On Martin Luther King Day and just a day before his inauguration as America's 44th president, Barack Obama helped paint the walls of a shelter for homeless teenagers and visited troops who were injured in battle. Obama, a former community organizer, is a big believer in the power of legion. "Don't underestimate the power of people who join together to accomplish amazing things," he said. And I thought, how apt, that this week's newsletter has the same sentiments: of giving back, inspiring others, and paying forward. The STAR Lymphedema Network, a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower those struggling with lymphedema, is making a difference in its own little way through awareness-building educational discussions. In one of the group's events, Star pens were given out to make everyone feel "star-rific," says the group's secretary Dorothy Lecours. How is your company making a difference in your community? Do share you story! We'd love to hear from you! Get subscriber-only discounts on promotional items! Sign up with the Branders newsletter.

This entry won in the final week of the Branders product reviews contest. I'll tell you a little secret: Not everyone who orders from Branders uses giveaways for promotional events. Do you know that some people do source their birthday giveaways and wedding favors from us as well? A client, Carol Armstrong, tells us how she organized a "Casino Royale" wedding party for her son. We're amazed with all the effort that she put into the whole affair--from the poker cards customized with a photo of her son and his fiancee to the playing card wedding invitations and poster-sized Jokers of the groomsmen, ringbearer, and the groom decorating the party hall. (Isn't it just wonderful that a simple giveaway like these custom poker cards could actually be used as wedding giveaways?) Carol, it turns out, is creative in many other ways as well: We just loved the poem she sent in (she refers to her account manager Chan Patel, “he’s the man!”). Don't take our word for it. Check out her entry here. Photo credit: Carol Armstrong

During Valentine's, the unspoken truth, and often the most brutal when laid bare, is nobody likes flowers. While they look pretty drawn on paper, painted on a wall or displayed at a hotel lobby, the real live ones that we ourselves have to put in a vase, prune and hydrate eventually wither away. That said, stay away from flowers this Valentine's Day. You see, Valentine's is a great avenue for getting really creative with your gifts. It's the perfect backup holiday for those presents you wanted to buy last Christmas but couldn't actually give for fear of offending someone. You don't even have to give a gift your Valentine will find useful! In fact, most people, especially pals and coworkers, would not expect a gift. When you do give one, their surprise will offset any repulsion for what you've given, if any; in the end, they'll still feel flattered that you bothered. At last, no thoughts like, "Will she be returning it?" looming over you as you hand gifts out. Best of all, you won't be dictated by elaborate gift guides and overwhelming catalogs. On Valentine's Day, you're allowed to NOT give china. Or expensive leather goods. On February 14th, you can ...

Valentine's Day is two weeks away, and have you prepared for it enough? Did you even consider? What will you be giving to people in your workplace? None?! What gives? Sure, your might have had miscalculated a few times, warranting eligibility for a pink slip, which is SO NOT Valentine's Day. But February 14 is a celebration of all forms of love! Respect, teamwork, patience and tolerance. Like what they say, Valentine's isn't just for lovers; it's for all to enjoy whether they are sad or happy, single or complicated, old or very old, young or very young. Cupid's day is for everyone--including your boss. Yes. Valentine's also belongs to those higher-ups we only talk about in whispers. But as in the office, you have to be extra-careful when choosing your gifts... For Him Spirit of St. Louis journal Ultrahyde faux leather cover with book-bound lined pages inside Chrome computer mouse Names and logos can be laser-engraved 8-in-1 Survival card Includes a can/bottle opener, serrated edge,screwdriver, S/S pick, ruler, and 4-position and wing-nut wrenches, all in an ABS case. For Her Heart-shaped 100-sheet notepad Blood-red pad holder to keep the sheets in place Translucent roll-up calculator Soft-touch pad and auto shut-off Meat and cheese fondue set 18/10 stainless steel accessories, powder-coated base and ceramic bowl

A Hollywood actress once quipped, "Is that weird, taking my Louis Vuitton bag camping?" Uh, yes... in the same weird vein as taking your beach bag to a gala... See, each bag design warrants a specific time and place for which it is used. Tote bags, for instance, cannot be carried just anywhere. Their overall aesthetic alone would hint which setting they would look perfect in. Drag your mouse over these images for a little helpful intro...  

