Luxury Gifts for Business Partners To Strengthen Your Alliance

Benefits

There are strong benefits to giving a luxury gift to your business partner.

Strengthened Relationships

Showing this respect and gratitude through a premium gift will strengthen the relationship between the two of you.

Memorable Impressions

You don’t want to spend time and money on a gift only to have it forgotten shortly afterward, or never thought of again. Luxury makes a lasting impression.

Personal Use & Display

Your business partner will use or see the item regularly, remembering your sentiment regularly too.

Special Occasion Appropriate

A luxury gift fits any occasion, from a birthday or anniversary to a holiday, to congratulations on a new achievement or milestone in business or personal life through retirement.

Compatibility with Top Brands

Most luxury goods are designed to complement or elevate other top brands, making them fit in well with designer suits, premium desk sets, and other luxury items.

Tangible Expression of Value

It’s not all about the cost of the gift, but the combination of putting careful thought into purchasing a high-end luxury gift, sends a clear message of value and appreciation.

Promotion of Mutual Growth

The strengthening of the relationship, the appreciation of a beautiful, premium item, and the fact that you put the thought into choosing the perfect item can all help inspire your partner to common goals of business excellence.

How to Choose

Relationship Depth

Choose a gift that matches your intimacy level with your business partner. If you have just met, the gift might be something more generic, like a luxury pen or desk set. If you know them better, a premium pen, piece of art, or even a luxury experience, might be better.

Cultural Sensitivity

Some cultures have complex etiquette surrounding the giving and receiving of gifts. If your business partner is from a different culture than you, you may want to research their culture and its understanding of gift-giving. This may be as simple as conversing with someone else who shares their culture.

Personal Preferences

It is always better to choose a gift with the recipient’s personal preferences in mind. Consciously consider what they wear, do, and enjoy before you review the options. If you are unsure of their preferences, then more traditional, neutral gifts are better – or perhaps something consumable, like a gift basket.

Brand Representation

The brand of the item you buy should reflect your company’s ethos. If your company values sustainability, for example, make sure to choose a sustainably produced gift. You might even want to incorporate your brand on an item. If your company’s brand is bold and aggressive, you could mimic that on an item, but in most cases, subtle and classy is the best way to go.

Utility

Most luxury items are beautiful, that’s a given – so your main consideration is utility. Items that are used daily are best, like day planners, tech gadgets, or card holders. This will bring your thoughtfulness to mind regularly as it is used.

Exclusivity

Exclusivity increases perceived value, so look for limited-edition things, or create a rare or unique item with some personalization or other custom features.

Budget

Know what your budget is, going in. There are luxury items available for high, medium, and low-level budgets. The key to getting the most for your money is a combination of careful thought to choosing a meaningful gift, and taking advantage of personalization and premium gift wrapping to make it even more special.

Artisanal Over Mass-Produced

Artisanal gifts are a good way to combine exclusivity and value for money. Luxury items, created by skilled craftspeople, may have a significant price tag, but they are also exclusive, often very durable, and give good value for money.

The Power of Personalization

Personalization does more than just make an item more exclusive; it also shows that you took the time and money necessary to add it. Whether it is initials, a name, a sentiment, or a favorite quote, the power of personalization is undisputed.

Experience is Priceless

You may prefer to give a luxury experience, other than an item. Consider wine-tasting events, gourmet meals, or a masterclass in a subject area of interest – perhaps adding to knowledge in the company’s market area as an added bonus.

The Elegance of Understatement

Subtlety and elegance are usually more powerful than ostentatiousness. Those who recognize and appreciate quality will notice it and appreciate the gentle hand.

Consider the Packaging

First impressions are powerful, and that’s true with gifts too. Set the stage for delight with premium wrapping to create the full unboxing experience.

Eco-Luxury is In

Sustainability and ethical production used to be the opposite of people’s ideas of real luxury, but that is true no more. Many high-end companies align themselves with principles of sustainable, eco-friendly, and ethical sourcing and production – watch for them when choosing the gift.

Trends Aren't Always Timeless

Most trends are hot for a moment, then go out of style. Choose styles with timeless, classic appeal to avoid an expensive gift becoming useless.

