Custom Gifts Help You Avoid Holiday Inventory Shortages and Delays

Summer is over. Fall has just begun. The days are getting shorter, and the temps are dropping off—well, a little bit at least. We all know what that means: it’s time to start thinking about the holidays.

Before you say it’s still too early—Halloween is still a month away, after all—it’s important to point out the benefits of getting an early start. This is especially true for businesses looking to order corporate-branded holidays gifts for their customers and employees.

As we all know, the holidays are synonymous with inventory shortages and inconsistent quality. The closer we get to December, the harder it will be to guarantee targeted items will be available, at least in the quantities required. Replenishments will be available—eventually—but likely not until sometime in the new year due to growing demand. Popular brands and “must have” products will be even harder to come by if not ordered early.

If you’re willing to forgo the brand name items in favor of lower-cost duplicates of popular retail or luxury items, you may have more luck with inventory. However, while there are a number of reputable and well-made “dupes,” you may be rolling the dice with respect to quality. Unless you have prior experience with the item in question, it might not be worth the gamble.

That’s just inventory. Assuming you can still get the merchandise you need despite waiting until, say, November to place your order, shipping prices will start going up due to increased demand as leading companies like FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. postal service start imposing holiday surcharges. Even if you’re willing to pay a premium for shipping, there is still no guarantee of timely delivery because of the sheer volume of holiday packages. The simple fact is, the longer you wait, the greater the risk.

Avoiding the Holiday Rush

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid this dilemma. It requires some discipline and planning on your part, but if you get started early enough, you can produce and ship the high-quality corporate branded holiday gifts you always envisioned without having to blow up your budget to do it.

Admittedly, most branded merchandise is used as event giveaways, typically designed to be used briefly, promote your company, and then be thrown away. During the holidays, however, there is an expectation that you will spend more on high-quality, useful gifts that show your appreciation for all the people who contributed to your business over the previous year. This expectation actually works in your favor.

That’s because custom, high-end, made-to-order products typically avoid the inventory issue altogether. As custom-made items, these products are not typically sitting in inventory waiting to be purchased—they must be specially ordered and produced in the quantities required. Of course, due to the longer production times, these products must be ordered well in advance. However, that accelerated schedule means you can avoid many of the holiday-related expenses and unpredictable shipping schedules.

Additionally, custom items have few if any decoration limitations; your logo can be applied virtually any way you like, in any color, allowing you to apply unlimited creative freedom to indulge your artistic vision. A fully and uniquely customized product really allows your product to stand out from the other holiday gifts your customer or employee will receive.

Another potential issue with ordering bulk vs. custom items is that the majority are made overseas, and there is a stigma attached to these products related to sustainability and eco-friendliness. Some customers are very serious about social consciousness, and it’s best to avoid these conflicts. Ordering custom items allows you to more easily determine sourcing and ensure that the gifts are environmentally responsible.

Last but not least, depending on the timing, quantities, and decoration, custom products are competitively priced with many of the most popular gifting options, if not—under the right circumstances—less expensive.

Finding the Right Gifts

OnFulfillment has access to a wide range of high-end, fully customizable brand name products that make for great branded holiday gifts. We can even offer mock-ups of your design choices so you can see exactly what the item will look like before making any final decisions, eliminating any guesswork.

We’ve even taken the opportunity to assemble a list of popular custom gifts that your customers or employees will be thrilled to receive. Most of these are winter-oriented, but rest assured, there are plenty of other options.

Beanies

A nice, warm, branded beanie is a favorite winter gift in colder climes. The fabric can match your corporate PMS color, or you can choose from a variety of fun wintry patterns. Add-ons like pom-poms, beanie cuffs, or sewn-in fabric tags offer additional space for customization and more creative (or understated) branding.

Scarves

Another winter favorite for those who really like to bundle up. Different knit and fabric options let you create a unique and personalized gift, and the size offers a nice, big canvas for exercising your creativity. Whether it’s a bold branding statement or a subtle embroidered logo or patch in a corner, scarves are a practical gift that offers a great way to promote your company.

Gloves

A nice, warm pair of gloves is the perfect gift for snow lovers or those who suffer from chilly extremities. Options include textured palms and fingers for a superior grip, or to allow users to scroll on their phones without having to expose their hands to the elements. A truly touching product—in more ways than one!

Fuzzy Socks

Heads, hands, and necks aren’t the only body parts that deserve to be warm. A nice thick pair of fuzzy branded socks are worth their weight in gold, keeping toes toasty on particularly chilly nights. A fun and easy stocking stuffer.

Stockings & Santa Hats

A different style of sock, or maybe a festive Santa hat, might be appreciated by those who celebrate Christmas—or maybe even by those who don’t but who love the holidays. Granted they won’t be of much use the rest of the year, but they’ll liven up the workplace—or the office holiday party.

Blankets

Still looking for ways to stay warm? Whether a bed-sized spread or a subtle throw, blankets make a nice gift that recipients will keep handy in their homes during the winter months. Best of all, blankets offer plenty of space for creative branding opportunities.

Toiletry Travel Bags

Handy year-round, a toiletry travel bag is a must for even the shortest trips. Designed for carrying toothbrushes and toothpaste, medications, hair care products, shaving equipment, cosmetics, or whatever else the user needs overnight, toiletry bags are an often overlooked but always appreciated gift. Multiple styles and fabric options can elevate the bag beyond the ordinary.

Luggage

A generous executive-level gift that will definitely be used—a lot. Whether a custom fabric duffel bag or a hard-shell carry-on with rollers, whoever receives this branded item will remember your company every time they travel.

OnFulfillment is Holiday Gift Central

This list is just the tip of the iceberg. If none of these suggestions, there are literally thousands of others. If you’d like to hear more about how we can help with your holiday gift needs, browse our flyers and catalogs or request a meeting. We’ll be happy to show you many, many more options. But hurry—time is wasting!