DRINK AND BE MERRY
Novelty glasses and cups liven up the playing field for the drinkware contingent, make for great collectors’ items and provide numerous customization options. At Barrington, Illinois-based HOWW Manufacturing, stems such as guitar handles and cacti can be mixed and matched with various “bowls” to create a personal promotion for whatever drink is meant to fill it. “The novelty stems are a huge hit with clients who want to take the design to the next level,” said Michael Kalamaras, company president. Light-up styles are also a great way to amp up the fun, while keeping all eyes on a brand name. Can include: Acrylic or styrene shot glasses, margarita glasses, hurricane glasses and the like, which can have fun features such as light-up styles or those with shaped stems Great for: Ball parks, theme parks, restaurants, casino and liquor promotions Imprinting options: “We offer spot color printing [in] one to eight colors,” Kalamaras said, adding, “We can print on the bowl or the base of the stem-ware.” Plan the promotion: As most novelty drinkware items are casual fare, coupling them with other party essentials such as favors, hats and CDs is an all-in-one way to promote an event or theme night.