Quacking Up Over Duck Dynasty

I am a fan of the A&E reality show Duck Dynasty. Have you seen it? It stars the hilarious Robertson family, who own a multimillion-dollar company that manufactures duck calls, the wooden whistles used to mimic duck sounds in hunting. The Robertson men are almost as famous for their long beards as they are for their company’s products!  If your organization would like to host a Duck Dynasty event or has fans among its volunteers, these cute promotional products will “call” to you!

Try our Illuminate LED flashlight in a Duck Dynasty inspired camouflage print. It’s a perfect promotional item for hunting, camping, and hiking enthusiasts. And even if you’ve never hunted before, it’s a convenient and useful household tool. This 9 LED flashlight has a wrist strap for added accessibility. Plus, it can be customized to your unique specifications. Light up your company’s name with this camouflage flashlight!

If your volunteers really love camo, chose of our camouflage hats. We have multiple options, both with and without brims, which can be customized with your company’s logo. You can chose from an all-camo print hat or one with a contrasting bill in hunter-friendly orange, too. Wouldn’t it be great to see your volunteers wearing your company’s mission on their hats?
If you want a more female-friendly option that could still fit in within the Duck Dynasty theme, pick one of our women’s or juniors’ pink camouflage pullover sweatshirts. You add your specifications without sacrificing a feminine look! These hoodie sweatshirts have a handy pouch pocket and come in a fleece and cotton-poly blend for maximum comfort.

Last but not least, you need a duck for your Duck Dynasty event! Choose one of our rubber ducky toys as the perfect fair, expo, or promotional giveaway. Our “ducks” include bathtub toys, key chain ducks, and even rubber ducks on springs! We have over 800 duck options for you, so the sky is the limit.

Here at A Creative Touch, we can make your Duck Dynasty event redneck worthy-and you don’t even need to bring the “Duck” tape! Call us today to order your custom promotional products.

Promotional Products for Wheelchair Sporting Events

If you’ve seen the thrilling, rough and tumble documentary Murderball, featuring the US quad rugby team, you know that wheelchair bound athletes are as intense, competitive and athletic as any others.   I got to witness their power and dedication when I volunteered last year at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.  Events include swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, archery, air guns, basketball, nine-ball, softball, quad rugby, bowling, hand cycling, trapshooting, wheelchair slalom, power soccer, a motorized wheelchair rally, track and field, and more.

I had such a great time at last year’s games, this year I’ve devoted an entire week to volunteering at the 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Tampa, Florida in July.  This got me thinking about the fantastic promotional products we carry for wheelchair athletes:

We have dozens of sports-friendly options, like basketballs, backboards, and customizable medals for the winning team. My personal favorite is the Wheelchair Racing Medal. At 5/16ths of an inch, in classic brass, it can be hung on the ribbon of your choice. That makes it a perfect memento for any wheelchair racer. If you’ve ever watched Wheelchair Racing in the Summer Paralympics, you know that these athletes can break records for speed, at more than 30 kilometers per hour!

If you are hosting a wheelchair based sporting competition, pick up some of our customizable sport water bottles in a variety of colors and styles. Everyone needs H2O! We have BPA-free options for health and safety.

Plus, we have all kinds of sports and marathon-ready apparel, from custom t-shirts to armbands. All of these items come in a range of colors, sizes, and styles, ready to be ordered to your specifications. I think our flashing LED lights for bicycle spokes might make an excellent and fun accessory for your wheelchair, too. I might bring some of them with me to Florida to test my theory!

If you’re hosting a wheelchair-based athletic competition, we’re cheering you on at A Creative Touch. Call us to order your favorite promotional products today.

Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Tacos?

In these tough economic times, it’s great to hear some good news! Did you know that Taco Bell is buying the famous Liberty Bell? It’s all part of an effort, the company says, to “help the national debt,” by purchasing and maintaining national landmarks privately, instead of depending on the American taxpayer to protect these treasures. Taco Bell believes this will start a trend of charitable purchases of landmarks and historical items by other US companies. The Liberty Bell will be renamed the Taco Liberty Bell, but will still be viewable by the public, the company says in their press release, which ran in multiple newspapers across the nation.

