Christmas creeps up faster every year, especially when you are flat out sorting pre-festive emergencies and last-minute jobs. However, in the middle of the chaos, it is always worth taking a moment to thank the people who kept you busy all year. If you’re looking for inspiration on how you can do that, then read on, as we’ve shared everything we know about client gift ideas for tradespeople. The best news is that a thank you doesn’t have to empty the petty cash tin!

Keep It Simple with Low-Cost Gestures

You don’t need to spend a fortune to show your clients you appreciate them. Often, it is the small, yet personal touches that mean the most.

• A quick handwritten note with your final invoice of the year
• A friendly thank you text or email
• Send a short voice note to long-standing clients, which feels more personal than a typed message.

Small gestures, like these, show genuine appreciation but cost nothing!

Offer Something Useful Rather Than Flashy

Most customers would prefer something practical over something fancy. As a trade business, you can share helpful advice that genuinely solves a problem.

• A winter maintenance checklist
• Simple tips to stop the classic cold-weather breakdowns

Your expertise is often more valuable to clients than anything wrapped with a bow, which is why they make great client gift ideas for tradespeople.

You could also consider offering a small discount on January work (for returning clients), a month which can often be quieter for many trades.

Support Local While Saying Thanks

Keeping your gestures local shows you care about the area you work in as much as you do about the people you work for.

• Use a local designer or printer to create your Christmas cards or thank you slips. We highly recommend Wilson Design for all your printing requirements.
• Make a small donation to a local charity on behalf of your customers. You can tell them you’ve done this in your Christmas cards or on social media.
• Trawl through your little black book of contacts and recommend other trusted local suppliers or tradespeople in a simple one-page “local favourites” sheet.

These ideas help you thank your clients while also giving something back to your community.

Know the Rules

As bookkeepers for tradespeople, we think it’s important to share a little bit about tax rules. Read on for a few tips to help you stay on the right side of HMRC and avoid surprises later.

1. It’s business, not personal

A small Christmas thank-you to a loyal client is fine, but buying your friends and neighbours gifts on the company card? Definitely a no-no!

2. The price must be right

The cost must be below £50 per client, per year. If your gift exceeds this amount, it won’t qualify as a tax-deductible expense.

3. Name that food… Or wine!

Remember that you cannot claim alcohol, food, and drink as a tax-deductible expense unless the gifts are branded with your company logo. A branded tin of mints works; a supermarket box of chocolates doesn’t.

4. Shameless self-promotion

Items that serve as advertising, such as branded pens, notebooks, magnets, or small tools, can generally be claimed as business expenses.

5. Watch the VAT threshold

You can reclaim VAT on client gifts as long as the total cost per person does not exceed £50 in any 12 months. Over that amount, VAT may need to be accounted for.

6. Keep the paper trail

Clear records make your bookkeeper’s job easier and help keep your year-end tidy.

7. Staff Gifts Play by Different Rules

If you also give gifts to employees or regular subcontractors, separate rules apply, often covered by trivial benefits. These do not apply to client gifts. Find out more about gifts for your team in this article from the archives.

Wrap Up the Year on a Good Note

Saying thank you at Christmas does not need to be costly or complicated. A small gesture, something practical or a thoughtful local treat can go a long way in keeping clients loyal and encouraging repeat work in the new year.

And while you are looking after your customers, make sure your own business gets some attention too. If you want straightforward bookkeeping with no confusing jargon, get in touch. We help keep your records tidy so you can spend more time on the tools and less time buried in paperwork.