This Veterans Day, take the time to say thank-you to a veteran who has served America. A simple gesture such as a thank-you card or flowers means a lot to those who have fought for the country's causes. Today is also a good opportunity to teach our children about the significance of the holiday for them to appreciate the sacrifices that others have made to uphold liberty. Show some pride with these patriotic giveaways today and every day of the year.

Thanksgiving is coming up soon. Have you thought of a good recipe to make sure your customers remember you on this special holiday? If you haven't, better hurry now because time is running out. These promotional kitchen aids will make sure your loyal patrons remember you while they prepare and enjoy their Thanksgiving feast: They say too many cooks spoil the broth, so leave the cooking to the one running the kitchen. Promotional kitchen mitts and customized potholders will make sure all the cooking doesn't burn them. Can't take the heat in the kitchen? This one's a sweet giveaway that will make sure your brand's visible, every slice it makes. Those wanting to go traditional all the way need to get all geared up for the cooking. The Grill Master apron kit comes with an apron, detachable bottle opener, padded oven mitt, and towel to make sure one's equipped. A well-seasoned turkey will be cooked just right when one has this trusty award-winning kitchen timer in the kitchen.

A bad economy can't stand in the way of true love, and for a couple of Branders clients, it's all systems go, recession or not. In fact, we went through our client list and found some brilliant but affordable wedding giveaways that will not put a dent on one's wedding budget: Soon-to-be bride Amy Stendardo had these big white totes ($1.45) embroidered with a personalized artwork of two fish kissing and the line "Two less fish in the sea." I thought it was very sweet! Ever thought of giving out personalized air fresheners? Well, upcoming bride Megan Wilson did so. The heart-shaped paper air fresheners ($0.59) she ordered had a personal inscription in gold color that said "Thanks sharing this special day from our hearts to yours." We bet there was a lot of puckering up at Jessica Settle's wedding as premium lip balm giveaways ($0.71) that carried photo labels of the bride and groom were handed out. Detail-oriented bride Terry Lowe had all the elements personalized for her December wedding, right down to the three-ply dinner napkins ($138.79). Her custom bookmark giveaways ($0.29) came with blue tassels and a very hopeful message that is sure to move any stone-hearted commitment phobe out ...

Father's Day is just around the corner. Have you ordered personalized gifts for the fathers in your list? If you've already planned a big Father's Day celebration, here are some of our best Father's Day picks, perfect for every kind of father there is: For the dads who wear their hearts on their sleeves, why not order personalized T-shirts for everyone imprinted with the words, "Proud to be Dad." Highly recommended: This promotional Gildan shirt has gotten good reviews by many clients. Because hardworking dads need to play hard too. Give your sports-fan dad a day of relaxation with this custom-printed stress balls or how about a fun game with this custom football? For the dad who is always fixing things, get him a new set of toolkits. While buy a new tie for the dapper young dad who is always careful about how he looks. For the fathers who enjoy cooking, buy them their own personalized Grill Master aprons, a complete  kitchen helper that comes with a detachable bottle opener, padded oven mitt, and towel. For daddies who are regulars at the airport lounges, give them something they can take on their next business trip: a pair of custom earphones so he can ...

I've always loved reading, but I am ashamed to admit that while I read everything and anything when I have the time, I didn't know until today that May is Get Caught Reading Month and that this book-loving celebration is actually on its tenth year! I also found out that the National Basketball Association has teamed up with Get Caught Reading to bring this activity to new heights by distributing posters of NBA and WNBA players caught doing their favorite deed: reading. As I come from a family that treasures reading (my parents are educators and my dad's a writer), I feel sad knowing that fewer people are reading these days. GCR's program this year is to emphasize that reading brings you to greater heights. The greatest achievers in history were big readers. Now I wish I'd known about this event earlier, or I would have suggested the following promotional items for GCR, libraries, and bookstores to encourage people to buy more books and to read more: Booklights ($1.69) are great giveaways for book clubs and bookstores to people who can't get enough of reading. To encourage sales, these booklights can be used as a reward for a minimum purchase. These brass bookmarks with tassel ...

