Tag: awareness weeks

photo credit: Kalender / calendar via photopin (license)

November is around the corner, and it’s really beginning to feel like fall around here in NYC. Temperatures are dropping, and there are even a few leaves changing color. To help you prepare for your fall campaigns, here’s a full selection of November holidays, events, and awareness dates that will keep your business or organization top of mind with clients and business partners as the season changes. They’re well suited for promotional giveaways, and they range from fun occasions to more serious, meaningful remembrances.

November!

Daily Awareness Observances & Holidays

November 6 – Daylight Saving Time ends

It feels like it’s a little too soon, but yes, Daylight Saving Time is drawing to a close at the beginning of November. Savor those evening sunlight hours while you can, and don’t forget to turn your clocks back on November 6 (if you still have analog clocks or watches, that is)!

November 8 – Election Day

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that here in the U.S. we are about to have a Presidential election. And depending on where you live, there may still be time to register to vote. Whatever your political affiliation, make sure your voice is heard this year!

November 11 – Veterans Day

As we’ve written here on the blog, Veterans Day honors the many men and women who have either served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was created to mark the end of World War I (also known as The Great War).

November 13 – World Kindness Day

Celebrated each year on November 13, World Kindness Day is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the benefits of sharing kindness with the people in our lives. For more information, check out our blog post from last year on five simple ways you can give others the gift of kindness.

November 24 – Thanksgiving

Observed on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, Thanksgiving is an occasion to give thanks for the harvest and the blessings of family and friends. As we wrote last year on the blog, Thanksgiving is a perfect occasion to express gratitude and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer. It’s also a perfect opportunity to show your appreciation with a Thanksgiving gift such a Thanksgiving greeting card or a Thanksgiving basket.

November 25 – Black Friday

Observed on the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving since 1932, Black Friday officially kicks off the holiday shopping season. Many U.S. retailers open early and offer special promotional sales on this day.

November 28 – Cyber Monday

Since the arrival of the Internet and online shopping, Cyber Monday has been observed as an online counterpart to the traditionally brick-and-mortar Black Friday. Many American consumers snap up special digital offers on Cyber Monday.

November 29 – Giving Tuesday

Created in 2012 as a response to the commercial nature of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday aims to create an international day of philanthropic giving at the beginning of the holiday season. Interested in getting involved? Here’s how businesses, nonprofits, and individual donors can be a part of Giving Tuesday.

Weekly Awareness Observances & Holidays

November 6-12: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week encourages people to become acquainted with their local shelters and rescues and learn how they can assist their lifesaving work. Here are ten ways you can help your local shelter or rescue. You can also celebrate pets with special branded pet accessories such as a water bowl for dogs, a flyer or Frisbee, or a pet collar.

November 12-20: National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Observed on the week before Thanksgiving, at a time when people across the country are giving thanks for what they have, National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week seeks to raise awareness about poverty, hunger, and homelessness while building support for the work of local anti-poverty agencies.

Monthly Awareness Observances & Holidays

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung cancer claims more lives each year than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined, with just a 16.8% five year survival rate. Lung Cancer Awareness Month promotes awareness of the dangers of lung cancer and the important work required to fund research leading to better diagnosis and treatment.

Movember

Observed each November, Movember is a movement to highlight the importance of men’s health—particularly the prevalence of young men passing away too early in life due to prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health problems. Many men grow a mustache and raise funds for men’s health during Movember. Your business can help promote awareness with a range of branded mustache promotional products including mustache key chains, mustache stickers, and mustache pens.

National Alzheimer’s Disease Month

There are nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers in the U.S. Begun by President Reagan in 1983, National Alzheimer’s Disease Month aims to raise awareness about both the rise in Alzheimer’s diagnoses and the importance of honoring and supporting the caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s.

National Diabetes Month

Diabetes affects many American lives, and National Diabetes Month seeks to raise awareness about the disease and its impacts. This year’s theme is focused on managing diabetes and living well with the disease, mitigating the ways it can compromise a diabetic’s quality of life.

National Novel Writing Month

Each year, participants in the global National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) event challenge themselves to write a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30. They track their progress online and find a fellowship of supportive fellow writers along the way.

National PPSI AIDS Awareness Month

AIDS Awareness Month aims to increase public awareness and support of people affected by the AIDS pandemic, which has caused an estimated 39 million deaths worldwide to date as of 2014. Awareness events held during this month aim to help prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS as well as to reduce the stigma and discrimination that many people living with HIV/AIDS still face today.

