Ann Curry and her team showed proof that “more than 80 percent of Kilimanjaro’s famous ice cap has disappeared in the last 100 years”. This proves how important it is to contribute to a greener Earth. Promotional products that are Earth friendly raise environmental awareness. Use Earth conserving products whenever possible.

A camera crew and several guides helped Curry hike a difficult route up the mountain. They were determining whether to continue to the summit or turn back because of altitude sickness. You’re probably not facing the same dilemma but you may be struggling while trying to climb the mountain of success in your own business or career. Use teamwork to reach the peak of your success. Inspirational products are helpful when you need to motivate your employees. Employee recognition awards, achievement awards and plaques are incentives that recipients can feel proud of.

It is especially important to gift give this year. While in a recession it is important to personalize your advertising efforts. Gift giving is the most direct way to advertise. So here are some great holiday advertising gift ideas to get you started:

What do we do the most around the holidays? We eat! The most memorable gift we’ve received in the office is the Gourmet Classic Cookie Assortment. Whenever you receive a tin you know there is something good in it. The cookies are so fresh and delicious. The Gourmet Classic Cookie Assortment includes: Gourmet Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Double Chip and Crystal Sugar cookies. The cookie tin is available in seven different colors and has a large imprint area that is up to six inches in diameter.

Another great gift, the Picture Perfect Laser Kit. Now on Closeout while supplies last and at an unbeatable price it’s the perfect gift! The Picture Perfect Laser Kit has everything needed to make hanging artwork hassle free. It’s molded foam protective case is screen printed with your logo on the top and/or side panel.

The Digital Photo Frame Ornament 1.5″ LCD is an inexpensive alternative to the traditional digital frames. It holds over 60 photos and features slide show, rotate, crop and auto on/off functions. Hang it on the Christmas tree or place it on the desktop.

This is just a handful of the great ideas we have at garrettspecialties.com. Call 800-320-1510 or email service@garrettspecialties.com today for more help because you don’t want to miss the opportunity to thank your customers and make a memorable impression.

Give an umbrella that will really make and impression. Protect your most valuable clients from the wind and rain with the New Madison Square Umbrella. It will keep them dry with its stylish windproof double canopy design. The biggest advantage of this umbrella is that it has multiple large imprint areas for your custom advertising message.

Keep the rain off your customers while the sales come pouring in with the New Chameleon Umbrella & Tote Set. Its attractive and unique two-tone shimmering fabric is irresistible to the eye. Your screen printed logo will be hard to miss. The Chameleon Umbrella is can be purchased separately.

Umbrellas can be used as an incentive for your customers to buy. For example, a home furnishing, apparel, cosmetic, or any type of business can hand them out to customers who spend an allotted amount or more. They are also perfect for companies that provide a service like a car service, hotel, or restaurants. Custom umbrellas are sophisticated, personal gifts that will storm up increased sales!

Garrett Specialties provides a great collection of promotional golf umbrellas, wind umbrellas, and compact umbrellas.

It’s hard to determine what is safe and what’s not with the conflicting news we receive everyday. That’s why Garrett Specialties offers a wide selection of Promotional Sports Drink Bottles to meet any of your marketing needs. Juice up your promotion with BPA Free Eco-friendly Bottles. Sporty, durable, quality water bottles won’t dry out your budget at $1.00 or less.

The hottest trend on the market for earth friendly, recyclable, safe, and re-usable water bottles is the Aluminum Bottle. It is a great alternative to plastic bottles. It’s attractive, different and new. It’s durable and can be used over and over increasing your brand identity each time. The aluminum bottle shown above has a carabineer that conveniently attaches to your belt loop or backpack.

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FDA To Re-Think Decision On BPA Safety
In the back-and-forth ping pong match that is the battle over bisphenol A (BPA), the forces leery over the possibly dangerous chemical have just fired back. On Friday, a science advisory board to the Food and Drug Administration endorsed a subcommittee report that concluded the FDA’s August pronouncement of BPA’s safety was flawed. Reads the report: “[The information] provides a sufficient scientific basis to conclude that the Margins of Safety defined by FDA as ‘adequate’ are, in fact, inadequate.”
Through its decision, the science board (a group of outside experts), said that the FDA was wrong to base its decision solely on industry-funded studies – in the process ignoring other research with more damaging conclusions. The FDA declared three months ago that BPA (commonly found in reusable plastic water bottles, baby bottles and the linings of metal cans) was safe in trace amounts. But since then, BPA has come under repeated attacks. A September study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association linked it to heart disease and diabetes. Another study last month by the National Toxicology Program suggested that BPA exposure to expecting mothers may cause alterations in brain, prostate gland and behavioral development in fetuses and children.
The report, penned by a subcommittee on Wednesday before it was brought to light Friday, charges the FDA with using old data, employing studies that weren’t designed to study newborns and not taking into account the cumulative effect of BPA exposures from multiple sources. “It is the judgment of the Subcommittee,” pronounces the report on that last charge, “that lack of consideration of the totality of exposures from other sources severely limits the usefulness of the safety assessment.”
In a statement Wednesday, the FDA stood by its initial decision over the safety of BPA: “Current levels of exposure to BPA through food packaging do not pose an immediate health risk to the general population, including infants and babies.” However, FDA director Andrew von Eschenbach has stated the agency will revisit its decision in light of last week’s ruling.

