It's Prom Season!!!

Ok, so it's January. Not totally prom season, but the prom committees are gearing up to plan ahead. With guidance counselors and administrators heading up the committees, we can pretty much guarantee that we won't be getting any rush orders from high schools. So since you all are planning ahead so are we! Our Prom section has been completely revamped with awesome imprinted prom favors. Personalized prom picture frames with your school's name and the date make excellent giveaways. We've got t-shirts, hats, key chains and so much more. So for some awesome prom favors, hit up the prom section!





And please forgive the shoulder pads on the woman in this picture. The frame is still awesome. The dress is totally 80's.

A Space Ride: The Ultimate Promotional Item

So with the new Windows operating system, Vista being launched today, I simply had to do a little research. Yesterday, my helpful IT buddy alerted me to the fact that Vista was launching today, and I'm not going to lie, I had no idea. But once he mentioned it, it did make sense. I mean, I'm never up to date with new computer technology, but I've also never seen a new Window's update since XP. And it's very rare that I'm ever caught up with operating systems, but I have been since XP came out.

But with Vista now coming out, an operating system that has a more Mac like design and feel, (apparently it's being called "Window's answer to OS X"), one has to wonder, how does Bill Gates promote his product?

Does he use stress relievers? No. T-shirts? Afraid not. He uses the ultimate promotional prize. A trip into space.

Microsoft teamed with a computer chip maker to create a new online game called Vanshing Point for the Vista system. It's being touted as a large scale online and offline game that challenges players across the globe to "decipher clues from spectacular events at various locations." The game began at the Consumer Electronics Show, where the launch of Vista was the subject of many people's attention.

It's first clue was a video image of numbers and symbols, with the phrase "It's About Time!" projected on to the world famous Bellagio Casino, after one of their classic water fountain shows.

Microsoft also plans to give away computers with the Vista Operating System, their new Zune MP3 Players, and XBox 360's as prizes with Vanishing Point. But the ultimate prize for the grand prize winner is a trip just around the Earth's orbit, which Gates calls "The Ultimate Vista."

Well firstly, someone call Lance Bass from N'Sync, because I have a feeling he might want to try for the prize. And secondly, for all of you who need promotional products that don't involve NASA training, there's always Motivators.com!

Spread a little love!

While some consider Valentines Day a sweet, romantic holiday where they can openly express their love for their sweethearts, others consider it a day completely overrun by greeting card companies and candy manufactuers! But, we've most definitely got the perfect thing to melt their tough, cynicl exteriors! This Valentine's Day, why not show your clients how much you care by sending them some custom chocolate! Our custom chocolate heart box is a perfect way to spread a little love. It even comes complete with two chocolate hearts inside. But don't wait! Because the chocolate is made fresh and will be molded to fit your logo or design, rush service isn't guarenteed. But hey, that's why man made Hershey's right?

Promotional Chocolate Heart Box

It's Summer!

Ok it's not, but for the most part, I wish it was. And I have a couple of reasons why. Number one: I like ice skating, but the balance is not so good. Besides you can't really fall down in a pool. Number two: Laundry is easier in the summer since you're not wearing 8 layers of clothing. Number 3: You look slimmer without 7 extra layers of clothing. Number 4: The feeling of extremities is something you get used to, and I don't like feeling like I'm typing with icicles. Of course my recent bring back the summer phase could be because I bought some summer sandals last night and I really want to wear them. But seeing as I'm currently wearing socks and shoes and I still can't feel my feet, I think I'll have to wait.

But when buying promotional products, it's best not to wait. So plan ahead. Check out our great selection of beach balls, tote bags, polycarb bottles, and more!

Hats, hats hats!

So how happy was I the other day when we got a choice of new Motivators promotional hats? Now I'm not a hat person. My ears kinda stick out and I have what looks normal, but in actuality, is a head too small for hats. So with most promotional hats, it's baseball caps all the way. But I will do anything for a knit cap. I once signed up for a credit card at a baseball game because it was cold and the gift was a free knit cap. My incredibly high interest rate on said credit card thanks you promotional hat that I lost shortly after getting you. Really.

But when the hats came around, how happy was I to see that not only were there the baseball caps that look awesome embroidered with our logo, but their were knit caps as well! Really helped since it snowed that same day.