These will be loved by: Clients who live, breathe and eat gadgets. Or those who just really need to stay connected. It is actually a: A multidevice charging kit that comes with a USB and AC adapter, 4 cellphone adapters and 4 rechargeable batteries. Guilt- and worry-free: If you're an environmental activist concerned about carbon emissions or a traveller frequently stuck in far-flung towns, this promotional item will be a most helpful company, as it recharges units via solar panels. The housing is made of 1,680d nylon so your toys remain protected and cushioned, just in case you drop the charger from a treehouse. But: You'll have to shell out a substantial amount on this one, as it starts at $60.92. Of course, the product is worth every cent.

The Giveaways Guru blog is not about telling you what to do. It's not even all about purchasing promotional products. It is actually where we can bounce ideas off one another. A dynamic exchange. That said, here goes an amusing story. A friend who's now based in Manila e-mailed me last night, gushing about, of all things, Burger King. Apparently, yesterday, as Michael was negotiating a business offer, his cellphone's battery abruptly decided to rest. It was not the battery's fault. It was, in fact, according to my guilty friend, subjected to hours of exhausting, feverish calls. My friend is not a very courageous person; he has qualms about a lot of things, particularly with borrowing a cellphone from a complete stranger. But before he could gather enough courage to ask anyone, lo and behold, a bright-lit sign caught his eye: FREE CELLPHONE CHARGING. When his eyes had zoomed out, he recognized the bun halves and the blue crescent. Burger King saved him that day. Interesting, no? That it was not the Whopper that called to him (not the first at least) but something else that has nothing to do with food. And so he took a seat in the booth right ...

These will be loved by: Customers and clients that will be greeting, "Kung hei fat choi" but aren't really into the dragon dances. Chinatown honorary members (a.k.a. Chinese takeout horders) also deserve some. They are actually: Made of nickel-plated metal. Great for adding some novelty to a desktop or kitchen counter without disturbing overall aesthetic of a stylish space. The takeout box can really store stationery articles, by the way. Permanent luck? Yes, as letters will be laser engraved (silk-screen and pad printing offered as well). Bad omens and meal ideas will not be entertained. Let's think positive, shall we?

I just want to share a little something I found in my inbox yesterday! Just to spread a little holiday cheer to everyone. A Branders employee sent her little poem around. Seeing that the company has such enthusiastic, motivated and involved employees just goes to show how Branders.com really practices what it preaches. Here's my own version of 12 Days of Christmas. I know it’s a little corny but I couldn’t help it! I hope you'll like it! On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve rubber duckies Eleven balls for sporty Ten sweety candies Nine stress balls Eight golf accessories Seven pens for writings Six travel baggies Five USBs Four pretty tops Three padfolios Two headgears And a wine set that is heavy!!! This is cool!

I have been considering this: how do promotional suitcases rank in the list of most-expensive promotional gifts? Pretty up there. But they are the ultimate gifts, aren't they? They are, in fact, budget busters. What if you really had to give something travel-related? Well, there are other bag designs you can choose as giveaway items. I've ran down all the bags that are much smaller than the hefty luggage trolleys, but almost always the sidekicks. Actually these can even be by themselves: Carry-on I love these. Although available in all shapes and sizes, make sure the carry-on bags you choose are lightweight, maximize capacity and offer easy access to important personal items such as a wallet and travel documents. Take note of measurements, too, as the promotional carry-ons should be small enough to fit under an airplane seat or in the overhead bin. Cosmetic Case or Vanity Perfect for make-up artists or even photographers on call, but just as great for people who travel with a lot of small stuff. Remember that cosmetics and gadgets are packaged in different cases and as individual pieces, so your promotional cosmetic cases should have various small recesses and compartments for makeup, toiletries, creams, bottles, wires and travel ...