Memorial Day is coming up and everyone must be looking forward to being with family and enjoying an out-of-town trip or a backyard BBQ. Here are some ways your brand can stay visible during the holiday: Promotional lip balms are handy, cheap ways to get your brand in front of people. Your logo can be added in a tamper-proof laminated label to ensure the imprint lasts long. These promotional manicure sets are useful for everyone whether at home or during a trip. Each kit comes with a nail file, cuticle pusher, cuticle stick, cuticle trimmer, nail clipper, and scissors. Let your brand find its place under the sun with this promotional sunscreen stick. This SPF30 solution is PABA-free and unscented. Be a household name by adding your logo to the Grill Master barbecue kit. Because Memorial Day is often celebrated outdoors with barbecues, your brand will surely get good exposure. What's a family reunion without Frisbee? Celebrate the rare moments with family by having a good game of toss.

Memorial Day is a time for picnics, travel, and outdoor gatherings. If your company, school, church, or the local women's group is planning an outdoor rendezvous to celebrate this national holiday, ask your members and staff to bring along their families. Remember, the more, the merrier! Prepare a picnic set that each family can share among its members. Order personalized picnic baskets and fill them with a custom fleece blanket, a bottle of wine, and something they can munch on like cookies and chocolate. It'll be a good time for every one to get tanned, but remember that too much sun isn't good too, so remember to equip everyone with personalized sunscreen sticks and custom hats so no one needs to worry about getting sunburned.

Did you know that May is Creative Beginnings Month? This month, encourage your employees and staff to think out of the box, to tap into their creative side, and discover a talent they never knew existed. Who says only artists and writers and designers are creative people? While I believe that talent is genetically inherent in some people, I've also come across others who discovered their artistic side late in life. Historically, Grandma Moses was an example of someone who didn't let age get in the way of creativity. A self-taught artist, she started painting only in her seventies. Her works, which were mostly rural-life scenes, have been used as covers in Hallmark cards. Truly there's an artist in all of us! Creative Beginnings Month is a good opportunity for companies to show appreciation for and encourage their creative employees. Here are three things you can do to celebrate this special creative month: 1. Make one day a week a "dress whatever you want" day. Not everyone wants to come to work in heels and suits, although I've gotten used to it, having come from the trade show industry, which placed an emphasis on business attire at all times. Branders has a casual ...

Dear Celine, We're thinking of something to give to the mommies in church this Mother's Day, and we're working with a small budget. Can you suggest something below $5? Cheap-O Mom I feel your economic pain, and I am immensely proud of you for even thinking of giving your church mommies with a Mother's Day present. They who work so hard to keep the house, make sure the kids are well fed and dressed, balance the budget, and go to bed still thinking of ways to pay the bills, the mortgage, and have enough left to run the house--moms are just amazing! They're simply superb. And yes, I know every frugal, hardworking mom will hit the roof if she finds out you spent so much on a gift for her (but of course, you know she likes it anyway). So here are some Mother's Day choices below $5. Have fun choosing! 1. The Accent nonwoven tote ($4.19 for a minimum of 96) is both durable and fashionable. It's made of 75gsm nonwoven PP, has thick shoulder straps, and an adjustable snap closure. Moms know this one's a great buy! 2. For mommies who are constantly stressed, these custom sensations aromatherapy sticks ($1.20 for a minimum ...

Hosting an Easter party? Unleash your inner Martha Stewart and make this Easter celebration a delight to the senses. An Easter egg hunt will be a fun adult-and-child activity, so if you're hosting a huge bash for Easter, don't leave out these oh-so-colorful Easter eggs ($0.43 for a minimum of 468). You can fill them up with some Jelly Beans (they're everyone's favorite!), Lifesavers, conversation hearts (which you can imprint with a marketing message), or some candy corn. What's an outdoor event without Frisbees? These promotional jewel flyers are not only inexpensive; they come in eye-catching colors too (your guests can take these home too). While the adults are busy throwing those fliers, keep kids busy with a loot bag of supplies: a coloring book and a box of crayons. Don't forget the party supplies! This 22oz smooth-walled stadium cup is a great way to promote your brand while making sure everyone doesn't get dehydrated. I'd love to bring one home and recycle it into a pen holder. (I sooo love gel pens! They're a secret fetish.) If you still haven't gotten any of your Easter goods and favors ordered, remember that we do rush on certain items, so call you ...