That time of year is drawing near,
when companies start distributing
gifts to business associates for
the holidays. Unfortunately, it seems
that most corporate gifts end up in bottom
drawers. It doesn’t need to be so.
There are a variety of interesting
items available in the market. Keep
in mind that well-chosen corporate
gifts convey that clients are valued.
Agendas are undoubtedly the preferred
pick. “An agenda isn’t just
useful, it’s also a very powerful
advertising tool,” says Chantal
Chedid of Express International.
“People look at it at least twice a day, 365
days of the year.” That’s assurance that
company logos, which are normally printed
on covers and inner pages, make an
impression. Some companies have advertising
pages and brochures actually inserted
into the agendas. “The options are endless,”
says Chedid. “And we can meet
every budget and requirement.” The agendas
are produced in-house, with prices
determined by size and layout, customization,
cover material
selected and quantity
ordered. Over seven
cover materials are
available, the most
expensive of which is
genuine Italian calfskin
leather. Paper is
the most economical.
Thus prices vary from
$2 to $99 apiece.
The options at Express aren’t limited to agendas. Over 140
products are available, including~ books, credit card holders
and wallets. Pocket diaries cost as little as $1.15 apiece if
ordered in substantial quantities. For a general manager, the
Chairman Set for $150 is recommended. It includes a portfolio
diary, a wallet diary and pocket address book – all in genuine
calfskin. Be sure to have the GM’s name printed on it “It’s
more likely that people
will use something
if it’s personalized,”
says Chedid.
If agendas seem a tad
traditional, desk items
are a great alternative.
Habis Silversmiths has
over 25 silver-plated
items for the office,
priced to suit most
budgets. A small cardholder
costs $8 apiece,
while a letter opener
costs $25. “We give substantial
discounts on big orders,” says Fouad Habis, owner of
Habis Silversmiths. Corporate logos can be engraved on
most items for, on average, an additional $5 apiece. For top
executives it’s better to put together a set of three items for
around $100. Habis silverware is locally made, so the company
accommodates custom orders.
Most companies can’t afford expensive gifts and must settle
for giving out cheap trinkets. Be creative-handmade artisan
products are original yet inexpensive. Nour Shops has
arabesque fabric penholders (including pens), costing $1 each
for a minimum order of 1,000 pieces. Similarly styled mini
address books cost $9 before discounts. And company logos
can be embroidered on items. Elaborate artisan items are perfect
for executives, and they’re reasonably priced. Anamel
Arts & Crafts sells a unique desk set, which includes a letter
opener and magnifying glass, for $47. Made in Jezzine,
the stainless steel set has inlaid ivory handles.
But if you are planning to splurge on a few special executives,
make an impression with a top international brand. Manasseh,
the supplier of Baccarat and Christotle, has exquisite desk items
on offer. Crystal clocks by Baccarat, priced from $129 to $173,
are recommended, as are
Christotle’s silver clocks,
priced between $141 and
$203. Christofle also has a
great selection of silver
letter openers, priced
from $59 to $132. Don’t
want to fork out so much
money? Christotle has an assortment of silver bookmarkers
costing just $21 apiece. Like most places, discounts are
applied to high quantity orders.
Villeroy & Boch also has crystal items perfect for the office.
Penholders are priced from $66 to $94, and clocks from $119
to $130. Pyramid-shaped paperweights are $52 each. Elegant
crystal and sterling silver desk items are available from
Antoine Hakim, the supplier of Tiffany & Co. Look for the
crystal paperweights, priced from $60 to $190. The sterling
silver line includes a penholder at $330,
a memo pad at $160 and letter openers
from $105 to $230.
For top exec4tives it’s quite common
to give expensive personal gifts. An
extensive range is available at Georges
Abou Adal. Leather goods from Lance!
and S.T. Dupont are suggested, but
expect to pay considerably. Dupont
wallets start at $200, with briefcases costing between $700 and $1,000.
Seiko watches, another good pick, cost from $100 to $500 apiece. Chinese lacquer
Dupont pens cost anywhere from $150 to $650.
You can never go wrong giving pens. Wadih Mrad carries
Cartier and Charriol pens priced from $140 to $600 apiece.
Tiffany & Co has ballpoint pens costing
$290, fountain pens priced at $360 and a Who has the gifts
lovely line of purse pens for women costing
from $50 to $70. Georges Abou Adal is also
the agent for Cross, which has sterling silver
pens for about $250, and 18-karat gold pens for
$600. Cross’ entry-level Solo line pens are
priced at a more affordable $17.
But what do you give the executive that has
everything? Two words: Cuban cigars. “A
cigar is associated with power,” says Fouad
Hamra of La Casa Del Habano. “It says ‘I
have it all, I’ve done it all.”‘ Cohiba is the
number one choice of connoisseurs. Also
recommended are the Romeo & Juliet
Churchill, the Hoyo Churchill and Double
Corona, and Epicure No. 2. These cost from
$250 to $476 for a box of25. It is possible to
buy single cigars. One Cohiba costs $21.
Cigar accessories are also great gift ideas. La
Casa Del Habano, Georges Abou Adal and
Wadih Mrad have a wide range of items to
choose from. The essentials are cutters,
lighters, ashtrays, cigar cases
and humidifiers. Dupont
lighters are priced from $170 to
$3,000 apiece. La Casa Del
Habano has an exclusive Elie
Bleu humidifier costing $1,700.
All shops provide engraving services al an
additional cost. Laser engraving on crystal is
costliest. It’s recommended that orders be
placed as early as possible, especially for
large quantities.
By Natacha Tohme
The right necktie can completely change the look of a suit
Ties are eternal
When does a boy become a man? Many people
might answer: when he learns to tie a tie. That
wonder of western civilization is undoubtedly
the most intriguing part of men’s apparel. Yet it’s simply a
strip of fabric wrapped around one’s neck, serving no real
function. (Although some might consider it a stress reliever.
Men are, after all, prone to fiddle with their ties when
they’re nervous.)
Either way, ties remain the smartest fashion accessory in
men’s apparel. Extraordinary ties commonly end up being
conversation pieces. “With a tie you can change the whole
look of a suit,” says Antoine Eid, general manager of
Joseph Eid & Co. How many ties should a man own?
According to Eid, about three to four per suit. Fortunately for
men, with ties there’s no need to fork out money every season
to keep abreast of the latest trends. Somewhat like men
themselves, ties rarely change. Unlike skirt lengths, which
change from season to season, blade-widths only vary from
one generation to the next. ln the I 950s, narrow ties were in
vogue while the I 9]0s were the era of the big broad ties. For
the last few years the trendsetters have decided that a somewhat
wide blade-width is fashionable, as are woven silk ties
with very small patterns printed on them – be they stripes.
polka dots, paisleys or floral. Solid colors are still going strong.
How can one be sure that he’s buying a smart tie? “All ties
are manufactured based on good taste,” says Souheil Metni,
owner of the men’s clothing store Jibran Metni. Eid and Metni
have one piece of advice: go for reputable designer brand~. ‘The
label is the guarantee of quality,” says Metni. Inexpensive mass produced
ties are usually not lined properly and can lose their
shape after a couple of months.
Top-notch international brands, such as Lanvin, Hermes
and Brioni, cost about $100 each. Ties by other notable
brands, such as Christian Dior and Hugo Boss, cost between
$50 and $70. If the prices sound steep, they’re not. It takes
about one meter of silk to make a tie.