The White House weighed in on this story, with press secretary Mike McCurry indicating that the administration approved of the deal and that they were in talks to sell the Lincoln Memorial to Ford. America’s oldest car company hopes to rename the memorial in honor of their Lincoln Mercury car model. “We’re hoping to do a series of these,” said McCurry, regarding the White House’s attitude towards the privatization trend. With this practice already common at sports stadiums, museums, and other venues, our national landmarks are just one more sign of corporate sponsorship in everyday life.

Worried about the White House being renamed by a corporation? Thousands were similarly afraid when this notorious hoax happened in 1996. Yes, it’s a famous fake! Taco Bell designed this advertising campaign as an April Fools’ Day joke, according to the Museum of Hoaxes,  and the White House played along.  The Lincoln Memorial is safe! So is the Liberty Bell, which remains in Philadelphia under the supervision of the National Parks Service.  Looking for a Liberty Bell-themed promotional product?  Our database features 38 different products that honor Old Liberty.

Tales of TP’ing?

You know me as The Queen of Promotional Products, but did you know that I also used to be The Queen of Pranks?

When I was in school, I played my fair share of pranks and tricks…of course, they were always legal pranks, I swear.  In high school, I helped my friends toilet paper the football players’ cars during the football season.

Have you heard of toilet papering? It’s sometimes called yard rolling or house wrapping, too. You cover trees, houses, cars or other objects with rolls of toilet paper.  Kooky, but totally harmless, right? Well, that depends on the state!  In some states toilet papering is illegal!  Am I guilty of tricking the entire football team?

Verdict: Yes, it’s true! What you may not know is that, while some states will fine you for yard rolling, it is perfectly legal in North Carolina! We’ve kept our sense of humor  about TP’ing, even if we take our football seriously!

Looking for a promotional product that shows you don’t take office work too seriously?  How about this toilet paper-inspired office station?  It’s a sure way to make sure you get all of your business done!  The toilet bowl holds paper clips and the magnetic butt picks them up. The front is designed to hold a roll of tape like toilet paper while the back holds memo pads and pens. Available in four colors (blue, orange, green and purple), this product may be customized with your company name and logo or purchased without an imprint. Office supplies are not included.

Perfect for plumbers, bathroom fixture supply companies, portable toilet rental companies, or corporate cultures with a sense of humor, this is what I call one creative promotional product!

Foolin’ Around with Wine Glasses

With April Fools’ Day right around the corner, I thought it was a perfect time to have fun with wine and wine glasses.  Let’s start with a few of my favorite wine jokes:

“I just rescued some wine. It was trapped in a bottle.”

“I drink a glass of wine a day for the health benefits. The other glasses are for my witty comebacks and flawless dance moves.”

You’ve probably heard the old joke about wine being “a serving of fruit” too, right? If you love getting all your servings of fruit in a glass, then you’re sure to enjoy novelty wine glasses. They’re the most fun promotional products!  That is, if they’re real……can these wacky goblets be believed?  Try to guess if they are real or fake!

The Redneck Party Cup: These wine glasses resemble those cheap plastic cups you see at summer barbecues everywhere, except they have a “fancy” stem.

The Tipsy Wine Glass: These glasses look like they’ve had a few too many! They lean and list slightly to one side, to comical effect.

The Vino to Go Tumbler: This wine sippy cup is a double wall plastic tumbler that holds wine in the classic “crystal glass” shape. It is perfect for beach and poolside parties.

The Mason Jar Wine Glass: A fancier version of the Redneck Cup, these glasses have a Mason Jar-inspired style. They’re hip and square, plus they come with their own classic lid.

So, what do you think? Are these wine glasses for real? Or am I pulling your leg? Surprise, surprise, they’re all real!   In fact, these novelty wine glasses are a popular promotional products trend. The latest industry fad is for shatterproof wine glasses for spring entertaining outdoors. My personal favorite is the Vino to Go tumbler, which holds 10 ounces of wine and is BPA-free. Call us if you want a set of these clever wine glasses for your next volunteer recognition party, corporate gala, or fundraising event. Here at A Creative Touch, we’re also on the lookout for the coolest and most creative promotional products; this one definitely deserves a toast!