Wondering if there are promotional products that might be a good fit for fall or the upcoming holiday season, or do you have a particular project or campaign on your radar we can help with? 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.

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

September 23, 2016 Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations

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photo credit: Kalender / calendar via photopin (license)

Welcome to fall! With the official start of autumn, it’s time to begin thinking about fall events that might not yet be on your radar. As the air gets crisper and days get shorter, we’re not far from the holiday season. Here’s a full selection of October holidays, events, and awareness dates that will keep your business or organization top of mind with clients and business partners as the season changes. They’re well suited for promotional campaigns and giveaways, and they range from fun occasions to more serious, meaningful remembrances.

October!

Daily Awareness Observances & Holidays

October 2-4 – Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, which means, “Head of the Year” in Hebrew, is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holy Days, also known as the Days of Awe, which typically take place in early autumn.

October 11-12 – Yom Kippur

Considered the holiest day in Judaism, Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonement. Jewish people observe this important holy day with fasting and prayer, often spending much of the day at synagogue services.

October 16 – World Food Day

World Food Day, celebrated each year on October 16, is a day of action against hunger worldwide and an opportunity to promote the belief that access to food is a human right. Observance events include hunger walks, World Food Day dinners, meal packaging events, and food drives.

October 17 – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Begun by the United Nations in 1993, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty promotes awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries. Poverty eradication is one of the core Millennium Development Goals as well as the developing Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN.

October 17 – National Boss Day

Begun by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958, National Boss Day is an opportunity for employees to thank their bosses for being fair and kind and throughout the year, with the goal being to strengthen intra-office relationships between managers and their employees.

October 24 – United Nations Day

United Nations Day marks the creation of the United Nations with the adoption of the UN Charter in 1945. It is celebrated with a special UN Day Concert at the United Nations General Assembly Hall. Public monuments worldwide are often lit up in blue to promote the message of peace, development, and human rights.

October 31 – Halloween

Celebrated each year on October 31, Halloween is a children’s holiday in which kids dress up in costumes and go trick or treating in their neighborhoods. Homes and businesses often get into the spirit with pumpkin decorations and toys as well as other Halloween accessories.

Weekly Awareness Observances & Holidays

October 3-7: Customer Service Week

Begun by the International Customer Service Association in 1984, National Customer Service Week is a great opportunity for businesses to promote quality customer service and recognize the talent and dedication of their customer service reps.

October 9-15: Fire Prevention Week

Established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people, Fire Prevention Week promotes education on fire safety. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait—Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every Ten Years.” It’s always a good idea to check your smoke alarm and refresh fire safety best practices.

October 12-18: World Rainforest Week

As tropical forests around the world are threatened by unsustainable logging practices, World Rainforest Week seeks to promote awareness of the situation and encourages people to take action. Communities around the world mark the occasion with documentary screenings, petitions for change, classroom presentations, and other special events.

Monthly Awareness Observances & Holidays

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer affects many women, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to increased awareness of the disease and how it can be detected in its early stages. Communities organize fundraisers, share educational resources, and offer support to women so they can learn how to protect themselves from breast cancer.

Cyber Security Awareness Month

Cyber security is a major issue for us all. As of this writing it looks like Yahoo may have suffered a massive data breach affecting several hundred millions users. National Cyber Security Awareness Month encourages us to learn how to stay safe online, protect our personal information, and identify hoaxes or exploits we may come across. To learn more, visit Stop Think Connect.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Observed each year in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and how it impacts our relationships, our families, and our communities. Many people volunteer or donate to domestic violence prevention organizations, and advocates wear purple on October 20^th, which is known as #PurpleThursday.

Employee Ownership Month

Employee Ownership Month is an occasion for businesses to recognize the many ways in which employee ownership, and having a stake in the company’s success, can help everyone within the organization align toward a common goal over the short and long term.

LGBT History Month

Celebrated each year in October since its inception in 1994, LGBT History Month is a month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history—including the gay rights and civil rights movements. It includes National Coming Out Day, which is celebrated on October 11. It also marks the anniversary of the first march on Washington by LGBT people in 1979. Since then, it has become a national coordinated effort to highlight exemplary role models from the LGBT community.

