Can I just say that I love love love football season?! I’m a bit of a fanatic. Honestly, it’s kind of sad. But I just love the atmosphere. The slightly chilly weather, the cheer of the crowd - and of course, the tailgating festivities. How could you not love all that?

We all get a little college football crazy around the Absorbent, Ink. offices. We’re mostly Kansas Jayhawks fans, but there is at least one K-State Wildcat and one Nebraska Husker on staff who are fanatics for their own teams. The rivalries can be pretty intense – but we still love them, anyway!

I started this post because I just watched the promo video for my team’s 2009 season and I must say, it got me pumped. Not only because I think it’s gonna be a great year (Champs ‘09! Woot!) but also because it’s another season to show off my great Absorbent, Ink. items for tailgating and spirit wear.

Before any game, we will probably be eating, drinking and lounging at the tailgate with friends. If you’ve got a great group of friends or clients, you can personalize products to commemorate the season. It’s essential to have a lounge chair, a cooler, and depending on who’s grilling, an apron complete with grill utensils. A larger group of family, friends and clients could show their spirit in loud style with inflatable noise makers. Also, lanyards will show our spirit while making sure no one loses their keys in the stands. How sweet!

Now that I have all my Absorbent, Ink. spirit gear and tailgating props, I’m fully ready to cheer the ‘Hawks on! All these items can be printed to have any logo on them, so the options are limitless. With all this spirit, I hope your team will win a few games too!

Rock chalk!

Abby Ink

Here’s a little puzzle for you.

How do the following go together: origami cranes, etched wedding glasses and a Snoopy mug.

Give up?

It’s a small sampling of the things I found when cleaning out some old boxes yesterday. I have to admit, I’m a little bit of a “collector.” (In other words, I’m a packrat!)

After going through the sentimentality that the origami cranes brought back, I started to reminisce about my best friend’s wedding (no, not the movie). It was such a lovely wedding. We spent the night eating, dancing in a conga line and yes, even dancing the cha-cha slide.

At the end of the night she handed each guest the coolest goody bags - all personalized by Absorbent, Ink.! The bag was full of items decorated with the happy couple’s names and wedding date. I left with a customized match box, champagne flutes and a candle, all in a customized tote bag. I also happened to take my customized napkin. Don’t make fun - yes, I saved my napkin - unused of course! I thought the gifts were a really lovely way to not only thank the guests for coming, but to celebrate the couple’s new life together.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I must try to find someone who is dying for a Snoopy mug.

Ever the collector,

Abby Ink

I know I’ve already written once about chocolate, but here I am again with more chocolate things to say. What do you want from me? I’m a woman!

As I was casually browsing the Internet this morning (as you can tell, I am a very focused worker), I had the random idea to search for what holidays July has to offer other than the obvious ones. Sounds right out of left field, doesn’t it? Well, my thought was that America is a country full of inventiveness, creativity, and under-the-radar holidays so I might as well check it out for this month.

Lo and behold, there sat the words that are every woman’s dream: “July 7 – Chocolate Day.” My eyes welled with happy tears and my heart skipped a beat. What? A day in which we can freely eat as much chocolate as we want and blame it on our keen holiday-observance skills? As if this wasn’t enough for my chocolate-loving heart, I read on only to discover that this is a joint holiday between chocolate and sundaes! What?! Was someone pranking me? I was sure of it. I actually went so far as to march around the office stopping in random cubicles and conducting impromptu interrogations, but to no avail.

So it’s true, people. It’s really true. Now is the time to order those Chocolate Bars with Business Cards, Villa Chocolate Bars, or Eros Chocolate Bars! Absorbent, Ink. offers an endless array of promotional products of the chocolate variety. It’s whatever your heart and your recipients’ hearts desire. Regardless, you can’t go wrong. It’s chocolate for Heaven’s sake!

I am now going to celebrate the holiday with my own personal stockpile of chocolate treats I keep hidden in my desk. Don’t judge.

