How To Pick The Perfect Employee Anniversary Gift

People dedicate huge chunks of their lives to their work, so it's important to let them know it's appreciated. After all, companies with happier, more engaged employees tend to be more profitable – and have lower turnover – than companies with weak corporate cultures (Achievers.com). Considering the average cost of a new hire is $4,129 (SHRM.org), it's a no-brainer to invest a little extra in keeping the team happy, and recognizing work anniversaries with branded merch is a great way to do just that.

5-Year Anniversary

Has it been five years already? That's worth celebrating with something special.

Weston Branded Wireless Charging Power Bank Stand w/Speaker

Premium sound with built-in wireless charging to keep your phone charged and visible, so you never miss a call on the clock. Use the Bluetooth® speaker for conference calls – or for listening to your favorite podcast while you work.

Welly® Branded Traveler Copper Vacuum Bottle 18oz w/ GB

Branded insulated drinkware is a gift that everyone will use daily, especially with a high-end piece like this. The natural bamboo wrap adds a stylish touch, and everyone will love the durable powder-spray finish. It has a removable stainless steel infuser, so you can add fruit for some extra flavor!

Thule® Branded Heritage Notus 15" Computer Backpack 20L

A stylish branded bag from a popular retail brand. The padded laptop sleeve and separate quick-access pocket leave you tons of room to safely store electronics and accessories.

10-Year Anniversary

Wow, that's a big milestone. Let's find them a branded gift worthy of the occasion.

Silverton Packable Insulated Jacket

A trendy retail look with lots of extras, like an LED zipper pull for added safety when walking or jogging at night. The Silverton also features an ECHOHEAT lining and water-repellent finish to keep you comfy in cold, damp weather.  Add your logo abd you have the perfect piece to thank your employees for their service.

Herschel® Novel Branded 20" Duffel

An ideal weekender bag from one of the trendiest retail brands, it's even got special compartment for your shoes.

Cross® Bailey Black Branded Lacquer Pen Set

Sleek and lightweight with chrome accents and smooth black ink that makes writing effortless. It comes in a signature Cross® gift box, and includes a lifetime mechanical guarantee.

 

20-Year Anniversary

Two decades of dedication. These employees deserve the very best.

Skullcandy® Crusher ANC Bluetooth Headphones

With a popular retail brand like Skullcandy®, you know you're getting something made to last. The Crusher headphones feature Active Noise Cancellation, adjustable bass and 24+ hours of playback. They come with a premium protective case with custom logo, so they're perfect for traveling.

 

High Sierra® Branded 2pc Hardside Luggage Set

A high-end brand like High Sierra® is a gift any employee would be elated to receive. This two-piece nested luggage set includes a 22" and 30" hardside suitcase (shipped in one box). The durable, lightweight, frameless construction and impact-resistant corner protectors ensure your things are safe inside. The 360 degree spinner wheels make it easy to weave through busy airports.  Includes a custom full-color logo epoxy dome.

Beechriver Roots 73™ Down Jacket

Super warm and surprisingly lightweight, not to mention a whole lot of style. With 80% down and 20% feather insulation, this packable jacket is the perfect gift for anyone on the go. And with a premium brand like Roots 73™, you know you're getting exceptional quality.  Comes with your custom branded logo.

For more great branded gift ideas to celebrate your employees, contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today!

Branded Holiday Gifts: Five Unique Ideas They'll Love

Believe it or not, summer is in the rear view mirror and the leaves are starting to fall.  But while you might not be quite ready to start thinking about holiday gift giving, major global ocean freight delays are making it necessary to plan well ahead this year to ensure delivery before the holidays.  Here are five unique gifts we can brand with your company logo that your customers, employees and team members will be delighted to receive:

1. Custom Engraved Snowflake Multi-Tool

17 tools in one uniquely-shaped stainless-steel keychain device.

2. Sebago Branded Packable Hammock

Enjoy comfort and relaxation wherever you go with this travel friendly hammock.

3. W&P Peak Popcorn Popper with Custom Logo

Can't get enough of those crunchy kernels? Problem solved!

4. Signature Collection Branded Games Kit

Easy to bring on road trips or flights for game night no matter where you are.

5. Custom Engraved SousChef

A beautifully crafted Canadian maple cutting board meets an innovative tech station.

Looking to give out the perfect branded gift this holiday season?  Let us help you choose the perfect item to compliment your brand.  Contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today!

