Holiday 2020: Promote Great Cheer!

We know 2020 has been a humdinger, to be rather polite. While the holiday season is often about “good cheer,” let’s avow to spread “great” cheer – ramping it up, leaving this year on a positive, optimistic note to bring into 2021.

And this is a niche where promotional products distributors can shine like the northern star. Holiday gifts show not only appreciation but generate strong goodwill and forge a more resilient bond between the gift giver and the recipient.

“Well, it's that time of year when your customers start wracking their brains for ‘The Perfect Holiday Gift!’ Yikes!’” exclaims Robin Cunningham, Marketing Manager for Bam Bams. “Today budgets are tighter and stretched farther than ever, which brings us back to number five.  Wearable accessories that provide warmth, comfort, shielding from the elements, and a touch of color to the drab days of winter will be used for months to come,” she suggests.

Bam Bam’s Custom Knit Scarf & Beanie, says Cunningham, is an easy holiday gift sell for a variety of customers. She provides the following reasons why, which serve as compelling sell points: one size fits all, unisex, attractive price point, provides warmth and comfort, in fashion, easy to mail, and branding that lasts beyond the holiday, through the onset of warm weather.

“From our perspective, holiday season 2020 will be very positive,” emphasizes David Miller, Chocolate Inn. “There is an enormous appetite (pun intended) for work from home kits and client gifting, incorporating personalized food.  As a result, we are seeing a sales volume on par, or just a little higher than last year’s Holiday season, in addition to a higher rate of booked orders for Q4. It seems companies are really seeing the benefit of amping up the holiday spirit in lieu of holiday parties or events.”  

Murray Siegel of Towel Specialties agrees, opining that companies that are financially thriving are looking for special ways to show their gratitude both to their employees and their clients or customers -- probably more so this year than any other year. “We have seen a tremendous amount of interest in blankets this year, mostly for at-home enjoyment."

However, Eric Johnson, MAS, Vice President of Sales and Development of ID Line & ActNow Media by Halls Company observes that this year’s holiday gift giving may be tempered due to budgets and mailing costs. Yet, he concedes, “I do see them becoming more personal in nature. During these difficult times, staff and co-workers are being treated more like family than ever before. Manages and owners will need to take the time to thank their staff and encourage them to see the better times that are ahead in 2021!”

Miller adds that this holiday season especially this year is a critical time to show appreciation and using promotional gifts to fulfill needs and enhance a sense of comfort. This theme, as epitomized by Towel Specialties’ popular blankets, and Bam Bam’s custom knit scarf & beanie, will strike the right chord this year. Says Miller, “2020 has been the year of comfort food; retailers are reporting record comfort food sales, with chocolate at the top of the list. What better way to increase employee morale and customer loyalty than with a comforting gourmet custom food gift during these trying times?”

Johnson sees a growing number of distributors taking more time to really understand why a gift is being sent and what it will mean to both the employer and the employee. “Gifts this year will need to be meaningful,” he emphasizes.

There is some caution to be had, according to Siegel, who advises remembering that many suppliers are either short-staffed or do not have the inventory levels that they usually would.  Get your orders in as early as possible to avoid unforeseen circumstances. “Also, when doing a drop shipment program, make sure to account for all costs since, in some cases, freight and handling may cost more than the product.”

With many employees still working from home, says Miller, this is the season of mailers and drop shipments. Therefore, Chocolate Inn | Lanco increased its stock package designs so distributors’ clients can make their desired holiday gift impact, affordably. We’ve also upped our packaged chocolate gift box game with vibrant screen-printed chocolate for custom sayings or logos, and fun and funny 2020 themed chocolate shapes like toilet paper, masks, and even hand sanitizer.

Towel Specialties has created cozy products that will be welcome by recipients. Its Foxhill Throw, Oxford Alpaca Blanket, and when the weather breaks in the spring, the Tuscany Backpack Picnic Blanket is the perfect foundation to while away the warm hours in the afternoon sun.

These are just a few of the numerous examples of promotional holiday gifts. Think comfort, think joy, think the anticipation of a much better year ahead in 2021.

CASE STUDY

Eric Johnson, MAS, vice president of sales and development of ID Line & ActNow Media by Halls Company:  “One distributor gathered up family photos from each employee and created full-color Acrylic Coasters Sets – 4 family photos in each set. We were able to customize the box with the branding for the company with a Thank You message on each box. Each employee received their Gift Box of Coasters directly at their home.”