Galison

Because wearing candy cane inspired pajamas is really only acceptable once a year there is something cozy about holiday inspired style traditions. You don't have to wear a hand knit reindeer sweater to know that wearing red on Christmas just feels right and wearing a sequin skirt on New Years Eve is completely appropriate.  Perhaps it is the fantasy feeling that the Christmas and holiday season oozes is what makes people want to express their holiday cheer through their garments.  No matter what the reason it is certain that Christmas colors and sequins will yet again be big this holiday season.

Click here for the entire story from The Wall Street Journal.

There is something about sequins and holidays that just fit together.  It is as though designers and retailers know that anything with sequins will sell around the holidays and this year, there is no exception.  Again sequin styles will have women shinning bright at the holiday parties.  While this trend has occurred time and again, this season sequins and paillettes may turn up in unexpected places such as on ankle boots for example.  Necklaces and handbags will also shine with large rhinestones and glitter to match the glamor of New Years Eve in Time Square.  

Click here for the entire story from Elle.com.
 

Small business owners with cash flow problems might be tempted during yet another difficult holiday season to forgo gifts for clients or customers. Many look at gifts as budget items that just aren't critical.

On September 16 and 17, the St. Louis based Promotional Products Association of the Midwest (PPAM) held its annual PPAM Holiday Showcase to kick off the second selling season. The two-day event began at The Ritz Charles in Overland Park, Kan. and concluded at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri. Between both cities, more than 500 distributors attended the event.

The New England Promotional Products Association (NEPPA) of Manchester, N.H. has recognized Hub Pen of Braintree, Mass. with its 2008 Best Customer Service award. The award was presented to Michael Fleming of Hub Pen during NEPPA’s annual Holiday Extravaganza aboard the cruise ship Boston Odyssey. “It was a great evening,” said Fleming. “Our customer service group works so hard all year. It was an opportunity for them to receive some well-deserved applause.”

The 2007 “Brand the Holiday” catalog from Leed’s, Pittsburgh, includes the addition of Dockers, Alicia Klein and Day-Timer branded products. The catalog features 128 pages dedicated to new products in six categories: lifestyle gifts, business and travel, drinkware, executive and desktop, stationery and technology. The three new brands join Cutter & Buck, High Sierra, Laguiole, Wenger, Slazenger, Stanley and Garrity branded products, in addition to a wide selection of exclusive items. “This year’s holiday gift is a labor of love,” said Erin Lewis, manager of marketing promotion. “We know that our customers share suppliers’ catalogs with their customers, so we’ve taken the time to

The Logomark Holiday Gift Collection 2007 will begin shipping on Wed., Aug. 1. The catalog will feature a variety of gifts, ideas and solutions, according to the company’s Web site. In addition, Logomark has redesigned its Web site to include free virtual samples, professional presentations and instant order status to aid distributors in their product search. For more information or to order catalogs, call (800) 789-4438 or visit www.logomark.com

Every year we know it’s coming. And still, every year, it manages to tip-toe up on us. The holiday season is sneaky that way, which is why we have to take control and make the busiest time of the year work for us. To get a jump on the most fruitful time of year, focus your efforts on your most valued clients and match them up with your best suppliers. By using a few select suppliers, such as Logomark, you’ll be able to concentrate more of your energy on your clients’ needs. Review what was successful the previous year. Look at what clients ordered,