Two years ago I send clients Coach photo key fobs and tree ornaments, last year I got over a HUNDRED copies of the movie Elf on DVD and included a copy with each holiday card I sent. So you can see why this year was very difficult.

I had been looking at corporate gift catalogs, tossing around the ideas of branded etch-a-sketches (they are pretty cool), yo-yo’s, etc when I got a catalog in the mail from Plan Canada. Their marketing strategy – Gifts of Hope, was very effective on me – essentially it was a shopping catalog of different “gifts” I could buy for underdeveloped countries. Things like a goat ($75), birth certificate ($25), mosquito netting ($30) and they even have special gifts from their “Because I am a Girl” campaign like sewing machines ($90) and girls-only latrines ($100).

I decided then and there that THIS was what I wanted to give my clients this year, and where I wanted that budgeted money to go. So I chose mango trees ($12) and home-birthing kits ($25) and bought one for every client I had this year, and some of my favorites from years past. All in all I sent over 60 gifts, and it was such an amazing feeling. I feel 100% confident that this was the perfect choice of gift for my clients, and more importantly, the children they are helping. Each gift was donated in my client’s name, and Plan Canada sent me little note cards with all the information and client names printed on them, which I then just slid into my own Fresh Sugar Photography card and sent off!

I’ve also learned that Operation Smile has a similar type gift catalog, check it out: Operation Smile Gift Catalog

The response from clients has been overwhelming, and so moving. People are truly so thankful that I’ve done this, and I know that it is so much more appreciated than a new keychain. Next year when you are thinking about gifts for your photography clients, think about ethical gift-giving. It will make such a difference to both your clients and people you’ve never met.

The card image above is what I sent to clients, usually I am a stickler for having a generic “holiday” card, but couldn’t get this phrase out of my head. The template by Beyond Red and Green and is slightly modified. I actually have some of 2009′s holiday card left, so if you’d like to receive a card from me, please send me your address: brandy@twophotogs.com.

The site is Beyond Red and Green and you will think you’ve died and gone to heaven. They only sell to professional photographers, so you know that you are offering your clients unique designs that they can’t get on their own. Another thing that we absolutely love that they do there is allow you to buy one template at a time, instead of the whole set. We can’t tell you how many times we have bought a whole set only to use one or two cards and have the rest go to waste. No more! Yippee! They are actually having a pretty kick-ass sale over there right now on holiday cards – you can mix and match 10 designs from 2008 and 2009 for just $55. What makes it even sweeter is that they are also giving away the entire 2009 collection or a baby announcement set to two lucky Two Photogs readers! Just leave a comment with which set you’d pick if you won and we’ll see if we just can’t make it happen! Winners will be announced on Friday.