National Animal Safety and Protection Month

National Animal Safety and Protection Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of caring for both domestic and wild animals. People may mark the occasion by learning about how to microchip their pet so they can be reunited if they should be separated, create a pet disaster plan that includes their pet’s safety needs, volunteer at a local animal shelter, or foster a pet in need of a loving home.

National Book Month

Love reading? Then National Book Month is for you. Schools and libraries offer special events on reading and literacy around this time, but it’s also a great chance to pick a book off the shelf (or download one onto your tablet or e-reader) and get lost in a fascinating novel or biography. It’s also a nice prelude to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which takes place in November.

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

July 28, 2016 Branding / Cool / Promotional Inspirations

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photo credit: Kalender / calendar via photopin (license)

August is almost here, and with it, the height of summer. A lot of folks are enjoying well-deserved vacations, and many of us are also beginning planning for back to school. The much-anticipated Rio Olympics are also about to kick off as well, sure to thrill sports and athletics observers alike. As we enjoy the remaining weeks of these long, lazy summer days before Labor Day and the beginning of fall, here are some great opportunities to keep your business or organization top of mind with clients and business partners all month long. These are some upcoming holidays, events, and awareness dates coming up that you might want to have on your radar for promotional campaigns and giveaways—from quirky, fun occasions to more serious, meaningful remembrances.

August!

Holidays, Events, and Awareness Days

August 5-21 – Rio Olympics 2016

The 2016 Summer Games are about to kick off in Rio, bringing thrilling athletic events to our Internet feeds and TVs. No doubt, sports fans will be excited to watch their favorite athletes compete on the world stage. Planning on following the Games? Get into the spirit with some Olympic style medals of your own or even a USOC Olympic car flag.

August 7 – Purple Heart Day

First created by General George Washington to recognize soldiers for exceptional military valor, and also considered the first military combat badge of the United States, the Purple Heart is still awarded to those who have served our country with great distinction and honor. If you know someone who has received a Purple Heart, it’s a fitting occasion to thank them for their service.

August 9 – National Book Lovers Day

Making progress on your summer reading list? Know someone who’s a bookworm? This annual observance day gives you carte blanche to find a cozy nook or a comfortable spot under a tree and while away the hours immersed in a good book. Treat the book lovers you know with some thoughtful book accessories including book lights, bookmarks, and bookends.

August 19 – World Humanitarian Day

First created by the United Nations in recognition of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity to recognize the bravery of those who put themselves at risk in order to help others. It’s also a fitting occasion to note the importance and transformative impact of humanitarian work across the globe.

August 21 – Senior Citizens Day

Each year on August 21, Senior Citizens Day creates awareness about the importance of supporting America’s senior citizens and recognizing their achievements. Created by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, it is also intended to raise awareness about the social, health, and economic issues affecting senior citizens.

August 26 – Women’s Equality Day

We’ve all heard of International Women’s Day, but Women’s Equality Day is likely less well-known. Created in 1971, it commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, enfranchising women with the right to vote. It’s a great opportunity to recognize the strides women have made in participating in public life.

Awareness Weeks August 2016

August 1-7: Simplify Your Life Week. Have you been getting into the KonMari method of reducing clutter, originally popularized by Marie Kondo? Well then you might be interested in Simplify Your Life Week. Not only is it about eliminating clutter from your life, but in removing the obstacles that keep you from fully enjoying each day.

August 25-31: Be Kind to Humankind Week. These days, we all could use a little kindness in our lives. Be Kind to Humankind Week is an annual global celebration of kindness during which we can take steps to create a kinder world together. Here are our tips on how you can practice kindness and make small contributions of your own.

Awareness Months August 2016

– Family Fun Month

As a lot of families get ready to go on vacation or just spend some quality time together, Family Fun Month is a great occasion to celebrate the fun of being with family and creating some lasting memories—whether that’s exploring the outdoors, hanging out at home, or taking a trip.

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.

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

June 30, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations

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photo credit: Kalender / calendar via photopin (license)

Can you believe we’re almost at July? This year is going by so quickly. If you’re here in the States like we are, we hope you have a wonderful 4th of July planned. As we get into the full swing of summer, here are some great opportunities to keep your business or organization top of mind with clients and business partners all month long. These are some upcoming holidays, events, and awareness dates coming up that you might want to have on your radar for promotional campaigns and giveaways—from quirky, fun occasions to more serious, meaningful remembrances.

