Jan 14, 2016

Show Your Clients Some Love this Valentine’s Day!

After All, Gifting is one of the Five Love Languages!

Hey guys. It’s Ping.

Now that the holiday season is over, I started thinking about the next upcoming reason to celebrate. Depending on your relationship status, that could either be Valentine’s Day or President’s Day. Now I don’t know about you, but I am a little overwhelmed with presidential election coverage. So I don’t even want to think about celebrating anything related to any president. So, even though I have yet to find the penguin lady of my dreams, I’m going to write about Valentine’s Day. Who doesn’t love love?

But romantic notions aside, Valentine’s Day is a fun reason to show your clients you care. Now, I know what you’re thinking:

“But Ping, what is the best way to communicate my love for my clients?”

Luckily, I do a little reading in my spare time, and I recently read a book by Gary Chapman called The Five Love Languages. In the book, Chapman lists these five methods of expressing and receiving love:

Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gift Giving

Now, before I answer your question, let’s get on the same page about loving your clients. There’s “love,” and then there’s LOVE. If you LOVE your clients… you’re probably reading the wrong blog. But, if you’re a typical, well-adjusted business professional, and you just “love” your clients, then your goal should be to express that love in a creative and memorable way! Being that I’m the official mascot of a branded apparel and swag company, you’d be guessing right if you think my answer is: Gift Giving.

We’ve put together four really cool gift ideas to show your clients you love them this Valentine’s Day.

	Candy Filled Champagne Bottle: Indulge! This 11” champagne bottle comes filled with your choice from a selection of candy or nuts. Choose either a gold, silver, or white label with the option for a full-color logo.
	Candle in a Gift Box: Work is hard. Sometimes your clients just need to relax. This 11 oz. aromatherapy candle in a deluxe gift box will help them do just that. The candle can be ordered in one of five scents. Logo imprint is a one-color hot stamp.
	2.3 oz. Essential Oil Infused Bath Bomb: This lavish bath bomb will pamper your clients and give them the gift of relaxation. It dissolves in water for the ultimate in pampering. Choose from one of seven scents/colors with the option for a full-color imprint.
	Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt in Pink and Red: This hoodie is super comfortable and will feel like a hug! And with a white coil kissing zipper, we know your clients will feel the love when they receive this from you on Valentine’s Day.

If you’re interested in any of the items above, Contact an Icebox Creative Expert Today!

So next time you and your loved ones don’t seem to be on the same page, remember that there are many ways to give and receive love. In case you were wondering, my love language is physical touch. I’m quite cuddly.

Stay cool, friends!
Ping

Jan 5, 2016

Why Do People Throw Mardi Gras Beads? (It's Not What You're Thinking!)

Plus: Buy Mardi Gras Beads in Time to Celebrate!

Ping here. I’m starting the new year off right with a little blogging. I was checking out some cool swag for the season, and it dawned on me that Mardi Gras is drawing near. I have had some good times at Mardi Gras. It’s the perfect party for a penguin—everyone’s wearing masks and indulging in adult beverages, so it’s fairly easy to walk the streets of New Orleans incognito. Believe me, a penguin is not the weirdest thing you’ll see at Mardi Gras.

But all jokes aside, Mardi Gras is a time-honored tradition dating back centuries, and the people of New Orleans are very proud and protective of it. Also known as Carnival, it’s a festive occasion celebrating exuberance and liveliness before the Catholic observance of lent begins. Mardi Gras is well-known for its colorful parades, during which “krewes” (parade hosts) toss trinkets to onlookers, who traditionally shout, “throw me something mister!” These trinkets are also tossed off the beautiful balconies of Bourbon Street.

Among the more well-recognized trinkets are colorful beads. These beads often reflect the colors of Mardi Gras—gold, green, and purple—and are a much sought after souvenir. In recent years, these beads have become associated with unruly behavior and partying (think Penguins Gone Wild). But locals and historic Mardi Gras lovers agree that throwing beads is a treasured tradition—not a practice to be associated with indecency. Mardi Gras beads have a rich history and cultural significance. The colors of the beads signify their meanings: purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power. The original intent was to toss beads to people who embodied the traits of each color.

No Mardi Gras celebration or promotion is complete without beads, and we are featuring some beautiful purple, green, and gold beads with a Fleur-De-Lis medallion for January. The medallion includes a one-location, one-color imprinted logo. Contact an Icebox Creative Expert for pricing and customization options!

Another well-recognized Mardi-Gras symbol is an ornate mask. Masks were traditionally worn to conceal one’s identity during the festivities, as the social barriers between commoners and the upper-class would temporarily disappear during Mardi Gras. It was a Carnival meant for all to enjoy. The tradition has lived on, and masks make great gifts and souvenirs to commemorate the celebration.

If you are thinking about running a Mardi Gras promotion, we highly recommend this Cat String Mask. It’s instantly recognizable as a Mardi Gras symbol, and it’s customizable with a one-location, 4-color imprint. Contact an Icebox Creative Expert for pricing and customization options!

So remember these facts when celebrating Mardi Gras this year: 1) History can attest—you don’t need to show your under-feathers to get yourself some cool Mardi Gras swag; and 2) Mardi Gras is for everyone—forget all social boundaries, and celebrate life and the exuberance of the human spirit!

Stay cool, friends!
- Ping