It doesn't matter if it's related to your business or personal life. Take Oprah Winfrey for example. At a live event a few years ago, she mentioned how she loves to purchase makeup whenever it's "Clinique Bonus Time" as she gets a gift.

Here we have a woman worth over a billion dollars who she loves receiving the cheap little makeup bag with free blush and lipstick, in colors she will never wear, just because they are FREE.

Free gifts, particularly those that are unexpected and just "show up" go a long way in reminding your clients that you are thinking of them - even when they're not paying you to!

I recently spent two weeks in Hawaii. While there, I picked up a t-shirt for a special client and also got one for her 2 ½ year-old-son. It didn't cost much, it didn't weigh anything (I even mailed it from Maui so I wouldn't have to think about it), but it was unexpected and meant a lot to my client (and to her son).

With the holiday season fast approaching (sorry, but it's true), think about what you can send your clients as a "thank you".

This year, I'll be sending Thanksgiving Day cards to all my clients as a "thank you" for being my client - can you think of a better time to say "thanks"? While I'll also be sending holiday cards, I fully expect them to get buried with the onslaught of holiday cards that tends to arrive each December.

If you sell widgets, you can send a coupon for a free item with a $50 purchase. If you sell services, you can send something related to what you offer.

Are you stuck?

Send a gift card: Starbucks, book stores and Dunkin Donuts (in the Northeast) are all good choices. Plus, with so many shopping online these days, an Amazon.com (or any online retailer) gift card is a great option.

Still stuck?

You can always find something at either Harry and David (www.harryanddavid.com) or Dale & Thomas (www.daleandthomas.com).

Don't think it needs to be expensive or unique. It's amazing how you can change someone's day just by giving them the unexpected. I even get happy when receiving the sample pens that arrive every few months - it's a pleasure to receive something other than a bill or solicitation in my mailbox!

Need to send several things without breaking the bank? Check out Oriental Trading Company (www.orientaltrading.com) for inexpensive goodies that you can send out to everyone on your list.

Gifts and goodies are an inexpensive way to help with client and customer retention - remember it's much less expensive to keep an existing customer than it is to get a new one. This is a great and simple way to stay at the forefront of your customers' minds.