15 Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas for Clients

From an eco-friendly branded care package to a personal development book, discover the thoughtful and affordable gift ideas these experts suggest for the holiday season

In search of the perfect holiday gift for clients under $100, we turned to fifteen business leaders and owners for their top recommendations. From an eco-friendly branded care package to a personal development book, discover the thoughtful and affordable gift ideas these experts suggest for the holiday season.

  • Eco-Friendly Branded Care Package
  • Travel Hammock 
  • Custom-Labeled Wine Bottle
  • Celebrity Videos
  • Custom-Printed Office Accessories
  • Industry Magazine Subscription
  • Gourmet Food Basket Delight
  • Personalized Cheese Board
  • Custom Leather Notebook or Planner
  • Discount on Next Service
  • Smart Home Device Gift
  • Custom Blankets 
  • Online Course 
  • Artisan Sweets or Custom-Engraved Pens
  • Personal Development Book 

   ECO-FRIENDLY BRANDED CARE PACKAGE

One thoughtful gift under $100 that’s always well-received is a personalized, eco-friendly care package. At DasFlow, we like to include a reusable water bottle branded with our logo, organic snacks, and perhaps a small, sustainably made piece of our custom athleisure wear like a beanie or a pair of socks

This accomplishes several things: it’s practical, underlines our commitment to sustainability, and subtly keeps our brand in the client’s mind. Plus, who doesn’t love a good care package? It’s a win-win for building relationships and brand alignment.

So, if you’re pondering holiday gifts, consider something that reflects your brand values while offering practical utility. It leaves a lasting impression without breaking the bank.

Nicolas Krauss, Founder and CEO, dasFlow Custom Athleisure Apparel

   TRAVEL HAMMOCK

A travel hammock is a delightful gift under $100 for clients who enjoy the great outdoors. It offers the perfect opportunity for them to relax, unwind, and soak in the natural beauty of their next holiday destination. 

Compact and easy to pack, a travel hammock can be strung up between trees, by a lake, or even on a balcony. It’s a gift that encourages clients to pause, connect with nature, and create lasting memories during their adventures, making it a wonderful addition to their outdoor gear.

John Murphy, Owner, eBike Generation

A bottle of wine makes a lovely holiday gift under $100 for clients. It’s a thoughtful choice that shows clients you appreciate them. It is also a good option because it is an item that includes an experience, as it invites clients to celebrate the holidays with a toast. We also add a custom label that features our branding, as well as holiday wishes.

Sara Bandurian, Operations Supervisor, Online Optimism

   CUSTOM-LABELED WINE BOTTLE

I dislike cheesy Christmas gifts from business partners. They’re always something that gets thrown in a closet or desk drawer and never used again. It’s just material junk. That’s why I prefer more experiential and memorable gifts. 

Honestly, my go-to gift over the last couple of years has become celebrity videos through the Cameo app. You can hire a C-list celebrity to send your client or business partner a message. I usually ask the celebrity to send a lighthearted, funny message—something short and witty. The best part is that a lot of times, you can strike a deal with these lower-level celebrities for package bundles. 

Last year, I scored a deal with actor John Ross Bowie (who plays Kripke on The Big Bang Theory) to create a bundle of videos for a reduced price of $50 each. The videos were a play on my name (John Ross), and my business partners loved it. It was a huge hit. I’ve never seen so many “LOL” email replies in my life. It was much more memorable than a basic gift off Amazon.

John Ross, CEO, Test Prep Insight

   CUSTOM-PRINTED OFFICE ACCESSORIES

Custom-printed office accessories speak volumes about how much you value your clients. You could have them printed with a specific quote you two have discussed or a milestone you’ve helped them achieve. 

Either way, it’s a sincere gift that shows you pay attention to the details of your professional relationship. Gifting office items, like planners or tumblers, costs less than $100 and really drives home your wishes for your client to succeed in their business endeavors.

Michael Nemeroff, CEO and Co-Founder, Rush Order Tees

   INDUSTRY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

A subscription to a business or industry magazine is a thoughtful and unexpected gift for clients. It offers long-term value and knowledge, allowing clients to stay updated on industry trends, gain insights, and expand their professional network throughout the year. 

For example, a client in the finance industry may appreciate a subscription to “Financial Times,” providing them with valuable market analysis. It shows thoughtfulness and investment in the client’s success, setting you apart from typical holiday gifts.

