There's another reason to celebrate April 22, and it has something to do with candy. National Jelly Bean Day, which falls on the same date as Earth Day, is just another excuse for everyone to enjoy Jelly Beans after Easter, but what the heck, we love those Jelly Beans, and isn't it great that they have a day all to themselves? More than just party giveaways, some people have found creative ways to use those Jelly Beans. Let us count the many ways you can use Jelly Beans: 1. Deck your cake or cupcakes with it. 2. Mix them into your favorite drink. Jelly Bean mocktails are for those who'd like to drink and drive. (My favorite is the Cape Codder.) 3. Use them as table centerpieces and personalized napkin holders. 4. Make them party or wedding giveaways. Singer Gwen Stefani once gave out a box of Krispy Kreme as wedding favors, so why not Jelly Beans? You might want to personalize these small plastic light bulbs and fill them with those colorful beans. I personally like my Jelly Beans as they are, given to me in a reusable promotional tin. Nothing beats the raw thing, don't you think? Looking for other promotional Jelly Bean ideas? Call ...

Spring, to me, conjures images of picnics, beaches, and walks in the park, basking under the sun. I think there's nothing more exciting than being in the midst of changing season. Here are my top 5 favorite spring gifts and giveaways: Umbrellas! I love the colors that this promotional bamboo umbrella (as low as $7.79) comes in. It's available in refreshing shades of pink, blue, and green that are just a sight for sore eyes and a really (literally) cool way to get your brand seen by everyone. I know now why Rihanna loves her umbrella so much. TIP: If you're more worried about bulky promotional umbrellas that nobody wants to be seen with, ask your Branders account manager for personalized mini umbrellas. Sunglasses. I was never really a fan of sunglasses before, but as one ages, one sort of develops a liking for things that used to be on the "can't be seen with" list. I looove these custom wrap-around sunglasses (as low as $1.49) because they're the perfect accessory for the beach (squinting can give you wrinkles). Picnic blankets. I think blankets are cuddly personal giveaways that I wouldn't mind keeping, especially if they come in handy during those offhand park ...

If you've been playing it safe with your promotions and sticking to the usual giveaways, it's about time you started doing something different. While it's certainly harder to market in this economic climate, the scenario should be a challenge for you to step up. Fun promotional items are a good way to attract attention. Don't worry about not being taken seriously. These fun items are one way to show you're brave enough to show your humorous side. So take the risk. Ask your Branders account manager for fun giveaways you can use this summer. Call 877-BRANDERS. Get subscriber-only discounts on promotional items when you sign up with the Branders newsletter.

With spring coming up, everyone's looking forward to warmer temperatures and the chance to bask in the sun. If you're planning a pet promotion for spring, promotional Frisbees or funfliers are perfect giveaways that pet owners and their dogs would love to have. What's nice about this seasonal item is that it's a toy that a man and his best friend can share. It signals playtime! A Branders client, Amy Reed, had the same idea about promotional Frisbees when she ordered them for her bakery, Colorado Barkery, which offered homemade treats for dogs. These custom funfliers were handed out to customers to promote the store's opening. Of course, the dogs also got to play with them after getting their treats. Get subscriber-only discounts on promotional items when you sign up with the Branders newsletter.

Want to wiggle your way to the hearts of animal-loving consumers? Here are a couple of pet promotional items that will leave a good impression with pet owners: Give pet owners a personalized dog bone to bring home to their lovable pets and they'll keep coming back. You can have your logo and hotline silk-screened on the cellophane wrapper. We're letting the cat out of the bag: this one's a favorite treat among the feline family--something to help you promote a new cat food brand or to remind cat owners not to neglect their vet visit. Looking for a great fund-raising item? This Amberly Riviera pet carrier will sell like hotdogs at any animal benefit event. Even pets get into accidents, so why not equip their owners with custom first-aid kits. They will appreciate your kind gesture.

Promotions targeting children are different from those that focus on adults. Kids have a sense of urgency with them. (If you have kids of your own, you know what I mean.) Rewards won't work in their case. They need to have THAT TOY RIGHT NOW and they will exert all the power they have to convince you, and yes, it can get difficult to give in. Here are some promotional ideas that will be a success with kids: Mechanical - A promotional toy they can wind up, bend, stretch, pull, and press will be a hit, especially if it's something that encourages kids to exercise their motor skills. Adventure-themed - Children love toys they can use in make-believe play. Personalized jungle hats, telescopes, maps, and pirate ships are some of the toys you can add your logo to. Animals - You can never go wrong with promotional stuffed toys and animal playthings, especially if these are characters that children are familiar with. Educational materials - It's a good thing that children enjoy the learning process, so promotional materials such as crayons, pens, colored pencils, notebooks, rulers, coloring books, or anything they can use for school or at home when they practice writing will be more than ...

Fun, entertaining giveaways aren't just for kids. They're also for kids at heart like you and me. If you're looking for something fun and crazy for an upcoming promotion or trade show, you're going to love this sweet thing. So what makes this Crazee Cube (as low as $9) a winner? It offers 20,000 different solutions, which makes it your best friend during those moments when you're stuck in a mental roadblock. And because it's available in white, your logo stands out for all to see.

Add your logo to this cute promotional turkey stress reliever. It's a very apt thank-you gift and giveaway for Thanksgiving, and the stress relief will really help in this belt-tightening season.

Looking for an out-of-the-box solution to declining traffic to your trade show booth? Funny convention giveaways are effective in getting people's attention because they're unique and unexpected. Mention the word "construction" and the next thought that comes is B-O-R-I-N-G. If you're with the construction industry, this promotional hard hat weepul ($0.51) is a good way to show your funny side. Or if you're introducing a new line of bath and personal care products, why not include this cute promotional rubber mallard (as low as $1.69) in your sampler kit? It'll add a lot of fun to bathing! Branders has a lot more promotional fun giveaways. Have a look-see and go call your account manager for some tips!

Looking for some last-minute Halloween giveaways? Here are some spooky ideas for a budget-friendly promotion: Personalized Halloween bubbles ($0.57) for wholesome, clean fun for everyone Promotional sticky pads ($0.28) to list down ideas and notes by any season of the year Reflective foot stickers ($0.21) to keep the kids safe when they're out trick-or-treating Promotional reflective trick-or-treat bag ($0.40) for the treaters who come knocking, and some custom candy corn ($0.68) for giveaways