Despite your best efforts to be ahead of the game this year, the holiday gift-giving season has come up – fast! Or, maybe waiting until the last minute is SOP for you. Either way, there’s still time to make a lasting impression on clients, employees and friends with some well-chosen gifts that belie the last-minute nature of their gathering. It’s a few stops short of a full-on Christmas Miracle, but The Dunstan Group is well-versed is creating some serious holiday magic.
MacLean Helbein, Brand Specialist at The Dunstan Group, says just making the call is the first step. That’s easy enough, right?
“We say, just reach out and let us know what you’re thinking. What’s your deadline, your budget… that kind of thing.”
It’s close to the same process as any other order with The Dunstan Group, but when the clock’s ticking, it’s time to get creative.
MacLean says there’s always the option to rush shipping, depending on your deadlines, or the location of the product. Another factory contact that’s closer can often cut shipping time. It’s all about relationships.
In the case of popular brands, products, colors or sizes that might be sold out, back-ordered or unavailable, MacLean says The Dunstan Group can often suggest other options that can make the same impact. Again, time to get creative!
“Usually, when there’s a will, there’s a way. If the client really wants something, then we’re pretty good at figuring out how to get it,” says MacLean.
Holiday and end-of-year are also opportunities to take advantage of co-op dollars offered to some companies. Knowing the parameters and terms of use in order to take advantage of those dollars doesn’t have to be complicated. The Dunstan Group can help you navigate that “red tape” to ensure the items, logos, colors, and other requirements measure-up in order to qualify for reimbursement.
With co-op dollars, you’ll likely need prior approval before going to print. Make sure you communicate that on the front end in order to build that time into the overall project deadline.
Bottom line, MacLean says The Dunstan Group wants to make the process of buying branded merchandise and apparel as easy as possible. If you’ve got an idea in mind, that’s a great start to the process.
“No matter what it is, or how over-the-top, etc., it is… that gives us a place to begin,” says MacLean. “Generally, people know what they would like to give; we help them get to that, or as close as is possible.”
And in the absence of any other starting points, The Dunstan Group has plenty of great ideas, too!
There’s still time to make branded merchandise and apparel tell your brand’s story all year long! Call The Dunstan Group and check that task off your holiday to-do list today.