The Thought Behind Matters

Including the story behind an item’s development or design, or the origin story of a popular brand name, can add value to a gift at no additional cost to you. This knowledge can make the gift that much more special.

Types

Within the luxury gift world, there are many types of gifts, each with its own advantages. Let’s look at some of them and the benefits these specific gifts bring to the table.

Executive Pens

A popular business gift, these pens add elegance and gravitas to the signing of documents. They are like jewelry with an important practical and ceremonial function.

Cufflinks

Excellent for businesses frequently attending formal events, cufflinks are an acceptable place to add bling and personal expression to the subtle variations in men’s formalwear. Add a company logo or colors in precious stones to “link” them to the company itself.

Desk Accessories

A luxury paperweight, pen set, nameplate, or antique-style mini-globe are among the items that can bring a sense of tradition and reliability to a desk or office. Luxury desk accessories are seen and used almost daily, making them a great way to continually express appreciation and encouragement.

Handcrafted Bags

Consider a hand-crafted, luxury bag. From totes to briefcases, there is a wide range of styles and function specialties to choose from.

Timepieces

Watches, now more than ever, are symbols of status and success. Giving the gift of a luxury watch is a way to tell your business partner that they’ve made it to the big leagues – or that they’re destined to do so.

Alternatives

In case you’ve read through some gift ideas, and found some interesting, but haven’t seen that item that really spoke to you as the best gift for your business partner, we’ve included some alternatives here, many of them creative twists on popular gift ideas.

Premium Stationery

High-end stationery is luxurious but can be impersonal. Consider commissioning custom stationery with your business partner’s name, title, and company logo on it.

Exquisite Timepieces

If you know your partner doesn’t like to wear a watch, consider a desktop timepiece with clear glass sides to show the beauty and intricacy of the internal works. A high-quality wall clock can also add elegance and interest to an office or waiting room.

Fine Liquor and Gourmet Baskets

If your partner is a connoisseur of a particular type of spirit or is a foodie, you might give them a bottle of something, or a food basket – but you may not know what to choose unless you are an expert yourself. An alternative gift would be to give them a whiskey-tasting experience, or a gourmet cooking class, to help them expand and develop their interest.

Art and Décor

Buying art for someone else can be tricky, even if we know them well. To avoid buying something they feel obligated to display somehow, but would rather not, you can pay for a commissioned work, but have your business partner give the brief to the artist.

High-end Gadgets

If your business partner is into technology, but already has all of the gadgets and devices they need, why not up the elegance level of those devices with a personalized tablet sleeve or laptop case? Elegance, uniqueness, and the important function of protecting important devices – a great all-around gift idea.

Luxury Travel Essentials

Is work travel a significant part of your business partner’s job or personal life? If so, consider buying a set of personalized travel accessories – passport holder, luggage tags, luxury carry-on, toiletries kit – to make travel luxurious and enjoyable.

Post Purchase Considerations

Cultural Sensitivities

Avoid giving wine to a non-drinker or someone in recovery, animal products to a vegan, or high-calorie treats to someone trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

Over or Under Gifting

Try to choose a gift that isn’t overwhelming to the recipient, like something extravagantly expensive for a birthday – this can be seen as an attempt to influence, rather than a show of appreciation. Likewise, make sure the gift is thoughtful and valuable enough to convey sincere sentiments of value and appreciation.

Personalization vs. Professionalism

Don't get too personal Unless you are close friends outside of work. Express professional sentiments with profession-related gifts.

Quality and Authenticity Concerns

In this context, opting for well-known, reliable brands is usually best. These companies have a reputation to protect, which usually translates into high-quality items, and high levels of before- and after-purchase customer service.

Presentation Matters

Finally, don’t forget to opt for premium gift wrapping where possible. Start with a great first impression and set yourself up for great success in your careful gift choice.

FAQs

How do I choose the right gift for my business partner?

Consider what you know of your business partner and tie the gifts to interests, styles, and your professional relationship.

Is it possible to customize or personalize these gifts?

All Von Baer products can be personalized, making them an excellent gift.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article on picking a luxurious gift for your business partner.

If you have any questions or comments, contact us at info@vonbaer.com, or leave them in the comments.

Author: Albert Varkki

Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you.

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