Food Gifts – Number 1 for the Holidays

Food gifts consistently rank as the number one business gift during the holidays. They are a gift that most everyone enjoys, can share and usually are not too expensive.

Most businesses will buy these items from retail or mail-order catalogs. But did you know your promotional product consultant can offer you most of the same items, with the option of including your own branding?

Top reasons for Buying Branded Food Gifts

1.  Branding

If you give a gift box of cookies with "Mrs. Field's" emblazoned on the tin, instead of your name, who does your recipient think of when they grab that cookie:  You or Mrs. Fields?

2.  Convenience

Your promotional consultant can take care of the details, including drop shipping to each recipient. Shipping dates can be scheduled for future delivery, even months in advance.

3.  Quality

Items are packed to order right before shipping, not months in advance like many mail-order companies, ensuring freshness.

4.  Memorable

Receiving a $25 box of brownies, cookies and chocolate is much more memorable than receiving that $25 gift card. Often recipients won't even remember how or when they used the card, but they will remember that tasty treat!

5.  Sharable

Most food gifts are perfect for sharing among the entire office, creating a fun, memorable experience for the recipients.

6.  Lasting Packaging

Selecting a food gift combined with a container which can later be used as a keepsake box, desk accessory, or reusable tin creates an immediate reward as well as a lasting reminder.

Best Reactions – High Value Items

What difference does the perceived value of a promotional product make on the end user? If the item is perceived to be of high value, does that translate also to their view of the giver? Does it influence their behavior and attitudes, or does it not matter?

Those are just a few of the questions asked, and answered, in a research study conducted by P.P.A.I. (Promotional Products Association International) in December 2011.

When it comes to items with a perceived value of $25 or more, the study revealed the following:


Why do you think the company or organization gave you this item?

• 23% – To make me aware of the company and it's products or services

• 28% – To thank me for doing business with them, and to continue doing so

What did you perceive the reason for being given this item?

• 31% – As a business gift

• 38% – As a form of advertising

• 40% – As an incentive

Were you more receptive to the company and it's objectives after receiving this item?

• 27% – Significantly more receptive

• 44% – Somewhat more receptive

What categories of products are most popular to receive?

• 58% – Items that can be consumed

• 50% – Items that can be worn

• 46% – Items associated with digital communication

• 46% – Items that help collect or convey things

How long do you keep your favorite products?

• 60% – Three years or more:  high value products (over $25)

• 42% – One year or less:  low value products

What makes an item worth holding onto (Very or Extremely Important)?

• 69% – Usefulness

• 59% – Quality

• 52% – Attractiveness

So what can be concluded from this study?  A few key points stand out:

• Recipients were more receptive if they perceived the item to be high value.

• Having an item imprinted with a logo did not deter from it, as long as it was a useful item.

• Apparel and food gifts are most appreciated by recipients.

• Useful items will be kept the longest.

• A high-value item is typically perceived to cost between $25-$50.

The entire research study is available at this link:  High End/Low End

It's the Experience - Maui Jim

Looking for an innovative, fun experience for a golf event, corporate meeting, or employee appreciation? The Maui Jim Fitting Experience brings a great product and an even better experience to your location.

Maui Jim brings in their expertly-trained employees who assist with fitting and selection.

Options start with a minimum of 100 pairs. The glasses retain the Maui Jim logo, with options for custom imprinting the cases with your imprint.

Take a look at the video below to see what a great experience and memory it creates for it's recipients.






The Maui Jim Experience is just another type of promotional marketing service from The Creative J, and a great example of how the right experience leaves the best impression.

Holiday Gifts Already?

Can you believe summer is over, school has started and ads for holiday gifts are starting to pop up? What happened to this year? Seems the older I get, the faster the year flies by.

Almost daily we are starting to get catalogs and emails from our suppliers about holiday gifts. Believe it or not, now's the time to start thinking about what your company is going to do this year for employee and customer gifts.

Some items, like chocolates and other food stuffs are discounted right now through the end of September. If you order now, these suppliers will even hold off on shipping until November or December, or whenever you like. A great way to get those orders taken care of now and avoid the stress of getting them done last minute in December! Click here to check out some really yummy ideas.

A common holiday handout is calendars, and it's time to order those while supplies last. Many calendars are printed at the beginning of the year and not replenished. We've found some styles are out of stock in the fall, so it's best to order soon. Most calendar companies will offer discounts for orders placed before July 1. To check out a variety of styles and sizes, click here.

A lot of businesses out there will tell us they like to just hand out gift cards or money for their holiday gifts. Studies have shown that giving a gift instead of money will last in the recipient's memory much longer. Recipients of money will tend to use it to pay off bills and not remember how they used it a year later. When they receive an actual gift, especially one branded with your company's logo, they remember each time they use it how and when they received it. Their appreciation for the giver is reinforced each time they use their gift.

So although we're still feeling the heat of summer, it's time to start looking ahead and thinking about those cool months to come, and how you plan to thank your customers and your employees.