If you’re anything like me, you’ll find it hard to get yourself into gear soon enough to get a head start on Christmas and start planning in good time. Invariably it’s a last minute rush despite all best intentions. In business terms, leaving it too late to really give time to consider your Christmas promotions and gift giving means you’re not going to make the most of this seasonal opportunity. As time goes by, the choice gets smaller both because others have got there before you and stocks are dwindling, or there may just be insufficient lead-time available.
Your method of distribution for your promotional Christmas gifts will also determine your absolute deadline for receiving your Christmas merchandise. If you intend to mail them out you probably have a little more time, but obviously need to be aware of longer mail delivery times during December in order to have them arrive at the right time. However, if you intend to be a little more ‘hands on’ and make personal presentations of your Christmas gifts, you probably need to have them ready a lot sooner, so that you have time to visit all your valued customers and colleagues before time runs out. Point of sale items will need to be readily available ahead of starting your Christmas promotions. The last thing you need is to have valuable promotional Christmas merchandise remaining after the festive season merely because you haven’t allowed enough time. That just represents wasted capital as well as a missed opportunity.
Many promotional products are available on a two to three week turn-round, as long as the items are on the shelf, so this is the minimum amount of time you need to allow. Others may take longer if they need to travel from overseas. Promotional diaries and calendars may still be available in the middle of November, though there may be limited choice at this point. Pens and pen sets, mugs, umbrellas and mousemats are popular promotional products all year round but can be also great as Christmas gifts. Imprinted mugs filled with Christmas novelty chocolates offer a lot of immediate festive cheer, while the usefulness of the mug takes your promotional messages into the coming year. Other good ideas are promotional leather goods, such as folders, portfolios, travel wallets and card holders, while imprinted bags and clothing, particularly hats and scarves sets also make extremely good promotional Christmas gifts.
If you do find yourself running short of time, there are often express delivery options on many promotional products, although you usually have to pay a premium for this service. Particular highlights here are pens, mousemats, flash derives, paper products and personalised wines and spirits – great for getting everyone in the festive mood!
