Starting with the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, then the long awaited London Olympics followed by the European Championships with England hoping for better things than the recent World Cup.

I have gathered together some promotional items which maybe of interest – let me know if you need any more information –  I will be delighted to quote.

Jubilee Mugs

However, like most business people, I welcome 2010 with open arms, and the hope it will be a better year than last.

During a recession, my sort of business can go two ways

Clients stop all overheads that are not ‘necesssary’ such as promotional gifts.

OR they think the best way to get out of the recession, is to advertise, that way is good for me.

2009 was a mixture of both for Happy-Play, whilst it had it’s good times, it also had it’s times when everything seemed to be an uphill battle.

2010 – is going to be a good year – Why?   Because I am positive and also because I SAY SO!

There are lots of super items to be branded and given away to promote your businesses.    The old favourites such as pens, keyrings, badges etc. are always a good economical start.  Other items are available and ideas if you want any.

Over the entire Christmas period, I was working to find some propping items for a client, who is holding a Conference this month.     They wanted a wide variety of goods from coffee cups, to artificial lawn carpet, plastic insects and sweets.

It involved a lot of research on my part, but it was very interesting.     Some of the items required were child-related and I did have fun finding (and not I will not confess to playing), with them.

My client and her boss have just sent me an e-mail thanking me for finding ALL the items they needed, and delivering to them on schedule too.

Happy-Play Promotions, is not just my website – I can find almost anything you might need for any purpose.    To me, it is fun looking, and a challenge from the usual items.

I can also collate and post out for you, or pack items for you.    I can pick up from your premises, and take away the items required, and bring back as soon as  you require them, packed, collated, or whatever you need.

To give you an idea of some of the items I sourced in 2009:-

Chattering, Walking  False Teeth

Glitter Putty

Bio Free Pen

Badges with photographic image, attached to printed cards

Old Fashioned sweets, packed into a printed box

3D Design t-shirts

Spa Water bottles with logo

Christmas tree plants with card and ribbon attached    Etc. etc. etc.

I really would love to hear from you – it doesn’t cost you to e-mail me with your requests or thoughts on what you may require – I will have a look, quote you, and provide samples where possible for you to view before making up your mind.

I wish you a good 2010, and hopefully we can make it together.

The summer has not been all it could have been and already our thoughts are turning to the cold winter days -  long nights and shorter colder days.

Here are a few of the items which might bring some cheer to your promotional activity, with lots more if you need any ideas.

Well here we are again – a wet July and the start of a wet August.   Not the BBQ August we were promised by the Met Office!

Happy-Play has had a good trading July with those green shoots beginning to sprout and flourish at last.   

Orders for metal and acrylic key rings to client’s own design, (these worked out at a surprisingly low  cost),  USB Memory Sticks, some very smart looking plastic silver pens, and some mint cards with sugar free mints.   

Other items required by clients were child related, as at this time of year a lot of outdoor events are happening – perhaps in afterthought ponchos might have been a better giveaway than multi-colour pencils, and balloons!

As always in this business, you need to be a few months ahead, and already enquiries are coming in for Corporate Christmas Hampers as well as Christmas decorations.   Soft toys are as popular as ever, and the ever popular teddy is a great favourite

This teddy is one I had especially made for a client.

A good idea to get your company name out in front of potential clients is a personalised Christmas tree bauble.   I can hear you thinking ‘it will be broken by the time it reaches the recipient’   No!   It will not – it is contained in a bag of air, and can withstand the potential hazards of the Royal Mail

Apart from the weather, other subjects have been Swine Flu and holidays.    As a sole trader, I don’t usually take more than about 4 days at a time holidays – I am not one for hankering after white sands and blue seas – Cornwall is my Riviera and I am more than content with walking my two Labradors on the beach.   

I do not see myself as a ‘bag lady’, but I do like the idea of having a shopping bag, that is eco friendly, re-usable, is made with Fair Trade considerations, and is economic.    Happy-Play Promotions, will be pleased to provide you with costs for a low cost eco-friendly shopping bag.    THIS BAG WILL NOT COST YOU THE EARTH is a slogan I had printed on some shopping bags – how true!

