I need a good "Thank You" idea...

[ame]

So another vendor I know really well has been giving me an absolutely amazing amount of referral business for a while now, and while my sister and I both hired him for our own weddings, it's been a while since we got married. I know that if my brother ever gets married we'll obviously have him again for that, but til that happens, I'd like to do SOMETHING to say thank you for all the referral business. I was just there today, dropping some things off for an event this weekend, and while I was there, ANOTHER referral happened right then and there.

Any ideas? It's him and another guy, and they're the most amazing guys ever.

 

[rosetta]

My fave gift is a hamper of delicious food. Things like artisan breads, cakes, preserves, amazing chocolate, speciality coffees and teas etc etc.

Yum

 

[distracts]

A good bottle of scotch.

 

[webdiva]

Is there anything they like, any hobbies they do? Someone personal is always appreciated.

If you get anything delivered, I had Shari's Berries delivered to hubby's office for his bday and they come in a beautiful box and are DELICIOUS! HUGE, too! You can say something like "You've always been so sweet to send us so many referrals and we so appreciate it. Here is something sweet for you!" Here are some coupons for them, you have to actually click through on them to make them work:
http://www.chippmunk.com/sharis-berries-coupons/

I sent him a dozen and his coworkers got to enjoy them, too!

 

[ame]

Food is what I keep thinking. I don't know them well enough to know personal gifts. I kept thinking super really pretty flowers or food. Food always wins. haha!

Thanks!

 

[webdiva]

Food is what I keep thinking. I don't know them well enough to know personal gifts. I kept thinking super really pretty flowers or food. Food always wins. haha!

Thanks!

Click on the Strawberries top nav and go down to Proflowers and Strawberries - you can send both!

I think most people just want to hear that they're appreciated and it's just a small token of that thanks...a formal way to show that you went out of your way to show them that they're special.

BTW - the berry box reminded me of the James Allen one, just not quite so posh! Almost, though!

 

[MissGotRocks]

A great restaurant gift card is always appreciated and used!

 

[SB621]

A great restaurant gift card is always appreciated and used!

This!

If you want options though I really like the Wolferman's gift baskets. Great breads!

 

[Enerchi]

IS there a catering company that could provide them with a lovely lunch one day? (unless he's a caterer --- then ---ooops!!)

Tickets to an event? concert, sports or show?

Balloon a gram (or is that too stupid and 'cutesy'?)

I have a sketchy memory but are you in paper/invitations--- that kind of thing? Could you put together some presentation/scrapbook idea type collection that is really totally OTT and that showcases his business and have it in his shop to display? "Working with the guys at XYZ was a great experience" - that kind of thing....

Just rambling thoughts.... good luck with finding the right thing but knowing you appreciate them and their referrals and this is coming from your heart, will mean a lot more than anything else, to them!!! You are a very generous person to do that!!

 

[megumic]

Nice basket of food. Think Harry and Davids.

I like the idea of tickets to a sporting event or concert as well. Also gift card to a nice restaurant is a great idea too.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Ame, I'm not sure how much you want to spend, but I give a lot of Tiffany key rings. I think they start around a hundred bucks a pop and everyone I've ever given one to just loved it! Plus, it's a constant reminder, so they will think of you often!

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

A great restaurant gift card is always appreciated and used!

Yes this! Or double passes to the local Gold Class Cinema with a drinks voucher. We recieved one if these recently and while I wouldn't normally blow $100 on a night at the movies myself I am really looking forward to using these tickets!!

 

[DiaDiva]

Ame, I'm not sure how much you want to spend, but I give a lot of Tiffany key rings. I think they start around a hundred bucks a pop and everyone I've ever given one to just loved it! Plus, it's a constant reminder, so they will think of you often!

I agree with Dee Jay. I was given one in 2002 when we moved into our new home and I'm still using it today. Great gift.

 

[Malbec54]

Food and/or alcohol is always a hit for gifts.

I've sent items online from:
Dean and DeLuca
Shari's Berries
Mrs. Prindables
Edible Arrangements
La Tienda
Georgetown Cupcakes

Other gifts you can buy:
Movie and Popcorn GC (can buy at AMC theaters)
Wine and Chocolate basket
Themed basket (Italian, Sweets, Spanish) I usually purchase items from a gourmet store, or World Market
Morton's/Ruth's Chris GC (or any favorite restaurant)

Another idea is I've purchased a GC from a place called "The Grooming Lounge" which is specifically for men, but is local to my area. Do you have anything similar in your area? Or you could do a GC for Massage Envy which I think is a chain....

 

[ame]

Ame, I'm not sure how much you want to spend, but I give a lot of Tiffany key rings. I think they start around a hundred bucks a pop and everyone I've ever given one to just loved it! Plus, it's a constant reminder, so they will think of you often!

I agree with Dee Jay. I was given one in 2002 when we moved into our new home and I'm still using it today. Great gift.

I kinda like this idea. I have been bouncing around with the food and gift certificate ideas a lot as well...

I like this one, it's simple. It's two men that work together there that I mostly work with that do most of the referrals I get, one especially. I don't want to be OVERT that it's Tiffany and this seems subtle. Would there be a better suggestion of the selections?

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=30556313&mcat=148212&cid=297640&fromGrid=1&search_params=s+5-p+1-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

 

[VRBeauty]

I think that's a great choice - this would be my second choice among the Tiffany keyrings:
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...params=s+5-p+4-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

It sounds like these are two employees at a larger business, so you might want to think of workplace dynamics a bit too... like maybe an edible bouquet or something that the whole office can enjoy and something special for the person(s) who have been particularly supportive of you - even if that means scaling back the individual gifts a bit? Just a thought... and I'm not even sure it's a good one.