Embroidered Knit Caps!

Secret Agent Promotional Products

How do secret agents promote themselves? Well, I know the obvious answer is that they don't and that's why they're secret agents but they could if they needed to. I recently checked out our USB pen section and totally realize that those are perfect secret agent promotional products! It looks like a normal pen, but in actuality it can store secret documents about bad guys!

Clearly, these are the 007 of USB sticks.

Promotional USB Pens

It's Oscar Tuesday!

So the announcements for the Oscar Nominations have just come out and I'd like to say that I'm excited but I'm not. I enjoyed the Golden Globes much more. But regardless of that fact, the main point is It's award season! Who's wearing what, who's bringing who, all that good stuff. This is all an easy way to remind you all that we have awards! Whatever you want them for: a golf tournament, a customer service award, a pie eating contest, we can do that! Ok so maybe not a pie eating contest, but we've got some terrific awards. From crystal to gold, we've got it all!

Check out our award sections: Awards and Recognition

My Best Office Supply Friend...

So how can an office supply be a friend? Well it gives me everything I need all in one place. I always turn to it when things are falling apart. And it reminds me of all the important things I have to do!

Rectangular Case with Metallic Desk Items!


It holds all my paper clips so that I can hang up things I need to have immmediate access to! It's binder clips are great for keeping all my new 2007 spreadsheets together. And paper clips keep everything from falling apart. This was actually a promotional gift and I really really appreciated it!

Just a little food for thought...

A Comfortable Giveaway!

We've all been so busy here lately that we hardly ever leave our computers, so we have the best things ever. Seriously, the best. These mouse pads were designed ergonomically so that if you’re constantly sitting at the computer and working with your mouse, your hand won't cramp up. It's like a little wrist pillow. It's fantastic! These are all around our office, and everyone has one. I've even made a little wrist indent in mine.

It's finally winter!

So the midwest is being hit by storms of tremendous power and the north east is just starting to get, well freezing. I'm not a fan of my car telling me the temperature these days. When it was in the 40s, I was ok with it but now...no. Somehow, if I don't know the temperature it's better. Because if I don't know how cold it is, I don't know how cold I'm supposed to feel. I walk outside and yeah, it's cold. But I get in my car and it tells me it's 19 degrees outside! All of a sudden my hands are colder than they had been and my teeth are chattering and my heater's not working fast enough. Car thermometers are evil.

So if you have one and are forced with the unplesant knowledge of knowing exactly how cold it is outside, or if any of your employees have one, be sure to keep them warm!


Promotional emboidered fleeces are selling like hot cakes the past few weeks here at Motivators. (Never really got the phrase "hot cakes", but not the point.) They've always been a popular winter promotional product, but with the insuragence of freezing temperatures they're even more popular now. And they're warm. They're terrific to layer under a parka when going out to shovel the tundra that used to be your driveway.

You know what I'm talking about! Unless you live in one of the warmer states, in which case you have no idea what I'm talking about and I'm also REALLY jealous of you.

Get Organized!

So maybe I'm really tempting fate by promotiong this product, but it's just such a good idea. But first, my personal experience. After almost an hour of debating what I wanted to buy for dinner, I get on the express checkout line at the supermarket. 12 items or less. But it's never that easy. i noticed that the woman in front of me had a rather full cart. "Excuse me, it's 12 items or less" I said. She didn't even acknowledge me! Instead her husband took out 12 items and put them on the register. I rolled my eyes, but figured what the hay, it's like having two people in front of me. But then, she started digging through her bag. Gum wrappers, receipts, change...the woman really needed a much smaller purse. But she seemed to be hanging on to ugly torn scraps and I realized what they were: coupons! Not only was she cheating the express line, BUT she had a multitude of deformed, ripped and probably expired coupons.

After seeing that I quickly fled to a different line, but it just lets me bring up a point. If you insist on actually carrying coupons, rather than those handy little key tags which you can get for free, at least organize yourself to make the people behind you just a tad less suicidal.

The promotional coupon holder will do just that! With 2 pockets, it's perfect for holding all your coupons!

Tradeshow Tip of the Week: Stand Out!

So short of dragging people to your booth, or luring them with yummy treats (which is still the best idea if you ask me), you definitely want people to notice your booth at the tradeshow. So how do you do that?