Organizational Style in a Stylus

Did you receive an iPad, Surface, or other tablet as a gift this holiday season? You’re not alone! Tablets were one of the most popular gifts this year, according to The New York Times. By now, you’re probably in love with your tablet’s functions-checking email, browsing the Internet, even storing all your family photos. But there is one downside to tablets, right? It’s no fun to try and “mash” all the various apps and buttons with your fingers, leaving smudges and sometimes opening the wrong window. It’s enough to make you long for a tablet-friendly pencil! Well, guess what I found at the latest trade show for promotional products?

These nifty stylus products are compatible with all devices, easy-to-use, and available in a wide range of colors and designs. This stylus replicates the design of a fountain pen, making it a great choice for those who prefer a traditional design. And it’s available in four shades-red, black, green, and blue.

Want something smaller and more portable? Go with this small, circular stylus. It can be easily plugged into your tablet’s headphones port, making it nearly impossible to lose, despite its small size! And it’s customizable, too-think of how often your recipient will think about you when they use this tiny, but mighty “pen”!

If your clients, prospects, employees or volunteers are fans of tablets— and really, even elementary school kids seem to love them now!-then these stylus tools might be the perfect promotional product for you. They can be customized with your organization’s name and logo, making them ideal for raffle giveaways and special awards. Worried your target group might not have a tablet?  Remember that these stylus pens can be used with smartphones too.  In fact, given the tiny screens of many smartphones, a stylus might be a must-have.

Whether you’re seeking a traditional pen for the old-fashioned art of writing or a stylus pen for web surfing, texting and emailing, give us a call!  Whatever your tech needs-from high to low-we have you covered at A Creative Touch!

February Fusion Water

As we arrive at the end of February, which at least in our neck of the woods has been the chilliest month of the winter season, you might be craving a hot promotional product! At a recent trade expo, I found this cool “hot” item and decided you had to know all about it:

 The Screen Print TakeOut Tumbler is a great promo product tie-in for the thirst-quencher that is definitely on-trend in 2013: flavored waters. With many of us maintaining New Year’s Resolutions for health and wellness, drinking more water is a priority this time of year (I personally gave up all soft drinks 120 days ago, but who’s counting?).   What if you find plain water just a little too boring? Create your own flavored  fusion water!

For healthy flavor, choose a little squeeze of fresh juice! There are so many options: lemon, lime, grapefruit, pomegranate, orange and strawberry, just to name a few.

If squeezing fresh fruit seems like a potential hassle in a busy morning, try a little coffee flavoring syrup with your morning cup of Joe.  You can find syrups in flavors like coconut, vanilla, raspberry, or blackberry. For those who are avoiding extra sugar this year, sugar-free syrups are another option. Other potential mixers are cold brew teas-green, white, and herbal are all great healthy choices in a range of flavor combinations-that can be used with the TakeOut Tumbler’s included infuser basket. It makes cold brewing tea a snap!

Are you starting to see why the Fusion Tumbler is a perfect way to promote your organization?  The Screen Print TakeOut Tumbler Infuser is a 16 oz. double-wall insulated tumbler. It is BPA free, keeps cold drinks cold longer, and includes a straw with secure fit snap-on lid and infuser basket. Plus, it’s top-rack dishwasher safe for easy clean up, reusable/recyclable safe, and meets FDA standards. And made in the USA! If you’re looking for the hottest (or coolest) tumbler for your customers, volunteers, employees, or prospects, give us a call!

Memorable Memory Products

You know that iconic Bob Hope song, “Thanks for the Memory”? It’s a fitting theme song for the famous American comedian and USO performer, since Bob told plenty of jokes about getting older. When asked about aging, he allegedly said, “I don’t feel old - I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.”

When you think about it, promotional products are a bit of a memory game, too.  Here at A Creative Touch, we don’t believe in napping; we’re far too busy working to help you find creative, memorable products that will remind customers of your organization. A quick search through our database of more than 850,000 promotional products reveals a few literal ways in which promotional products can “jog one’s memory!”

