A nice holiday gift that won’t cost more than a few bucks is the laser engraved pen. Available with elegant finishes and often presented in a gift box, this useful item will be used and cherished with its smooth writing ink.

Executive gift pens make great gifts at holiday parties, as bonus check stuffers or as leave behinds on that last sales call of the year.

A quality pen carries a high perception with its metal casings and high quality ink cartridges.

How do you teach students to prepare for the future in a world of the shrinking dollar, global warming, political unrest and the loss of jobs. This is what teachers must do all year. Our next generation of young adults may learn and use their what they have obtained to make the world a better place.

In the meantime, teachers continue to do their part in making the world a smarter place. While Teacher Appreciation Week occurs next May, there is a chance to thank teachers before that. And before the holidays, too.

American Education Week, held November 16-22 this year, is a great opportunity to let teachers and school staff members know that they mean a lot to you and your children. The NEA started this event to “spotlight the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college.”

Have a recognition event in your teacher’s lounge, or make it a full-scale assembly in your gym or auditorium. Personalized gifts make cherished keepsakes of your appreciation for all teachers do for the community.

It seems that just about every needs a little heat in the morning. We’re not talking about spicy food or even heated seats in the cars. We mean coffee. Coffee is so popular that it is almost acceptable with teens. People drink a cup of java in the morning and often throughout the day until right before bed.

Anything that popular must create a great promotional products opportunity. Knowing that employees and customers carry their coffee with them during the commute, around the office and at home tells us that this is a chance to leave a message with your staff or advertise your brand 0r services to clients and prospects.

Custom ceramic mugs and promotional travel mugs allow you to show off your logo and sentiments or vital contact information for just pennies a day. Your personalized imprint will be seen not only by recipients, but everyone they come in contact with.  Personalized mugs come in a wide choice of sizes, styles and colors and are priced to fit any budget.

 When you print your logo, message and contact information on pocket planners, you are assuring yourself 365 potential days of advertising.  If you run a business, this amounts to advertising for just pennies a day. For school administrators, you can reward your teachers with a gift that is ideal for quick notes and assignments.  And healthcare facilities can give healthy living themed planners to promote lifestyle changes.

Promotional diaries come in a wide array of formats. You can choose monthly or weekly grids depending how many notes you make. Full size desk planners are ideal for the office. And there is a design to fit all budgets, from paper covers to durabel plastic, and all the way to executive style leather.

Keep your employees and customers safe for their commutes this winter with ice scrapers and snow brushes.  It is the promotional product that has a use that is remembered and appreciated.

Custom ice scrapers feature your logo and message so recipients will be reminded of your goodwill and appreciation every time there is inclement winter weather. Choose from simple scrapers for under a dollar to deluxe versions featuring snow brushes and even attached gloves to keep hands warm and dry.

Get your logo, message or contact information in every trunch, glove compartment and garage this winter season and let recipients see your name first thing in the morning or before their commute home.

In our continuing series on suggestions for corporate holiday gifts, we have made this week’s top idea custom drinkware.  A distinguished and elegant coffee mug will be enjoyed during every break, while a travel or auto mug will be equally enjoyed during the commute. Mugs can be imprinted in holiday colors with a personalized message, your logo or any other artwork. Add a classy gift box for the ultimate presentation.

Looking for something festive or commemorative of your holiday party?  Try custom glassware. Shot glasses, beer mugs and tumblers allow you to leave a keepsake of your fun event.

Every time recipients raise there glasses in the new year, they will be reminded of your generosity.

The year is winding down, but there are still some key recognition dates coming for the month of November. Keep in mind that custom promotional products can help you to promote your awareness event, advertise your products and services, or recognize your employees.

Here is November’s major events:

•  American Diabetes Month
•  National Alzheimer’s Disease Month
•  Home Care Month
•  National Hospice Month
•  Election Day – November 3
•  America Recycles Day – November 15
•  American Education Week – November 16-22
•  Great American Smoke Out – November 20
•  Thanksgiving – November 26

Most people in this country celebrate Christmas, so you’ve got to give the people what they want for the holidays.

One excellent Christmas Gift idea that you can personalized and present in an elegant gift box is holiday ornaments. Made of glass, metal or even chocolate, these fun gifts will hang on every tree for all to see.

With all that is going on in our country, drugs are the last thing we need. That’s why October 23-31 is such an important date.  Red Ribbon Week celebrates the fight against drug abuse and the celebration of drug free living.

Held mostly at schools and meant for students, the event tries to teach children at an early age about the dangers of drugs.

The idea of Red Ribbon Week was originally started  to honor the late drug enforcement agent, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was killed by drug cartels while investigating in Mexico in 1985.  Friends and family wore red ribbons and that practice has continued and grown to a national event. Congress officially proclaimed Red Ribbon Week an official event in 1988.

Thousands of schools celebrate Red Ribbon Week  by giving out not only decorated red ribbons, but also coloring books, stickers and candy. The goal is to teach kids to make the right and healthy decisions in life and to find bettert things to do than drugs.

It’s the holiday season and it’s also time to think about the new year. This last year is one many would like to forget. The economy, healthcare, war and the balloon boy incident are topics we would like to see change or never see again. The new year will be special for 2010 because it is the start of a new decade, and for all of us, the start of a better time.

Why not take advantage such optomistic thoughts and hope by tying in your holiday gifts and promotional items to the new year.  Besides the obvious opportunity of handing out a custom gift during the Christmas and holiday season, it is the chance to give out an item that can gain exposure for your comany or organization all year long.

The obvious choice for a holiday season gift that can get you a full year of recognition is promotional calendars. Where else can you get up to 365 days of exposure for such a low price? Customized calendars are available in colorful photo wall versions, desk models, stick ups and pocket planners and diaries. There’s plenty of room for your name, logo and contact information.

When you hand out a calendar this holiday season, you are doubling a thoughtful and appreciated gift with something that is an office or home essential that will be used every day.