With a custom imprinted tradeshow booth!




This custom imprinted tradeshow booth allows for maximum space for your advertising message on the front. Plus, the header above allows your company name and message to be seen from a distance so people will have no problem finding you! Add a great tradeshow giveaway and you're all set!

Hands Free is The Way to Be!

With the recent winter weather hitting the midwest and the fact that it will most likely hit the northeast before you know it, it's best to be prepared. And one of the best ways to be prepared when driving (aside from having ice scrapers, snow brushes and the like)is to have a hands free cell phone headset. The most popular version is the Bluetooth headset. While it only works with Bluetooth enabled cell phones, it's features are still well worth the investment. With only the touch of a button you can pick up and hang up a call and use voice activated dialing so that you barely have to take your hands off the wheel. Considering how many accidents on the road are cell phone related (even though its illegal in many states), the Bluetooth headset is definitely a promotional investment worth making!

Promotional Bluetooth Headset

For wireless headsets and more, check out our Cell Phone Acessories!

Give them what they want!

Or rather, give them what they don't know they want. Perhaps the most popular promotional product is the promotional pen. Pens are always in demand. Whether you're looking for one to jot down a phone number, or you're searching for one right before that big meeting so you can take notes, the fact of the matter is you're always in need of a pen. In our offices, we really have no shortage of pens. And our website has no shortage of promotional pens either! It's just a matter of which one to choose! So with that in mind, I've gone around and questioned a number of Motivators to find out what pen is their favorite!

Gripless Pens



It seems that the winner hands down is the Prodir Frosted Twist Ballpoint Pen. Available in black or blue ink, it's comfortable to write with and has a great ink supply that doesn't dry out!

Gripped Pens



For those of us who prefer more comfort, the winner is the Papermate Propel. This is also my favorite pen, and I can't say what I like about it except that it's just so comfortable to write with. It doesn't make my handwriting look awful, either.

Be safe, be prepared, HAVE GUM!

If there's one thing you're sure to do at a tradeshow, it's talk to people. And if you want to make a good impression, you've got to have fresh breath. So aside from simple tips, like avoiding Onion and Garlic Potato Chips, there's one thing that will make you a hero. Gum.

Because there probably will be people who stopped for a quick bite to eat and didn't think of the "No garlic" rule. There will also be people who have been talking all day, and just need a quick freshen up. And there are always those who are just plain stinky.

So when they arrive at the tradeshow and see gum for free, they'll most likely stop to take some, which will be perfect to get them talking. But a word to the wise: chew some of that gum yourself before talking to them!

Promo Gum!

CES: What is it?

CES stands for the Consumer Electronics Show and not only is it the mother of all tech tradeshows, it's going on right now! Yahoo's homepage has a featured article on all the coolest tech gagdets that have been unveiled so far including a 108" LCD TV (like anyone really needs that. They'd probably just accidentally throw a Wii remote through it anyway). A new DVD player and a new MP3 player also made the list of must see booths at the show. But Yahoo totally plugged itself telling people to come to their booth to get a free ice cream cone complete with mix-ins!

Like I'm saying all the time: FOOD IS KEY! While we don't offer custom imprinted ice cream (let's be real, it WILL eventually melt), we've got plenty of other food goodies.

And while you may not be at the CES show or Apple Show (although I've heard rumors of the iPod phone debuting so I wish I was), we've got plenty of tech goodies that will be a hit at your tradeshow!

Food!

Tech Gagdets!

The 5 Must See Gagets at CES

Life On Mars!

So apparently, according to a scientist at Nasa, there could be life on Mars. And apparently, we could have killed it in 1977 when we sent a probe searching for life on the red planet. We were looking for Earth-like life, and while that makes sense, martians or aliens probably are not like us. The report states that recently, geological changes on Mars indicate that there could be water. But it would be more of a hydrogen peroxide based compound than our formula of H20. But when we looked for life, our probe poured water on the soil (which would have drowned the microbes) and heated the soil (which would have baked the microbes). By my calculations, and I'm no NASA scientist but if there are things living on Mars, they should be mad.

So I'm offering a fun peace offering and a great tradeshow giveaway!

This fun alien stress reliever should keep them at bay!
Promotional Alien Stress Ball

January is National Blood Donor Month!

