HEATHER COMERFORD
CEO
1338Tryon
PPAI 649357, Silver
Portland, Oregon
“You look hot.”
That was the cheeky message Comerford left for her employees as part of this gift: The Quartet Dry-Erase Desktop Computer Pad, which fits neatly between a monitor and keyboard and offers a sleek glass surface with ample space for your client’s branding. “Every employee needs a great reminder of how hot they look today or whatever affirmation suits them,” says Comerford. “Everyone at 1338Tryon loves them!”
The angled surface is easy to write on, wipes clean without residue and features a pull-out drawer to keep essentials out of sight. An accessory channel makes for quick-grab access of the included dry-erase marker. Designed for heavy use, the durable glass resists scratches and dents and comes with a 15-year warranty.
HIRSCH / PPAI 221823, Platinum / hirschpromo.com
Featuring walnut and maple wood, the Geometric Wooden Planter With Succulent is a stylish, low-maintenance way to liven up a desk. “It’s a thoughtful gift that symbolizes growth and care, helping employees feel valued and connected to their environment,” Comerford says. “And even if you have a ‘black thumb’ like I do, they’re tough to kill.”
Delivered fully assembled with a mature succulent, it’s a unique, easy product that eco-conscious clients will appreciate. With the option of laser engraving on either side of the planter, your brand will add something calming to a hectic day.
Fields Manufacturing / PPAI 111951, Silver / fieldsmfg.com
Comerford wants to try the Cipher Wood Frame Letter Board. “It’s great for welcoming new employees, wishing someone a happy birthday or just giving your team a chance to personalize their workspace while keeping it profesh,” she says.
The whitewashed wood frame and its compact 6×6-inch size make it a stylish desktop staple, while the included plastic letters and symbols invite daily creativity. The top of the frame offers room for laser-engraved branding for a subtle, elegant look that feels permanent and personal. The set also includes a linen bag to keep letters tidy between messages.
SnugZ USA / PPAI 112982, Platinum / snugzusa.com
Made in the USA and knit with soft combed cotton, the Custom Cotton Crew Socks are a high-impact giveaway that works for everything from team gifting to branded holiday fun. “I bought these for my employees for Valentine’s Day because who doesn’t want Valentine’s socks?” she says. “I love this product so much, I’ve paid retail for them twice.”
With full-wrap custom artwork, every inch of the sock is prime branding real estate. One-size-fits-most sizing eliminates guesswork, and Sock Club offers free design services to make sure every pair is both wearable and on-brand.
Sock Club / PPAI 692671, Silver / custom.sockclub.com
The Bartesian Duet Cocktail Maker is high on Comerford’s must-try list. “When I was first introduced to the Bartesian two years ago, I was like, ‘Stop. Go back to that. It makes it for you? I’m done. This is my favorite item. I’m in,’” she says.
This sleek, compact countertop unit makes crafting cocktails as easy as pressing a button. Simply fill it with your preferred spirits, insert a pre-mixed cocktail capsule and let the machine do the rest. It even reads the capsule’s barcode to suggest the right glassware and allows for users to customize drink strength – from mocktail to strong.
Perfect for celebrating employee milestones or adding flair to client gifts, the Bartesian Duet brings fun and sophistication to any occasion. “When employees hit their revenue goals, one of these babies gets shipped out, and we follow up with new drink capsules to celebrate their wins,” Comerford adds.
HIRSCH / PPAI 221823, Platinum / hirschpromo.com
The Pour Caddy Stainless Steel Flask Set is a conversation piece with practical perks. The 20-oz. insulated flask keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours and hides four stainless steel shot cups in its removable base. A flip-top spout makes pouring easy, and the whole piece doubles as a cocktail shaker. A large imprint area offers ample space for custom branding, making it a standout option for outdoor promotions or premium client gifting. It’s durable, giftable and ready for the next round of golf, tailgate or toast.
Ball Pro / PPAI 112763, Gold / ballpro.com
With a Bluetooth speaker, two mini microphones, voice filters and LED lights that pulse with every note, the Magic Mic Mini Karaoke Set provides instant entertainment. “I can tell you how much fun we had in the office,” Comerford said. “It’s hilarious, and every office should have one.”
The set has three mic settings, a Type-C input and aux port, and it pairs with wireless devices from up to 50 feet away. Two hours of playtime provides plenty of time for any impromptu concert.
Hit Promotional Products / PPAI 113910, Platinum / hitpromo.net
The waterproof iCOOL Englewood Rechargeable Multi-Function Camping Light features a powerful 5-watt LED flashlight with 380 lumens for focused illumination, along with a 150-lumen, 360-degree light with three modes – perfect for ambient lighting around your campsite. When fully charged, it provides five to six hours of flashlight use and eight to nine hours as a lantern.
“As an avid glamper, I’ve found a hundred uses for it,” Comerford says, “and a portion of all proceeds is donated to Shelter to Soldier, a nonprofit organization that rescues dogs and trains them as service animals for veterans.”
Logomark / PPAI 110898, Platinum / logomark.com
BECCA FALK
Sales Development Manager
Birch Grove Branding
PPAI 883492, Silver
Beverly, Massachusetts
Help employees power through long workdays and enjoy their off-hours with the Theragun Relief. The device is designed to melt away tension and discomfort with targeted percussive therapy that’s lightweight, quiet and incredibly effective. “I’d kill to try a Theragun,” Falk says. Whether it’s a wellness initiative or a just-because gesture, this is the kind of morale booster that employees will truly appreciate.
Therabody / PPAI 794574, Standard-Base / therabody.com
“I love functional items that I actually use on the day-to-day, like quality dishwasher-safe tumblers,” says Falk. The Swig 22-Oz. Matte Tumbler checks every box. It keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 12 thanks to double-wall, vacuum-sealed, copper-coated insulation. A silicone base prevents slipping and softens the impact on surfaces, while the lid is spill-resistant, shatterproof and BPA-free.
Available in a wide range of colors, this tumbler is top-rack dishwasher safe, cupholder friendly and features laser engraving for custom branding. It’s a sleek, functional gift that says “you’re appreciated” long after the 9-to-5 ends.
AAkron Line / PPAI 111082, Gold / aakronline.com
Luna is a marketing copywriter for PPAI.
