2009

Just because you’re stuck in an office all day doesn’t mean Christmas fun can’t extend to your workplace. Depending on the environment at your work, it’s definitely possible to mix holiday fun with work.

One obvious choice for some fun at the office during the holidays is to have a party. You could have several, in fact. How about a cookie exchange party? Plan to do this at lunchtime one day, and during that block of time, everyone brings several dozen cookies they have made. You have to set a particular number of cookies everyone brings. Because once everyone has an empty plate, they go around the table picking up cookies that look good to them and place them on their empty paper plate. If everyone brought 3 dozen cookies, say, then everyone gets to take home 3 dozen cookies. This is not a particularly unique idea, but one that brings a bit of fun into the workplace.

Keeping in mind whether or not the public visits your workplace, you might choose to decorate. Why not have a Christmas tree decorating event? Everyone brings 6 ornaments and as a group activity, everyone decorates the tree. This is a good way to build team spirit and decorate your workplace at the same time.

Don’t forget to institute a “secret Santa” event at work, where you secretly buy gifts for someone and have some type of gift exchange. But what about a “Santa’s helper” activity? Someone in the group has to begin this on the sly. Essentially, this first person (the only one in the know about how the whole thing began) puts together a little gift. Ideally, it’s a basket with a few gift items in it. They might be decorative items, or baked goods or even bath items. Attach a card saying that “Santa’s helper” dropped by and brought these items. Now the person who received the “helper’s” gift must put together a little something for someone else and – again on the sly – deliver it to the next person. It continues until everyone has received a visit from “Santa’s helper”.

Nothing brings people together like a group activity designed to help others. What if your officemates came up with an activity designed to help people less fortunate at the holidays? You might adopt a local family and everyone in the office purchases items for that family. You might choose to purchase Christmas trees for needy families. If the public visits your office often, you might even begin a “sharing” tree and people can bring items to put under the tree for needy families or children. As a group activity, the office workers can then deliver these items to the needy.

The particularly festive office might want to have someone come in and do a cooking demonstration. If there are enough people interested, you can hire a cook or baker to come into your office on your lunch hour and do a demonstration or class. Say you want to bake but don’t know what to bake this year. A baker can come in and demonstrate cookies or other goodies you might not have thought to make. Or someone can come in with ideas and samples for the perfect Christmas meal. These ideas are perfect for the environment where people work many hours and are quite busy but still want to do their regular cooking and baking each year.

Many families are feeling the crunch of unemployment and the economic downfall. Here are ways that you can improve your checking account this Christmas while still being able to do your Christmas shopping. These are all ways that families can save.

If you are a new couple or a new family then there is one thing that you can do. If you are newly weds or if you have a new baby there is one way to cut the costs. While people will give you some of what you need, there are some items you might not realize you need right away. Rather than buying gifts that you won’t ever use, why not buy one another or that baby a gift that you will use. It might be something that you noticed you didn’t’ get.

Another thing is to keep your gift cards. We are all given gift cards when Christmas rolls around. Why not take the ones you might or might not use and regift them. If they are empty, rather than buying a new card, just give it to someone else.

Many women never think of this, but if you like taking surveys and giving your opinion there are ways to go about doing that now and making a bit of money for what you do. Some of them don’t give money but give gifts instead that you get to choose. This is one way you can save money as well.

Another way is to budget how much you spend. It should equal how much you spent on the other people. Try drawing names so then you aren’t buying for quite as many people. That always works well too.

As you can see, there are some many ways you can improve how much money you spend at Christmas. So, what are you waiting for? There are only a few weeks left until Christmas. Might as well go and get your shopping started.

A credit card issuer has built an entire ad campaign around the “What’s in your wallet?” question.  If you’re the average American (and statistically speaking you probably are) then you probably have about 10-12 plastic cards in your wallet (and not much cash).

I’ll never forget the reality check I had when I was first hired to work in sales for a plastic card manufacturer.  I, like most people, had been adrift in life fully un-aware at how inter-linked I was with plastic cards.  This eye-opener was a Neo like experience in the Matrix, who after taking the “red pill”, got a whole new perspective on “real life”.  Being in the plastic card marketplace made me acutely aware of how completely plastic cards have permeated our lives.

You may not have ever thought of this so just to show you want I am talking about… I am going to bare my soul.  Here is a list of the cards in my wallet.  I have also included some color commentary about their use just to keep you awake.

Listed in the order that I found them…

1) My Drivers License

The state of Texas has deemed me as an acceptable risk and has licensed me to operate a motor vehicle.  For the record my wife disagrees with their decision.

2) A New York State Troopers Fraternal Order of Police Member Card

I am not, nor have I ever been in law enforcement.  I have made a contribution to this society.  They thanked me with this card and I carry in the hope that I can someday get off the hook when I have managed to prove my wife correct that I should not be operating a moving vehicle.

3) MasterCard

This card belongs to the company I work for but bears my name.  It keeps me alive on the road.

4) Visa Check card.

