Teacher Appreciation Week!

Since I recently went up to my old college and saw some of my former professors, I couldn't help but think about how much they helped me. My college was a small one and all the students had great relationships with their professors. My department had about 8 main professors in it and I had a great relationship with all of them. So on that note, I decided to dedicate today's blog to Teacher Appreciation Week! It's celebrated during the second week of May and it's a great time to say thank you for all their hard work and dedication!

Promotional Products

Celebrate the Class of 2007!

As I mentioned the other day, I recently went up to my college for the New Student Day, welcoming the class of 2011. And while this made me feel extremely old, it also made me treasure today. Because my days in college were some of the best days of my life and graduation came way too soon. And I know now that graduations are quickly approaching and the Class of 2007 will soon be receiving their diplomas. So with that in mind, check out this great 2007 keychain! It's a great gift to give out at commencements!

It's Almost Car Wash Season!

The Spring has finally arrived and that means one thing: I can safely wash my car and not stress about it! I loved the black Jetta when I saw it, but looking at it now, it's hardly as attractive as it was when I got it. But that's because black is the hardest color on cars. It's constantly showing dirt and white cars never do! I wish the same worked for clothes. I’d feel a little bit better about the white shirt meats cocktail sauce disaster. But I digress.

The fact that it's officially Spring means that I can actually wash my car myself and not have to take it to the car wash. This is great for 2 reasons: 1. I don't have to pay for it and 2. I won't freeze washing my car in my driveway.

So keep in mind that Spring and Summer are opportune times to give out a promotional car wash kit. Car fanatics will love them and they're great give a ways for auto shops and car dealerships. So check out our custom imprinted car wash kits!

Nothing's better than your tunes and your food!

So this weekend, I went out to lunch at a cute chain restaurant we have in town called American Burger Co. The outside is reminiscent of a modern day 50's diner and the food is delicious. It's simple: burgers and fries. That's it. But the coolest thing (aside from the fact that you order at the counter like you would at McDonald's but they bring the food to your table), is that it really is like a modern 50s diner. Instead of having juke boxes in the booths, they have iPod docking stations. So you can sit down and enjoy your burger and fries while listening to whatever music you like or watching whatever you want. I was ticked that I didn't have my iPod, but now I'll know for next time! And it just reminded me again that iPod speakers are amazing promotional items!

An Alumni Thank You!

I went up to my old college this past weekend for an alumni function. The class of 2011 was being welcomed, and they asked various alums from different departments to meet with students interested in the same majors. First of all, seeing the sign that said Welcome Class of 2011 just made me feel old, but it turned out to be a fun day. Myself and my very good friend Matt were representing the communications division and to say thank you, the alumni director gave us a cute gift. Every alum received a stainless steel tumbler and a pen, gift wrapped with a Thank You note. I had caught up with some former professors who laughed after they saw my gift, knowing that a pen and a tumbler were just what I needed. But still it was a great, easy idea and a nice way to say thank you to alums. Even with all the promotional products I'm surrounded by, I was still appreciative. Too bad I left them in Matt's car.

Tumblers and Pens

Mints, Mints, Mints!

So it's Friday which means one thing to a few of us here at the office: karaoke! Friday nights a few of us here usually head out to this fun little place that has karaoke and we have a blast! The few of us that do go enjoy it so much that we don't care who we sing with. More often then not, we'll sing with each other but occasionally someone will need a backup singer for Love Shack or something, and one of us will volunteer. And we've realized one thing: mints are a must!

If you're sharing a microphone with a stranger, it's not always pleasant to share your breath. Especially since one of our other traditions is going to On The Border (the most wonderful Mexican restaurant ever) before hand. It's plain and simple: if I'm getting really into Journey's Don't Stop Believing, I don't want to worry about having enchilada breath while singing at the top of my lungs.



