When the first Harry Potter book came out in 1997, I was instantly hooked. A kid’s book, you say? I have seen nine-year-olds, 16-year-olds and 53-year-olds reading Harry Potter and we all love it just the same. I have read every book (at least twice by now), so you can guess that when the movies came out, I was ecstatic! I was also a part of every midnight book release and movie premiere whether I was at the front of the line or crowded somewhere in the middle.

The last midnight premiere I attended was in July 2007, when the fifth installment of the film was released, and boy, did that turn into an interesting event! It was a warm summer night and as I approached the movie theater, I saw that the line was already backed up into the entire parking lot, making its way to the entrance of a local Hooters restaurant (how appropriate and magical). All of my friends were being less than fun this particular weekend, so I ventured to the movie alone with a shimmer in my eye and a pep in my step (and a lightning scar on my forehead that only I knew existed).

When I reached the line I was surrounded by wannabe witches and wizards of all shapes and sizes. It was intimidating, but I stood my ground. Just because I was alone in this Muggle-polluted situation didn’t mean I had to feel insecure about it. But the line became more and more crowded and the space around me was becoming smaller and smaller. Suddenly, I was experiencing an extreme case of claustrophobia. I was gripping my movie ticket so hard it had become sweaty and crumpled. I closed my eyes and thought about wands, incantations, butterbeer and the Great Hall’s famous feasts, but none of it helped.

Finally, they began to let the hordes of people into the various theaters showing the premiere that evening. My stress levels did not get any better. As if standing in the line surrounded by kids hadn’t been hectic enough, I was now literally fighting and thrashing my way to a seat. You would think finding one seat for yourself on a solo date to the movies would be easy. Hardly. You see, during midnight premieres of movies (especially movies with younger followings), children tend to travel in large groups and save 13 seats or so. After tripping over four people, spilling a bucket of popcorn and almost falling down the stairs entirely, I was able to find a lone seat in the nosebleed section. I was content at last!

There is no need to go into the details of my actual viewing experience or discuss the confusing and crowded walk out to the car – all of these things can be left to your imagination. But I will say that after this entire situation was all said and done, I realized something. These midnight movie premieres, although exciting and fun, can cause a lot of anxiety. Instead of using my ticket stub as a stress reliever, I thought, it would’ve been nice to have something else to squeeze in my hand.

Then it hit me. EUREKA! Companies wanting to promote their names and also appeal to what will be one of the biggest movie outings this summer would be wise and ahead of the game to order Wizard Stress Balls as a fun, interactive product to hand to their clients during this “Harry Potter” summer season. These little stress balls are shaped like a wizard who looks like a mix between Merlin and Dumbledore himself! They are the perfect promotional product for a movie event such as this. With the newest installment hitting theaters this July (like a month away!), waving your company’s wand and imprinting these Wizard Stress Balls with the company name would reach your Harry Potter-addicted customers in an understanding and very outside-the-box type of way. Whether your clients hand the product off to their children or keep it for themselves to remain calm during the premiere, these Wizard Stress Balls will work magic to make any stress disappear.

Remember… “It is our choices … that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities,” Dumbledore says. Choose this promotional product, and your stressed-out-from-attending-a-movie-premiere clients (and their children!) will thank you for the rest of their Muggle lives.

Wands up!

Abby Ink

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

For every teenager attending Prom, finding the perfect dress, tuxedo, accessories and hairstyle is half the battle and half the fun. With so many brands in the retail, salon and spa market, it is becoming more and more difficult to entice the teen audience. Today’s teens are attracted to quality and instant gratification, so short promotional messages that capture their attention work best. For example, a promotional product imprinted with a brand’s logo and a “Buy one get one” promotion has a higher perceived value in consumers’ minds versus a flyer printed with the same information. For Prom season, businesses like retailers and salons can use promotional products to attract teens searching for their perfect Prom essentials.

A great promotional product for salons and spas is a Manicure Kit. It is a fun and practical product that reminds teens to visit your salon for all their cosmetology needs before the big night.

A Compact Mirror is a creative product that retailers can use to attract new customers. Imprinting a brand logo and the message, “Come see yourself in our dresses,” encourages teens to explore the products a retailer has to offer.

Don’t forget about the fellas! Shoe Polish is a small, but essential item. It is a great product to remind the guys to visit a tuxedo shop for all their Prom needs.