This card is connected to my bank account.  In theory it gives me ready access to my money.  This theory breaks down routinely, mostly due to the fact that I have four kids and they have the ability to out eat my earning potential.

5) Employee name badge.

This card has the second ugliest photograph on it in my wallet.  The first is the aforementioned drivers license.  It gets me in the door at work.  As long as it keeps working I guess I will too.

7) Express™ $30.00 coupon card.

I have really good intentions of using this when I by my wife a gift.  In all likelihood it is expired.  Oh well… it’s the thought… right?

8) GameStop™ Membership Card.

Three of my four kids are avid video gamers. Games are almost as important as pre-sweetened cereal in my house and this card gets me a 5% discount on previously played titles! For those of you keeping score that’s  marketing speak for “used games”.

9) Sam’s Club Card.

I have this so I can by toilet paper in a convenient 144 pack.  Peanut butter also

seems to taste better when spooned from a 50 gallon drum!

10) Best Buy Reward Zone Card.

I am certain that every self respecting 40 something male loves this card as much as I do.  I would give up my drivers license if that was the only way I could keep this one!

11) Admirals Club Card

I travel a lot.  Those that do not probably do not know what the Admirals Club is.  Let’s just say this is the closest I will ever come to being a part of a secret society and this card is my proof of belonging.  The admirals club is like a secret door into heaven that the devil didn’t realize you could access from airport terminal hell!  This card is awesome!

13) McCalister’s Deli Gift Card.

I did a terrible thing.  I bought my parent a gift card for Christmas and earned a free $5.00 “bonus” card.  Rather than doing the “good son” thing, I kept it for myself.  Now that I think about it, this evil deed might be enough to keep me out of Admirals club heaven.  I might go ahead and give this card to my dad!

14) Staples Business Reward Card:

I use this card just enough to keep in the “active file” in my wallet and out of my top desk drawer at work.  Ink cartridges are a serious investment so I appreciate the discounts and  product offers I get from these guys in exchange for my card carrying loyalty.

15) Hertz #1 Gold Card.

In my travels I have found that the rental car lines are among my least favorite.  The number of decisions required regarding waivers and declinations of coverage are very disconcerting on an empty stomach.  This card lets me bypass that experience and go straight to a car that already has my contract in it and the keys in the ignition.  The little things in life are what make the difference.

16) American Advantage Platinum Card.

This would be my second favorite card after my Best Buy card.  My frequent travel has earned me this status and I am typically awarded first-class upgrades as the ego-maniacal holder of this esteemed plastic product.

17) BlueCross Insurance Card.

This card allows my doctor to pay his Mercedes payment and country club dues payment despite the fact that I can get out of his office for a $20.00 co-pay.  This is not magic, it is insanity.  But there are not enough words in “blog-land” for me to start down the insurance debate rabbit trail.

18) Aetna Dental Insurance Card

I’d rather have my teeth pulled than to have to use this card… enough said.

19) Social Security Card.

This is the only card in my wallet made of paper and yet it is the only card in my wallet intended to last my entire life.  I find this not only ironic but it also reeks of government decision making.  Chances are this card will be of little use to me by the time I retire.

There you have it.  Nineteen cards in one wallet!  I guess I am little more than average.

Point of all of this is…there are a huge number of opportunities for using plastic cards to promote your business or organization.

Need more ideas?   Open your own wallet and take a look!

Millions and millions of travelers need to identify their bags.  The airlines require that all luggage be identified.  If John E. Traveler does not have a tag on his bag then he’ll be stuck filling out a paper tag at the check-in counter.

This common need opens up an incredible promotional opportunity with a Printed plastic luggage tag.  A Promotional luggage tag offers virtually any company, association, organization or retailer the opportunity to link their name, logo and message to a commonly used product for a savvy business traveler or eager family vacationer.

Today’s promotional luggage tags are a far cry form your dad’s bag tag. Here are just a few features to consider when you’re looking to implement a promotional plastic luggage tag program.

• Four Color Process can be used to create a brilliant vivid color and consider foil stamping or metallic inks to add a high-end look to your corporate luggage tag
• High Gloss or Matte Lamination finishes will add longevity to a custom Luggage tag
• Writable back or business card inserts or both good options for the user to add their personal information to the plastic luggage tag
• Consider handing out personalized tags if you know your recipient list ahead of time
• Some vendors offer individualized bagging for the tag, strap, id card and even other bundled promo items to create a solid business luggage tag promotion.

One of the best uses for a promotional tag is as a tradeshow giveaway.  The majority of all tradeshow attendees traveled some distance to get the show. And they all have to go home right? With a bag tag giveaway promotion you can be sure the items will get used by the recipient almost right away. Promotional Card Printing, Custom Luggage Tags

This is a product that people need routinely.  Every time they travel and every time they touch their bag on every trip they can have your brand and your message staring back at them.  Promotional plastic luggage tags are a “can’t miss” promotion. Business Luggage Tag

Ready to find out more? Click here to get in touch with an expert who can help you with a high quality promotional luggage tag program