Available Now: Branded Popper Fidget Toys

A great tool to help prevent boredom and to keep your nerves calm, this customizable Fiddle Popper is made of soft silicone. It's perfect for relieving stress, irritability, anxiousness and boredom. Each bubble makes a delightful pop when firmly pressed.  Add your logo for a superb branding opportunity and let the popping begin!

Features:

• Made of safe silicone.

• Features 36 bubbles waiting to be popped.

• Central flap is perfect for pad imprinting, one color only.

• Comes with a carabiner for easy carrying while traveling.

• Comes with instructions for a two-person game!

• 4 3/4”w x 5 1/2”h.

Contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today to order your branded poppers!

Say "Welcome Aboard" with Branded Swag!

Case Study:

Onboarding is a big deal for the HR team at Tech Cloud. They put a high priority on staff engagement, training and supporting their business’s mission of building technology to create cleaner air for large cities. Awaiting each new employee on their first day is a kit filled with inspirational products that are useful at work, home or anywhere in between. Products made from recycled, reclaimed and renewable materials were chosen to support their initiatives.

A branded 6oz. double-walled tumbler made with 51% reclaimed wheat straw and custom logo eco-tote made with 80% Recycled PET Plastic were selected for their versatility and general usability around town and at the office. Stylish Aqua Clear promotional pens featuring clear outer components made with 100% recycled P.E.T. plastic along with a custom printed 100% recycled kraft journal were a winning combination for quick notes and creative ideas.

Contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today and we'll help you select the perfect onboarding merch to improve employee retention and boost performance!

Get Fired Up! Our Best Ideas For Barbecue Season

You know what they say: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.  And if you’re lucky, there’s steak, ribs, wings and veggies too.  Yep, it’s barbecue season. And now that people are gathering again, back yards are the place to be this summer. Make sure your customers’ brands are part of the fun with products like these.

Sherpa 12oz Vacuum Tumbler And Slim Can Insulator

Summer’s about about three things: Friends, family and fruit-flavored beverages in slim cans. As for the latter, the Sherpa is designed to keep them cold when you’re gathered around the grill on a hot summer day.

 

Arctic Zone® 64 Can Knockdown Cooler

Big enough to fit 64 cans. Small enough to stash in your trunk – simply fold and flatten for storage between weekend get-togethers.

Game Day Director’s Chair

Have a seat! This one’s got a sturdy steel frame with storage compartments built into a side panel.

 

Grill Master 3-Piece BBQ Set

Didn’t think we forgot about grilling the food, did you? This three-piece set includes steel tongs, a fork and spatula, all stored in a sturdy metal case.

Outdoor 5-Piece Wellness Set

Sanitizer? Check.  Sunscreen? Check.  Insect repellent, burn spray, bite spray?  OK, you get the idea. The Outdoor Wellness Set is nice to have around, just in case.

 

Brick Outdoor Waterproof Bluetooth® Speaker

Along with great sound and four hours of playback, the Brick Bluetooth® Speaker has an IPX6 waterproof rating … just in case it accidentally takes a dip in the pool.

 

Summer’s About To Heat Up – And So Are The Grills!  Contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today for more branded merch ideas for BBQ season and company picnics.

Keeping it Cool with Summertime Branded Merch

 The weather's heating up, and so too should your branding efforts!  Here are some of our favorite promotional products to help beat the heat and keep your brand front and center!

The Rainier Cooling Towel

Simply wet this branded cooling towel and take it with you on hikes, jogs, sporting events and other outdoor activities this summer!

Flex 12 Can Cooler

Pack up a picnic and drinks inside this Flex Cooler!

The h2go Easton Water Bottle

With copper vacuum insulation technology, this awesome water bottle will keep your drink cold for hours on end.  Hydrate in style!

Foldable Nylon Fan

A compact, clever way to keep your campaign cool!

Port & Company® Tri-Blend Tee

Unbelievable softness and breathable material!

For more awesome summertime swag, contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today!

Branded Merch for the Class of 2021!

 Looking for the perfect branded gift to celebrate the class of 2021?  Grads will love a high quality drinkware piece with your custom logo.  Now available with stock graduation art!

Contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today for your for mockup!

Why Branded Employee Merch is Important

Branded company merch has always been an important part of brand building. Here are three benefits employers should think about:

 

1) Morale: Unexpected gifts are a great way to boost spirits, especially when times are tough.

