prefers digital copies. 

What about the gift of no more lost leads?

While you’re planning out the gifting, let Smith.ai handle the incoming calls. In addition to setting you up with a 24/7 answering service, we can assist with outreach campaigns and lead intake so that you can focus on the business at hand. 

Learn more when you schedule a consultation or drop us a note at hello@smith.ai.

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