Photo Credit: Aussiegall-http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiegall/

If you’re married and forget your spouse on Valentine’s Day, welcome to the dog house (assuming you and your spouse are celebrators of the Hallmark-fueled occasion.)

If you own a business and forget your customers on Valentine’s Day, guess what happens?

You miss a golden opportunity to stand out in the crowd and win the hearts (and dollars) of your customers.

Many business people recognize the holidays as an opportune time to thank and appreciate their customers. But for those looking to invest in gift-giving as a marketing strategy, there are plenty of months besides December in which to do so.

As I mentioned in my thank you post, I ran a socially responsible corporate gift program back in the day, and Valentine’s Day was my holiday of choice for thanking larger clients. Each year I would send them a box of Fair Trade chocolate along with a personalized card. The responses I received were downright moving.

“You’re the only one who sent me a Valentine’s Day card.”

“What a lovely surprise! You made my day.”

“I thought I was going to have to buy myself chocolate this year. Thank YOU!”

Despite the rather gruesome and debatable history of Valentine’s Day, call me a sucker, but I’m quite fond of the holiday. Whether I’m single or have a partner to share the day with, the idea of taking one day out of the year to spread the love really resonates with me.

That’s not why I chose Valentine’s Day to honor customers, though. I chose it because I wanted my business to stand out from the crowd. I figured most businesses gifted in December, when people are busy and over-saturated with stuff. so I would do it in February. The strategy paid off; year after year, our re-order rate for large corporate gift customers was terrific.

It’s not too late for you to honor customers and clients this Valentine’s Day. If you’re sold, read on for last minute gift suggestions.

For brick and mortar retail store owners:

Put a bowl of Fair Trade chocolates in your shop, along with a note that reads something like: We love our customers. Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at <insert business name here>. Enter your zip code here to find stores that sell Fair Trade chocolate near you.

For Service and Online businesses:

There are a plethora of gifts you can buy online and have delivered same day for customers and clients in need of some love. Here are just a few:

Oxfam Unwrapped: offers creative gifts for many budgets. A pair of goats, a can of worms, and more! It’s too late to receive the printed card to represent your gift, but there’s always email!

Online Gift Certificates: choose an online store that matches your company values. Here are a couple that offer same-day emailed certificates: Gifts With Humanity and Global Exchange.

Fair Trade Coffee-of-the-Month Club Membership: You can purchase a Grounds for Change membership online, print out and email the membership info to your gift recipient(s).

These are just a few ideas. It’s not too late for you to get creative and spread the love to valuable customers and clients.

From my heart to yours, Happy Valentine’s Day!