Stephanie Hinkle
Marketing Manager
MadeToOrder
PPAI 216503, Gold
Oakland, California
The holiday season is almost here, which means now is a great time to start sowing the seeds for springtime promotions. “People are generally more interested in gardening, home improvement and outdoor living in the spring, making it a perfect opportunity to offer items like seed kits, planters and gardening tools,” Hinkle says.
However, the whole year is bursting with opportunities for gardening promos. In the winter, Hinkle recommends indoor gardening items like desk plants and herb kits. “These can be a hit during the colder months when outdoor gardening isn’t feasible,” she says.
Just remember to keep some important considerations in mind, including your audience’s age, location and lifestyle. “Younger audiences might prefer trendy, low-maintenance plants like succulents,” she says, “while older or more traditional audiences might appreciate classic garden tools or flowering plant kits.”
Hinkle says it’s also important to think about why you’re giving the promo. She likes items that can be personalized or branded, like custom planters or engraved tools, for corporate gifts. And for giveaways, she recommends lower-cost, high-appeal items like seed packets or plant markers.
When planning a gardening promo, Hinkle advises considering your audience’s experience level. “Tailor your products based on whether your audience is made up of novice or experienced gardeners,” she says. “I love greenery, but find it hard to keep plants alive,” she says. That’s why she loves products like the Evergreen Self-Watering Globe, which takes the guesswork out of plant care. You just fill it with water, place it in the soil and let it do its thing.
HPG / PPAI 110772, Platinum / hpgbrands.com
Hinkle has noticed a big trend in seed-infused and plantable items, like Bloomin Seed Paper Confetti Gift Packs, made of recycled cardstock, post-consumer paper pulp and non-GMO seeds. “These items not only serve a functional purpose,” she says, “but encourage recipients to engage in gardening.” Pick from shapes like flowers, hearts and wine bottles, sprinkle into some soil, add water and watch them bloom into wildflowers.
Hit Promotional Products / PPAI 113910, Platinum / hitpromo.net
Hinkle is also seeing DIY kits grow in popularity. “Kits for growing herbs, flowers or small veggies at home are popular as gifts, especially for promoting wellness and self-sufficiency,” she says. One of her favorites is the Modern Sprout Plant Parent Care Kit, which includes a plant nutrient mix, a stainless-steel soil scoop, a brush for keeping foliage dust-free and precision tweezers for pruning hard-to-reach spots.
Gemline / PPAI 113948, Platinum / gemline.com
The Modern Sprout Seed Ornament is a gift that’s great for eco-conscious audiences and gardening enthusiasts alike. Each ornament includes festive seed types like poinsettia and spruce and an expanding disc for planting. “I love these for the holidays,” Hinkle says. “Once the holidays are over, they become an excellent indoor gardening activity.”
Gemline / PPAI 113948, Platinum / gemline.com
Samantha Fullerton
Senior Account Executive
BAMKO
PPAI 789908, Standard-Plus
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Fullerton recommends thinking outside the flowerpot and sprinkling gardening promos in unexpected places. If you’re putting together holiday gifts, for example, throw in a fun desk plant. “It might not be your first thought,” she says, “but you’ll be amazed at how much joy it can bring to the season.”
Personally, Fullerton finds joy in a great gardening journal. Though she hasn’t used one in a campaign yet, she likes the idea of being able to track things like the weather and watering schedule. “I’d choose one with a beautiful soft-touch cover,” she says. “I like being able to take notes each year to learn what was successful and what I would change.”
Fullerton is seeing an increase in people wanting to grow their own vegetables, herbs and fruits. This allows them to reduce their grocery expenses while maintaining control over what they put in their bodies. In Canada, she foresees a move toward apparel and headwear with insect repellent technology. “We’ve had a bad wasp problem here,” she says, “and anything that helps people spend time outside will be appreciated.”
While Fullerton knows her way around the garden, she advises choosing gardening promos that appeal to wider audiences. “Unless you know your audience is more experienced, stick to universally appealing items like gardening gloves or trowels,” she says. “You don’t want to give something that will exceed the average person’s abilities or desires.” The Workit All-Purpose Gloves appeal to gardeners of all levels and can easily go from the garden shed to the workshop. They’re durable, versatile and keep a brand name visible on both hands.
HPG / PPAI 110772, Platinum / hpgbrands.com
The growing season is short in Canada, but Fullerton says she doesn’t let that limit her creativity with gardening promos. “You can do desk drops, birthday gifts, milestone gifts and so much more,” she says. “Indoor gardening items allow you to break the conventions of seasonality.” Samantha especially likes the Modern Sprout Glow & Grow Live Well Gift Set. Once the soy-blend candle has been enjoyed, the ceramic vessel becomes a planter for basil, aloe or daisy seeds.
Gemline / PPAI 113948, Platinum / gemline.com
Fullerton isn’t just a promo expert – she’s a gardening guru with a sprawling garden at her property. One of her favorite items is a collapsible folding wagon, which she uses not only for transporting gardening gear and produce, but also for weekend trips. “My wheeled wagon comes in handy not only for the garden, but also for camping,” she says. “When my mom and I went camping, I had her jump in the wagon to help with her mobility issues.”
This Koozie Collapsible Folding Wagon sets up in seconds, can haul up to 150 pounds and folds up for easy storage. It also features two cup holders and an adjustable handle.
Koozie Group / PPAI 114187, Platinum / kooziegroup.com
Sellers is a California-based freelance writer and former associate editor at PPAI.