Yoana Wong, Co-Founder, Secret Florists

   GOURMET FOOD BASKET DELIGHT

At the holidays, nothing beats a beautifully-presented gourmet food basket stuffed with tasty delicacies like chocolates, cookies, almonds, and gourmet popcorn. Clients that value diversity in their premium snacks will be quite satisfied with this service. This thoughtful gift will also be budget-friendly and can get you a handful of snacks for $100 or less.

Dr. Thanu Jey, Medical Director and Founder, MediBrace

   PERSONALIZED CHEESE BOARD

A great gift under $100 for clients during the holidays is a personalized cheese board. This would be an effective choice that would still satisfy any budget. It can be customized to the recipient’s liking, making it a unique and thoughtful present. 

Choose from different design options like cherry wood with intricate engravings or walnut with gold lettering. The board can even include a built-in knife-set compartment or ceramic utensils like spatulas or laughing spreaders so the client can show off their delicious creations when entertaining or having family get-togethers!

Carly Hill, Operations Manager, Virtual Holiday Party

   CUSTOM LEATHER NOTEBOOK OR PLANNER

A personalized leather notebook or planner is a thoughtful gift under $100. It’s practical for business professionals and can be customized with the client’s initials or company logo, adding a personal touch. Such a gift shows appreciation and can be used throughout the year, keeping your brand or company top of mind.

Einav Biri, CEO, FARUZO

   DISCOUNT ON NEXT SERVICE

Gift clients a discount on their next service. This offer is an opportunity to show appreciation for loyal customers, build on relationships, and reinforce their place in the community. 

During the holiday season, clients are most likely spending more than usual—alleviating the financial burden to make services more affordable will be met with joy.

Shelley Hancock, Founder and President, Shelley Hancock

   SMART HOME DEVICE GIFT

A considerate and technologically adept holiday present that I would suggest to clients is a smart home device—specifically, a smart speaker—like the Google Nest Mini or Amazon Echo Dot. These devices provide a variety of practical functionalities, encompassing weather forecasts, news briefings, and voice-activated home automation and music. They enhance the efficiency and enjoyment of daily existence.

They are exceptionally affordable, falling comfortably within the $100 budget, which showcases your thoughtfulness regarding the comfort and convenience of your clientele. This gift option is both practical and elegant, demonstrating your dedication to remaining updated on technological trends while improving their daily routines.

Steven Athwal, Managing Director and Tech Enthusiast, The Big Phone Store

   CUSTOM BLANKETS

During the holiday season, finding the perfect gift for clients can be a challenge. You want to show your appreciation for their support throughout the year, while also giving them something that is both meaningful and practical. Custom blankets are a great option as they provide warmth and comfort, while also being a personalized gift that your clients will cherish. 

Custom blankets are more than just a generic gift. We can customize them with your client’s name, company logo, or even a special message. This personal touch adds a unique and thoughtful element to the gift, making it stand out from other gifts they may receive during the holidays.

Zach Shelley, Founder and CEO, A-List Properties

   ONLINE COURSE

A thoughtful gift for your clients during the holidays could be an online course tailored to help them advance or diversify their skills within their niche. Whether it’s a marketing masterclass, coding for beginners, or a creative writing workshop, you can find high-quality courses under $100 on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Skillshare.

It’s a valuable gesture that demonstrates your commitment to their success, making it a memorable and practical present. Plus, it’s a flexible option, allowing them to learn at their own pace and convenience.

Harry Morton, Founder, Lower Street

   ARTISAN SWEETS OR CUSTOM-ENGRAVED PENS

The best holiday gifts are something a client can enjoy over a few days, but that won’t add to the clutter in their office. You can’t go wrong with locally bought salted caramels, artisan chocolates, or fudge. If you really want to make an impression, make it homemade fudge. My second-favorite choice would be something that a client is likely to use every day and doesn’t take up too much space, like a custom-engraved pen set.

Chloe Brittain, Owner, Monday Roadmap

   PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOK

Warren Buffet once said, “By far, the best investment you can make is in yourself,” which is why one gift that I recommend for clients during the holidays is a great personal development book.

With the additional holiday time to relax and recharge, I like to encourage clients to also use the opportunity to invest some time in their own personal growth. A great personal development book, written in everyday language with thought-provoking exercises and practical advice, can expose clients to new ways of thinking that may have a positive impact on their self-awareness, personal relationships, business opportunities, or general approach to life.

Adding a handwritten note to each client inside the cover of the book is an additional touch that makes the gift that bit more personal, showing an appreciation for each individual client and genuine care for their happiness and well-being.

Riley Beam, Managing Attorney, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.

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