The Promo Direct Blog

St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17 every year and is observed in remembrance of Ireland’s revered patron’s saint.

There is a bit of entertaining history behind St. Patrick’s life. As a teenager, he was kidnapped from his home in Britain and taken as a slave to Ireland. He went through several hardships for 6 years before finally running away from his captors and returning back to his family.

He grew up to become a respected cleric and returned to Ireland as a Bishop. St. Patrick’s devotion for the betterment of the Irish poor made him immensely popular in Ireland and a force to reckon with in Irish culture.

St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated in America, thanks to the huge presence of Irish-Americans. Though there is no federal holiday to mark the occasion, several Americans host Irish-themed parties that serve alcoholic drinks and food. Street parades are held in the following American cities: Pittsburgh, Denver, New York, Chicago, Boston, Houston, Seattle, New Orleans, Detroit and Philadelphia.

Several companies join in the celebrations by giving away St. Patrick’s Day themed giveaways. If you haven’t associated your business with this fun-filled day yet, then it is time you did! Head over to Promo Direct for some exciting giveaways to highlight your brand.

International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 to celebrate the role played by women in society. This special day gives us the opportunity to appreciate women not just from America but across the world. Whether its women from the past or present, they deserve to be valued for their roles in business, the society or simply as mothers, wives and daughters.

The Socialist Party of America is credited with observing the world’s first ever Women’s Day way back on February 28, 1909. Even though this event was only celebrated nationally in America, it inspired the Europeans to think along the same lines in support of women.

On March 18, 1911, International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time ever by more than a million people from Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Numerous parades and demonstrations were carried out to offer solidarity to women across the world.

March 8 was proclaimed as International Women’s Day in 1977 by the UN. Over the years, this day has been used to highlight the plight of suffering women around the world. The 2013 theme is “The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum”.

How do you plan to show your support for this special occasion? You could show the women you are associated with that you care by giving away quality giveaways. Whether its employees in the office or the clients you deal with, they will appreciate your thoughtful gifts.

Wish you all a good International Women’s Day from all of us at Promo Direct!

Valentine’s Day – the most celebrated occasion among couples – is just around the corner. This special occasion has come a long way since Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as Valentine’s Day in the year 496. In America, this romantic day received a big push in the 1840s when Esther Howland of Massachusetts launched the first ever Valentine Day cards.

Have you ever promoted your brand on this special day? If not, it is time you joined in the festivities by distributing Valentine’s Day themed giveaways to highlight your brand.

Featured in this article are a compilation of 8 fun facts taken from the online world. These facts showcase the significance of this special day and the emotional chord people associate with it:

1. The total value of imports for cut flowers in 2011 stands at $880,893,904. A major chunk of these cut flowers were used in bouquets that were given away to loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
2. As per stats released by the US Greeting Card Association, approximately one billion cards are given away in the United States each year.
3. Did you know that 15% of American women send themselves flowers?
4. A whopping 73% of those who buy flowers are men!
5. A staggering 189 million stems of roses are sold in America on Valentine’s Day alone!
6. Popularity list: Valentine’s Day cards are given to teachers, kids, moms, wives, sweethearts and pets, in that order.
7. American men spend an average of $130 on gifts for their loved ones.
8. Richard Cadbury – the founder of world renowned chocolate brand Cadbury – launched the first set of chocolates more than a century ago for Valentine’s Day.

Head over to Promo Direct to explore some exciting Valentine’s Day promotional products!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we are sure that everybody has big plans for the week. Here we list 8 interesting facts about this centuries-old tradition. Hope you enjoy reading them!

1. Remember Sarah Josepha Hale? She is the famous American author who wrote the nursery rhyme “Mary had a little lamb”. Hale campaigned for close to 20 years before Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November as a Thanksgiving holiday.
2. Sarah Josepha Hale is also credited with introducing traditional recipes for Thanksgiving dinner, which include turkey, pumpkin pie, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
3. The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 when the Wampanoag Indians dined with the Plymouth Pilgrims. The thanksgiving feast included wild turkeys, deer, corn and barley.
4. In 1947, Harry Truman became the first President to pardon turkeys, a tradition that has been carried over till this day.
5. Popular folklore suggests that Abraham Lincoln was the first to informally pardon a turkey – he did so when he pardoned his son Tad’s turkey.
6. Residents of the Virgin Islands celebrate two Thanksgivings – the national holiday as well as October 19, which is known as Hurricane Thanksgiving Day.
7. Thanksgiving Day is ranked busiest day for travelers – Americans travel the most on this day!
8. Cranberries – a staple part of Thanksgiving feasts – were popularly used by Native Americans to treat wounds.

This Thanksgiving, make a difference in the lives of your customers and employees by giving away quality promotional products. Here is wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Promo Direct!

United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) was founded in 1919 to serve and improve the lives of New Yorkers through a neighborhood-based service system. Currently, New York City has 37 agencies affiliated to UNH. These agencies work around the clock at more than 400 sites to help needy New Yorkers.

Job training, educational programs, meals and services for the elderly, mental health counseling and drug prevention are some of the services provided by this non-profit organization. Here is a snapshot of UNH’s services:

i. Ensuring that children receive quality education
ii. Ensuring that the youth make positive choices that enable them to succeed in school and the workforce.
iii. Ensuring that immigrants are given the opportunity to be a part of American society
iv. Ensuring that senior citizens receive sufficient care and nutrition
v. Ensuring that New Yorkers are spared from the misfortune of homelessness

The Promo Direct connection:

Promo Direct has associated itself with UNH’s Junior Board Care Package Program. Promo Direct donated items that served as the perfect gifts for UNH’s college freshmen. Sewing kits and lint brushes imprinted with the UNH logo ensured that new college students looked their best while meeting their professors or starting a new student job.