Introduction

It's gifting season, but are those year-end gift boxes really doing what you think they're doing? In this episode, I speak with premium gifting strategist Kade Kimber, founder of Kimber and Oak, about transforming gifting from a December habit into a powerful, year-round luxury business strategy. From "authenticity at scale" to measuring the performance of a gift, we explore how thoughtful gifting can deepen relationships, drive revenue, and humanize luxury in a noisy world.

Episode Summary

Kade explains why December is the least strategic time to gift. Clients are overwhelmed, unavailable, and not making decisions. Instead, he advocates for off-cycle gifting. Planned touchpoints aligned with business goals and ad hoc gifting tied to meaningful life moments. Together, these create deeper emotional connection and higher impact.

We discuss why branded swag fails, how thoughtful messaging can elevate even simple gifts, and how value alignment (sustainability, community, inclusion) drives loyalty. Kade also shares how digital personalization is shaping the future of luxury gifting and why even small-budget gifts can yield extraordinary returns when treated as a true marketing asset.

Key Takeaways

• Year-end gifting is often ineffective and how off-cycle gifts perform far better.

• A gifting strategy should align with business goals, timing, and measurable outcomes.

• Surprise and personalization create the strongest emotional impact.

• Avoid promotional items; luxury gifting should feel relational, not transactional.

• Digital elements can enhance personalization and connection at scale.

Spotlight Guest

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadekimber/

Website: https://kimberandoak.com/

Contact Host

Website- www.jeffreyshaw.com

Speaking- www.jeffreyshawspeaks.com

Books- www.jeffreyshaw.com/books

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyshawauthor/