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Happy National Outdoors Month!

June 22, 2016 Cool / Eco / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
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As we welcome the start of summer, it’s an ideal time to celebrate the joy of experiencing the great outdoors. And what better occasion to do so than during National Outdoors Month, which runs through June? Started as National Outdoors Week under President Clinton in 1998 and expanded under the Bush and Obama administrations since then, it’s a yearly event in we celebrate the great outdoors and particularly the enjoyment of our national and state parks.

In honor of National Outdoors Month, we’d like to share some ideas for enjoying everything the outdoors h

as to offer:

  • Go camping. Nothing says summer like camping. Have you taken your family and friends out to the park for a weekend of storytelling and making s’mores by the campfire? It’s one of the best ways you can disconnect from digital overload while reconnecting with nature and the people you love. Settle into your camp chair, enjoy the sounds of the forest, and wow everyone with a good ghost story.
  • Take a hike! Hitting the trails is excellent exercise and can afford you some gorgeous views of the natural wonder that surrounds you. With a trusty water bottle and a compass, you can scale new heights and chart new discoveries in the parks near where you live. Don’t forget the sunscreen and a good pair of sunglasses!
  • Enjoy boating, kayaking, or fishing. A lot of people feel rejuvenated in the presence of water, and boating or kayaking is a great way to get some light exercise while doing just that. For those who like a quiet, tranquil experience, fishing can be a lovely way to while away late afternoon hours at a nearby pond or river. A waterproof phone case can be handy to have on any of these expeditions, as can fishing bobbers and floating key chains.
  • Take a bike ride or a stroll at the park. If your park has biking or walking trails, that’s a lovely way to really take in the scenery on a warm summer day. That can be particularly enjoyable if you’re in a metro area. Here in New York, we sometimes like to bike to the park, getting in a little exercise and sunshine on the way as well. A cycling helmet will keep you safe as you bike the trails, while a pedometer will help you keep track of your steps if you’re walking.

Are you interested in getting more active in the great outdoors? Check out our full line of camping equipment and accessories including camp chairs, coolers, beverage coolers, insect repellent, flashlights, and more.

Looking for some ideas for promotional products that might be a good fit for your business this summer? Check out our Fun Promotional Summer Gifts board on Pinterest! Or get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on exceptional promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

It’s National Sun Safety Week!

June 8, 2016 Cool / Eco / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
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Summer is right around the corner, with beaches and pools getting ready to welcome sun worshipers and vacationers alike. We’re also looking forward to soaking up some rays, but safely—that’s why we’re paying special attention to National Sun Safety Week, which is this week (June 5-June 11). Here are 5 tips on how to make the most of the summer months while protecting yourself from harmful UV rays and sun damage that can lead to skin cancer.

5 summer sun safety tips*:

  1. Don’t skimp on the sunscreen. When heading out for some summer fun, make sure to load up on sunscreen first—SPF 30 or higher with both UVA and UVB protection is best. Re-apply sunscreen after you’ve been out for two hours or after you’ve been swimming. Also check the expiration date to make it’s still effective; otherwise it may not give you the full protection you need.
  2. Wear protective clothing. To protect your skin from exposure to the sun, consider wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves or long pant legs. A good hat is also a smart idea, as it guards your scalp from sun exposure. A hat with a wide brim is an especially good choice since it gives your face, neck, and ears full coverage. If you prefer to wear a ballcap instead, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to those areas.
  3. When going out, try to avoid peak hours. The sun is at is most potent between the hours of 10am-4pm, so if you can, try to avoid standing outside in the direct sunlight during those hours. If you must be out then, seek the shade.
  4. Stay cool in the shade. Not only is it often more comfortable sitting in the shade than it is sitting out directly in the beating sun, but it’s better for you, keeping you safe from harmful sun damage. When resting and relaxing, seek a shady spot under an umbrella (particularly a UV umbrella, which can give you extra protection) or a tree. This applies even on cool or cloudy days, too.
  5. D46E92C3-D211-48F2-9D46-FFE8F6434A55Keep your sun safety accessories handy. Do you like to head out on your bike at a moment’s notice? Then make your life easier by having all your accessories, including sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and a hat ready to go in a bag. A sun kit is another convenient way to keep everything you know on hand.

