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Add this Ingredient to Make Everyone’s Holiday Merry and Bright

Whether you’re at the hardware store, the grocery aisle, or even checking your email; ads and displays for holiday décor and gift ideas feel like they arrive earlier every year. Pumpkin spice will pave the way for peppermint mocha, and we’ll all be singing Auld Lang Syne before we know it.

If you have plans for Q4 or holiday gifting, all the Christmas magic in the North Pole won’t replace this one essential ingredient: time. And not just because the holiday promotions seem earlier and earlier each year. With a little bit of planning and flexibility, your holidays can be merry, bright, and a lot less stressful. Here’s how!

Order early

We get it. It’s hard to think about holiday gifting when temps are still in the 80’s and 90’s. But getting your holiday gifting orders placed now will ensure you’ve got the most product selection, plenty of time for customization, and enough time to get your product delivered in advance of your event, holiday gifting, etc.

Consider your options

Got your heart set on a particular product, brand, or style? We get it. Sometimes it’s hard to look at other products once you’ve got something particular in mind. Especially when there are seemingly endless other products. Be open to looking at several different items to maximize the opportunity you’ll get what you want when you want it.

Act fast

You’ve found the product you want, add it to your order, only to find it’s gone before you can complete the transaction. It happens with our suppliers, too. Our recommendation is that once we’ve found what you’re looking for, confirm the order immediately. While the price quote may be good for days or weeks, someone else may swoop in and make their order before you’ve approved yours.

As always, the team here at The Dunstan Group is here to help. Make your holiday and Q4 plans less stressful – and a whole lot more creative! Connect with us now, and let’s get to work.

Wellness-Based Promo Products Make it Personal

If you’re looking to make a real and personal connection with your with clients, teammates, and contacts, look no further than the health and wellness categories. At The Dunstan Group, we’re big on branded merchandise, apparel, and promotional products with function and utility. Products that focus on health and wellness really hit the mark.

Survey respondents listed it as THE single most powerful consumer force. Scroll through TikTok, Instagram reels, or other social feeds, and you’ll see fitness and health content dominates the platforms, particularly with Gen Zers and their younger counterparts – which hold significant buying power.

64% of surveyed Millennials and Generation Zers reported emotional wellbeing as most important to their overall health. (Source: Vice Media Group)

Here’s a selection of some of the hot products to support them – and your clients and contacts – along their wellness journey.

Hydro Flask Water Bottles – One of the most asked-about brands is now available for full customization from us here at The Dunstan Group! These iconic water bottles and tumblers come in a variety of colors to coordinate with your brand or promotion.

Reusable Forehead Thermometer – Here’s a portable and less invasive way of taking an accurate temperature reading. The liquid crystal display stops at the core temperature, giving you an easy and quick way of checking for a fever. This is great to use on kids or adults. Add your company name or logo for maximum visibility.

Wellness Journal – This passion and wellness journal from Moleskine is designed to grow into a permanent and uniquely customized record of your fitness, nutrition, and wellness journey. Loaded with nutrition tips, exercises, and practical fitness facts, while four dedicated and structured sections allow you to divide your progress between Personal Goals, Fitness, Diet, and Health & Care. Plain pages at the back make space for extra notes.

Yankee Candle – Did you know? You can get the world-famous Yankee Candles in a range of sizes and fragrances. Help them set the mood for relaxation and calm with these long-burning, time-tested candles. Each jar features high-grade paraffin wax and a 100% natural fiber wick. Premium quality ingredients create distinctive true-to-life scents. Customized for you by The Dunstan Group.

Bento Styled Stainless Steel Lunch Container – Support their healthy choices with these stainless steel bento-style containers. Three practical compartments are portioned perfectly for on-the-go meals and snacking. Easy to use, convenient, and for a super-simple cleanup, just toss your bento lunch box and lid in the dishwasher!

 

 

Same As it Ever Was: Why Nostalgia is HOT

We’re willing to bet parachute pants and mullets don’t get an encore, but to say what’s old is new again isn’t far from the truth in many industries. Yes, that includes promotional products, branded merchandise and apparel. Whether its looks, styles, or trends from the 80’s, 90’s to early 2000’s, nostalgia is hot.

Nostalgic or throwback pop culture design is everywhere you look. And for good reason. For starters, it worked once, right? More importantly, it just makes us feel good. That’s particularly poignant in uncertain times.