It’s a fact; people love receiving free promotional pens.

Most people keep a large collection in their desk, what I like to call a “just in case” pile, of their favorite pens, highlighters, pencils and markers. I personally make sure I have one in my car, in my handbag, in the kitchen, bedroom, and at my desk because it can be so frustrating if you need one and can’t find one. The need for writing instruments will never die because writing something down is still the fastest, easiest, and most reliable way to record information.

Pens that are stylish, write well, and fit comfortably in your hand make the best impression. People will horde pens that they really like. Your imprinted message is at their fingertips every time they use it.

Novelty pens like light-up pens or fun pens are also very popular. They show personality and standout in a crowd of average pens.

Earth friendly pens are made of non-toxic and biodegradable materials, a great promotion to meet the demands of Earth conscious consumers.

Metal pens are lavish and elegantly laser engraved. Options from low-end to high-end executive style pens and executive pen gift sets are available to give your client the feeling of importance.

Pens are inexpensive and effective promotions that people love to receive.

So when I came back to my desk I saw my Post-It Note Dispenser and I came up with a way to make my own. It took a couple of tries but luckily the dispenser holds a pack of 50 3×3 post-it notes.

I admit this is the most unique way I have ever used a post-it but the Post-It Note Dispenser has a permanent spot on my desk and gets used daily. My computer screen is littered with post-it notes. Every time I grab a sheet I see the logo that is imprinted on the dispenser and I think about that company.

The experience reminded me of the power of promotional products. 52% of the people who receive promotional products conduct business with companies they receive them from and view them as more favorable. People anticipate receiving giveaways, get excited about them and are influenced by them.

I really anticipated receiving that sticker but I had to create my own. I’ve added “I Voted Post-It Note” to the post-its on my monitor for the entire office to see.

At Garrett Specialties we offer the best custom marketing items that make a positive impact on your customers and that they will forward to receiving.

That is probably no news to you but since we are all feeling the weight of the economy we need economical and creative marketing solutions.

Stress balls are great promotional products for today’s economy. They are inexpensive and come in a large variety of different shapes, colors, and sizes. There is a unique stress ball for any company in any industry.

They leave a good lasting impression because they are fun and useful. Stress balls can relieve stress while improving circulation. Squeezing a stress ball can help relieve the user’s hands from tedious typing. They relax the mind and they are great brainstorming tools too. They usually sit on the recipient’s desk and are handled often revealing your advertising message daily.

Promotional stress balls from Garrett Specialties can be turned around within 7 business days. Custom shapes are available at an order minimum of 1,500 pieces and production time is about 90-120 days. They are a great giveaway and a fun way to relieve stress!

Swaddle up sales with the Fleece Throw Blanket. It is a large soft plush blanket available in many corporate colors. Recipients can keep them near their desk for those chilly days in the office or at home as a decorative throw.

The Aspen Fleece Earband is a great promotional item to give out at tailgating parties, snowboarding or company ski outings, and trade shows. They are perfect for home and garden centers, truckers, or municipal employees. Incorporate them into a direct mail campaign for an increased response. Wrap-up a great sales meeting with the Aspen Fleece Earband, give it as unexpected gift just before your clients get ready to muster the cold. Or give them the Snowball 3pc Fleece Set. The set includes fleece hat, gloves, scarf and carrying pouch to hold all items. Each piece can be personalized with your logo.

When your recipients cuddle into these warm fleece gifts they will remember and appreciate your business and the sales will come raining in.

A great way to appeal to trade show traffic is to use the Bendeez Sticks to decorate your booth. Imagine bending them into swirly shapes and hanging them like party streamers. Make sure every visitor takes one.

Use the Bendeez Pen for direct mail campaigns. They are great promotional products for themes of change or flexibility. Perfect items for any company in any industry.

Both items can be imprinted with your logo in black. Include a tag line or web address for more effective promotions.

So you’ve pin pointed your target market but how do you get them to open your mail instead of throwing it into the junk pile? To increase your direct mail open rate, make it lumpy. Make it bulky and fat so that the client is curious as to what’s inside.

The Mini Trash Can is the perfect “Lumpy Mail” piece. Encourage people to reduce waste by using it for environmental or recycling campaigns. Promote proper electronic waste recycling by using the mini trash cans for computer campaigns. A lot of people are unaware that is environmentally unsafe to throw away computers and electronics. It is also great for financial planning campaigns. You can use tag lines like “don’t trash your credit” or “stop throwing money away”. It is also a good product to promote identity theft protection plans.

The mini trash can has many uses too! It is a fantastic desktop accessory. Great for random desktop “garbage” like paper clips, pens or even candy.