Subscriptions are not only the answer to the perfect gift for that distant relative or old family friend you just dont know what to get anymore. Subscriptions can work as corporate gifts, too, and in fact, they can be the best gift choice you can make. Subscriptions make a nice change from the standard business clock/desk accessory/tote bag gift routine and can also demonstrate that you have paid attention and taken the time to know a little about the gift recipient. Better yet, no trip to the mall is required. You can do all your shopping from your recliner at home.

The first thing that springs to mind when someone says subscriptions is magazine subscriptions and that can be a great place to start. Is there some industry journal that is popular in your field that you know your client/co-worker/boss does not get? Have they mentioned to you that they love golf, cooking, jazz music, or you name it? Get them a magazine subscription that will complement either their professional or their personal life, and they will take note that you have taken the time to get them a personalized gift that reflects their personality, which can only help your business relationship.

Newspaper subscriptions also make great corporate gifts. Consider papers like the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times, or Washington Post. If you work in an international industry, you might also consider papers from the countries in which you and your co-workers do business, like Frances Le Monde or Londons Guardian.

A gift subscription doesnt have to be limited to these traditional subscription ideas. Stand out from the crowd and give unique subscriptions to places that match the interest of your recipient. Think about giving a gift subscription the online DVD service Netflix to the movie buff, dessert of the month club for the gourmet, or a beer of the month subscription to the international beer aficionado on your list. There is a subscription-based club for almost every interest out there, from golf to music to wine. When you give a business associate a gift that matches their interest, it scores you some brownie points to cash in on sometime in the future.

If youre at a loss as to what kind of subscription to get your business associate, never fear. There are many magazine and newspaper subscription clearinghouses that sell gift card, which allows you to give the gift of a subscription while your associate gets to choose the perfect magazine for them. While this technique might not show the familiarity with your associate that choosing the gift for them would do, you still get credit for choosing a gift that stands out from everyone elses.

When choosing a corporate gift it is important to remember the two purposes for the gift. The first purpose is the obvious one; you want to thank someone for their work or their business and let them know they are appreciated. The second purpose is less obvious but still important; with your corporate gift, you want to keep their business or keep them motivated tow work, and you want them to see you as having something that sets you apart from the competition. What better way to sincerely thank someone for their time and set yourself apart from the crowd than to choose a gift that is unique, different, and reflects that you took the time to choose something personally for them? For this reason, a subscription may just be the best corporate gift going. Not only will the recipient feel appreciated when the gift is received; they will be reminded of your generosity every month. That can only help build your business relationship over the year to come.