As the end of the year is approaching, small-business owners appear to be a little more generous toward employees and customers than in the past.

A third of the owners say they plan to give year-end raises in 2005, up seven percentage points from last year and a jump of 15 points since the fall of 2003, according to a poll conducted by American Express's Open Small Business Network unit.

Also, 54% of the owners are planning year-end bonuses for their workers, up from 51% last year, and 43% the year before.
 

By region, employers in the South top the list with plans for raises, at 38%, while small-business owners in the Northeast take that spot for bonuses at 56%.

Other forms of reward, or at least appreciation, are on the rise as well: Half the owners polled plan to give holiday gifts to their workers, an increase from 42% a year earlier and 33% in 2003.

Even holiday parties seem a little more popular -- about 57% of the businesses intend to have a holiday get-together this year, up from 53% last year and 43% in 2003.

The percentage of owners with plans to give gifts to customers and clients also increased in 2005 to 71% from 61% last year and 41% in the previous two years.

Topping the list for customer or client gifts again is cards or calendars, 49%, followed by gift certificates at 26%, and company-branded items at 23%.