Promotional Products Blog

Top Holiday Gift Categories for 2008: Eco-friendly and Technology

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:36:50 -0400

Ordering your corporate gifts each holiday season is no small task. Who should you include on your list? How much can you afford to spend? There's thinking, planning and lots of number crunching to do. The biggest question of all, however, is what on earth you should buy for all these clients and employees.

When it comes to holiday gift buying this year, two words are all you need to know: technology and eco-friendly. Both are the hottest trends in promotional products for 2008. Stick to these categories this holiday season, and you can't go wrong.

Even grown-ups want toys, and that's one reason why tech gadgets are so popular. You can give a promotional product that's fun to play with and even more fun to show off. The Chairman 1.7, for instance, is a keychain that stores and displays digital photos. Your clients will enjoy uploading their favorite photos and showing the pictures to their friends and coworkers. People are amazed to see how much technology can be packed into this palm-sized picture frame.
Speaking of palm-sized technology, promotional USB flash drives are another affordable gift that taps into our love of technology. These are small gifts that pack a big promotional punch. Like the digital photo frame, the Foldout USB Flash Drive 64MB is also small enough to keep on a keychain. Be sure to preload the flash drive with photos of your products, catalogs, informational videos and a personalized message.

With all these handheld gizmos on the market, it can be easy to forget about the technology we relied on long before PCs changed the world. Binoculars made be older technology, but they're still a part of our modern lives. We can enjoy a closer look at sporting events and theatrical performances. Binoculars are also great for nature buffs. To put a fresh spin on this classic gift, try a model like the Outlook Binoculars. These silver and black binoculars have a contemporary silhouette and come with a coordinating vinyl carrying case.

But don't get so caught up in all this technology that you forget about this season's other big trend: all things eco-friendly. Green is the buzzword du jour, and as a business, you've got to tap into what's hot. Giving green gifts is actually a lot easier than you might think. Major promotional product suppliers have started carrying various types of eco-friendly items for you to customize. For instance, you can take the ordinary tote bag and turn it green with an order of Organic Market Bags. This holiday gift touches on several current trends. Organic cotton is all the rage, and lots of people are carrying their purchases home in tote bags instead of plastic ones.

This year when you're about to start racking your brain for holiday gift ideas, stop and repeat this mantra "technology and eco-friendly." You'll simplify your shopping, and those on the receiving end will be delighted with their gifts.

Go green this holiday season with eco-friendly promotional products

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:12:14 -0400

This holiday season, give a gift that gives something back. Go green with eco-friendly promotional products! If you're thinking that "green" gifts means tie-dye t-shirts and hemp jewelry, think again. Today's eco-friendly products are hip, high-end and guaranteed to please everyone on your gift list.

Check out these three great gift ideas for your eco-friendly holidays:

100% Post Consumer Recycled Deluxe Tote Bag: You'd never guess that this sharp, sophisticated tote bag is made entirely from recycled materials. It's as sturdy and stylish as anything you'd find in a top department store. You'll fee good about giving it, and the recipient will feel great about using it.

Bamboo Photo Album: Bamboo is a renewable resource and a cool alternative to wood. This photo album is a nice gift for your employees because it doubles as a frame, making it ideal for decorating their desk. Your employees can display their favorite photos while you display your love for the planet!

Aladdin Ecycle 14oz. Tumbler: Travel mugs have always been the ultimate in convenience, and now they're the ultimate in environmental awareness. This mug is made from 100% recycled polypropylene material with 25% post-consumer recycled content. Pair it with a package of shade grown coffee beans for a gift that's as practical as it is socially responsible.

It's easier than ever to give green and live green. Not only do eco-friendly promotional products make fantastic gifts, they also reinforce your image as a caring and environmentally aware business.

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Three reasons to stock up early on corporate gifts

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:54:21 -0400

Time must have wings because it sure can fly! Before you know it, the holiday season will be here, and it will be time to start giving out corporate gifts. September is the right time to start ordering your promotional corporate gifts. Here's why…

You could lose out on your ideal gift: When the last-minute shopping crunch is in full swing, high-demand promotional products go out of stock. For instance, the Easy Roll-Up Blanket is a hot ticket item this fall. Every business wants this convenient stow-away fleece blanket that's appropriate for everyone on their corporate gift list.

Gift giving starts long before December: By ordering in September, you'll be prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday. It's the absolute ideal time to present employees and clients with "thank you" gifts. For Thanksgiving, you can stock up on some Bottle Opener Keychains. At such a low price, you can hand them out generously - and there's sure to be lots of folks to thank!

Business owners have personal lives, too: Holidays are a time to focus on friends, family and all your loved ones. Don't miss out on the festivities because you have to take time out to order corporate gifts. The Best Value 60 Golf Umbrella is a can't-miss that never goes out of style, so you can order early with confidence that it will still be a hit come December.