Digital Photo Frame:  This 7″ widescreen digital photo frame has a contemporary style and displays JPEG photo files. It comes with a remote control that allows you to forward, reverse, zoom, rotate photos, and more. Able to be hung on the wall or sit on a detachable stand, it’s the perfect place to display cherished memories.

Memory Aid Bookmark:  Remember where you left off with your reading and mark important quotes and passages from books with this ingenious bookmark featuring built-in sticky notes and flags. The bookmark also doubles as a ruler, which makes it great for underlining information you want to refer to at a glance.
 
USB Flash Drive:  Also known as a “memory stick”, USB flash drives are the ultimate valued gift. Used by students and professionals alike, portable memory storage devices make moving data from work or school to home easy. Just print a logo or marketing message on them and you have a long-lasting advertising campaign.

Whether you need a memory aid or just want a memorable way to promote your company or organization, we can help!  Don’t forget to contact A Creative Touch today!

Valentines for Veterans

Valentine’s Day is a great time for veterans’ organizations to honor the men and women who have served our country.  At a loss for how to commemorate this typically “couple” centered activity in your organization’s efforts? I have some great ideas!

While you may not be able to bring in big movie stars and singers to entertain like Bob Hope did on his worldwide USO tours, you can certainly send your veterans their own valentines! Why not send paper valentines through the “Valentines for Veterans” program? This wonderful program allows you to send a valentine to veteran that is homemade or purchased (we can help you order Valentine cards!), so the sky is the limit in terms of creativity and personalization.  The program’s only recommendation is that the cards be sturdy and not include easily breakable materials.

For events and other programming, why not think about Hollywood “valentines” to veterans? With the Academy Awards approaching, it’s a great time to screen award-winning films about the veteran experience. Looking for a recent movie? What about recent WWII-set films like Saving Private Ryan or The Thin Red Line? Or opt for classic films like The Great Escape, The Bridge on the River Kwai, and Patton. More romantic award winners that have wartime themes, like Casablanca, From Here to Eternity, or The Best Years of Our Lives, are also excellent choices for any Valentines for Veterans themed events. Many older veterans will fondly remember comedies like Cary Grant’s I Was A Male War Bride and all-star productions like Star-Spangled Rhythm and Stage Door Canteen.

Whatever you chose, you can make Valentine’s Day a wonderful holiday for Veterans, whether you send cards, screen films, or organize other events. Call us at A Creative Touch for help with customizable valentines this year!

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

February 10th of this year is the Chinese New Year. Did you know that 2013 is the Year of the Snake? The traditional Chinese calendar is lunar, spanning twelve-year cycles. Each year of the cycle is associated with a specific symbol of the twelve-animal zodiac. The snake is considered a particularly lucky symbol in Chinese mythology, as snakes are associated with wisdom, financial strength, and accomplishment.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with these fun promotional products from A Creative Touch:

~Have a cheerful time with our snake-shaped victory shakers! They are also available in other animal shapes.

~Want a fun party puzzle? Try our Twist-a-Snake Rubik’s Cube. These recycled pieces can be twisted to make fun shapes. This toy is a great choice for those who want to be eco-friendly!

~Kids will love our snake toys! We have dozens of items, from stretch snakes to a snake pillow rest, to delight kids who love creepy-crawlies. Our super-stretch snake is 72″ long and comes in several frightening shades.

~Not a huge fan of toys? Why not snake-print themed items? We have snake print cell phone covers and purses, for example, which would make excellent party raffle items for women. Our snake purse also doubles as a wine carrier, which makes it great for presenting wine, too.

Plus, you can throw a great Chinese-themed party for your organization or volunteers to celebrate the New Year, too. It’s simple: Grab some Chinese food, order our fortune cookies, and paper lanterns, which can be customized with a special message, for decoration and extra pizzazz. Or go for our snake-shaped cocktail stirrers, in vivid green and black. With these items, you’ve got a great Year of the Snake party! Call A Creative Touch in time to ring in the Chinese New Year!