Larry Bodine Law Marketing Blog

Lawyers need to send "status obvious" gifts to clients, according to Kathryn E. Brown of The Write Word LLC.  If you send cheap monogrammed  gifts like hats or T-shirts, they can wind up in a charity thrift shop priced at 25 cents.  There's nothing worse than seeing a homeless guy wearing your law firm baseball cap.

"Gifts aren't worth giving if they aren't useful as well as impressive. In addition, gifts are sometimes better received if the tokens of appreciation aren't branded with a logo or name of any kind, which sends a message of selflessness," she writes.

Here's her top 10 list of best client Christmas gifts:

1. The Open-Top Tote by Lands' End
2. L.L. Bean's Weekend Blanket
3. A sophisticated Levenger fountain pen
4. Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies
5. The Greenbrier's fruitcake, made by real pastry chefs
6. An autographed cookbook by famous caterer Ina Garten of the Food Network's popular show, "Barefoot Contessa."
7. Dylan Lauren's Candy Bar of New York City (she is the daughter of fashion designer Ralph Lauren), available at Saks Fifth Avenue
8. Red Envelope Asian money tree in a sculptural pot
9. Vera Bradley  leather MP3 cases
10. Tiffany robin's egg blue Swiss movement clock.

Meanwhile, head out to that thrift shop and buy your cheap merchandise back!