Making Promotional Fit Lifestyle

Comfort is important in today’s casual world; three-piece suits are no longer a requirement in the office and employees take full advantage of the fact that business dress code has become more lax. Corporate to casual attire requires a professional refinement, while still meeting the active lifestyle of employees outside of the office. Business casual attire should be able to float between the office, the golf course, the restaurant, or a weekend getaway without the individual feeling like they are wearing “business” clothes. Here are some ways to bring casual to business through apparel.

Lifestyle Brands

Maintaining the business casual environment is easy when corporate promotional apparel is made from lifestyle brands, such as Nike; allowing the apparel to easily transfer from in office to out-of-office. Providing brands that people want to wear will increase the likelihood that promotional apparel will be worn elsewhere.

Material

No one likes the feeling of wearing a uniform to work so scratch the itchy fabrics, and opt for soft fleece, or dri-fit material. Dri-fit technology is designed to be cool and breathable, while absorbing the moisture from the body. Dri-fit is great for a company promoting a business casual workplace as well as a healthy, active lifestyle in extracurricular activities.

Color

Don’t limit color options. A plethora of colors diminishes monotony of business casual attire, allowing for ease of flow from the workplace.

Business apparel does not have to be stuffy, however it should be polished. That is where American Promotional Apparel comes in. With top brands, comfortable materials and a wide range of color options, it is easy to take corporate promotional attire from corporate to casual. Whether on the green, in the office, or on the sales floor, American Promotional Apparel has everything your company needs for useable corporate promotional apparel.

Office Holiday Party Planning Tips

With the holiday season right around the corner, businesses are hosting parties to relax, celebrate, and show gratitude. Office holiday parties can be fun, but with a list of questions ranging from location to food and entertainment, planning it can be stressful. Here are some helpful office party planning tips to inspire you this year!

Eat it Up

If you are hosting a party in the office, consider a potluck dinner, or catered food from the office’s favorite restaurant. Take it a step further by bringing in food trucks. Food trucks are very popular right now and not limited to taste. With food trucks ranging from tacos to gourmet-style meals, it is a great way to support local businesses.

Did Somebody say Ugly Holiday Sweater Party?

Do you remember that sweater your aunt gave you years ago for Christmas. You know, the one that is so heinous the thrift store did not even want it? Pull it out of the box, dust it off, and throw it on! Ugly, or tacky, holiday sweater parties not only provide a great laugh to all of the attendees, but are a great way to remind everyone that, while it is an office party, it can still be fun!

Take it a step further by having attendees make their own ugly sweaters, or host a contest with prizes for tackiest sweater, most holiday spirit, strangest saying on the sweater, etc. This will incentivize everyone to participate! By providing the sweaters for the partygoers, it is less expense on them, and more fun for all.

Party for a Reason Other than the Season

The holiday season is also coined the season of giving. By including a charity fundraiser or raffle, participants have the opportunity to donate to a cause.

Take it a step further: Survey partygoers to determine the charity. This will make them feel more involved in the decision making process and more likely to purchase additional raffle tickets.

Attire

If you are hosting a party outside of the confines of the office, but are not hosting a costume party, make the attire something comfortable. Casual attire will help the team relax and to truly enjoy the evening.

Pump the Jams

Don’t rely on Christmas music as background noise. Have a cover band come in to play some great 80’s and 90’s pop music, or hire a DJ to liven up the mood of the party. Remember, just because it is an office holiday party, does not mean it should be boring.

White Elephant Gift Exchange

A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a simple concept: Everyone brings a present, draws a number, and then picks a gift from the pile. This takes the pressure off of buying gifts for everyone, and ensures that everyone gets a gift. Putting a gift price cap on the gift exchange takes away the stress or obligation to get something over-the-top. Here are some great, inexpensive office holiday party gift ideas.

Take it a step further: Each person has the opportunity to pick from the pile, or “steal” a gift that has already been opened. A present can only be “stolen” once.

For raffles, white elephant and other party activities, you are going to need supplies, so stock up on promotional pens and necessities!

Office holiday parties should be fun, and planning one should not be the holiday nightmare. What office holiday party tips would you add to the list?