A chocolatey day to you and yours,

Abby Ink

April showers … carry on over through May, through June and sometimes even July, make it frustrating to enjoy what are supposed to be hot, lazy summer afternoons. Depending on your locale, a “hot, lazy summer afternoon” may actually end up being unusually cool or involve an unexpected torrential downpour. And we’re all in the same boat when it comes to being under-prepared for the rain – the same wet, annoying and slippery boat.

It’s happened countless times to all of us – we run out of the house failing to check the forecast and get caught in the rain without a jacket, umbrella or even a plastic covering for our heads (channeling older ladies!). There’s really not a lot worse than getting caught in a rainstorm when you are entirely unprepared – frizzy hair, wet suits and overall exasperation will ensue. BTW, you think yours is bad; you should see MY hair when it rains!

That said, Absorbent, Ink. has a number of rain protectors to consider. What better way to promote your company than by dropping your logo onto an umbrella? When you keep people dry, you’ve got a friend for life! Not only will you indirectly be protecting your current and potential clients, you will be saying to the world, “Hey, we know how awful it is to be unexpectedly rained on during your lunch hour. Let us help keep you dry!” The message can be big and bold on a Tsunami Vented Umbrella. Or, Absorbent, Ink. offers Budget Mini Windy Umbrellas, mini-er than usual umbrellas that fold down to a size small enough to fit in a roomy purse or briefcase or under a car seat, ready for action.

Suppose your recipients may not want to carry around an umbrella? There are plenty more ways to keep them dry - and spread your message or brand around. Check out Absorbent Ink.’s PVC Rain Coats. Affordable and incredibly useful, these lightweight rain coats are available in either a clear or a black surface color. Easy to tote around and scrunch up into a bag, PVC Rain Coats will come in handy in protecting your clients against Mother Nature and all she has to offer.

Here’s to hoping none of our Fourth of July weekend plans are ruined by unexpected and untimely rainfall, unlike the U.S. Open in Bethpage, N.Y., last week. Just in case, let your clients know that they can stand under your umbrella-ella-ella.

Stay dry,

Abby Ink.

I just read an article that talked about promotional products that businesses can hand out. It was an interesting read, but the items discussed were quite generic and lacked the oomph a product needs to really get your message “carried away.” It’s summertime! Give them something they can use right now!

You’ll want your recipients to appreciate your promotional products and remember your business (that’s what it’s all about, right?). To achieve this, there are two things you absolutely have to remember: be timely and topical. Recipients should be able to use the products as soon as they receive them. For that to happen, it is essential to tie your products in with current events or seasonal trends.

For starters, since summer has finally arrived, your customers are going to start dusting off their barbecue grills and picnic paraphernalia. Why not dish out some folding chairs or insulated coolers (imprinted with your logo, of course) that they can use right now! And don’t be afraid to bend the rules a little; maybe your message would be better imprinted on an ice scraper if you are trying to keep it cool.

If you would like to give something that is more affordable, but useful all the same, then products that might suit you include water jugs, sunglasses, sunscreen lotions…. Whatever your budget, Absorbent, Ink. has something to suit you and your recipients during any season.

Due to recent friend-turbulence, a messy break-up and the stress that came along with finals and the closing of another semester, I have acquired a new best friend. This friend is the best kind of friend - a friend that won’t ever let you down, is very good at listening, can cheer you up in an instant, and if it gets too feisty you can simply engulf it.

“What on earth could make for this good of friend and how can I get one,” you ask yourself? Well, let me tell you. My new best friend is … chocolate! And luckily for the world, my best friend can be easily shared and distributed, and can also be an extra (delicious) way to spread the joy of your company to the world.

Whether you try chocolate CDs and golf balls or chocolate-covered pretzels and chocolate-filled cookie tins, Absorbent, Ink. can provide a new best friend for anybody who is having a rough day, a long week, or who just needs some comforting and cheering up.

As I readied myself for summer, I started thinking about all of the fun activities that come along with it. Immediately I thought of relaxing by the pool and of course not having to attend class… but my summer-associations-day-dreaming game also made me think of America’s favorite pastime: Baseball!

Going to baseball games with my friends and family has long been one of my favorite things to do during the summer, but games also make perfect company outings. In turn, games can be a great way to not only reward your employees with some free gear but to also promote your company to thousands united by a common interest!