July!

Holidays and Awareness Days

July 4 – Independence Day

Celebrated each year in the U.S. with fireworks and parades, Independence Day marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, proclaiming the thirteen colonies’ independence from England and establishing the United States as a sovereign country.

July 11 – World Population Day

Observed every year on July 11, World Population Day seeks to draw awareness to global population issues. Established by the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, back when the planet’s population was roughly 5 billion people, it has become a more widespread international observance since then.

July 14 – Bastille Day

This French national holiday, known in France as la fête nationale or le quatorze juillet, commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789. That event signaled the start of the French revolution. Celebrations and parades are held throughout the country on this day.

July 18 – Nelson Mandela International Day

Observed each year on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Nelson Mandela International Day honors the iconic South African leader’s dedication to the service of humanity in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, and many other important issues facing communities around the world.

July 24 – Parents’ Day

Established in the U.S. in 1994, Parents’ Day promotes recognizing and supporting parents in rearing children and contributing to a better world. It’s commonly celebrated here each year on the fourth Sunday of July; in Korea, a similar holiday is observed on May 8.

Awareness Weeks July 2016

July 11-15: National Therapeutic Recreation Week. Established in 1984 by the National Therapeutic Recreation Society, National Therapeutic Recreation Week recognizes the importance of “therapeutic recreation”—the use of leisure activities as a way to aid in patient recovery. Benefits include an enhanced sense of well-being as well as teaching and reinforcing everyday behaviors necessary for a good quality of life.

July 20-24: Comic-Con International. Founded in 1970, Comic-Con International is a massively popular yearly entertainment and comic convention held each year in San Diego, California. Known simply as Comic-Con to aficionados, it lasts for four days and draws large crowds of sci-fi, comic book, and pop culture enthusiasts.

July 25-31: World Youth Day. Also known by the acronym WYD, World Youth Day is an international Catholic event centered on faith and how it impacts young people. Celebrated in a different location each year, it will be observed in Kraków, Poland this July.

Awareness Months July 2016

– National Grilling Month

National Grilling Month is pretty much what it sounds like: a month-long celebration of the pleasures of grilling outdoors in the summertime. It’s also a good opportunity for grilling enthusiasts to refresh their safety practices with some helpful grilling safety tips.

– National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

Ever been annoyed by someone treating the local Starbucks like their personal office, yelling loudly into their cell phone while everyone else is trying to enjoy their coffee in peace? Then this awareness month is for you. It’s a good opportunity to brush up on and promote proper cell phone etiquette.

– UV Safety Month

As more of us spend quality time outdoors reveling in the warm summer sun, it’s important to protect our skin and eyes from the harmful impacts of UV rays. Load up on sunscreen, make sure you have a trusty pair of UV sunglasses at your side, and enjoy a cool breeze in the shade of a UV umbrella.

– Social Wellness Month

In our always-on, frenetic world, it’s sometimes hard to pause and take stock of what wellness means to us. Social Wellness Month explores ways in which we can improve our wellness—as well as others’—by connecting better with the people around us.

– National Culinary Arts Month

Anyone who loves food or dining will appreciate National Culinary Arts Month, which exists to celebrate the talents and skills of the chefs and cooks who prepare our food when we go out to enjoy a meal—whether that’s in a fancy restaurant or at the unassuming food truck down the street.

– National Park and Recreation Month

What better way to enjoy the summer months than outdoors at one of our many beautiful local, state, and national parks? National Park and Recreation Month seeks to promote the enjoyment of our local parks and recreation centers and the many ways they contribute to our health and wellness both individually and as a community.

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

June 2, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations

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photo credit: Kalender / calendar via photopin (license)

June is here, and with it, the arrival of summer! Here in New York, we just enjoyed a lovely Memorial Day weekend and are getting excited to enjoy all that the warmer months have to offer, such as sunny bike rides and picnics at the park. As we did for May, we’d like to give you the heads up on several great opportunities to keep your business top of mind with clients and business partners during the month of June. 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.

June!

Holidays and Awareness Days

June 5 – Ramadan begins

Ramadan, celebrated from June 5 to July 5 this year, is an important month in the Islamic calendar devoted to prayer, fasting, acts of charity, and self-accountability. The final third portion of Ramadan, in which the Prophet Muhammad was said to have received the first verses of the Koran, is an especially holy moment for people of the Muslim faith.

