Six years ago, with the Internet slowly creeping into our lives (and our business) I sensed change was in the air, as far as my clients annual holiday gifts were concerned. So I conducted a not so scientific study by sending out a postage-paid questionnaire to active and closed clients asking for their input about what they would like to receive from me as my year-end gift. First they said thank goodness I sent them a good-looking calendar and not the magnets and silly notepads that screamed, "It's all about me, your real estate agent."

But, they went on to say, that my calendar really didn't cut it either. It merged with the pile of other calendars from their insurance agent, paper boy, and other home-related service providers. So I asked, "What do you want?" B"e creative, but it has to be about us."

The good thing was I did my focus-group in August, so I had time to "be creative." The biggest problem was how do I give as much bang for the ten bucks I spend per client. Then I decided, I can't hide how much I spend. Why not give the ten bucks and find something that my clients would appreciate during the harried holiday season. Starbucks gift certificates.

That was the revelation, something they could treat themselves to, and I couldn't even have my name embossed on the gift card! I dutifully went to Starbucks one late November morning and bought a pile of ten dollar gift cards. I picked up some clear business card holders at the office supply store and put them on the inside flap of my holiday cards. I put my business card behind the gift card. And off they went the first of December. Score! The emails starting flowing in, thank-you, we love it, we talked about you when we stopped for coffee while shopping, we used it as an excuse not to go shopping, our friends thought it was so cool. And it wasn't about me. I got it. Here are some additional holiday gift ideas for clients that are about them.

• Zaggat restaurant guide, for your city or a nearby one.

• Subscription to local city magazine.

• Entertainment coupon-savings book.

• Photo frames.

• Nice stationary.

• Locally made candy, candles, jams, and baked goods.

• Car wash gift certificates.

• A note that you made a donation to a local food pantry in place of your gift.

• Cookie or fruit baskets.

• Holiday season blooming plant.

• Gift cards from a variety of places.

Published: October 30, 2006

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Mark Nash is a Chicago-based residential real estate author, broker and columnist. Mark's analysis, tips and trends are featured in national magazines, newspapers, on network and cable television. His annual year-end forecast; "What's In, What's Out with Homebuyers" is utilized by more than 500 news organizations in North America. Mark's books include: 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home, Real Estate A-Z for Buying & Selling a Home, Fundamentals of Marketing for Real Estate Professionals, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate and Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing. He is broker associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and his real estate analysis has been featured on: Bloomberg Television, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, HGTV.com, The New York Times, The Today Show, and The Washington Post. The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. featured Nash in March 2007. You can contact Mark at .