Every year, most people make health one of their priorities as they consider their New Years’ resolutions. With the pandemic, keeping our immune systems safe and healthy is top of the list. Sure we all want to lose weight and get in better shape, but fighting off COVID19 is still on everyone’s minds.

The best way to fight off COVID19, or any virus is to keep your immune system safe. I am no expert, but I know the basics are important. The NIH (National Institute of Health) has a Physical Wellness Checklist with”Positive physical health habits can help decrease your stress, lower your risk of disease, and increase your energy.”  Click here to download it.

The promotional industry reacted quickly rolling out lots of  COVID19 Resistant products, and COVID19 supplies, such as masks and sanitizers.

Another interesting innovation is phone sanitizers.

We use our phones everywhere, it makes sense to we want to keep them clean. If you think about it you realize just how many germs phones may be carrying around.

UV Phone Sanitizer with Wireless Charging Pad

This UV Phone Sanitizer with Wireless Charging Pad uses UV-C light technology for sanitization to kill 99% of microorganisms tested.

It can sanitize almost anything that fits inside (7.5″ L * 4″ W * 1″ H) such as large phones, keys, credit cards, watches, eyeglasses, jewelry, medical supplies such as protective equipment, and even children’s utensils.

Desktop UV Sanitizer and Bluetooth Speaker

The Desktop UV Sanitizer and Bluetooth Speaker combine premium sound, three UVC lights, music controls, and a microphone.

These features make this speaker a great addition to any desktop! Simply open the top lid and place your mobile phone, jewelry, or mask to begin the cleaning process.

The Bluetooth speaker produces a premium sound that can be heard around the office! The full music controls allow you to activate your voice assistance (Siri, Hey Google), change the audio, control the volume, and accept/reject incoming calls. The built-in microphone allows you to use the desktop speaker for your conference calls.

If you’re interested in promotional products for 2021 (whether they are COVID related or not), contact me, and I can help you get started.

I look forward to a much better year in 2021!

Debbie Smith

Everyone has been talking about how “terrible” the year 2020 has been. I don’t know about you, but at this time of year, I like to reflect on what was good about the year (see my last blog post), and what I can look forward to in the next. 

#1 Seeing the People I Miss.

It is really hard to have gone so long without seeing most of my friends, family, and colleagues. But thinking about this makes me realize how many amazing relationships I have. The fact that I miss so many people tells me just how many fun times I have to look forward to when it’s safe to see everyone in person!

#2: The vaccine. I don’t know when I will be eligible to receive the COVID19 vaccine, but I am so grateful there IS one rolling out now.

#3: Not being eligible for the vaccine immediately. Yes, I want to get the vaccine as soon as I can. But the reason I’m not eligible yet is I’m young and healthy. How can I not be grateful for that? Along with this, I am so grateful the vaccine is now rolling out to healthcare and frontline workers.

#4: My health. I’m repeating this as it’s so important! I’m thankful for my health. The immune system is key to avoiding COVID so, being healthy means even more to me now. 

#5: Virtual meetings. Virtual meetings won’t be going away anytime soon. Many people I know are rethinking the way they worked before the virus. I know of people who want to work more from home. There are many kids who like being at home with their families. So thankful we have the internet, Zoom, Google Meet, and Facetime to connect with our friends, family, and colleagues!

#6: Hugging. I am pretty sure once the vaccine is widely available, I will be hugging a lot of people.

#7: Spring and summer. Here in Ohio, we look forward to spring and summer. Winter can be quite dreary with gray skies and not much snow. But this year, it will be even more special as that is when the vaccine is reportedly going to be available to the general public, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

I will be happy when I can go out for dinner, go to the movies or the theatre. I’ll be happy to attend sporting events like OSU Buckeye games. I’m excited for kids to be able to gather and have fun like “the old days.”  There is so much to look forward to in 2021.

For me, 2020 has been a time to reflect on what is really important in life.

Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing you in person soon.

Debbie Smith

OSU has created a hashtag just for us Buckeye fans #BUCKEYELOVE, and they make it really easy to share your #BUCKEYELOVE on social media. This is a really great time to share what your Buckeye spirit means to you!

OSU also put out this great video on YouTube.

Keep your Buckeye Spirit alive!

I know it’s hard but there are LOTS of ways to get your football on this season. Here are a few:

#1: Revisit some of the best Buckeye Games ever brought to you by Eleven Warriors.

Eleven Warriors is the largest independent sports site on the internet and is a one-stop-shop for Ohio State news, analysis, and community — and it’s all free.

