Make holiday gift-giving a stress-free exercise with these great gift ideas from The Dunstan Group. From practical, everyday items to the fun and whimsical, there’s something for anyone and everyone on your list. This year’s catalog features the world’s finest brand names, gear, accessories, and tools — all with the capacity to be customized with your company brand or logo. Not sure where to start? Flip through the pages of this virtual catalog, then give us a call or email to get your order in the works.
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Western North Carolina Strong Collection
Yes, It Really IS Time to Talk Holidays
Yes, It Really IS Time to Talk Holidays
Labor Day is hardly in the rear view mirror, but holiday shopping is trending. And we’re not talking Halloween candy. In fact, nearly half of all shoppers participating in a new BankRate survey said they’d begin their actual holiday buying before the end of October!
Credit the ease of online shopping and the nightmare that was pandemic supply chain shortages for creating the habit. If it feels as though big retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart promote the shopping season earlier each year, you’re not wrong. But that’s not all bad. The earlier you’re making a list, checking it twice, and wrapping it up, so to speak, the more likely you’ll get what you want on time. Plus, you’ll avoid the last-minute rush, and spread out your end-of-year spending. Lots of wins there.
For corporate holiday gifting, “when” to start is the easy part. (Now would be an excellent time, of course.) “What” requires a little more thought. After combing through list after internet list and nearly every social platform, we’ve culled a quick half dozen gift ideas to get you thinking NOW about how you’ll wow them this holiday — with time to spare.
Travel Bags and Backpacks
Utility never goes out of style. Nearly every TikTok influencer is flaunting some type of travel bag. Whether they’re traveling for business or pleasure, there are options galore in this category. It’s the ultimate one-size-fits-all gift idea. https://shop.dunstangroup.com/search?Categories=Bags&SubCategories=Backpacks
Succulents and Other Indoor Plants
Yes, a real, live plant. Help bring a little life to the most boring of desktop or work-from-home environments with easy-to-care-for plants. Simple, hardy plants with completely customizable pots or containers make for a beautiful holiday gift.
Blankets and Throws
What’s not to like about a warm, cozy blanket or throw? Any size, practically any material – from fleece to wool to jersey knit to cotton flannel; and with an incredible variety of customizable options, too. Like delivering a warm hug anywhere in the world. https://shop.dunstangroup.com/search?Query=blanket&PriceFrom=0.00&PriceTo=4000.00
Drinkware for the Win
Stanley, YETI, MiiR, CamelBak, and more. Hydration is key any time of year. Water bottles, mugs, and tumblers make great, long-lasting gifts they’ll use all year. Whether for the gym, carrying water on the go, or simply keeping beverages hot or cold, it’s a gift that suits all ages and occasions.
https://shop.dunstangroup.com/search?Categories=Drinkware
Notebooks and Journals
There’s power in putting pen (or pencil) to paper. From creating the ultimate “to do” list, planning the upcoming year, or plotting out the idea that finally gets them on Shark Tank, journals and notebooks are as thoughtful and useful as they come. Paired with a beautiful pen, and you’ve got something magical on your hands – and in theirs. https://shop.dunstangroup.com/search?Categories=Office&SubCategories=Notebooks+%2f+Journals+%2f+Jotters
Earbuds and Headphones
Technology continues to get more affordable. Great looking and great sounding earbuds and headphones are completely customizable with your brand and logo. And they’ll think of you every time they’re tucking into their favorite music or podcast. We’ve got some recommendations there, too! https://shop.dunstangroup.com/search?Categories=Tech&SubCategories=Headphones
Tailgate Essentials 2024
Football is finally here! Show off your team spirit and company pride all season long with the gear and goods that’ll guarantee a good time, no matter the final score. From pop-up tents to coolers, folding chairs to game boards, cups and koozies; you can get them all in your favorite colors — with logos and branding, too! Click the button below for the full catalog now!
Check out the 2024 Storm Creek catalog!
Dam to Dam: Paddling for a Purpose
Dam to Dam: Paddling for a Purpose
Spencer Lueders, founder of 24 Hours of Booty, is making waves with a new fundraising event. (Pardon the pun, y’all!) The Dam to Dam paddle is a 24-mile journey from Mountain Island Lake Dam to Lake Wylie Dam.