Planning a summer gathering? We have protective branded items for summer corporate outings, summer camps, company retreats and picnics. Looking for some ideas for promotional products that might be a good fit for your business this summer? Check out our Fun Promotional Summer Gifts board on Pinterest! Or get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on exceptional promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

* These tips were sourced from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They do not constitute professional medical advice. For guidance specific to your own personal health needs, be sure to consult your medical care provider.

Happy Earth Day!

April 21, 2016 Cool / Eco / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
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photo credit: 91957046 via photopin (license)

photo credit: 91957046 via photopin (license)

Wondering how you can be more eco-friendly? There’s no better time to step up your game than on Earth Day, which is this Friday (April 22). Here are a few ways in which you can get the ball rolling:

Looking for some expert guidance on what kinds of eco-friendly promotional gifts or products might be a good fit for your business? Get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on environmentally friendly promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

 

April Holidays, Events, and Awareness Dates to Keep on Your Radar

March 30, 2016 Cool / Eco / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
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April is almost here! We’re excited here in New York. Magnolias, daffodils, and hyacinths have returned to grace our city streets, and the weather’s getting steadily more pleasant each week. As we advance into April, there are several great opportunities to keep your business top of mind with clients and business partners. Here are some of the upcoming holidays, events, and awareness dates coming up that you might want to have on your radar for promotional campaigns and giveaways—from lighthearted humorous occasions to thoughtful remembrances.

April!

Holidays and Awareness Days

April 1 – April Fool’s Day

Kicking off the month is April Fool’s Day. Now if you have a rather witty and irreverent brand image, you might want to make use of this day by playing a good-natured trick of some kind.

April 1 – National Walk to Work Day

Celebrated on the first Friday of April each year, National Walk to Work Day is an event focusing on fitness and environmental awareness. Why not take a pleasant spring stroll to the office on this day?

April 15 – Tax Day

As many folks in the U.S. know, Tax Day is upon us: April 15. If your business is involved in accounting or financial planning, that’s certainly a major date worth marking.

April 18 – Patriot’s Day

Celebrated as a state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine, this holiday commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, which signaled the start of the American War of Independence against Britain.

April 22 – Passover

Beginning at sundown on April 22 and lasting for eight days, Passover celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.

April 24 – Earth Day

Earth Day arrives on April 24. You may want to honor this occasion by giving out eco-friendly promotional gifts such as eco-friendly tote bags, eco-friendly water bottles, and eco-friendly pens. You can even give out seeds for flowers, herbs, and plants that will produce warm reminders of nature’s beauty long after the date has passed.

April 29 – Arbor Day

National Arbor Day, celebrated on the final Friday of April, is a holiday in which people and community groups plant and care for trees. Now celebrated nationwide, Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1872.

Awareness Weeks April 2016

April 24 – April 30: Administrative Professionals Week

This is a perfect occasion to honor the administrative professionals at your firm and recognize their many contributions to the company’s success with something sweet like a chocolate gift set, perhaps, or a classy option like an elegant desk set. If you want to focus your efforts on a single day, Administrative Professionals Day (formerly known as “Secretaries Day”) is that Wednesday, April 27.

Awareness Months April 2016

– Procrastination Awareness Month

Could it be a coincidence that with Tax Day on the 15th, April is also Procrastination Awareness Month? With so many of us feverishly crunching numbers right up until the tax deadline, you have to wonder if there’s a connection there. But on a more serious note, procrastination is often linked to stress and anxiety, two difficult conditions with which many people struggle, and so Procrastination Awareness Month is also a good occasion to promote genuine well-being and a balanced, happy life. Stress relievers and stress toys are popular, but wellness trackers and journals also make fine gifts.

– National Humor Month

Want to brighten someone’s day with a laugh? April is National Humor Month—a perfect opportunity to celebrate the lighter side of life.