So what are you waiting for? Place your corporate gift orders today to save time and money!

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Building loyalty and goodwill with promotional pens and pencils

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:21:49 -0400

Promotional pens and pencils are a great way to get your name out there, but did you know they're good for something even more important as well? Building brand loyalty and goodwill.

You might wonder how a little writing instrument could do something as big as boost employee morale. The key is attention to detail and a little careful thought, the right pen (or pencil!) for the right person at the right time.

Business owners are always looking for ways to show their employees how much they're appreciated. Believe it or not, a high-quality pen is all it takes to say, "You're valued." Choose a pen that's attractive and with luxury features. (Yes, pens do come in luxury models!)

When you value you someone, you give them valuable things. With your logo printed on the side, your employees will associate your business with class and sophistication. Pride in one's company translates into pride in one's work.

Handsome promotional pens are quite affordable. There are some real bargains out there. For instance, you can get a pen with that stainless steel look and a cushion grip at buy one, get one free pricing.

If your employees are pencil pushers, turn them into mechanical pencil pushers. Pencil sharpeners can be a real pain. Before you know it, you've ground the thing down to a nub! By giving them the Bic Pro Select Office Series Mechanical Pencil, you're showing your employees that you want to help make their job a little easier.

Even businesses on a budget can provide their employees with good quality, convenient mechanical pens. There are models out there such as the Bic SoftSider Mechanical Pencil W/ Side Advance Lead Mechanism that sell for well under $1 a piece.

As for customer loyalty, remember, the holiday season is fast approaching. Holidays are a time when we all feel warm and fuzzy - think how great it would be if your customers associated your brand with this festive time of year.

Get in the spirit with some holiday-themed pens and pencils. For instance, throughout the month of October, have plenty of orange and black pens (imprinted with your logo, of course!) to hand out to your customers. Themed promotional pens and pencils work very well at tradeshows and conventions. Every booth in the building will be giving out pens. You can be the one booth that's giving green and red pens for Christmas! You can also have a special holiday greeting printed on them, such as "Happy Holidays From Widget Co."

Promotional pens come in just about every color under the sun these days. Just order a batch of green and red Bics, and choose a friendly greeting to personalize them.

The power of promotional pens and pencils should be never be underestimated!

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Think Pink: Promotional items for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:10:52 -0400

October is breast cancer awareness month. To show that your company supports the fight to end this disease forever, hand out pink promotional items during October. There are a wide selection of lovely and sophisticated promotional products that are perfect for spreading this important message.

These are our four favorite promotional items for showing your support for breast cancer awareness month:

Pink - 16 oz. Omega Travel Mug w/ Slider Lid: It's the always popular travel mug in a beautiful shade of classic pink. There's room on the front for a message of hope as well as your company's logo.
Pink Embroidered Ladies Cap: Order a batch of these caps imprinted with an awareness message and encourage your employees to wear them all month, both at work and around town. They're called a ladies cap, but many men are donning pink in October to show their support.
Pink Non-Woven Promotional Tote: This pink promotional totebag combines two great causes - breast cancer awareness and environmental responsibility. These cute totes can replace plastic bags for grocery shopping. Quick tip: Consider selling the totes for a couple of dollars, with all the proceeds going to breast cancer research foundations.
Pink Ribbon Umbrella: This unique umbrella hides a little surprise: when it gets wet, the awareness ribbon symbol appears! Because it's so stylish and fun, this umbrella makes a great item for a breast cancer awareness fundraising raffle.

Order now so you have your breast cancer awareness items on hand as soon as October arrives.

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8 creative ways to use promotional chairs

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:45:49 -0400

Pens, keychains, ball caps...these promotional products have a zillion marketing uses. Maybe we should add camping chairs to that list, too. Sound crazy? Then let us convince you otherwise. Read on for 8 creative ways that a promotional chair can build customer loyalty, reinforce your brand and spread your name.

Increase sales: A free gift is a good incentive for a customer to place a larger order than they might otherwise do. For instance, offer a free camping chair to customers who spend a minimum of X dollars.
Pop in on old customers: Keep your business relationships strong by surprising a loyal client with a camping chair. The #1 Camp Chair On The Web makes this an affordable way to reach out to past clients.
Employee appreciation: Show your appreciation by giving away camping chairs as holiday gifts, sales awards or employee-of-the-month presents.
Incentives/loyalty program: Create a loyalty program where clients earn points they can use to "buy" prizes…one of which is a camping chair!
Commemorate landmark occasions: Joe is celebrating 10 years of employment with your company. Today marks the 5 year anniversary of your first sale to XYZ corporation. Acknowledge big days with the gift of a promotional camping chair.
Polished image: Matching promotional chairs featuring your company's logo are the perfect finishing touch to a tradeshow booth. The Embroiderable Camp Chair has a high-end look that will make a great impression.
Raffles and games: Promotional chairs are unique prizes for tradeshow raffles and booth games.
Welcome aboard: Present new employees with a "welcome to the team" gift.

