A Time to Remember

I don’t know about you, but I’d be lost without my trusty Filofax, backed up by a calendar on the wall and the reminder on my BlackBerry. Some people just use their electronic devices to remind them of appointments, but I’ve got a nasty habit of wanting to know what I’m scheduled for and when very late at night when the BlackBerry has automatically turned itself off to save batteries (thank goodness!) and rather than go through the rigmarole of switching it on again, it’s easier to just look in my organiser or on the calendar.

I can’t be the only one! So it follows that diaries and calendars of all sorts are still very popular as promotional gifts, especially at this time of year. And buyers have a good selection of products as this round up shows.

The Writing on the Wall 

Anything Promotional has a range of wall calendars with a choice of over 30 standard images that can be personalised with a company name across all pages or you can add the name of the recipient on all pages for greater impact.

Prices for generic A4 Wall Calendars (i.e. your company name on each page across all units) start from £2.25 each (based on 1,000 units), but smaller runs of 100 are also possible.

Personalised A4 Wall Calendars (each with individual names i.e. John Smith, Peter Jones, Gordon Brown, etc.) start from 5.88 each (based on 1,000 units). All prices plus VAT.

Lead-time is approximately 4-6 weeks from receipt of order and artwork.

Sweet Reminder 

Sweet Temptations is launching a new version of the popular Advent Calendar for Christmas 2010.  As well as the usual range of traditional and desktop-size advent calendars available in ‘off the shelf’ designs or fully bespoke versions, Sweet Temptations has developed a brand new desktop 12 day countdown to Christmas advent calendar. It’s designed to meet the demand for those last minute panic orders. Measuring 138 x 111 x 13mm this is a neat and compact advent calendar option with 12 windows filled with high quality chocolate. 

These calendars are available in a Fairtrade chocolate option and are made with high quality board to ensure a robust and first class finish.

Bespoke designs for the full range of advent calendars can be as traditional, humorous or contemporary as required to suit any corporate or brand image. For those who do not wish to go to these lengths, the company offers a selection of designs suitable for personalising with just a logo and Christmas message.

Once again, GroovyChocolate has a wide range of chocolate-filled desktop Christmas Advent Calendars that can be printed with a bespoke design. These are printed either portrait or landscape, in full colour on the front, back, sides and even the reverse of every window if required. The company uses only specialist food grade board and the calendars contain only the finest Belgian Milk Chocolate.  Origination is free for all orders above 500 pieces. 

For lower quantities Groovy also has a range of ‘part personalised’ calendars and a range of standard designs that can be over-printed with a short message or logo – the ideal alternative to a Christmas card, and tastier too!

GroovyChocolate’s Desktop Advent Calendars have 24 windows. Size is 210mm x 145mm x 15mm and the ad (logo) space is 210mm x 290mm. Minimum quantity is 100 pieces. 

GroovyChocolate has two print slots for 2010; last dates for artwork are 8 and 22 October.  GroovyChocolate 

Pocket Reminder

Abbeygate offers a stylish collection of leather gifts and diaries which includes these Pocket Diary Wallets, with 2011 comb bound diary inserts. The hand-stitched diaries are available in 12 colours and include pen loops and card/document pockets.  Price includes one position blocking.

For larger desk diaries, personalisation specialist, iNameit, offers individual personalisation. Also, if you know your customer’s date of birth, then this can be highlighted on the individual’s diary. In fact, any dates or other information that is held on the customer can be used to tailor a product specifically to the recipient. INameit has expanded its image library to include logo-personalised images. This range allows you to reinforce your brand with your customer by cleverly incorporating your company logo into the image as well as a name. This year, it’s even easier to order your Christmas gifts via iNameit’s online ordering portal, iCreate it. The online range includes calendars, notebooks, an Eco range as well as charity Christmas cards – this site makes it easy to order company branded and/or client personalised gifts with a speedy 10-day turnaround.

Pencil Pot Reminder

For something a little bit different, leading pop-up manufacturer, Whitney Woods, offers company calendars/pen holders to give added value to Christmas Promotions. Print your company calendar on one of their pen pots to create a two-in-one Christmas promotion. The products also have instant impact pop-up action making them ideal for sending by mail. 

Green Reminders

Finally, OBrien Diaries has launched a 2011 New Green Eco Desk Diary – A5 size, ‘page a day’ layout. The diary is made from post-consumer recycled paper and will appeal to any organisation that is in touch with the Environment. It is fully customisable, by using foil blocking and adding corporate pages and even totally bespoke covers are possible. 

So, that’s our wander through a quick selection of calendars and diaries, but I’m sure you can see there’s something for everyone and some creative ways of reminding your customers of who you are, while they are reminding themselves of where they should be!

 

Carole Bull

Editor

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