September Newsletter - Fall Start

Inevitable, and like clockwork, we transition into Autumn, providing us with opportunities to kick-start our next chapter.

As I think about future adventures, I have also been reviewing congratulatory messages as Green & Green approaches our 29th year. After spending half of my life as the Chief Gift Officer at Green & Green, the one thing that I have learned is you’ve got to love what you do; it makes for a happier person.

I am excited to share…. Drum roll please…

Our new packaging! Beautifully designed and inspired by the eye-catching leaves that we see on our hikes.

Additionally, check out some of our new offerings. They will be available next week. You will find delicious and beautiful gifts and gift boxes for one and all. I hope you liked our new baby gift offers launched last month.

Another School Year

The new school year touches each one of us. Kids are going to school and for many it could be new schools and new environments, including the 1st day of kindergarten.

The school year also dictates our work schedules and routines including traffic patterns. Let’s remember to be kind and patient as we navigate and forge new paths.

I hope this quote sets the tone for you:

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” - Amelia Earhart

Now is the time to shake the sand out of your shoes, sit down and start thinking about your fall start.

Back to Business

Businesses are ramping up with more meetings, conferences, and award presentations to bring people together. It's the time to recognize past successes and focus on the year ahead.

Here are 5 tips and ideas on how to stand out with your gifts that I learned from 29 years of gift giving.

Whether it be an award, speaker gift, branded merchandise or swag, your acknowledgement should shout out your appreciation, recognition and reward accomplishments.

1. When sending a gift, always keep in mind the reason and purpose. A gift is an investment that demonstrates your appreciation and thoughtfulness, offering tangible acknowledgement of a special occasion or a personal accomplishment.
   A thoughtfully chosen gift, respecting cultural etiquette can help build rapport and cement lasting professional relationships.
2. Share joy and make it memorable. Take the time to acknowledge special occasions like a job well done, a milestone reached, welcome a newborn, or to show your support during a time of personal grief. Employee appreciation programs that are tailored can impact performance and loyalty. Your onboarding gifts should be functional and useful. Celebrate your employees - everyone deserves appreciation.
3. Say it like you mean it. Make your gift more meaningful with your message - show you care and convey your sincerity. Ensure that you have the correct spelling of the person’s name and remember to sign off so that your gift is not a mystery that the recipient must solve. Additionally, if your writing is illegible then you have giventhem a Morse code to decipher.
4. As for baby gifts and wedding gifts, there is a rule of thumb. For baby gifts ensure that you have both of the new parents’ names. A possible note could say “Congratulations on the arrival of your bundle of joy”. Also, if there is an older child you may want to include a gift for the older child.
   For wedding gifts, address the gift to the couple even if you only know one name. “Congratulations to both of you on your wedding”. Get creative with your message and be inclusive.
5. Use humor only if you know the recipient well. And a late gift and note is better than no gift and note at all. Don’t start off with apologies either as it shifts the focus from the recipient. Remember the purpose of your gift.

Most importantly, if you are receiving a gift, always acknowledge the sender for their thoughtfulness. Over my 29 years, I have seen and heard of miracles with these two words – thank you.

After all happiness is …. the little things that make us smile.

Autumn also brings about celebration and harvest festivals. Celebrated by Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Hebrews and ancient Chinese these festivals evolved into what we celebrate as Thanksgiving in North America and throughout the world.

Thanksgiving is traditionally a family celebration and has spread to gift- giving to business associates, employee appreciation and friends by offering a small gift or a thank you note.

Be creative and add flair with theme driven gifts. No matter what your tradition, thoughtful gift giving is always appreciated and impactful.

Have fun as you dive into your Fall Start.

All my very best,