So this is my favorite new item. Mints on a keychain. As if I don't have enough key chains already, but these are always handy to have. We all have one, so should my keys not be readily available, I'll just get one from one of my karaoke buddies. And I'll be safe to sing loudly without offending anyone! Well offending anyone with my breath, my singing on the other hand is another story!

For more great mints, gum and yummy snacks check out our Food Products!

Sunscreen!

With spring already here, it really makes sense to start ordering the giveaways for summer now. And one of the best giveaways there is, is sunscreen! So protect clients and employees this summer with our vast selection of sunscreen products! Whenever I go to the beach, I hate bringing sunscreen. I know I have to put it on, but sometimes the bottles are just so bulky. So here's my pick for Motivators best sunscreen for the summer of '07:



This .4oz tube of SPF sunscreen will not only provide a great service to your clients, employees, and any recipients but also, it'll make your imprint really stand out!

And we've got plenty other promotional sunscreen products, so check them out! They're all you need to be prepared for some hot summer promotions!

Happy Spring!

It officially marks the first day of Spring, so with that in mind I've compiled a list of the best things about this upcoming season.



5. Rain! Of course, it's awful when it rains in the winter, but when it rains in the Spring, the weather's warmer and the rain is almost soothing! So why not give out some umbrellas to prepare clients and employees?


4. Baseball's coming! There's nothing better than going to a baseball game on a nice warm spring day. But it's no fun to go sit in the VIP section (OK it is, but it's pricy!), so why not give out custom imprinted stadium cushions for the bleacher creatures out there!


3. Picnics! One of my favorite places in the world to have a picnic is Bryant Park in Manhattan. They have tables and chairs, but sometimes it's better to just park yourself of a blanket in the grass! So why not giveaway a picnic set as an incentive this season? We've got everything from blankets to sets with coolers, utensils and flatware! Or give out some fun picnic toys like frisbees or beachballs!


2. Warm Weather! Perhaps my favorite thing about Spring is that it's no longer artic in most places. Fresh cut grass is one of my favorite smells in the world and there's nothing better than being able to walk around in flip flops. So prepare clients and employees with some spring apparel!

1. Spring and Summer promotions! And it's not just because I work in the promotions world, but I love free stuff. And it started today with Dunkin Donuts Free Iced Coffee promotion, which I've already indulged in. It's the best feeling to get free stuff when you go to an outdoor concert or to the beach. So join in the fun and give out some great spring and summer promotions!

The Perfect Overnight Bag!

I spent the weekend at a friend's house, and I was only staying the night so I didn't feel like bringing a huge bag. So luckily, working here there are always bags available! So I went through the choices, and I decided, I liked this Gemline Sport Sling Pack. I had it in green, so it fit the St. Patty's Day feel and it was easy to carry. It easily fit all my clothes (including pajamas) and had a separate zippered pocket which held all my personal stuff, like my contact lens case and my toothbrush. It was such a perfect bag in fact, and my friend loved it so much that she wanted one for her commute. And since green is her favorite color, all my clothes and personal stuff went home in a plastic bag and she got my green sling pack sport pack. Oh well.

The Perfect Overnight Bag!

Stress Awareness Month!

It's been really busy here lately, which is always a good thing but it can occasionally get to people. We all get along very well, but it's not uncommon to hear a little tiff here and there, or an unusually loud sigh. It's what work is: it's stressful.

And April is Stress Awareness Month. So here are some interesting giveaways to think about.

There's always stress balls and stress relievers, but since those are what everyone will be giving away why not be different?

1. Aromatherapy KitsThey're simple yet functional. With bath salts, shower gel, body wash and body lotion, this aromatherapy kit is sure to calm anyone’s nerves after a hard week.

2. Foot Pamper Kit We're always running back and forth around here, so this is one of my favorite items. It's got all the essentials to give your tootsies a treat.

3. Rolling Massagers So small and simple, it'll fit in a desk drawer and makes the perfect accessory to any coffee break.

So take a moment to prepare for Stress Awareness Month, and fear not if you need them, click here for stress relievers!

