Successful Realtors have one thing in common: the ability to stay top-of-mind. Holiday gifting is a great opportunity to thank clients for their business—not to mention, keep you on top of their referral list.
Knowing what to give can be tricky. Really good gifters pay attention to the recipient’s tastes, needs, and lifestyle. They also want to inject a touch of their own personality.
“I only give things that I love,” says Allie Beth Allman agent Ani Nosnik.
Among her go-tos: Helping Hands bronze sculptures made by local artist Jennifer Troice. Available in an array of mudras and colors, they’re both personal and collectible.
Nosnik discovered them at a Carefully Curated Luxury pop-up shopping event. “I buy a lot of those hands for my clients. It’s in my nature to be helpful, so they make a perfect gift.”
Other favorites are Maison Passage scarves—which, not coincidentally, are part of Nosnik’s signature look. “People have gotten to know me because I wear scarves all the time. When I give one, they feel like it’s part of me,” she says.
Designs feature pop culture icons—think John Lennon, David Bowie, Lady Gaga. “They’re fun and fashionable,” says Carefully Curated Luxury’s Nikki Solomon, the exclusive purveyor in Dallas. “I can hardly keep them in stock.”
Wine is another a staple in Nosnik’s arsenal.
“My husband is a wine collector. We like to give all types—French, California, Spanish, Italian.” She also makes hundreds of tamales during the holidays. “I take a big basket to the office. Everyone enjoys something that is homemade.”
Noknik is not alone gifting food and wine. According to Inman, 30 percent of all gifts fall in the edible/drinkable category.
Dave Perry Miller agent Tricia Weiner orders from Frog Hollow Farm, which features a variety of fresh fruits, cheeses, chocolates, and specialty items. “The mushroom and leek empanadas are incredible. They’re great for entertaining.”
Weiner’s philosophy on gifting is simple: “If I don’t like it, I’m not going to give it.”
Other picks feature her dachshund logo. This year, she’s doing YETI cups and Mia Mats custom doormats. Weiner also loves Papier’s personalized gratitude journals.
Gifts that give back are yet another option. “I give clients who play pickleball a racket from the Dallas company, Autside. Five percent of every purchase goes directly to charities supporting autism.”
Galaxy Modern/Briggs Freeman Realtor Janelle Alcantara is a fan of experiential gifts. For special clients, she’ll hire a personal chef to prepare dinners for six to eight guests. “They get to entertain friends and, at the same time, show off their new house.”
