Wildly Different Newsletter
November 30, 2007
Published by Lisa Jennings
Give & Take
"I bought my brother some gift-wrap for Christmas. I took it to the Gift Wrap department and told them to wrap it, but in a different print so he would know when to stop unwrapping."
–Steven Wright
It's gift-giving season! Looking for some unique ways to show your appreciation? You can "wrap" things up nicely by using holiday gift tags to deliver these event ideas "from" you "to"...
Your Customers
Send a holiday print gift tag to each of your customers. Invite them to bring the gift tag into your establishment. They must draw out another gift tag from a wrapped box. If they draw out the match to their gift tag, they win a prize.
Alternatively, what if your goal isn't to get people into your establishment, it's to increase your marketing database? Mail holiday gift tags to your customers along with a postage paid envelope. Ask customers to fill their name and contact information in the "From" section of the gift tag. In the "To" section have them fill in the name and contact information of someone they know who would be interested in your establishment. Send a holiday gift, such as a "by invitation only" offer to the potential customers identified on the gift tags and a thank-you gift to all who filled in the gift tags.
Your Employees
Here's an idea for those who are tired of the usual White Elephant gift swap. Have each of your employees bring in a wrapped gift. Or, purchase and wrap a selection of gifts for your employees. Before placing the gifts on the gift table, put a gift tag on them. Place a matching gift tag in a wrapped box. For instance, if the gift tag on the box has a snowman on it, the gift tag that goes in the wrapped box also has the same snowman on it. As guests arrive at the party have them draw out a gift tag from the box. They must find the gift that has the same gift tag on it that they drew out of the box.
To make this a little more interesting, after everyone has found their gift have them draw another gift tag from a different wrapped box. Inside are sets of two matching gift tags. The number 1 is printed on one tag and the number 2 is printed on the matching tag. After all tags have been drawn, people must find their match. The person holding the tag marked number 1 gets to decide if they want to swap gifts with the person holding the matching tag marked number 2.
Your Friends & Family
Prepare nametags for your guests that look like a holiday gift tag. Include one picture on each nametag that depicts a different toy such as a toy soldier, a teddy bear, a sled, etc. Feature six different pictures in the array. As friends and family arrive at your party, have them choose a nametag that pictures the toy they would have most liked to receive when they were a kid. Have them write their name in the "From" section of the nametag. Ask them to find five other guests - one wearing each of the different pictures they don’t have on their nametag. So, if they are wearing a toy soldier, they must find one teddy bear, one sled, etc. Each of the people they find sign their name in the "To" section. When a guest has collected five different signatures, they turn their name into a prize drawing. The person who wins the prize drawing isn’t the only person who wins! Give each guest an ornament that matches his or her favorite toy. For instance, the person who chose a toy soldier nametag gets a toy soldier ornament.
Want a bundle of ideas for sales and marketing activities, corporate events or personal parties all wrapped up with a bow on it? Wildly Different has the perfect gift you can buy for yourself to make your job easier! Order one of our Ideas Calendars found at http://www.wildlydifferent.com/wildly-different-ideas-calendar.php for only $47 and get a year's worth of out-of-the-box ideas.