Many organizations wait until December and then call us in a panic. “Help! The holidays are coming and we haven’t figured out how to thank our clients and employees!”

When it was time for the National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP), an association of member firms in public practice owned by CPAs, to host their annual meeting, they asked Multi Media Promotions to come up with “the latest technology item to reward volunteers.”

With so many imprintable technology products in the marketplace, we had our work cut out for us. We considered it all -- digital photo frames and cameras, flash drives, weather stations, novelty radios, USB hubs in different styles and shapes, MP3 speakers, you name it.

Then we had our “ah hah!” moment: The Desktop Computer Set. This gift was ideal for an audience of tech-savvy professionals who undoubtedly spend many, many hours at work. The set features a wireless mouse, USB Hub and high-end writing instrument – all of which were imprinted with the association’s logo. The gift box made for a beautiful presentation.

The Nassau Suffolk Chapter of NCCPAP will be holding its annual symposium November 14-16, at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Wodbury, NY. For more information, call 516-997-9500.

Looking for a high-end gift certain to be appreciated by your target audience? Let us help. For the holidays, special events, or simply a thank you, we’ll brainstorm based on any parameters or guidelines you give us. Just call us at 516-935-0553 or e-mail us for assistance.

This holiday season make sure your corporate good will isn’t lost in the blizzard of others’ well wishes. We’ve got some tips that will make your end-of-year client gifts stand out like a hot fire on a snowy night.

Consider timing. Get a jump on the competition by sending your gifts at the beginning of busy holidays. An early December gift that will aid recipients in managing the stress of the holiday season is thoughtful and interactive – thus ensuring repetitive use. For example, send an aromatherapy candle in a votive holder etched with your logo. A note urging recipients to keep the gift on their desks to relieve holiday tension shows a caring corporate philosophy. Or, for the practical-minded, gift an “organizational holiday kit.” This might include an embossed “gift recording” book, a shopping-list notepad, stamps for holiday cards, etc.

Consider packaging. When gifts are gathered in a pretty basket or imprinted gift box, they will get noticed. You can use velvet bags, funky lunchboxes or little tins to add a sense of value and fun to any package. For a more traditional look, we can inexpensively create wrapping paper and ribbons customized with your logo. This “dressing” will be useful during the holidays and remain handy for your gifting programs all year long.

Consider traditions. Speaking of programs, stir expectation among your recipient list by starting an annual tradition with a Limited Edition Series. We've known companies to have die-cast replica ornaments created of local landmarks, to then be "branded" with their logo and dated with an imprint of the year. Each holiday season, a new ornament in the ongoing series is gifted.

Consider quality. High quality gifts will be appreciated and used more. If you send a nice cashmere scarf to your top clients, and your competitor sends a cheap synthetic version, which company stands out impressively? Whatever your price point -- think quality, not size. A smaller, but better gift will outshine a larger, lower-quality option.

Send us an e-mail or give us a call at 516-935-0553 and we’ll put these principles to work for your holiday gifts.

Doctors, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers and health clubs are all major users of promotional products. They know the staying power imprinted items have, and they spend millions each year getting the message out to patients, clients and members.

You can tap into this market by aligning yourself with healthcare providers, who are often visible at special events in your community. Check out the kinds of promotional products they use and learn from their expertise. These people are masters at using simple but effective imprinted merchandise like notepads, magnets, mouse pads, calendars, pill holders and other handy items that keep their name in front of the communities they serve.

What does your business have to do with the healthcare industry? You may not see a direct connection, but there are ways to piggyback your marketing efforts, such as:

• Community health fairs
• National awareness weeks (or months) targeting specific diseases or health conditions
• Outreach programs aimed at schools and universities
• Marathons, bike-a-thons and 5-K walks for health-related charities

As you can see, there are numerous opportunities to get involved in joint marketing efforts that can raise your visibility in the community. It’s likely that many of these organizations would be receptive to unique ideas to help grow their business.

Ask us about it. We’re experts at cooperative marketing and cross-promotion, and we’d be happy to discuss the possibilities of making your organization’s bottom line even healthier. Just give us a call at 516-935-0553 or send us an e-mail.

I mean it -- there’s still time to show your appreciation to clients and employees this holiday season without settling for an “ordinary” gift. Please call us at 516-935-0553 or send us an e-mail to talk about your budget and everyone on your gift list. We’re here to help!