The Business of Giving

Gift-giver's block. Like writer's block, except instead of lack of words, it's defined by having no idea what to get your great aunt Melba for her birthday. The affliction is scary enough when you're wandering the Hallmark aisles 10 minutes before it closes, staring at bunch of animal-themed cards and trying to remember if Melba is the aunt who loves cats or the one that hates them. Even more frightening than last-minute cat decisons however, is that sometimes, gift-givers block can strike when picking out a good present happens to be part of your job.

There is a massive industry built around corporate gift-giving, but a wealth of choices doesn't always translate into easy selections of product. Not to mention that, just like a person may not be in touch with the wants of distant relatives, a boss or an H.R. director will sometimes have no clue what to get employees. Whether it's for years of service, holiday gifts or just a reward for meeting a company goal, if a client comes to you complaining "I need gifts, fast!" and you're short on ideas, here is a brief guide to get you started.

BAGS AND BRIEFCASES

Whether it's just running errands or a vacation overseas, a nice bag is sure to accompany end-users wherever they may travel. "Business bags can provide versatility for everyday use that most other business gifts cannot," said Dan Norris, president of Starline USA, Grand Island, N.Y. Think about all the different ways people use bags daily, or how much a nice set of luggage can make a trip less stressful, and you'll quickly see how bags and briefcases are a great option for business gifts.

As another perk, bags and briefcases are one of the more gender-inclusive business gifts out there, being suitable for both men and women. Billie Reise, marketing communications manager at Incentive Concepts, Maryland Heights, Mo., explained that this flexibility stems not only from bags overall utility, but also from freedom in their stylistic options. Bags and briefcases can easily be used with unisex designs in a business setting, or split up and tailored more toward each gender while still keeping the professional edge.