A Bracelet for the Ages—The Beauty of a Meaningful Gift
Have you ever been lucky enough to receive a gift that you truly treasure? The kind of gift that evokes intense, enduring emotion associated with a special event or a special relationship? That’s precisely the kind of recipient experience the best gifts deliver. Indulge me while I share my own profound experience that left me speechless.
The gift was a bracelet to honor a milestone birthday. And while the hand-pressed design of sterling silver and sapphire in itself was lovely, it was actually the accompanying handwritten note that pierced my heart.
And as I don the bracelet almost every day, I replay that message in my head from my five closest friends who ignored the “no-gifts-please” request in the invitation to an intimate brunch honoring me. I still get goosebumps around the message, which I remember every day as I fasten it around my wrist: “Five links, five friends, five decades.” I am reminded daily of the circle of support these friends form around me.
I can’t be alone in this, can I? Tell me about the gift that stopped you in your tracks—the one you treasure not for what it is, but for what it means.
Barometer of Success
I share this story with you, having just completed the first release of holiday gifting—1,200 packages sent the Friday before Thanksgiving from a variety of clients across different industries. This began our super bowl of gifting to thank employees, clients, and partners.
Needless to say, it is a high-pressure time which our team powers through. The most rewarding part for us? Getting to see the results firsthand. Our inbox fills with messages from our clients sharing from their recipients the grateful emails, the surprised phone calls, the emotional thank-yous. This isn’t guesswork or hope; it’s intentional and strategic planning and turns into tangible proof that our collaborative efforts with clients create the emotional impact that contributes to deepening their relationships.
These compliments reinforce one of our key beliefs—the human need for acknowledgement, positive reinforcement, and appreciation. People are people first, so honoring them in a meaningful way beyond the value of their business relationship strengthens relationships. 
Out-of-the-Box Opportunities
While Thanksgiving through New Year’s is a wildly popular time for recognizing the people that matter most to your business, there’s an advantage to steering clear of the clutter to make your recognition moment stand out. Some of my clients have distinguished their celebration moment by choosing July 4th (2026 will be the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation), Valentine’s Day to show people love, Earth Day, State Fair (basket filled with tasty tidbits reminiscent of Minnesota’s best 10 days of the year), Autumn Solstice, and St. Patrick’s Day (luck of the Irish). Some clients choose to create special moments around no specific holiday.
One of our clients who knows what’s important to her client base, sent them a gift commemorating the inauguration. It’s all about understanding and honoring your clients’ values.
I encourage our clients to create handwritten notes with personalized comments. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon orders stationery (200-400) from us each year for sending personal thank-you notes to employees, clients, legislators, and political colleagues.
Rule of Three
As AI continues to evolve, our craving for authentic human relationships will grow. Think of gift giving as an investment in building and strengthening those relationships rather than an expense. Carve out a people-centered practice—recognition or gratitude—in your 2026 planning. Keep in mind three critical ways to make the practice authentic:
- Make it Relevant: Align the message with your company’s values and culture.
- Make it Meaningful: The item should represent a tangible connection between the recipient and the organization and should be physically functional or convey emotional satisfaction.
- Make it Purposeful: The item should be an intentional part of a plan to more fully engage and enrich communication between the recipient and the organization.
Juggling Act
Product selection, sourcing, packaging, messaging, and distribution details can sound a bit overwhelming. Outsourcing some or all of the process to an experienced partner can be a time (and life) saver. We’re here to help you make the people who matter feel like they matter. Let’s start a conversation. Call 800-742-6800 or email us today. For more information and tips for engaging the people that matter to your business, sign up for our monthly newsletter at askhillarys.com (bottom right corner of the page).
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