Inspired by a similar event in Austin, the inaugural Charlotte event in 2023 started with just 10 participants, serving as a proof of concept. This year, the event expanded significantly, attracting 36 paddlers who collectively raised an impressive $73,000.
What sets Dam to Dam apart is its unique approach to participant selection and fundraising. Unlike the more inclusive 24 Hours of Booty event, Dam to Dam features an application process and a higher minimum fundraising requirement. Lueders explains the strategy: “Booty is very inclusive. Low entry fee, low minimum fundraising… trying to get as many people out there as possible as a community event,” he added. ”This one I wanted to do a little bit different.”
The event’s success lies in its ability to bring together a diverse group of participants, many of whom are new to the 24 Foundation mission. Lueders said half of this year’s paddlers had never participated in a 24 Foundation event before, bringing fresh energy and perspectives to the cause.
To prepare for the challenge, participants engaged in three practice paddles leading up to the main event. These sessions not only helped paddlers build their skills, but also fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among the group.
The event’s impact extends beyond fundraising. It’s drawing attention to Charlotte’s waterways and creating a unique spectacle on the Catawba River. On event day, the police boat escorts turned heads all along the Catawba River, and garnered some great, local media coverage, too.
The Dunstan Group is a longtime partner of the 24 Foundation, and had the opportunity to create eye-catching – and functional – apparel and merch for the event. This year’s standout items included a full sublimation SPF protective sun shirt with a custom logo-lined hood, and a floppy sun hat.
Lueders enthusiastically described the gear: “We wanted one of those SPF protective sun shirts. And so last year we did it. This shit is killer … it almost looks like it’s wet when it’s dry, almost like a camo, but it looks wet.”
Lueders said he believes events like this are more than just fundraisers – they’re a powerful platform for storytelling, community building, and making a tangible difference in the fight against cancer.
Spring Essentials and Summer Must Haves 2024
The season is just hitting its stride, and there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy! These summer must-haves from The Dunstan Group are perfectly aligned with your everything you want from this time of year: health, wellness, and enjoying the outdoors. From budget-friendly styles to premium retail brands, we can decorate them all to suit your lifestyle, work, or play. Click here to view this shopping guide now!
Fish and Chips with Carolina BUILT
Networking doesn’t have to be all “work.” And the folks at Carolina BUILT prove that time and time again. Carolina BUILT is a civic and social organization for the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. They understand the power of relationships in growing a business, and they know how to make networking easy, fun, and worthwhile for their members. Their Fish and Chips get-together in Charleston is proof of that, for sure.
Lindsey Brown is marketing coordinator for EM Structural, a Charlotte-based engineering firm that’s a Carolina BUILT member, and organizer of the Fish and Chips event. We caught up with Lindsey to talk about the event, and her experience with the Team here at The Dunstan Group.
DG: Tell us about this Fish and Chips event!
Lindsey Brown: This was our fifth year in Charleston for Fish and Chips. We go down to Charleston, and they spend half a day on a chartered boat. They go inshore fishing and then we have lunch out on an Island and then we go back. We do a dinner at Saltwater Cowboys that they actually grill the fish that we caught – it’s so much fun. Probably one of my favorite events that we do!
DG: Fish and Chips sounds like a lot of fun! And it’s also a great opportunity to network, right?
Lindsey Brown: The whole purpose is people helping people. For these events, say you have a friend that’s looking to connect with a developer… you bring guests to these events and it’s all about meeting people, helping people. Being in it is more than being in it for yourself.
DG: How did branded merchandise factor into the Fish and Chips event?
Lindsey Brown: We did the shirts and we do things with sponsorships. We had a welcome reception sponsor and those companies were able to do whatever they needed swag-wise. Our welcome our sponsor supplied tote bags, and another sponsor got koozies from The Dunstan Group.
DG: What’s your experience been like working with the Team at The Dunstan Group?
Lindsey Brown: My gosh! Well, anything that we need, anything that we’ve ever needed as far as Carolina BUILT and EM Structural … they’ve always gone above and beyond for us. Even if we need something in a pinch. Brian and Scott have always been there. I’ve been so lucky enough to have formed a relationship with them as well.
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