As we begin a new year with added branding focus on earth friendly products, I’d like to take a few blogs and talk about what does all this mean and how can we make informed choices. I have watched folks in our industry, both vendors and buyers; jump on the bandwagon of the hottest fads. For instance, three years ago there were very few products available in pink. A few manufacturers, early adopters I would call them, actually showed their true commitment to breast cancer research and donated 10% of their net proceeds to a breast cancer charity. I love that! They created a product in response to the needs of the market and helped with the cause as well.

Last year, at the industry show, it was the year of pink and promotional items were offered in every imprintable concoction from pink rulers, pink blankets, pink umbrellas, to pink oven mitts. Until support of breast cancer came along, pink was relegated to a few items that might brand Mary Kay or newborn babies.

So, this year green is the theme. We are going to see every imaginable shade and PMS variation of the color green and a lot of companies selling and espousing the efficacy of recycled products in the promotional product world. Yes, recycled products, organic products and energy efficient products are all good things, but there will be some who just jump in to make a buck and may not pay attention to the ink they use or the amount of fuel needed or the human toll it takes in creating some of the so called eco-swag.

I am endorsing a manufacturer who has spent time asking themselves “What does it mean to be green? How do we police ourselves? How do we educate the consumer and help them wade through the recycled forest of info?” This is the manifesto Prime Line came up with  Eco-Responsible Ideas .

I encourage all buyers who have been mandated to purchase ‘consciously’, thinking about the effect on you, me and the environment, to research and explore the true meaning of green in the promotional products world. Congratulations Prime Line aka Prime Resources on our site, for raising the bar and helping all of us to think about what it really means to walk the talk!

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For new product rollouts, tradeshows and mailers, staying within a two dollar price point is often the norm. Whether you wear reading glasses, corrective glasses or just sunglasses a custom imprinted cloth lens cleaner  that is reusable and light makes a great mailer piece. For innovativeness the customized coin shaped tissue that expands when dipped in water is brand new. It is great for outdoor activities, travel, baby wipes, auto, hospital, cleaning, and restaurants. It is made from 100% natural rayon, breaks down naturally and is environmentally safe.

For chuckles and novelty, a fully customized Fara Floss-it, which is a goofy refillable dental floss dispenser that includes floss, is at the top of my list. The floss is dispensed out of a hole in the mouth area. I think this would have started me down the path to daily flossing if I had only received it during my formative years!

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I hope you have completed your holiday corporate gift buying. If you are one of those procrastinators, there are a few factories that specialize in quick turnarounds with one and three day deliveries. So, give us a call if you find yourself in a tight situation. Now is the time to order for those early January company meetings and tradeshow booths that come on way too fast as soon as you are back to work in January.

One of my favorite new finds is the custom imprinted tropical trail mix. It is a good snack size, more than enough to give you a boost of energy when walking the convention floor or sitting in a two hour non-stop meeting. I also like the imprinted pak of goodies that inludes a power drink and a granola bar. Be prepared and order now so you can enjoy the holidays stress free knowing your promotional products are on their way to a timely delivery in January.

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 As we approach the time of  year to send out corporate gifts we are faced with the big question of what’s it going to be?

I have always loved finding the 'best of the best' year end gifts and get really excited with the challenge of what's new or different that a client will feel good about giving that they haven’t already distributed in the past. Some companies have been giving for 15 years in a row and they start feeling stuck and pressured to come up with something of value and that everyone will love.

No fear or jitters please! First off, you will not be able to please everyone so just try to appeal to most. The opportunity to give a custom imprinted electronics product that will be used, affordable and easily mailed is plentiful. A wifi finder is pretty universal for many road warriors as well as a credit card sized book light for late night travel. The cell phone charger, with 10 to 12 adapters, is going to make cell phone users ( which falls in the category of most) very appreciative when their phone is about to die. And just who are they going to be thankful for when that happens? You, the corporate gift giver who scoured the mounds of possibilities and came up with a thoughtful, new, androgynous present that will delight most for many years to come. Good job!

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