 

2) Loyalty: Letting employees know their work is valued builds loyalty – and loyalty is an incentive to do good work.

 

3) Brand Impressions: Giving employees branded gifts they’ll use when they’re out and about, like an umbrella, tote or jacket, creates awareness for the employer’s brand.

 

Top Picks for Employee Gifts:

Gearhartt Softshell Jacket

Skullcandy Indy Evo True Wireless Bluetooth® Earbuds

Recycled Cotton Grocery Tote

CamelBak Chute® Mag 25oz

Miami Auto Open Folding Umbrella

For more great ideas to keep your employees engaged and build brand loyalty, contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today!

Healthy Planet, Healthy Life: How to Reduce Plastic Waste with Easy Product Swaps.

2020 has changed the way we live. And during this pandemic, people everywhere are shifting focus to the things that matter most, like their health. But to care for our own health isn’t enough. We also must do our part to protect the planet. After all, we’ve only got one, and it’s important that we take advantage of this opportunity for progress in the fight against climate change.

In honor of the everyday eco-friendly decisions we can all take, we've put together a list of some easy ways to send a message of eco-friendliness and actually be eco-friendly at the same time. Amplify your brand with these reusable products that can easily replace their disposable counterparts.

Swap: One reusable water bottle can save 167 plastic water bottles per year (Fast Company).

CamelBak®Pivot 25oz Echo

 

Swap:  One reusable straw can save 594 disposable straws per year (National Park Service).

ReusableStretchable SS Straw

 

Swap: One reusable cup can save 115 disposable coffee cups per year (Freedonia Group).

DagonWheat Straw Mug

 

Swap: One reusable grocery tote can save 500 plastic bags per year (Reusethisbag.com).

RecycledCotton Grocery Tote

 

Swap: One reusable food container can save 250 disposable takeout containers per year (Huffington Post).

Plastic and Wheat Straw Lunch Box Container

 

Swap: One reusable cooler can save 200 plastic or paper bags per year (Huffington Post).

rPETNon- Woven 6 Can Lunch Cooler

Here are the numbers:

Product Spotlight: Wheat Straw Swag

Wheat straw is what's leftover after wheat grains are harvested. It has typically been treated as a waste. We reclaim this material and use it to make our wheat straw promotional products. With Earth Day quickly approaching, wheat straw swag is the perfect marketing tool to build brand affinity while reducing environmental impact. The best part? Our wheat straw collection is on sale through 4/30/21!  Contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver for more info.

Umbrella Myths Dispelled: Forget everything you thought you knew about branded umbrellas!

 

Custom branded umbrellas are the perfect promo item. Think about it: One size fits all, it rains just about everywhere, and everybody uses them. If you're not taking advantage of umbrellas as a promotional product, you're missing out on a whole lot of brand impressions.

It's time to look at umbrellas in a whole new way while we put to rest some common misconceptions!

Myth #1: 

Umbrellas are boring.

Truth:

Thanks to a big selection of fashion-forward looks, with fun colors, cool patterns and new fabrics, branded umbrellas help you make a splash without jumping in any puddles. And if it's a trendy style in retail, we have brands like Totes, Cutter & Buck and Slazenger.

Myth #2:

Umbrella design innovation stopped years ago.

Truth:

Exciting developments are happening all the time. The all-new, super-cool inversion umbrellas close so that the outside of the canopy is pulled inward, trapping the inside and making it easier to close from a car seat or doorway. Also, custom printed windproof umbrellas feature vented canopies and special flexible frames. 

Myth #3:

Umbrellas are too traditional to make an impact.

Truth:

Branded umbrellas leave a big impression. The average promotional umbrella generates 1,100 impressions during its lifespan. Plus, umbrellas give you more for your money. The cost-per-impression is less than one cent (ASI).

Myth #4:

People won't hold on to them.

Truth:

A promotional umbrella is definitely a keeper. On average, a promo umbrella is kept for over a year - 14 months, to be exact. They're often kept in the car and at the office just in case.

We've got you covered.

Umbrellas keep us dry on rainy days, but that big round canopy is also the perfect canvas for a brand. Golf umbrellas, inversion umbrellas, fashion umbrellas - no matter what you need, Red Canoe Promotions Denver has the right umbrellas at the right price.