“Uncertainty is the foundation of anxiety,” says Juliet Kuehnle, a licensed clinical therapist and founder of Sun Counseling and Wellness. “When we feel dysregulated, we often crave something that will soothe or ground us. This might be an object, a memory, or something sensorial that our brain and bodies hold as secure, safe, or joyful.”

Promotional products can help deliver on that feeling of security. From bucket hats to fanny packs, butterfly hair clips, and neon anything. Here are some of our favorites here at The Dunstan Group!

Fanny Packs – Talk about making a comeback! This particular fanny pack measures 12″ x 6″ and is available in black and royal blue. This handy bag is made of 420-denier coated nylon and features three zippered pockets (main, front, and rear). The waist strap is adjustable to a maximum size of 44″ to fit most body types. Customize with an imprint of your company name and logo to create a unique and useful gift or giveaway.

S’Mores Kit – The “to go” kit for campfire s’mores and more. The fun and joy of making s’mores over a campfire is possible anywhere thanks to this awesome kit! Each kit includes Graham Crackers, Milk Chocolate bars, Marshmallows, Toasting sticks, and Gel Fuel (the flame). The best part? This kit comes in a shipping-grade mailing box! Includes 2 Belgian Milk Chocolate Bars (2.25 oz.), 4 Graham Cracker Sheets, 4 Marshmallows, 1 Gel Fuel (the flame), 4 toasting sticks.

Classic Lunchbox – Nothing says “old school” like a metal lunchbox. Gain some ground with new customers and old ones alike with this throwback tin lunch box! This has everything customers need for taking a tasty meal along to work, school, or anywhere else. The design is exactly how they remember it, too. Add your company name or logo for maximum visibility.

Classic Shades – The style that’s always in, and a look they’re sure to love with these customizable shades! These adult-sized sunglasses feature colored lenses that elevate traditional promo sunglasses to the next level. The UV400 lenses provide UVA and UVC protection. They also come with black frames and different colored arms. Can be customized with a brand name or logo, too!

Vintage Speaker – Classic styling meets modern technology. Don’t let Campbells vintage-inspired appearance fool you. This compact wireless speaker with a passive subwoofer packs an entertainment punch! With its built-in microphone, FM radio and MSD card reader & USB slot, you can answer calls, find your favorite oldies station or play a selection of your own favorite tunes.

24 Foundation on Making an Impact

In the nonprofit event space, things have come a long way from the scratchy, cotton logo t-shirt. Branded merchandise and apparel are a symbol of accomplishment, recognition of achievement, and a statement of shared personal values. It’s also an incentive, an award, and if chosen wisely, provides long-lasting marketing value.

The 24 Foundation has long recognized the power of branded merchandise and apparel as all of the above; harnessing it to help raise nearly $25 million for cancer navigation and survivorship programs since 2002. The Dunstan Group has been a long-time partner, provider, and participant.

“Branded merchandise, swag, and apparel are an integral part of any event, especially a nonprofit event that relies heavily on individuals to fundraise,” says Katy Ryan, Executive Director at 24 Foundation. “The items we order are a great way to show appreciation and incentivize participants to reach their fundraising goals.”

For those unfamiliar, the Charlotte-based Foundation hosts the annual 24 Hours of Booty. The 24-hour event welcomes a diverse population of riders and walkers who gather together in support of the foundation’s mission to help people navigate the maze of a cancer diagnosis. One of the first participants connect with the brand is through registration and packet pick-up, where cyclists and walkers are excited to receive their branded event t-shirt and see first-hand the incentive items they’ve earned through fundraising.

This year’s incentives and prizes include rechargeable headlamps, Tervis Tumblers, inflatable loungers, sun tents, and other products packed with utility.

Ryan believes merchandise is a critical factor in recruitment and retention. Not only does the event represent a way to have a ton of fun while doing a lot of good, it also an outward expression of the foundation’s appreciation and recognition of participant and volunteer efforts. They also serve as a visual reminder of the mission, which is essential in the competitive world of nonprofit fundraising.

“Branded merch and swag are some of the very first things we look at each year before kicking off our campaign,” adds Ryan. “The investment is returned to us many times over when compared to the impact on retention and stewardship.”

The 2022 24 Hours of Booty event is July 29-30 here in Charlotte. You can find out more about it, donate, or register to participate here: https://www.24foundation.org/home/charlotte/

Berkeley Capital Has a Head for Marketing

As a big league city, Charlotte is no stranger to hosting major sporting events. But let’s be honest; some events are a much bigger deal than others. It’s no wonder brands and businesses of all sorts will be in the mix when golf’s greatest come to Quail Hollow Club for the Presidents Cup this fall.