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Early Corporate Gift Guide

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:45:09 -0400

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.

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Three creative ways to motivate your employees with tote bags

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:32:50 -0400

Remember those gold stars you'd get for doing a good job back in elementary school? Even though we've outgrown the gold stars, we haven't outgrown our desire to be recognized for our accomplishments. Order a batch of tote bags featuring a special logo to give to employees who have achieved a particular milestone or made a certain number of sales. The exclusivity is what makes it special. The 100% Post Consumer Recycled Deluxe Tote Bag is a good choice for the winner's circle because of its size, style and convenient features.

Goodie bags are another fun way to use tote bags for employee appreciation gifts. All you do is select a tote bag and fill it with treats and trinkets that fit the occasion. A Non-Woven Zippered Tote works well for goodie bags because it comes in a variety of bright colors. You can match the tote bag to the occasion - lime for St. Patrick's Day and pink for Valentine's Day, for instance.

A similar idea is to create "survival kits" to have on hand whenever an employee looks like they're having a bad day. Include items such as aspirin, bottled water, candy and a stress ball. Pack them all in an Organic Market Bag, a hip eco-friendly tote bag that will serve as a reminder of your random act of kindness. The days when your employees are feeling down are the days when they need motivation the most!

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Top technology gifts for corporate gift buying

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:55:21 -0400

People want to surround themselves with success. And your clients are no different. The corporate gifts you give help cultivate your image. To show that you're a solid company on the cutting-edge of the business world, go with technology for your corporate gift buying.

The right gift can instill your clients with a sense of security. A high-end corporate gift demonstrates your financial strength. The ability to generously give away quality promotional items sends the message that you're a success. A good example of this type of gift is the Desktop Gallery Digital Picture Frame. It's compact, handsome and combines a number of different technologies.

Small businesses need not worry. Making a strong impression with a tech gadget doesn't have to cost a fortune. The Foldout USB Flash Drive 64MB, for example, is affordable but still has the sharp look and high-tech edge that bespeaks success. Purchased in bulk the price is even lower.

The Foldout USB Flash Drive 1G is another affordable gift of technology. Its sleek black and stainless steel color combination has an executive look. With your logo laser engraved on the steel cover, your image of success will be engraved in your client's mind!

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Digital photo frames: The ultimate in visibility

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:32:30 -0400

They say a picture's worth a thousand words. We say, how about 50 pictures? That's how many pictures many of today's digital photo frames can store and display. If the goal of your marketing campaign is increased visibility, then digital picture frames are just the promotional product you've been looking for.

It's simple really. Photo frames are meant to be put on display. Whenever the digital photo frame is on display, so is your logo! The Reflections 1.5 is guaranteed to land valuable desk space because it's a photo frame and digital clock all rolled into one. Everyone who passes by will see your company name and logo.

The Pocket Digital Photo Frame is another promotional product that's sure to get your logo seen. This digital photo frame is actually a keychain. The recipient will carry it with them all the time, showing off their pictures everywhere from the water cooler to the grocery store.

Take the digital photo frame to the next level with the top-of-the-line Deluxe 7. In addition to displaying photos, the Deluxe 7 also plays videos and sounds. It is the perfect accessory for your company's lobby or waiting area. Load it with short video clips about your company and high-quality photos of your products for guests and clients to view.

Remember - no matter which frame you choose, always be sure to preload it with promotional photos and videos. When the recipient is tinkering around with their new toy, they'll be viewing your ads!

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Promote Your Business with Back-to-School Backpacks

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:55:02 -0400

Walking billboards - that's how you hear promotional products frequently described. It's definitely accurate when it comes to backpacks. Right now is the perfect time to launch a marketing campaign featuring promotional backpacks.

With August in full swing, parents are in school supply shopping mode. You can step in to fill one of their needs with a promotional backpack. Saving a parent money is a can't miss way to get in their good graces!

Win over the parents and outfit the students with one of these three promotional backpacks:

1. Coil Backpack: The coil backpack will meet the discerning style tastes of even the pickiest tweens and teens. With features like mesh side pockets and a headphone port, it rivals any brand name backpack. Take advantage of our Back to School Special for an incredible deal on this high-end promotional backpack.

2. Drawstring Backpack / Tote Multi-Use Bag: This drawstring tote is great for carrying uniforms and equipment to and from after school practices. It's a modern design and suitable for taking to the gym, using an overnight bag and even carrying groceries.

3. Value Backpack: It's the classic backpack style at a bargain price. In basic black, it will appeal to guy and gals, young and old. Even mom and dad will want to use this one.

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