Forget the Swine Flu is my advice – Basic hand hygiene seems to be the best defence, and to send out a thoughtful gift such as a bottle of personalised anti-bacterial handwash seems a good idea.     Give me a call to discuss.   (01242-252200)

Sally and her horse are off to the Dressage Competition Regionals this weekend – I wish her luck – the standard is very high and a lot depends on a bit of magic on the day.    I will be there to cheer or to console – let’s hope it is the former!

The following weekend, Sally and Bruiser, and her friend Mandy and her horse Winnie, are off to the England Training Camp – lots of training but also lots of fun – good activities in the evening, to bond as a potential team.   Will let you know how she gets on.

Have a good August.   See you in September, but would love to hear from you before then if you would like any quotes, samples, etc.

Not been too bad weather wise – in fact, don’t like to moan, but much to hot for me, and animals have suffered a bit – too hot during the day to work, and too hot at night to sleep.  

This adds up to grumpy people!    

How to cheer them up?     Lots of fun giveaways, printed items such as Beach Balls, Frisbees, Cool straw hats, caps and suncream – printed or embroidered towels and lots more too many to mention.

Some companies are looking ahead to Autumn, and want costs on keyrings, pens, USB sticks, and sweets etc.   Some have a budget, but need some ideas – Happy-Play Promotions are very happy to help.

Green shoots of recovery appearing?    So the rumour goes – and this leads me to a super item which can be used for adults or children.  

Grow your own:-

4 leaf clover, Christmas Tree, Venus Fly Trap, Sunflower etc.     Lots of eye-catching seed items- presented in smart container, which can be personalised with your logo and text.    For children it presents a unique opportunity to care for a living thing.    It is such fun to see the green shoots appearing, waiting till they grow into the pot, transplanting and then seeing it happen all over again.  

My own two Christmas trees are now about a metre tall, and have taken 6 years to grow to that height!

Eco items are very popular – you have all seen the Bags for Life in supermarkets –  an eco-friendly bag  can be printed with your logo – how many times do you think your logo is looked at during the course of a shopping expedition.    From whatever budget you want to spend – you could have one that folds up neatly for a pocket or handbag, or one with rope handles, or  perhaps you are giving away some bottles of wine – what nicer presentation could you hope for than an eco friendly jute bag with your logo – VERY stylish!

On a personal note – Sally and her horse are off to training camp in August, for possible selection for the English Internationals.    Great weekend planned – just need the weather.

The week prior to that – she is off to the British Dressage Summer Regionals.    Lots of competition at both events, so wish her luck!      

I cannot believe it is June already – the weather has not been too bad, and
I managed to get away for a few days by the sea.    It was great – lots of
people on the beach enjoying the sun, and I could not help but notice, as
one nearly which nearly knocked my eye out, that Frisbees seem to be
popular.    Great if you are on a deserted beach, but when it is crowded
with families enjoying themselves, it is a bit of a nuisance to have one
landing on your picnic, or disturbing your nap.

A far better idea is the foldable Frisbee featured in my Product of the
Month.    Great for flinging about, and less likely to cause a problem if it
inadvertently scores a direct hit onto or into someone who is just enjoying
a relaxing time in the sun.      Have a look and see what I mean.

After a lean few months of activity on the marketing and promotional side,
things are now beginning to move  forwards again, and the famous saying
‘green shoots are appearing’ seems to be

Lots of enquiries for amongst other items – Keyrings, Pens, Bottle Openers,
and kiddies giveaways as well as the usual popular summer items.    People
also starting to think forward to Halloween.      Personalised sweets are
also a popular enquiry.    A really good idea for Summer I have come across
is a mini paintball gun and target.   Great fun if you have a reasonably
large garden and want to liven up an otherwise boring BBQ!

Soon be July and the end of term exams and school breaking up for a good
long holiday.

Some good opportunities arising to provide promotional giveaways for
children, branded with your logo.   Conventional items such as Beach Balls,
Baseball Caps, and T-shirts to name but a few.   In particular I like the
idea of the baseball caps with the flap of material to protect the
children’s vulnerable neck area.     Always a very popular giveaway is the
t-shirt, you can never have too many.

Be back soon with more news – one little snip of personal news – my daughter
and her horse are up for selection for the England International Dressage
team for the South West.   She was selected last year when the event was
held in Bristol, and this year a long trek if selected as it is to be held
in Scotland.   She is off to a training camp in August for final training
and possible selection.   Keep your fingers crossed!