The biannual tournament pits the United States against an international squad of, quite literally, the world’s best golfers. This is the first time ever North Carolina has hosted the Presidents Cup, so you can bet everyone involved will be aiming to make a lasting first impression. That includes our friends and clients at Berkeley Capital Advisors, a Charlotte-based real estate brokerage firm with a national audience.

“Anytime there’s an event of this scale in our backyard we are going to get involved,” says Adam Russ, a partner at Berkeley Capital Advisors. “For our business, this is as good as the Super Bowl, and we’re looking forward to playing host to many friends and clients coming in from all over the country.”

Along with entertaining and spending some quality time on the grounds of Quail Hollow, Russ says the firm wanted to present their clients and friends with a one-of-a-kind item to commemorate the event. One that also left no question as to which team they’d be pulling for when the golf world’s eyes all turn to Charlotte!

“We wanted to create a unique piece that supported team USA for ourselves and our friends who will be coming with us,” added Russ. “Our clients love a good limited-run, high-quality piece to either take home and give to their kids or spouse, or to enjoy for themselves.”

A classic navy Imperial rope cap with a big, bold American flag patch fit the bill, if you’ll pardon that pun.

“Our intent is to create something they actually want, using brands and styles they are familiar with. I think The Dunstan Group really delivered on that end!”

In what’s sure to be a sea of red, white, and blue come tournament time, the team at Berkeley is sure to make an impression with this iconic cap.

Celebrating 60 Years of Success at Heede Southeast

 

Anniversaries are a big deal—and they should be! They remind us of important personal, professional, and cultural events in our lives. In business terms, marking each new year is something to not only celebrate but to also be grateful for. And our friends at Charlotte’s Heede Southeast really have something to celebrate: 60 years!

Heede Southeast is a third-generation, family-owned tower crane rental business that started right here in Charlotte. Look up the next time you see a big project around town. Chances are pretty good you’ll see a tower crane with a big, blue “Heede” along the horizontal boom.

“Sixty years in business is a feat of its own but sixty years in a construction rental business is remarkable,” said Jason Kenna, VP of National Sales for Heede Southeast. “We are truly blessed to have such a vital role in shaping the skyline of our rapidly growing hometown.”

To mark that 60-year milestone, Jason and his team wanted to thank their customers. So they asked their long-time partners here at The Dunstan Group for some ideas.

“We had a kickoff meeting with Scott where we laid out what we would like to do,” added Jason. “Our plan is to send gifts to our customers quarterly throughout the year—Scott took the idea to his creative team, and they ran with it.”

The result: A fully-customized gift box in Heede blue, loaded with a laser-etched YETI Rambler Tumbler and YETI Colster.

“These really came out great!” said Scott Dunstan, president and founder of The Dunstan Group. “It’s a thoughtful, handsome gift that is going to ‘wow’ their clients… and they’ll use these every day and know exactly who they’re from and why they got them.”

As we like to say around here, it’s always the right time to show your gratitude and appreciation. Congratulations to Heede Southeast on their anniversary, and for trusting The Dunstan Group to recognize the occasion!

Easy Ideas to Enjoy Right Now

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. – Ferris Bueller

 

It’s hard to argue with that kind of wisdom. And, it seems it’s even more difficult these days to find the time to slow down and appreciate what’s happening here and now.

Summer’s longer days and (hopefully) less-stressed schedules present the perfect opportunity to pump the brakes just a little. Here are just a few ideas from The Dunstan Group to help clients, employees, and friends do just that!

Coolers and Totes: Send them packing – to the beach, the mountains, or wherever the road takes them. Igloo, YETI, and Arctic Zone are just some of the cool cooler brands we can personalize.

Cookies and Treats: Cookies, coffee, popcorn, and chocolate are just the tip of the iceberg here. Anyone on your list will appreciate a sweet treat. Customized packaging takes these gifts to the next level.

Games and Activities: From coloring books to corn hole game boards, puzzles, balls, and party sets. If you can make a game of it, we can probably put your logo on it.

Candles and Gift Sets: Remind them to wind down with candles and gift sets that set the mood for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Remember, you don’t need a special occasion to show clients, employees, friends, or team members how much they’re appreciated. And you won’t have to stress about it, either. The team here at The Dustan Group has tons of creative ideas and literally thousands of products to choose from.