 

[Enerchi]

This is also tasteful and masculine:
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP05210&mcat=148212&cid=297640&search_params=s+5-p+4-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+
or this - I like the look of this with the smooth ring!
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=30556321&mcat=148212&cid=297640&search_params=s+2-p+1-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

 

[iheartscience]

What about this one and you could get it engraved with their last name initial in a masculine font? That way it's less about the brand name. The others seem very logo heavy and also not very masculine IMO.

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...params=s+5-p+2-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

This is another more masculine one that can also be engraved:
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...params=s+5-p+6-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

 

[ame]

Yes they are two that work among several. They just do the most for me, esp the one specific guy. So maybe Ill send an edible arrangement or Shari's Berries or something similar to the whole group and then hand deliver something like these keyrings to the two guys that have done the most for me.

I like these two a lot...I feel like if I get the leather ones that they won't last or hold up like the metal. I dunno.

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=25509005&mcat=148212&cid=297640&fromGrid=1&search_params=s+5-p+6-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=30556313&mcat=148212&cid=297640&fromGrid=1&search_params=s+5-p+1-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

 

[Dee*Jay]

I really like the Zellige!

My experience has only been with the metal ones, so I don't know how well the leather holds up, but I still think metal is the better choice. BTW, just in case you go and look at the ones with metal balls on the ends, I advise against those because the threads where the balls are screwed on tend to strip over time and the balls (and therefore the keys!) fall off.

I have a business account at Tiffany because I buy 20+ closing gifts a year from there. Not sure if have any interest in going that route, but you can save a % off of their gift items (unfortunately not diamonds or other jewelry though--just things like key rings and pens). If you plan to give more things like this in the future it may be worth looking into.

 

[ame]

How entailed is the business account thing? Is there like a credit check and all that? I would just link it to my Amex.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I did this about 10 years ago and I honestly don't remember the process... Sorry not to be of more help on that front, but they should be able to tell you over the phone what all is involved. It's also great becuase you can call in your order, have it rung up in advance, and just grab it at the pick up window all wrapped up and ready to go. No waiting around (which is key if you're parked in a tow zone right off of Michigan Avenue, LOL!).

 

[ame]

I might call and ask about it. I don't expect this to be routine but 15% would be nice. I applied for one, I figure its worth a shot to get thank you gifts with.

DH just told me he thinks this idea is ridiculous and overly spendy....

 

[Dee*Jay]

I might call and ask about it. I don't expect this to be routine but 15% would be nice. I applied for one, I figure its worth a shot to get thank you gifts with.

DH just told me he thinks this idea is ridiculous and overly spendy....

I'm about to say something slightly snotty (I warn you in advance!) for the purpose of making a point: Does he feel all the referrals you get are also ridiculous?*

In my experience, an unexpected and genuinely NICE gift goes a LONG LONG LONG way in a relationship. Seriously, I could give out $20 bottles of wine and my clients would be perfectly happy, but I see their faces light up EVERY TIME I put out a Tiffany box--the men too. And I have run into people in random places (grocery stores, airports, etc.) and had themwhip their keys out of their pockets just to show me they have the keyring with them.

That being said, a Tiffany keyring is not the only gift in town (this is just the one that works FOR ME), so if you, or anyone else, has/have a better idea, go for it, because I feel that any nice gift will get your message across.

Sorry about the long-winded reply, buy I do feel strongly about the value of a good thank you token.

*Please apologize to your husband for me for being rude to him!

 

[VRBeauty]

Honestly, I like the "1873" key ring you chose the best. It's understated and subtle and not at all cliche. I was just pointing out the leather ones as a less pricy alternative.

 

[ame]

Honestly, I like the "1873" key ring you chose the best. It's understated and subtle and not at all cliche. I was just pointing out the leather ones as a less pricy alternative.

I went today to try to see some in person, and ended up not getting to see as many as I'd like. Our local store is a joke for stuff ever being stocked. In person I did not love the leather ones for a gift. For ME absolutely . But I saw this in person:
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=28695888&mcat=148212&cid=297640&search_params=s+5-p+1-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

Which they only had bec it was returned, and while the price kind of ruled it out, I did not care for it at all.



And this n person:
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=13200424&mcat=148212&cid=297640&search_params=s+5-p+1-c+297640-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

Which again is a little above what I WANTED to spend but I LOVED it. And love that those two additional key rings on top can be removed if he doesn't want to use them.

I might have the salesperson bring in all of the ones I like and line them up, and then select two. I think I want to select a nicer one for the one that REALLY helps me, and a slightly lower priced one for the other guy who also helps me. Or should I get them both the same? Gah!

I am going to wait for my application to go through and then do it. I do want them to be sent here for pickup so I can take them in person.

 

[Hospatogi]

Are you in the tri state area by any chance? There is a waterford warehouse sale going on in southern NJ until the end of March. They have really beautiful things for the home and office at 75% off retail prices!

 

[ame]

Are you in the tri state area by any chance? There is a waterford warehouse sale going on in southern NJ until the end of March. They have really beautiful things for the home and office at 75% off retail prices!

Nope, in the midwest, unfortunately. I also learned today that unless I put Internet Exploder on one of my machines (which will NEVER happen), I cannot log in to my business account online.