It’s the end of the year and you’re taking the time to reflect on your accomplishments: all the projects you pulled through, all the gigs you landed, and the ones you’re hoping to pick up next year.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, remember to take a moment to thank your clients — after all, where would you be without them?

Thanking your clients isn’t just a trite courtesy. It’s a thoughtful way to maintain good relations with them over the flurry of the holiday season and remind them that you’re a real live person who cares about their business.

Here are five ways to tell your clients “thank you!” without a fruit basket — although if you can swing it, it might just be old-fashioned enough to work...

Just give them a call!

Saying thanks doesn’t have to be elaborate. Calling and leaving a short voicemail — or better yet, having a short chat — with a client is a quick, easy way to show your gratitude for their business.

Take it old school

Long live the greeting card! Support a local artist by picking up a bespoke notecard, or make your own and mail them to your clients with a short handwritten note.

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Be specific

No matter what method you choose to say thanks, be specific with your message to clients! Don’t just say a generic “thanks for your business” and leave it at that. Sure, form letters are easy, but it means so much more to include a little detail to demonstrate that you care.

Be authentic

If sending a giant fruit basket isn’t your style, there’s no need to pull one out just because the holidays are approaching. If making things is your business — or your passion — why not send off a little handmade gift to show your thanks? For example, if you have a letterpress hobby, a letterpressed card is a memorable and thoughtful thank you.

Send them referrals!

A great way to say thank you is to send your clients referrals… after all, at the end of the day, business is business. And it’s a surefire way to make sure that they’ll appreciate you too!

Freelancers, how do you thank your clients? And how do you handle communicating with clients old and new over the holidays? Let us know!

Larissa Pham is an artist and writer based in Brooklyn, New York.