Physical gifts count

The end of December is almost here - the point where everyone shuts up shop, stops buying things, and settles into Christmas, Hanukkah, another festival of lights, or just some quiet.

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It’s also one of the better moments of the year to reconnect with the people you’ve worked with, and to send a bit of warmth their way.

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A small gift carries a surprisingly large message: I’m thinking of you. You matter. For the people who can shape your business, that’s not a small thing to say.

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There’s a practical side to it too. We’ve all had conversations that quietly stall - follow-ups go unanswered, calls that never quite get booked. Letting someone know a gift is on its way, and asking where to send it, often does what multiple emails couldn’t. People reply. And they remember they actually wanted to talk to you.

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It needn’t be expensive - something lavish would feel a bit odd. Aim for gifts that almost anyone would be glad to receive (not everyone drinks!).

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Mostly it’s about the gesture. So much of what we send now can be conjured up in seconds - even the personalised-looking notes. A real object, chosen with a little thought and sent to someone’s actual door, feels different precisely because it can't be automated.