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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.

Like the song says, this really is the most wonderful time of the year. Or at least it should be. But with the stress of trying to meet pre-holiday deadlines, end of year billing, plans for family and travel, it’s sometimes hard to see that “wonder” in all the boxes that need to be checked – or wrapped before we bring 2015 to a close. The pressure of having the “perfect” holiday is often one we bring upon ourselves. This year, take the opportunity to revel in the reasons that truly do make this season wonderful.

Celebrate Success.

We might not all be wishing for brown paper packages tied up in string, but the truth of the matter is that we often don’t take time to appreciate the beauty of simplicity. What with the rush of the holidays and the deadline that is the end of the year, we sometimes feel forced to cram the waning days of December with every possible project, meeting, or party. We being to take stock in those goals we set back in January and wonder where the time went. Now is not the time to look back on what we could have or should have. Instead, take stock in the successes of the past year. What went right? What did you do well? And how have you positioned yourself – or your business for future growth? Now THAT’S something to celebrate!

Pay it Forward.

Let’s be honest. There’s really no such thing as a self-made man. Or woman, for that matter. The reality is, no matter how long our track record, we’ve all been the beneficiary of some sort of boost along the way. Whether it was a loan from a friend or family member, an encouraging word from a mentor, or support from a loved one while we poured our heart and soul into a startup; success is very rarely a solo project. The odds are slim that we’ll ever get the opportunity to repay that favor. But once you’re no longer on the outside looking in, you’re now in position to help another entrepreneur, small business, or start-up get an infusion of cash, experience, or advice that could propel them to the next level. There would no greater way to honor the gift of your success than to serve as a catalyst for the next generation.

Be There.

It sounds more simple than it really is, but the distraction of smart phones and the non-stop opportunity to stay connected to work can sometimes keep us from realizing what’s really happening in the moment. Whether your name is on the door, or you work for the largest employer in town, it can be hard to shut down, unplug, and emerge from “business mode” even for the holidays. Take a moment to appreciate the people and the situation that you find yourself in. Most likely, those around you this time of year have had a direct influence on your success. Savor that togetherness. Commit to being in the hear and now. A simple agreement to leave the smartphones off – even for an evening – might do more to put you in the holiday spirit than a barrel full of egg nog.

All jokes aside, if you’ve had a successful year in business – and we hope you’ve had – there’s no better time to take stock in what worked. At The Dunstan Group, we believe that success is built on creating lasting impressional and delivering beyond expectations. As you’re re-tooling for the coming year, let’s talk about how branded merchandise and apparel from The Dunstan Group can help you further your brand’s story in 2016.