Wondering if there are promotional products that might be a good fit for the season or a particular project or campaign you might have on your radar? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for advice. If you have an idea in mind that might benefit from some creative brainstorming, we’d be happy to share some recommendations. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on custom branded promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

Getting Excited for the Return of Spring!

March 17, 2016 Branding / Cool / Eco / Promotional Inspirations
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Peach blossoms

photo credit: Spring! via photopin (license)

Now that we have switched over for Daylight Saving Time, we have another seasonal milestone to celebrate: the Spring Equinox (also known as the Vernal Equinox), which arrives this Sunday, March 20. Although the forecast here in New York indicates that a stubborn cold snap to come our way, lovely weather cannot be too far behind. Some trees are beginning to bud after the balmy temperatures we’ve had, and before long everyone will be out celebrating the return of bright, beautiful flowers like tulips and cherry blossoms.

With everyone soon to be in a good mood, it’s a perfect opportunity to share seasonal gifts that mark the occasion. You might not immediately associate promotional products with springtime, but you’d be surprised how many thoughtful and fitting choices there are to pick from. If you know anyone who has a green thumb, you could outfit them nicely with a little planter kit, a plant watering can, gardening tools, and seeds to grow wildflowers for their home or herbs for their kitchen. There are even neat seeded bookmarks and seeded coasters available for folks who enjoy a good book or a pleasant drink now and then.

BD80E83B-0275-453B-9497-137D6ABD4471For people who love to be out in nature, there are plenty of gifts for the outdoors that would make their day: comfortable folding chairs, picnic baskets, picnic blankets, coolers, and water bottles make for a relaxing outing at the park or beach. You can even stock the picnic baskets with cheese or meat sets to complete the care package. Lightweight jackets, sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen make it more comfortable to be outdoors when the sun is shining brightly or the wind is picking up just a bit. Insect repellent and lanterns will also come in handy if you’re planning to be out in the evening. And last but not least, a trusty umbrella is always good to have at your side once April showers arrive!

Wondering if there are other promotional products that might be a good fit for the season or a special project or campaign you might have on your radar? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for advice. If you have an idea in mind that might benefit from some creative brainstorming, we’d be happy to share some recommendations. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on custom branded promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

Eco-Friendly Trade Show Giveaway Ideas

January 20, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Eco / Promotional Inspirations
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9d449033b5083b8de3cd3be2554aa459It’s trade show season, and if your business has plans to exhibit at an upcoming event, you may be wondering what kinds of giveaways will resonate most with the people who visit your booth or receive your swag bag. It can be a challenge to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression, but fortunately there are a number of creative ways to do just that.

One way to make an impact is by giving away promotional products that meet a need the trade show attendees may have—sunglasses are popular in summer-like conditions while lip balm might do well in colder locales, for example. But another thoughtful way to be responsive to trade show attendees’ needs and concerns is by selecting eco-friendly trade show giveaways that will have a minimal impact on the environment. Here are four examples of eco-friendly swag that can help your brand reach attendees while making a positive difference:

  • Eco-friendly notepads – At major industry events, it’s often useful to have a notepad handy for jotting down notes from sessions or quick to-dos. Quality eco-friendly notepads are a great gift for trade show attendees and can make a great, lasting impression.
  • Eco-friendly pens – Pens are a perennially popular trade show gift, and eco-friendly pens take the thoughtfulness factor to a new level by presenting visitors to your booth with an option with a reduced environmental impact. Along with the popular ballpoint pens that you often see at conferences and major events, there are elegant bamboo pens available as well.
  • Eco-friendly tote bags – Tote bags are also a hot trade show giveaway option, particularly since they can be used to complete thoughtful care packages that attendees can sling on their shoulders and keep with them throughout the day. Eco-friendly tote bags give your brand an environmentally friendly option for reaching out to potential customers at the show.
  • Eco-friendly t-shirts – T-shirts are an incredibly popular giveaway item at trade shows. Everybody could use a new t-shirt, and when they wear one—particularly at the event—it provides free advertising for your brand. Now there are eco-friendly organic t-shirts available to help you spread brand awareness in an environmentally friendly way.

