Put yourself in your employees' shoes. Which gift would be more meaningful - one received on a pre-designated Employee Appreciation Day or one that came as a complete surprise? Unexpected tokens of appreciation feel extra special and create a lasting memory. The same goes for thanking your customers.

The holidays are still a long away off, but summer is here right now. Whatever your big plans for company events, make employee and customer appreciation gifts a part of them. Here are four ideas for your summertime gift-giving. Go with promotional products to get an extra bang for your buck!

1. Camping chairs: During the summer we want to spend lots of time outdoors. In fact, most activities and get-togethers are held outside during these warm months. Unless your employee or customer wants to pull up a piece of grass along with the bugs, they're going to need outdoor seating options.

Believe it or not, it's actually an affordable idea. The #1 Camp Chair On The Web, for instance, is budget-friendly but still top quality with a heavy steel frame and a matching carrying bag.

Here's a fun idea for giving out the camp chairs: replace your employees' regular desk chair with a promotional camp chair. Only let them scratch their head in confusion for a minute or two before you tell them the new chair is a gift…and let them know where their real chair is located!

2. Travel mugs: Chances are, your employees and customers are always on the go. Between balancing work, family and personal time, they're busy people. You can say thank you by making their lives more convenient with a 16 oz #1 Selling Roadster Travel Mug.

3. Hats: Speaking of our time outside, don't forget to shade your eyes, and of course your face, from the sun. If you're getting your customers or employees together for an outdoor gathering, surprise them with a 6 Panel Camouflage Cap With Embroidered Logo. A fun, hip baseball-style cap like these is an easy way to add a message of appreciation to any summer event.

4. Golf umbrella: Whether you're hitting the links or hitting the beach, an oversized umbrella is the perfect accessory. A promotional product such as the Best Value 60 Golf Umbrella is a valuable, useful gift. Presentation counts, so be sure to put a big bright bow on each umbrella.

There's no reason to limit employee and customer appreciation to special days of the year. Any time is the right time to show your gratitude for their contributions to the success of your business. Each of these four gifts is ideal for showing some appreciation this summer.