June 14 – Flag Day

Observed every year on June 14, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States (which originally took place in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress). Although it’s not an official federal holiday, Flag Day is often marked with parades and other special observances nationwide.

June 19 – Father’s Day

On Father’s Day, people celebrate fathers and fatherhood, recognizing the positive influence fathers have on society. Originally conceived as a counterpart to Mother’s Day in the early 20^th century here in the United States, Father’s Day is now recognized across the globe on varying dates.

June 20 – World Refugee Day, Summer Solstice

The United Nations’ World Refugee Day is observed on June 20 each year. It honors the strength and courage of women, men, and children who are forced to flee their homeland under the threat of persecution, conflict, and violence. It is also an opportunity to honor the contributions that refugees make to the communities in which they live.

Also on June 20 this year is the Summer Solstice, which in the Northern Hemisphere marks the longest day of the year (it is also the shortest day of the year, or Winter Solstice, in the Southern Hemisphere).

June 21 – International Day of Yoga

First adopted in 2004 by the United Nations General Assembly, the International Day of Yoga honors the ancient and enduring tradition of yoga as well as its many benefits to our lives and the world as a whole. It’s a perfect moment to practice yoga and celebrate wellness of both body and mind.

June 24 – Take Your Dog to Work Day

First created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) in 1999, Take Your Dog to Work Day celebrates how wonderful dogs are as companions and friends. It’s also an occasion to promote the adoption of dogs into loving homes.

Awareness Weeks June 2016

June 5-11: National Sun Safety Week. Organized by the Sun Safety Alliance, National Sun Safety Week highlights the importance of safe sun practices in an effort to reduce the number of incidents of skin cancer and other harmful effects of overexposure to the sun.

June 14-21: National Nursing Assistants Week. Celebrated each year in June, National Nursing Assistants week honors the nursing assistants who care for us and tend to us when we are in ill health or need of medical attention.

Awareness Months June 2016

– Effective Communications Month

Effective Communications Month emphasizes the importance of relating to and fully engaging with others through effective communication, improving mutual understanding in the process.

– LGBT Pride Month

Celebrated each year in June to commemorate the Stonewall uprising in 1969, LGBT Pride Month honors LGBT history, accomplishments, and important achievements on the path to full civil rights and equal participation in society for all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

– Great Outdoors Month

First begun in 2004, Great Outdoors Month celebrates the value and importance of outdoor adventures during the summer—whether that’s hiking along trails in our national parks or rock climbing challenging cliffs. It’s a perfect opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of our environment while engaging in healthy outdoor activities.

The History of Administrative Professionals Week

April 14, 2016 Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations

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As we mentioned on our recent post, April Holidays, Events, and Awareness Dates to Keep on Your Radar, April is chock full of special events and awareness dates worth making a note of. One such event, set to take place later this month, is Administrative Professionals Week. Running from April 24 – April 30, with Administrative Professionals Day placed in the middle of that week (Wednesday, April 27), it’s a perfect opportunity to recognize the hard work and talent of the administrative professionals at your company and the many ways in which they support your business success.

How Administrative Professionals Week Got Started

Administrative Professionals Day began back in 1952, as Secretaries Day, which was part of National Secretaries Week. It was originally created to celebrate the important contributions of secretaries to the economy and encourage more women to join the profession during a postwar shortage in the US. While secretaries were typically women, in the following decades men slowly started joining the profession. Today, both men and women are among the proud administrative professionals and executive administrators.

Recognizing Administrative Professionals Today

In 2000, the name of the holiday was updated to Administrative Professionals Day (and Week) to reflect the expanded job responsibilities and additional roles that administrative professionals have taken on in the current business landscape. Businesses and organizations use the occasion to celebrate the many contributions of their staff of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support staff with cards, flowers, or lunches. Other gift ideas that would be fitting might include a desk set, or an award or plaque if they have served in their position for a long time or with particular distinction.

Gratitude Goes a Long Way

Though our work lives are often fast-paced, it’s often worth taking a moment to share gratitude with our colleagues and those around us. In fact, expressing gratitude and engaging in thoughtful acts of kindness can benefit us just as much as the people whose days we seek to brighten. Administrative Professionals Week, as well as other special events taking place throughout the month of April, is a perfectly good excuse to do just that.

As we enter spring, are you wondering if there are promotional gifts or other 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.