Maybe those type-A personalities with their holiday gifts bought and wrapped by August have the right idea. There are a lot of benefits to getting your holiday shopping done early. Anyone who remembers the Tickle Me Elmo craze already knows one of those important benefits: if you wait too long to shop, all the season's most wanted items will be gone.

The same is true of promotional products. When businesses start their holiday shopping, the most popular promotional items get snapped up left and right. It's not uncommon for promotional product suppliers to run out of the most popular items this time of year. Those that wait too long to order can miss out on the products they really want. That's why September is actually the ideal time to start shopping for your corporate gifts.

The Tickle Me Elmo stampedes taught us another lesson: what's hot one year might be completely forgotten the next. In order to be a savvy corporate gift buyer, you've got to know which promotional products are in demand right now. These are the top four corporate gifts that business owners should order early.

Binoculars: Nature lovers, sports fans, opera aficionados…all sorts of people will appreciate a pair of binoculars. It's a thoughtful, useful item you can give without having to know a lot about the recipient. But not all binoculars were created equal, and the high-end models like the Outlook Binoculars will be going fast. A vinyl carrying case with debossed logo and the modern look elevates these binoculars to the corporate level.

Travel mugs: Travel mugs are an affordable gift that everyone will love. Attractive, quality travel mugs sell out quickly because they're perfect for ordering in bulk and handing out to everyone in your company. The 16 oz #1 Selling Roadster Travel Mug is a good example of the types of mugs that could sell out fast. With a mug like this, it's particularly important to order early so you can be guaranteed your top color selection.

Padfolios: Padfolios are both functional and handsome. It's the perfect complement to the polished corporate look. A padfolio made from top grain black leather, such as the Millennium Leather Padfolio, will never go out of style. The nearer the holidays draw, the more difficult it will be to find a sophisticated, customizable padfolio at a reasonable price.

Camping chairs: Giving camping chairs as gifts is a growing trend in the world of promotional products. They encourage people to spend time outdoors and are must-have equipment for all your cookouts and picnics. Businesses love camping chairs because they're an advertisement with a long lifespan. Affordable promotional camping chairs, such as the #1 Camp Chair On The Web, will be running low on stock as the holidays get closer.

Don't just order early. Order smart as well. Pens and keychains won't disappear off a promo website's virtual shelves overnight. It's the four corporate gifts listed above that should be snapped up before they're gone.