February Celebrates other events this month:

Ground Hog Day

American Heart Month

Random Acts of Kindness

National Snack Food Month

Black History Month

Responsible Pet Owner's Month

What will you choose to celebrate?

Let us help make it memorable!

Ten for '10! Some of these were seen in 2009 and will continue to grow:

1. Eco: reuse, reduce, repair and recycle. More products and designs are available in bags, mugs, desk top gifts and paper products.

Recyclable and reusable gift bag

2. Speed: customized products available in 1, 2 and 3 production days.

Notebook and pen with sticky notes and arrows

3. Germs: anti-bacterial gels and sanitizers to protect from illness.

Non-alcohol foam sanitizer

4. Design: products with European design and flair.

2 in 1 bottle opener cube

5. Multi-media decoration: combining screening, embroidery, lasering and/or applique for a layered decoration on clothing.

Example of applique and laser

Build your own color combination color ball point pen

Ceramic tumbler with silicone lid

Stainless steel canteen water bottle

Color block moisture wicking pique shirts

Fold up tote into a pocket

Micro-mini usb drive with key tag

Here are several categories of business gifts with the overall percentage they represent in product sales for promotional marketing companies:

 Mugs and drinkware (6%): PROS: universal gift for men and women, old and young, size doesn't matter, great ad space for custom logos and messaging, colorful options, promotes waste reduction (in paper and plastic disposable mugs). CONS: breakage for some materials, perception might be boring, shipping weight.

Pens and writing instruments (9%): PROS: universal gift, portable, easy to pack, numerous styles and price points, can be personalized, functional. CONS: small logo area, may lack excitement, packaging important for perceived value.

Clocks and watches (1.4%): PROS: functional, people have multiple ones, universal, fits most budgets, desk or wall options, good ad space, many styles, high perceived value, good for time related themes. CONS: possible breakage for some, shipping weight an issue for some.

Bags (7%): PROS: large space for customization, budget friendly, many options (tote, backpack, briefcase, duffel), colorful, many styles fit men and women, functional, visible, promotes reuse. CONS: bulky for distribution, some styles don't appeal to both men and women.

Calendars (8%): PROS: functional, budget friendly, highly visible, great ad space, most are easy to distribute, can be theme oriented (puppies, scenic, tech), people use many types, grabs attention for a year, no sizing issues, available in many types (desk, wall, wallet, digital), home or office friendly. CONS: considered old fashioned, some take a while to produce.

Wearables (30%): high perceived value, can be used for corporate events, many budget and style options, large area for customization of logo or messaging, colorful, many decoration techniques. CONS: size issues.

 Desk accessories (5.5%): PROS: gains valuable desk space, many budget and style options, office friendly, functional, no fit issues, universal appeal. CONS: some people don't have traditional desks, possible boring factor, usually bulky for mailing.

Other categories not listed include: Awards (3%), Sporting Goods (3%), Housewares (2.6%), Buttons/Badges (2.5%), Games (2.4%), Magnets (2.3%), Electronics (2%)and Food (1.2%).

Here are some ideas for groups...gifts that can be shared:

Thanks to all of you who voted on our summer t-shirt design. The Boom Box was the winner! Voters will be getting their very own t-shirt.