“Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.” These are wise and timeless words of advice from Mary Kay Ash and they are more powerful today than ever before! 

In a digitally crazed world, we crave connect and appreciation now more than ever! You and your sales team can stand out in 2026 as you love on your clients by expressing genuine thanks. Not only does it feel good to express gratitude, it also impacts the bottom-line! In fact, studies tell us that 68% of clients will leave and work with the competition and it has nothing to do with price! You could provide awesome service, awesome products, deliver on time, deliver on budget and event solve their problem BUT they will leave and go elsewhere if they feel unappreciated! Wow! That should make us stop dead in our tracks and prioritize our ‘thank you’ gifts as a serious strategy in the coming months! 

1. Use Appreciation to Reinforce Core Values 
Align gifts with your organization’s culture — thoughtful, high-quality items that communicate what you stand for. Consider fewer gifts with a higher perceived value or Canadian-made items, or gifts with a sustainable story for the most impact.  

2. Choose Gifts with Emotional Staying Power 
Cozy, comforting, or personalized items (blankets, mugs, journals) tend to be kept longer and spark warm emotional associations. Gifts that connect people like spice sets or movie popcorn bowls or puzzles create meaningful moments through tangible items. 

Pair promotional items with one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools you have at your disposal… personally handwritten notes! Notes stand out because people rarely take the time to do them and are often met with surprise. They are extremely powerful because they always get past the gatekeeper and are always read. Don’t underestimate the power of this marketing strategy! 

4.Use February as a Relationship Touchpoint 
Many people experience the winter blahs during the month of February. Use this time of year as an excellent way to surprise and delight prospects and existing clients! 

5. Send Branded Appreciation Kits 
Let us help you curate and send out kitted gifts of gratitude! Clients want and need to feel like you appreciate their support. Express your appreciation through useful, thoughtful and carefully selected items.  

As mum used to say, “It’s the thought that counts.” You don’t have to spend your entire marketing budget on gifts of appreciation, however allocating a portion of your marketing dollars is key to retaining that 68% that could slip away without recognition! 

Here are some gorgeous ideas below!