Beach Mats!

The weather has got to stop. After a beautiful day outside yesterday, we woke up to snow on the ground. Can Mother Nature please make up her mind? I cannot stand this. Especially, since I just got my new beach mat. I know it's only March, but I want to go some place warm and use this new beach mat!

It's a great summer giveaway and it'll get people's spirits up on days like this. After it's been almost 70 degrees the day before and then you wake up to the wonders of ice scrapers and wiper fluid.

Summer. Now. Please.

But don't wait, start planning now. And give clients and employees something to look forward to.

Beach Mat!

Keep From Getting Sick!

There was an interesting article on Yahoo the other day about avoiding sickness at the office. Now that there are 4 people in our specific office (it's affectionately known as The Quad), I'm getting a little bit more worried about this. But what's worse is that I've had this annoying cough, since probably December. My coworkers shoot me a look every time I cough and I feel bad. But, I have Purell Sanitizer so I keep that on my desk and use it every time I cough. Not only does it help me from getting sicker, it prevents me from spreading whatever this is.

It's definitely by far one of my favorite promotional products! So check it out. It's a great giveaway for tradeshows and meetings. Plus everyone can appreciate hand sanitizers because they promote healthy living! So start showing employees and clients that you care about their well being!

Hand Sanitizers!

Lip Balm!

Tis the season for chapped lips! Ok, so maybe that was more winter, but regardless, lip balm is always in season! A coworker of mine is addicted to lip balm and has a certain favorite flavor, that she stocked up in when she found out it was being discontinued. And after hearing that story, I started to think. Finding the perfect lip balm can be a challenge. There are many factors to consider. What's the flavor? What's the after taste? Does it feel good? Is there a SPF involved?

But the one thing that can be said about lip balm without question is that it's a great promotional item. It's small so it's easy to give out and easy to keep. And even better, it's affordable!

MP3's Please!

Yesterday, just as I sat down at my desk and got ready to start my day, I heard the unmistakable sound of a construction worker jack-hammering the sidewalk outside our building. Not just outside our building, but outside our office. Anywhere I went in the building it wasn't as loud as it was by my desk. In case, you've never had this problem, it's loud. And it's impossible to concentrate.

I joked with my boss that had we given out Motivators MP3 players for the holidays, I could just pop my headphones in, turn it up and not have this problem. Of course, I have an iPod that I had just forgotten at home, but still it made me think.

MP3 players make excellent incentives and giveaways. Plus, many employees concentrate better when listening to music, and personal MP3 players ensure that no one else is disturbed. Right now, with 4 of us in one room and 3 of us with our own iPods, it can be a mish mash of music. And somehow Elvis, Kelly Clarkson and Oasis don't blend as well as one might think.

So check out our MP3 Player Section for your next upcoming giveaway. It's great for the upcoming warm weather!

Car Wash Kits!

There's no better spring giveaway then a car wash kit. I'm one of those genius people who decided I wanted a black car. Unfortunately, black shows dirt and snow and everything, so it's never clean. This winter has been exceptionally hard on my poor car and many washes have been needed. But it's too cold to go outside and do it myself so that means, I actually have to pay. But, now that spring is here (not officially, but according to daylight savings time), I know that I can soon do it myself. I just need one of these!

Promotional car wash kits are excellent giveaways for the spring and summer. Practically everyone can use them and they're terrific promos for mechanics, body shops and more!

Promotional Car Wash Kits

Beachballs!

With spring almost here, I had to take the opportunity to blog about beach balls. I love them. They're a great item to have during the spring and summer and they're really just a general good time. Hopefully, you've realized since my blog about our "break room jotter" and our office basketball hoop, that while we do work hard here at Motivators, we make sure we have fun.

So while I was sitting here this afternoon, one of my office mates decided it would be fun to play with a beach ball that we had lying around. With four of us in this room, I knew what would happen and it wasn't more than 2 minutes before I got whacked in the head.