That's right, this month is National Blood Donor Month! According to the American Association for Blood Banks (AABB), everyday 39,000 units of blood are required in our nation's hospitals. They help accident victims, patients in need of transfusions, people undergoing organ transplants and so much more.

We've got some great ways for you to get the word out there about remembering to be a blood donor. And if you're organizing a blood drive here are some great giveaways!

Get their attention with this adorable blood drop shaped stress reliever! Imprint it with the date so they won't forget!



It's important to keep blood donors hydrated, so why not try a custom imprinted polycarb water bottle? Not only is it a great giveaway but you can fill it with water or juice, so your donors are ok!



Finally, one of the best parts of giving blood (you know, aside from saving lives in the long run) is the free cookies! Check out these great chocolate chip cookies! They each come individually wrapped with an imprint on the wrapper!



I would love to get any of these things for giving blood! Unfortunately, this country refuses to take my hemoglobin, simply because I lived abroad during the years of the Mad Cow outbreak. I certainly do not (Moo) have Mad Cow (Moo). And if I did, (Moo) I think I would know (Moo.)

Anyway, to all those of you who can save lives, take the opportunity and do so.

Moo.

Hot Hot Hot!

So according to scientists, 2007 is going to be the hottest year ever. Already it's proving it's worth as I haven't found any use for my ice scraper as of yet. I'm sure I will though. So I've put together a little group of cool promotional products for you to enjoy!

This 12oz mug is great for keeping hot cocoa hot! Or hot coffee hot. So why a mug? Cause it's cool looking.


The Ergo gel mousepad is also another cool item. It helps support your wrist, allowing you to move the mouse more comfortably! It's my favorite.



This promotional iPod cover is just awesome! I myself have a bigger iPod but I adore the cuteness of the nano. It's so portable, and there's no cooler way to keep it safe!

And for some more ideas for promotional products, check out our new products!

Hot New Promotional Products!

I Love this Duck!

I know, Valentine's Day is SO far away. But seeing as how I tend to be ahead of the game when it comes to my blogging and reminding everyone about upcoming holidays, I'm pretty much on schedule. Which is good because I looked at the calendar only to realize that my mom's birthday is this Friday. Whoops. I'll get right on that, after I talk about the duck.

There are a couple promotional products that I absolutely adore and I just have to have. This duck is one of them. He sits on my desk and makes goo goo eyes at porky the pig duck who sits right next to him. And I even have a little baby duck, so it's like a whole ducky family!

And in the time, that I don't spend playing with the large assortment of toys that adorn my desk, I actually find some time to work. And I know what works for what holiday.

And this duck is a great promotional product to imprint and give out during the month of February. Put your logo on the heart and let everyone be reminded why they love you.

Valentine Duck

Data Disaster!

So we had a power surge here yesterday morning and I nearly had a stroke. I'm sitting here, typing up my spreadsheet (which had become rather hefty in volume) when all of a sudden KABOOM! Ok so maybe not so much as Kaboom, as weird beeping noise. But everything went dark and my computer went off. And in a second everything was back on. And in 5 seconds the dynamic duo (aka part of our fabulous IT team) was checking up to see if I too, had lost power. Luckily when they showed up I remembered to breathe, but whenever a computer goes off I get terrified. I've already had one data disaster because I didn't save, but luckily this time...I saved my spreadsheet about 1 minute before the surge. Am I psychic? Perhaps.

But interesting that yahoo's homepage yesterday was all about preventing a data disaster! And they suggest using external flash drives. Well good thing we have those! Which reminds me, I need to buy one to back up my itunes at home. I've already crashed my laptop twice. What can I say? Computers and I. We don't get along.

USB Flash Drives

Tradeshow Tip # 2!

A whole new year, a whole new tradeshow tip! Happy 2007 everybody!

And my tip of the week is...

Kits Go A Long Way!

When going to a tadeshow, people expect the usual. Pens, highlighters, pins, maybe some stree relievers. But a kit? It's more than one thing in one container! And thats more stuff!

Our travel kits for women and men are excellent giveaways for hospitality tradeshows. Give out a hairbrush/mirror compact.

Again, people love free stuff so why not spend a little extra and give them the good stuff!

Travel Kits
Personal Accessories