Thread: Giving a little gift at a gig?

I wonder if anyone else does this....
I heard from a friend-collegue-dancer that she always gives a little something to the "special guest" when she has a birthday gig or a wedding...

Like a candle, or a tiny box of chocolates or beer if the party pig is a guy and she puts a business card along with it. It's always a tiny gift and doesn't cost more then about 2€

I kinda like the idea of it, it's a fun way of making sure they have your card and it's nice to do a "little extra".

I was wondering if other dancers do this as well?
any fun ideas on what to give? And when do you give it?
During the show? Where do you put it when you dance? ..l;,
I rarely have the luxury of having an assistant when I go out on gigs...

Or do you give it after the show, maybe freshen up a bit first, veil wrapped around you, so you're not all sweaty?

i only do this for hennights, maxi version. (performance, class, tea ceremony). i give the bride a gift.

for regular gigs i dont think i would...

It's not a terrible idea, but I'm personally not crazy about it. A surprise belly dance performance is enough of an exciting gift! No need to leave behind a trinket.

Plus, the fairly obvious - you still want to turn a profit from your gig ,r:;

I do like Artemisia's idea of leaving something cute behind at a bridal shower or bachelorette party, though. That's one exception that I might make someday.

Lol, I agree Satin :-)

I've never done it before... (at gigs I mean)
I like the idea, but it kinda seems like a lot of hassle to me (buying the present, carrying it along to gig, etc..)

I tie a helium balloon to a plastic pirate sword (each about $1)

I punch a hole in one corner of some business cards and tie a little bundle of them -- maybe about 5 cards -- to the end of the balloon ribbon.

During my show, when I do sword, I get the toy sword out and balance it on the GOH's head and we pose together for photos.
Depending on the party and how things go, the GOH might dance with me or the toy sword might make the rounds.

I leave it behind as a little souvenier and *hope* that if anyone asks about the bellydancer from the party one of my cards will be placed in their hand.

Usually by the time I leave the gig, there are children in a corner somewhere taking turns balancing the sword. I've found a particular sword that balances fairly easily and I buy handfuls of them whenever I see them at the dollar store (usually around Halloween).

Other than that, I don't do any kind of gift.

For parties, I keep a small stash of very inexpensive cards (birthday, wedding, etc...) and I sign & present to the guest of honor. I like to do this because I can slip my business card(s) inside and they have a lasting memory (plus a way to contact me for future business!!). I also offer an option to those who hire me--for an additional fee I will present a small gift of choice--flowers, balloon, music cd, or hip scarf. I think it's nice to offer the service, and I simply charge a small fee to cover the cost just like a floral delivery would if they were offering an "add-on" to a bouquet.

If it's a repeat customer I know well, I will sometimes do a small gift of inexpensive candy or balloon just because they've given me really good business. Would they hire me again without the extra "stuff"? Sure. But the little extra touches do mean something, and usually get a really nice tip.

Never thought of this before- I like the card idea. I have hipscarves for bride/GOH listed on my contract as add ons, but that's mostly because certain folks thought that already came with the package & tried to walk off with mine ,m:: so putting a price next to that option was more of a subtle clue that no, it's not free for the taking.

Last year for some reason I got a bunch of calls for little girls parties; I'd show up and they'd already have hip scarves, some of the parents went all out, draping the room to make it look like a tent, etc.

for the little girls I'd bring anything really inexpensive and sparkly; little bracelets from the party store or each one gets a bindi, oooo! sparklies!

They were so much fun! the only hazard is going blind from all the parent-paparazzi-flash-photos :)

I love Lauren's sword thing. That is so cute!

I make a card on my computer for the guest of honor, and put my business card in it. When I'm done performing, I give it to them and say "Happy Birthday, X. This was a gift from your wife/mom/sister/etc."

I have a template already made up, so all I need to do is pop in the GOH's name and event (birthday, anniversary or whatever). It takes me longer to burn the CD than to make the card.

Oh, as for when to present it... well, if I'm by myself I stash it off to the side out of sight and I let the person who hired me know that I will be stepping out and re-entering with a small token after my last song. When my song is over, I wrap in a veil, go get the card/gift, and present it to the guest with a final farewell. If I've got someone with me to escort me, I just ask them to bring it to me at the end of my last song.

I do this too, for wedding showers and bachelorette parties. I have a bunch of blank cards (yay Target dollar spot), write a quick note, throw in a few business cards, and add a small gift. Usually something like that belly dance cd from the dollar store, a little scarf that can be used as a hipscarf (also from the dollar store), or I've even found belly dance dvds at Ross or Marshalls for $2.00. Throw in a bag (2 for $1 at dollar store) and you've spent about $1.60. I present it the same way Sonja does.

I don't usually do these for bellygrams - only if it's really special, like a 25th anniversary or a 90th birthday or something.

I do this with a small box of my chocolates. I am also a chocolatier so it allows me to cross -promote :)

Oh I like the card idea!

And that sword thing is cute too :-)

I give gifts. What kind depends on the type party. For a man (usually hired by the wife) I often use the card also and present during my 2nd slow (but short) part. I also like to fuss over the woman who hired me, and if the wife, I say: whenever he looks at this (gift) he will remember the day that he was a sultan, and that he is married to a sultaness!
Also for gift: gold cord with coin & my business card (write in "Happy Birthday Joe! or whatever on back) tied on. Put on person's wrist like a bracelet.
Love Lauren's toy sword idea! Gotta look for those.

Oh and how I manuever the gifts: when I do a gig I always have a gold wicker basket with my stuff in it, with a decorative cloth over it to hide what's in there. [like my glasses cuz I am blind as a bat! in case of emergency!]I dance in with zills going & the basket over my arm. I set it down near guest of honor. Or I use I partner or someone at party that I ask to keep track of it.
On a side note, I also will carry a small boom box w batteries in a basket and travel around with music at outdoor places or such or where there is no sound system!

Originally Posted by yeli

I do this with a small box of my chocolates. I am also a chocolatier so it allows me to cross -promote :)

Having had your chocolates AND having seen you dance, I can say those are some LUCKY customers!!! ..g.: