It's the beginning of a new year. On this occasion, almost all eminent and not-so-eminent organisations — both in public and private sectors, follow the tradition of giving gifts to their business partners, associates, well-wishers, friends and employees.

Besides, corporate gifting has been prevalent and is also seen as a part of business etiquette to cement a deal. While most gifts are given and received with warmth and appreciation, sometimes unwritten rules of gift-giving can end up severing valuable relationships. Therefore exercise precautions before you send out the gifts to business associates.

Decide price range

The most popular range for a business gift is between Rs 500-1000. Spending over rupees Rs 2,000 is rare. You may choose to spend a little more on important clients and a little less on small and not-so-important ones. When giving to employees, it is best to keep the same range for all. Difference in rank, status, or length of employment should be reflected in their year and bonuses.

Gifts are not ads

Usually, companies avoid putting their logo on the client gift and rightfully so. "Gifts should never be taken for an advertisement. Even if you decide to put your logo on a gift, it should be small and subtle," says Girish Bhalla, corporate manager of an MNC. The same goes for employee gifts, as well.

Be gender neutral

If the gifts are bought for an entire office or department, they should be gender-neutral gifts. “Good presentation like beautiful wrapping and a hand-written note are important to communicate that the gift is a sincere 'thank you', and not an act of obligation,” advises Manish Bhatnagar, marketing manager of Durian Gifts, a gift manufacture company.

Buying for your boss

People working in private firms often feel tempted to buy a gift for their bosses. In fact, you should never feel required to purchase a gift for your boss. Such gift giving is often discouraged in large organisations. If at all you decide to gift your boss, it should be half the price of what your boss has given to you.

Overseas rules

These days travelling abroad is no big deal for either business or pleasure. Receiving foreigners as clients, partners, or bosses is also common. Gifting can be tricky and bothersome when dealing with foreigners, especially if you are not aware of their country's customs and culture.

Gift giving customs vary greatly from country to country. What is considered appropriate in France may be entirely inappropriate in Korea or Mexico. “If you are unsure where or how to find the right gift, you could consult one of the corporate gift companies which have sprung up in recent years or the best way would be to check out the suitability with the embassy of the country of the recipients, or at least with a native of the country or contact a friend who may have travelled to the country before,” says Bhatnagar.

You are not expected to present a gift at the first business meeting. As in most cultures, however, when visiting a home for a formal dinner, it is important to present the hostess with a small gift of flowers, chocolates or wine.

Be careful of the type of flowers you present. Some varieties are used for funerals only.

Colours such as white, blue or black are associated with funerals. Do not wrap gifts in these colours. Red, yellow and pink are seen as joyful colours and are perfectly acceptable for gift-wrap. Just remember not to write anything in red ink, as it symbolises the severing of a relationship and so does sharp objects like knife, letter opener or scissors.

Back home, you may like to take along a bottle of wine, but don't even think of it when invited to a dinner at a French home!