You may be swamped with the holiday rush as you read this, but when it comes to promo timelines, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
Naturally, candy and chocolate are top of mind when it comes to February 14, but cozy and cuddly blankets or date-night faves like wine glasses can also be a great way to spread the love for your client’s brands among employees and customers. Heart-shaped items can be especially pertinent promo for a cardiologist’s office or a romantic restaurant, too.
Amelia Madl, VP of sales with PromoCorner, says a blanket is a great way to show lasting appreciation. “I’m not really a flower or chocolate person – I want diamonds, but they have not come to promo yet,” she quips, “So until that comes, I will take useful items every day that last and are quality.”
Whether you and your clients tie promo programs to any holiday depends on your markets, customer personas and marketing goals, but there’s no such thing as a bad time to express gratitude.
“You don’t need to show love to a client just around Valentine’s Day. You don’t need to just take them out to lunch because it’s Q4 and Christmas dinner,” says Javier Melendez, a national account executive with Walker-Clay, one of PPAI’s Top Companies To Work For in 2023. “You can say thank you at any time.”
It could be a “just because” gift, he adds, or something to mark a company milestone to celebrate along with employees and customers.
Here are a few options for creative Cupids:
These melt-in-your-mouth Cinnamon Churro Toffee bites are crafted in small batches from sweet creamery butter and pure cane sugar, then covered with a generous layer of rich white chocolate and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar – and Melendez says they are “probably my favorite guilty pleasure in the industry.” Gift boxes are available in six colors and foil-stamped with your client’s logo.
Maple Ridge Farms / PPAI 114165, S8
Madl is a big fan of the Foxhill Throw, a 50-by-60 inch plush blanket in sand and gray earth tones. “It’s luxurious, cuddly and something I can wash. I have kids and dogs, so the wash factor is huge,” she says. “It’s super soft. It feels like when you’re petting your favorite puppy.”
Towel Specialties / PPAI 113150, S7
For a more traditional Valentine’s Day treat, consider luxurious Lindt Chocolate Truffles in a contemporary glass jar that keeps the treats fresh and can be repurposed when they are all gone.
Midnite Snax / PPAI 113793, S3
Another brand-name treat that can be customized is the Mrs. Fields Deluxe Cookie Gift Box. This deluxe gift box, emblazoned with your client’s logo, includes 18 delicious Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Nibblers, which are packed in threes for freshness and easy sharing.
NC Custom / PPAI 111662, S7
Melendez says charcuterie boards – like this Charcuterie Collection featuring savory snacks and sweets plus a sustainable, brandable bamboo cutting board – are still very popular gifts that combine delicious treats with a promo item that’s going to last. “That’s going to build a memory so that when I see it or use it, I’ll think of you,” he says.
Maple Ridge Farms / PPAI 114165, S8
Add a personal touch with a custom card like this Natural Thank You For Your Business Card, printed on recycled stock with custom artwork/message inside, available in three sizes and envelopes included. “I think a nice handwritten card can just send a message.” says Melendez, “‘Hey, I thought of you more than just an email.’”
Warwick Publishing Company / PPAI 114154, S7
For something the whole family can enjoy, Valentine’s Day Mad Libs can be a great way to spread love and laughter. With 21 fill-in-the-blank stories about roses, Cupid and candies, this book provides a fun activity for ages 8 and up. Customize with one-color imprint, promo page insert or belly band wrap.
The Book Company / PPAI 218850, S5
