Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for many reasons—family, food and football to name a few—but perhaps the most important reason that Thanksgiving is such a special holiday is because it represents a day that reminds us to be grateful for the gifts life has bestowed upon us. For advisors, clients represent a source of financial security for their families, professional fulfillment and close and enduring friendships. For this reason, it is a special time for you to host a customer appreciation event.

There are numerous ways to express client appreciation this Thanksgiving, limited only by your imagination and your budget.

Here are some ideas to get your thinking started:

• Client family event that features an outdoor space for food, games and music. Think about connecting with a local farm that already offers family-oriented activities, such as corn mazes, hayrides and pumpkin picking. Add some catered food and a DJ, and you have the makings of a fun day for everyone.
• Client appreciation dinner (no turkey!) that offers an opportunity for clients to mingle and learn. Consider bringing in a local charity to discuss the season’s needs, how the community can help and maybe add a short presentation on legacy planning. Consider a small takeaway gift from a local farmer or small business owner that will complement your clients’ Thanksgiving dinners.
• A personalized thank-you note. A handwritten note of thanks to clients for their business, loyalty and friendship can be exceedingly powerful. Include a pumpkin or peach cobbler pie and you’ll put a smile on every one of your clients’ faces. Or, if you are more inclined to charitable giving, accompany your appreciation note with the message that “a contribution has been made in your name to [name of charity].” (Second Harvest is one holiday-appropriate suggestion.)
• A “giving back” gesture. Do you have clients involved in local charities? Discuss with them how you and their fellow clients can help. Once you have a plan, invite your clients to help the charity through their participation. Maybe your client sits on the board of a local food bank or clean waters foundation and could use the enthusiastic support of many clients’ hands to distribute food or clean up litter.

In this season of thanks, be sure not to overlook those to whom you owe the greatest gratitude—your clients. Happy planning! For more ideas on expressing gratitude to your client click here.

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