If your company is thinking of offering eco-friendly trade show giveaways, there is a broadening range of options available for you to do so in a unique way that will provide value both to the attendees and to your brand. Not everyone is giving away environmentally friendly swag yet, so doing so can also help you distinguish yourself from the competition. It can also send the message that you want to make a positive difference. That’s a sentiment everybody can get behind.

Do you have a trade show on the horizon? We can help advise you on custom branded promotional products that can make a difference for your brand. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 for creative and innovative branding ideas to help your company stand out and make a great impression.

Hydrate with Branded Bottles

July 20, 2011 Branding / Eco
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Virgin America branded water bottle getting filled at faucetYou too can keep your customers wet like Virgin America does, with eco-friendly, branded water bottles.

Ok, ok, so we all know that current FAA regulations prohibit bringing liquid with you through security in all but the smallest (3.4 ounces or less) containers. You would think that those of us who travel frequently have it down to a science, and um, most of us do, but some of us are sometimes caught off guard and have, on more than one occasion (and yes, we know, we may be sharing too much information here and losing your respect and admiration)…lost valuable beauty products due to size of containers. Ugh. Terrible. and embarrassing. And while losing a bottle of water isn’t as bad as losing miracle potions for the face, it isn’t fun, and it does happen.

Well, Virgin America has launched a campaign with branded bottles and “hydration stations” to help us cut down on use of plastic water bottles, and avoid having water bottles confiscated, thus being forced to buy ransom-priced airport water.

And now you can do the same by providing your customers and clients with branded water bottles that carry your company name or logo, that can be carried through airport security empty and filled up at the first water fountain encountered, or at obe of Virgin America’s hydration stations atSan Francisco International Airport’s Green Terminal.

You know what Madonna used to say, “Like a Virgin….”

And in case it happens to you sometimes, too, the FAA website has complete list of carry-on regulations.

Tip #7: Tasty Summer Produce

July 5, 2011 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Eco
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local harvest logo
Today we offer our fourth post in our series matching Lifehacker’s Top 10 Outdoor Tips for a More Pleasant Summer list with some suggestions of our own for how to increase the summer pleasure quotient of clients, customers or hard-working staff. One of our favorite things about summer is fresh, local, and tasty fruits and vegetables.
Local Harvest is a website to help you find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area. The site also has a shop with sources for everything from Blue Swedish Duck hatching eggs (we wish we could have a chicken coop) to golden amarath seeds, a healthy gluten-free “grain” used all over the world.
And if you are looking for something in your neighborhood, enter your zip code on the site and voila: you get the locations of the farmers’ market closest to your house and the nearest restaurant serving local and/or organic foods.

And to help your clients get all those goodies home, what about a cotton sling bag with large imprint areas on both sides, that rolls up when not in use for convenient storage.

Tip #8: Avoid and Sooth Nasty Sunburns

June 29, 2011 Eco
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Calendula blossomToday is the third post in our outdoor series matching Lifehacker’s Top 10 Outdoor Tips for a More Pleasant Summer list with some suggestions of our own for how to increase the summer pleasure quotient of clients, customers or hard-working staff.
Today we have some suggestions for protecting your skin as well as a recipe for a soothing balm in case you do get burned.
The Environmental Working Group has a mission to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. They have an action fund that advocates on Capitol Hill for “health protective and subsidy-shifting policies.” They also have a great set of resources on their website, including the 2011 Sunscreen Safety Guide (also available for iphone) to help you find a sunscreen which will protect you from the sun without exposing you to chemicals that are dangerous. To make your own soothing Calendula salve, and learn a few culinary uses of the fiery orange blossom, check out WNYC’s Last Chance Foods: Herbal Flower Power .

As Seen on the Streets of New York

June 17, 2011 Cool / Design / Eco
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Rain guard for bike made of plastic bottle

Some of us (and we’re not naming names or anything) can be a little cynical. The perfect antidote to cynicism is coming across something that renews one’s faith in the creativity and inventiveness of fellow human beings.

Hats off to whoever invented this plastic bottle rain guard for the back tire of a bike.

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