The holiday season often prompts a familiar challenge for attorneys: how to show clients meaningful appreciation amidst the year-end hustle. If you find yourself scrambling for ideas at the eleventh hour, don’t worry. Even last-minute gestures can be impactful when executed with thoughtfulness.

Here’s how to ensure your holiday outreach is memorable and meaningful, no matter how tight the timeline.

1. Embrace the E-Card

While traditional holiday cards might have fallen out of favor, e-cards present a last-minute (and cost-effective) solution. The key here is personalization and tone. A digital card that strikes the right chord—perhaps a heartfelt message reflecting on the past year or optimistic future sentiments—can resonate well with clients.

And for those really behind schedule? A New Year’s greeting or heartfelt Valentine’s Day message can stand out after a sea of December greetings, showing your clients that your well-wishes aren’t confined to the holiday season.

2. Send Personalized Digital Gifts

Think beyond physical items. Digital gifts can be exceptionally thoughtful and require no shipping time. Consider gifting an e-book relevant to your client’s interests or a subscription to a premium news outlet. These gifts not only show thoughtfulness but also an understanding of your client’s preferences and needs.

3. Lean into New Year’s Celebrations

For the ultra-procrastinator, schedule a post-holiday catch-up. A virtual coffee or cocktail hour in early January can be a wonderful way to connect and show your clients they’re top of mind, without the stress of holiday scheduling. This also sets a positive tone for the year ahead, making it clear that your client’s well-being and success are priorities.

4. Support Local Business

Choosing a gift from a local business not only supports the client’s community but can also offer something unique and personal. Many local shops and services offer gift certificates or subscriptions that you can purchase and deliver electronically at the last moment. Whether it’s a subscription to a local theater, a gift card to a local restaurant or a membership to a regional museum, these meaningful gifts contribute to your client’s local economy.

5. Donate to Charity in Their Honor

A donation to a charity that aligns with your client’s values is an impactful gift that you can arrange at any time. This gesture shows that you respect their principles and are committed to supporting causes important to them. It’s also a gift that gives back, amplifying the positive impact of your holiday gesture.

Looking forward to next year, if you want to prevent gift-giving stress, set a calendar reminder now to avoid a last-minute scramble in 2025. In addition, don’t ignore early emails from your marketing team about holiday planning—even if October feels premature, it’s not.

Timely gifting may be ideal, but the true essence of holiday giving lies in showing genuine thoughtfulness. Whether it’s a personalized note, a meaningful donation or a creative digital gift, even last-minute gestures can leave a lasting impression and convey heartfelt appreciation.