The point is, beach balls are fun. They're great giveaways for summer camps and schools. They're cheap and affordable. And they don't hurt if your very mature office mate happens to whack you in the head with one.

Promotional Beach Balls

New Computer? Need to back up data?

With reports that certain hardware accessories such as scanners and printers are not compatible with Window's new Vista Operating System, it can make computer users a little nervous. But there's a solution: a USB stick! They can transfer data from one computer to another with the simplest of ease. And the best news is that many of Leeds technology products are Vista compatible. All of their USB sticks are compatible with Vista, aside from the Biometric USB stick with fingerprint technology.

So definitely check out Leeds USB sticks if you're looking to transfer data from a Window's Vista operating system to another computer!

USB Flash Drives!

Take a Break from Work!

So sometimes, work can be crazy and hectic and stressful. But the number one way to get through the days is to add a little fun to each one. Of course, working at Motivators we have plenty of toys around. From stress balls to rubber duckies, we have plenty of products in our offices to make the day go by a little quicker.

But I have to say, one of my favorite toys that we have in our office is this mini basketball hoop. It sticks to the wall with double sided tape, and holds up pretty well. Especially considering the fact that we were recently trying to block each others shots, and we lost the ball. But we have plenty of stress balls and rubber ducks to shoot in our basketball hoop so it's ok!

Post It Flags: The Addict's Answer

Are you addicted to Post It Flags? I know I am. I post-it flag everything! There are flags on my monitor, on my file folders, on papers inside file folders, on pages in books and magazines. It's ridiculous. So when UPS delivered us a box full of new Post-It products branded with our logo, the first thing I ran for was the tape flags. But there weren't any.

When I got back to my desk, I noticed a box on my chair and I opened it up to find the mother of all Post-It Flag dispensers! The new Post It Flag Pod has 3 sides and dispenses up to 6 Post It Flags. And the flags are included! It's my favorite new product. And it's perfect for Post-It Flag junkies like myself.

USB Sticks!

A few days ago I blogged about how much I love my new iPod. Besides buying TV shows and music, it was great to put my CD collection in the palm of my hand. The only thing I couldn’t figure out was how to get the music from my old computer onto the iPod. It couldn’t handle iTunes… what to do?

The answer was a USB stick. I plugged a 1GB USB stick into the old computer, moved the songs to the new computer, and voila. This is just one of the practical applications for these great items. Key ring USB sticks can hold important files for your business. Pre-load your presentation onto corporate branded USB sticks and hand them out at your next big meeting. Check out the site for all sorts of great USB options!

USB Memory Stick

Hot or Cold? Fleece is the answer!

I recently moved into a new room in our office building. The change of scenery has been nice. The only downside is the temperature. For some reason, this room gets unreasonably hot. Instead of my usual button down shirt or sweater, I’ve had to go back to short sleeve shirts. This doesn’t work outside of the office though, as it's still February. To fight this constant change, I’ve taken to wearing a fleece.

Fleeces are light yet warm. My favorite is the corporate gift that was handed out here at Motivators. Everybody was excited to get these nice pieces of apparel as a reward for a great start to the year. I know I’ll be wearing mine in place of a jacket when Spring arrives. There are high quality fleeces from Columbia and Tri-Mountain available for customization. Embroider your company logo and it will be seen all around town.

Jotters...Suprisingly fun!

There’s been a new addition to our ‘Break Room’ here at the office. A jotter was on the table, and someone decided to start having some fun. They wrote a quick hello and asked for a response. Now whoever comes in contact with the jotter writes a little something. There are comments about chicken cutlets, sushi, and the oh so mature ‘Kristen is NOT cool, lets talk about it!’

This is just a fun example of what a jotter can do. I normally use one to take notes that I’ll need when on the go. Motivators has a variety of jotters that fit in my inside jacket pocket, with a slot on the side to hold a pen. Everything you need for that quick bit of info or random thought can be on you at all times.

Jotters!