Now, Ain't that Sweet?

There’s always a good reason to keep candy around. It’s a great icebreaker when new clients step into the office (“Can I interest you in a butterscotch button?”) and is always a crowd pleaser after a hearty catered sales luncheon (“Peppermint, anyone?”). Gimmees has a cute glass candy jar with a bubble lid that is priced nicely for your wallet. This candy jar makes for an ideal gift for a client or customer and is easily customized with your corporate details to ensure that your company name is out there. Imagine having these little glass cuties hanging out in various reception areas, on desks, and on kitchen counters? Your corporate name could be literally EVERYWHERE simply because who doesn’t like a piece of candy from time to time? New clients will be sweet on you and all because you thought out loud, “Let’s go the candy jar route!”

No Light? No Batteries? No Problem!

Have you ever had your power go out on a dark and stormy night only to discover that your flashlight’s batteries are long dead and you can’t find those AAs that you stored away for emergencies? Believe me when I say this unfortunate situation has happened to me more than once. That’s why I simply love, love, love this week’s top product: the crank up emergency light. No longer will you need to perform a scavenger hunt throughout your dark house searching high and low for those never to be found batteries. This cool device requires nothing more than a few cranks to get it started -- no batteries! -- and provides you with precious LED light. It also includes a built-in compass, just in case you are lost in the woods and need to find your way out. Seriously though, every person should own at least one of these gadgets – I keep mine right under the kitchen sink so it’s easy to locate when the power fails. Another great storage spot is in your night table drawer.

Let Her Feel Loved

There’s no good time like the present to offer a touch of pampering to someone’s life. December tends to be a month of extremes – gift buying, cookie eating, and the crowds at the mall – and sometimes all one needs is a little peace, quiet, and solitude. Why not shower your female employees or clients with something that you know will be pleasant and widely accepted? What woman doesn’t want a small token to make her feel special? An Essential Pamper-U Pouch is a gift that fits within your budget – and will let her know that you care about her overall wellbeing. The lavender fragrance from the products encourages calmness and soothes her soul. You’ll be thrilled because this thoughtful gift is a perfect present for all of the ladies on your list and yet it didn’t lead you to the poorhouse. So, consider your gift-buying done for the women in your life and it’s great to know one thing. You’ll be sure to make their “nice” list from now on!

The Kind of Mail You Like to Receive

It’s the season for card giving and your business had better not let old acquaintances be forgotten, so if you haven’t done so already, get moving on putting in an order to Gimmees. Add a touch of style to your holiday greeting for partners, clients, customers, and employees this year with a bit of song to bring some heartfelt cheer. Gimmees has several holiday sound cards: holiday snowflakes, holiday tree, happy new year, and holiday present. There’s no setup charge on these cards – which is a nice present for you during the holiday season. There’s so much we can all be thankful for this December – good health, long time customers, continued service – so make sure you remember those who are nearest and dearest to your business so that they will be sure to remember you in the coming year. A small thank you can go such a long way, and these cards won’t put a dent in your wallet or your expense account, but will bring a smile to each recipient.

Think Ahead for More Business in the New Year

With all the talk of turkey and stuffing this week, it’s hard to wrap your brain around or even pause to think about the fact that the old year is coming to a close and 2011 will be starting up in just a matter of six weeks. The craziness of the holiday season ensures that the new year sneaks up on us and before we can even top that slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream, it seems that the decorations are down and January has returned. Don’t let this happen to your business! Make the effort now so that you are promoting yourself for all of 2011. A great idea for the new year is a Bic Business Card Magnet with Calendar. You give a gift that is practical, usable, and cost-effective – the calendar – coupled with a simple marketing tool – your business card – that gets you noticed throughout the new year. Spend a little cash to make a whole lot of new business. It’s a win-win situation for both you and the recipient. A little planning on your part right now will make all the difference come June or July, and for that, you’ll be thankful.

Live High on the Hog Bank

There’s something about a piggy bank that makes people smile. Whether it’s because the little thing is so cute and funny-looking, or because it reminds us of a simpler time when we were children, or if it’s because it stashes away something we all need more of, I don’t know. But piggy banks really are fun and actually, they are a really good thing to have. I keep one in my kitchen where I toss all kinds of change I find from the boys’ pockets, my overflowing wallet, or the nickels discovered in the family room couch. Then, whenever I need a few spare quarters to stick in the lunchboxes so the kids can get ice cream at school or am heading somewhere that I know will require change (think metered parking), I have quick and easy access. And here’s something to think about. I gave my sister in law one of these silver plated piggy banks about two years ago as a small gift to keep her change handy. She told me recently that the thing had gotten heavy and she decided to open it and count up her quarters. The result was a windfall of $245 she never even knew she had. Let’s just say, a much-deserved dinner out that night was on the pig.

Super-Sized Suitcases Get a Weigh-In

Who hasn’t set out on a much-deserved vacation with visions of warm tropical breezes, palm trees, and cooling drinks with floating pineapple chunks and little umbrellas in them only to arrive at the airport and be called back to reality? Usually, this occurs when you realize that your suitcase has a mind – or a weight – of its own and you’re about to receive a huge charge tacked on to your airline ticket because your bag is a bit on the obese side. Not the best way to start out your vacation now, is it? Don’t let this nonsense happen to you on your next trip. Instead you can be prepared before you even get to the airport with the Departures Luggage Scale. This handy gadget will save you time and money and prevent headaches and hits to your wallet at the airport. The perfect gift for the savvy traveler or employee who is always on the go, the Departures Luggage Scale will keep your suitcase on a diet at all times, letting you know when you go overboard. And it comes with its own storage bag, so make sure you bring it along on your next vacation to prevent you from going overboard with those cutesy tourist magnets and t-shirts.