Absorbent, Ink. (aka baseball central) offers perfect products to have a successful outing while promoting your company. This includes items that are perfect for during the game (namely caps, visors, and stadium seats) but also items perfect for before the game, when food is cooked, drinks are drank, games are played, and personal bonds are strengthened: Tailgating!

For some good ol’ barbecue, we offer aprons, barbecue sets and tools and paper plates/cups. For some good ol’ drinking, try sports balls, flying discs and extremely comfortable folding chairs.

Don’t miss an opportunity to take the day off or to get together with co-workers on the weekend. Look super-stylish during the game and get equipped for some serious tailgating while relaxing and enjoying a great day at the ballpark!

Oh boy. The AC’s not working today. It’s 82 degrees in here. The guys are installing a new one. And it’s got me thinking about summer fun. The pool. And listening to Captain and Tennille.

It’s also a great time to remind you about some of the great products we offer for summer promotions! Here are some of my favorites.

Beach Balls - Great for the beach, at concerts, or other outdoor events.

Sunglasses - Gotta stay cool. And look cool at the same time.

BBQ Sets - Love cooking with fire. And they make great gifts.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles - Durable and BPA free, these have become our most popular line of drinkware.

Flying Discs - One of our most popular promotional items.

Coleman Coolers - Great for keeping cold things cold on a hot summer day.

Koozie Can Coolers - Yep. I’m good with drinking a beer on a hot summer day.

Garden Tool Sets - Another fine promotional gift for the warm seasons.

Insulated Coolers and Bags - We’ve recently expanded our line of insulated bags. Some great totes in here!

Thermometers - In case you really want to know how hot it is.

Maybe I should remove the one in my office. Gotta get my mind off the heat!

Question: I am a wedding planner that coordinates several weddings a month. My brides are always looking for new and original ideas to make their big day extra special. Any suggestions? Thanks, Stephanie

Answer: That’s a great question, especially since we’re in the middle of the peak wedding season! Absorbent, Ink. carries items for every budget and every theme, including great alternatives to the traditional standbys. Looking for something a little more upscale than the usual Beverage, Luncheon, and Dinner Napkins? We offer super-soft Almost Linen Napkins that look and feel more like hand towels.

When it comes to drinkware, we offer several sizes of the standard Plastic Cups. If your bride wants something formal, we recommend any of our glasses such as the popular 5.75 Napa Champagne Flute. The couples’ names or monogram can be printed on any of the glasses in their wedding colors or in silver to create an etched effect. And for any of those fun-loving, modern brides out there, we offer Light-Up Drinkware that will turn the dance floor into a night-club!

Most guests expect to receive favors when they attend weddings, so how can brides surprise them? Simple! Put a photo of the couple on one of our Short Bread Cookies or onto the wrapper of our Eros Chocolate Bars. Another great idea is to include one of our Small Aromatherapy Candles at each place setting so that the favor doubles as decoration. Planning a destination wedding? Order the Plastic Luggage Tags with Full Color Imprint and include a photo of the destination or the bride and groom. Of course, we also carry popular favors such as individually wrapped Wedding Mints, Foiled Chocolate Hearts, Wedding Matchboxes, and Wine Stoppers.

For more ideas or for help with pricing, please contact our Client Service Department at 866-618-3471. Our team of promotional product experts would love to help make your wedding a success!

Thanks,
Abby Ink

We pulled some data from last year’s holiday sales and came up with a list to get your wheels turning on corporate gifts!

10. Watches -
Even though a lot of people use their cell phones to check the time, watches are still a popular gift.  Our casual watches are popular because they are mostly unisex. We also have Callaway, Fossil, and Swiss Army.

9. Gift Tins -
I love cinnamon popcorn!  We have gift tins that come with cookies, nuts, or popcorn.

8. Picture Frames -
People enjoy putting a picture of their loved ones on their desk. What’s even better is putting multiple pictures of loved ones.  We have digital picture frames!

7. Wine Gifts -
Bottle stoppers to wine carriers, wine gifts are a hot item this season and last.

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