Shop Umbrellas

Staying Visible In A Virtual World: A Big Boost To Your Brand

Video meetings have become the new norm. Team meetings, doctor visits and client appointments have all gone virtual, and as the moratorium on in-person events continues, the need for brand visibility in the virtual world is at its peak. One way to achieve this: high-impact branding on your team's apparel.

Choosing a highly visible imprint location puts your logo front and center, where everyone can see it. It also gives your team a professional and cohesive look for the camera. A traditional left chest logo may be cut off by the camera, but imprinting your logo somewhere higher up will attract more attention.

Market research shows it takes between five and seven impressions to be remembered. Collar and shoulder imprints generate more impressions and are more likely to be seen on video calls. I can offer these unique locations standard, so there's no added cost for that extra visibility.

Another critical element in creating brand visibility? The decoration. We recommend a high-impact method for a bold and modern look. Our eye-catching HXD can be customized with metallic, texture or backgrounds to help bring your logo to life.

Want to make your logo stand out in the video call? Contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today to talk about options.

Eco 101: The Scoop on our EcoSmart® Custom Branded Merch Collection

Sustainability is more than a trend – it's a long-term shift in thinking. With EcoSmart®, we've made it easy to find the best sustainable products and make good choices for the planet.

And what makes these promotional products better for the planet? Most often, it's the unique materials and fabrics. Each one has an interesting story about how it became part of a branded umbrella or backpack. Here's a quick primer: 

 

1. Recycled PET

Polyethylene terephthalate, better known by the abbreviation PET, is the most common type of plastic used for water and soft drink bottles, food containers such as peanut butter jars and containers for household cleaners. It's a favorite of the food and beverage industry thanks to its strength, durability and transparency. Unfortunately, these characteristics also mean that it takes about 450 years for a plastic water bottle to decompose (Popular Science). 

It's not all bad news, though. PET happens to be the most recycled plastic in the world. Used PET containers are sorted, cleaned and ground into pellets that are reintroduced to the manufacturing process that produces our EcoSmart backpacks, umbrellas and even journals that can be customized with your company logo.

Want to feel good about what you're wearing? Our eco apparel is made with a blend that includes more than 30% recycled PET, taking plastic waste and turning it into something you can feel good about wearing. But it's not just good for the planet – it's high-quality fabric that feels good and looks good, too.

 

2. Bamboo

Pandas love bamboo and so do we. We use it for everything from custom logo lunch boxes and cutlery to branded photo frames. Aside from being 100% biodegradable, bamboo is durable and highly renewable. Incredibly, it grows several feet in 24 hours and requires 30% less water to grow. Plus, we think it looks pretty classy too!

3. Wheat Straw

Ever wonder: After all those wheat grains are harvested to make your favorite baked goods, what becomes of the rigid stalk that's left over? Believe it or not, it ends up in some of our EcoSmart swag.

When added to the barrel of a promotional pen or a lunch box, wheat straw greatly reduces the amount of plastic in the product. And no need to worry about allergies. Since there is no wheat grain in these products, they are totally gluten-free.

4. Recycled Cotton

According to the Council for Textile Recycling, annual textile waste is estimated to equal 25 billion pounds. Once in landfills, all that material can take hundreds of years to decompose.

 

The Bottom Line

We believe that big change begins with small steps. Choosing eco-friendly products is your way of making a difference.  For every purchase of EcoSmart products, a portion of proceeds is donated to nonprofits dedicated to protecting the planet. For more earth friendly branded merch ideas, contact Red Canoe Promotions of Denver today!

3 Keys To Getting Employees Excited About A Wellness Program

Almost a year into the pandemic, there's renewed focus on personal health and wellness. And from a corporate perspective, the benefits of a healthy workforce are well-established – lower healthcare costs, reduced absenteeism and better productivity, to name a few.

But you can't have an effective corporate wellness program without broad participation. And that's where we can help.

1. Marketing Magic

Create a catchy name for the wellness program, and a logo too. That sort of branding gets people's attention and lets them know the company truly believes in the program.

 

 

2. Cool Giveaways

 Create an incentive to sign up with special giveaways. (Just make sure they reinforce a health and wellness theme – no vending machine vouchers!)

 

 

3. Awesome Prizes

 

Once they're signed up, rewards will help them stick with it and reach their goals. A multi-tiered approach for different levels of achievement will keep even more people involved.

 

 

From budget-priced to signup incentives to achievement awards they'll love, we've got lots of great ideas for corporate wellness programs.  Contact Red Canoe Promotions Denver today to get started with your branded merch today!