For most professionals whose businesses rely on word-of-mouth and referrals, strong relationships are the foundation of sustained success. The most common way to maintain or rekindle those connections is by sending thoughtful holiday cards or gifts. Yet the vast majority of people wait until early December to do so. That timing creates unnecessary competition, stress, and diminished impact. To avoid this, consider shopping and sending gifts in November.
December quickly turns chaotic. Shoppers compete for limited parking, often ending up blocks away from stores. Popular items sell out fast, forcing last-minute substitutions or markups on secondary markets. Even online orders face the risk of delays during peak shipping periods. Meanwhile, the calendar fills with holiday parties, family obligations, and end-of-year work deadlines that leave little time for careful selection. The result is often rushed, impersonal gifts that blend into the seasonal noise.
Sending gifts in November is unexpected but it could work. First, an early gift stands out. By late November and into December, inboxes and doorsteps overflow with cards and packages. Recipients are frequently distracted by parties, shopping, and travel plans, so many gestures receive only fleeting attention or get overlooked entirely. A well-timed November gift arrives when the holiday rush has not yet fully begun, making it more memorable and more likely to be genuinely appreciated.
Second, November opens a natural opportunity for edible gifts. Gift baskets filled with wine, cheese, meats, candies, or other treats can become part of a recipient’s Thanksgiving celebration. Because Thanksgiving is a broadly observed secular holiday in the United States, this timing feels inclusive and thoughtful rather than tied to any single religious or cultural tradition that dominates December. Your gift gains an extra layer of relevance and warmth simply by aligning with an existing gathering.
Third, shopping in November is simply less stressful. There are no Black Friday crowds, fewer Cyber Monday shipping bottlenecks, and a much higher chance that popular items remain in stock at regular prices. Your schedule is also freer: fewer competing holiday parties and family events mean you can take time to choose gifts with real consideration instead of defaulting to the same generic item for everyone. Thoughtfulness becomes practical rather than aspirational.
In short, shifting gift-giving to November not only shows appreciation to the people you collaborate with, it allows you to stand out. Early gifts cut through the noise, connect meaningfully with Thanksgiving, and free you from the December scramble. For professionals who understand that relationships drive referrals and reputation, this small change in timing could deliver a better return on investment: less stress for you, greater impact for the people who matter to your business, and stronger connections that last well beyond the season.
Steven Chung is a tax attorney in Los Angeles, California. He helps people with basic tax planning and resolve tax disputes. He is also sympathetic to people with large student loans. He can be reached via email at stevenchungatl@gmail.com. Or you can connect with him on Twitter (@stevenchung) and connect with him on LinkedIn.
The post If You Want Business Contacts To Remember You, Consider Giving Gifts In November appeared first on Above the Law.