#2: Read about some of the best OSU Football Players in history.

This is an article from the Bleacher Report called “The Top 50 Ohio State Football Players in Buckeye History.”

While it’s not the same as watching a game – it will help you reminisce about why you love OSU football… we have some of the best players in the world!

#3: Shop for Buckeye Nation products at a local company: Celebrate Local Ohio.

If you haven’t heard of Celebrate Local Ohio, they are a local company selling all Ohio products. As you can imagine, they have lots of products featuring the Buckeyes!

There are lots of products to choose from! Items for the home, jewelry, patches, pillows, bar accessories and more.

#4 Make or buy some Buckeyes!

If you are a Buckeye, you’ve definitely eaten some of these chocolaty, peanut butter delights!

They are easy to buy from many local establishments, including our own Anthony Thomas Chocolates that have been in business in Ohio for 4 generations!

Make your own Buckeyes!

They are not that difficult to make and are just as delicious. Maybe it’s something you can do on that Saturday you were planning to watch the Buckeyes;) Here’s a recipe found at AllRecipies.com

Ingredients Directions

Printed from https://www.allrecipes.com 08/30/2020

1 ½ cups peanut butter

1 cup butter, softened

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

6 cups confectioners’ sugar

4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners’ sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.

Step 1: Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in the freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth.

Step 3: Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick. Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes. Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.

Here’s the link to the recipe on AllRecipes.com. Here’s a link (from AllRecipes.com) Buckeyes I Recipe Allrecipes.

In summary – 2020 has turned out to be a challenging year for sure! What we all have going for us, is we are all going through this together.

Let’s help each other get through it safely and GO BUCKS GO! OH-IO!

If you are in need of any promotional items right now, contact me, I’m here to help!

Debbie Smith

p.s. We will most likely be using precautions for a while. If you’re interested in putting your brand on COVID19 supplies such as masks (for adults and kids), sanitizers, and more, check out the last blog: A Variety of COVID19 Supplies.

They are “antimicrobial products” and/or stainless steel. This means you can safely use and distribute these products knowing they fight off the microbes that can cause disease.

What is Antimicrobial?

In contrast to antibacterial agents, antimicrobial substances offer a greater level of product protection by continuously inhibiting the growth of microbes on surfaces for very long periods of time.

1)     REFINE Antimicrobial Pen

REFINE’S anti-microbial material, Sanitized Silver®, inhibits the spread and growth of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, algae, etc. Available in four trim colors pre-branded with Antimicrobial identification imprinted on the clip.

Refine’s antimicrobial treatment, Sanitized Silver®, begins working immediately upon contact and provides continuous product protection. Because the additive occurs at the manufacturing level, it doesn’t wear off and remains effective for the life of the product.

How does the additive do that? First, the additive destabilizes the bacterial outer cell membrane. Then it cuts off air to the cell.  Next, food intake is blocked. Finally, the ability of the cell to divide and reproduce is cut off. Once this happens, the bacteria deteriorates and can no longer spread.

2)   Colorama Antimicrobial Pen

Our new USA* Colorama Antimicrobial Pen includes an antimicrobial additive that fights against the growth and transmission of over 99% of bacteria, molds, yeasts, algae and other micro-organisms. The additive is molded into exterior plastic parts, lasting the entire life of the product.

With a full-color imprint, this retractable ballpoint is ideal for business focused on safety & hygiene.

3)    CSANTI Retractable, Antimicrobial Pen

The most popular, retractable pen in promotional products is now available with an antimicrobial additive – protecting the pen by suppressing the growth of bacteria, algae, fungus, mold, and mildew on the pen.

PrevaGuard products contain an EPA registered antimicrobial additive that is molded directly into the pen’s plastic components. This helps protect the pen by suppressing the growth of bacteria, molds, mildew, and fungi, especially in high-moisture environments.

4)    Mouse Pad With Antimicrobial Protection

Antimicrobial Mouse Pads are tried & true promotional workhorses. The soft fabric surface provides the comfort and superior mousing performance computer users have favored since the mouse pad was invented. As an added value, your customers will love the antimicrobial protection.

Even in today’s wireless world, mousepads are great for all businesses using desktop computers.

5)    Stainless Steel No Touch Tool with Stylus and Bottle Opener

PERFECT ZERO-TOUCH GADGET TO PREVENT GERMS

The Hands-Free Door Opener Tool is designed to keep you safe and stop the spread by limiting exposure to infected surfaces in day-to-day activities.

This Multipurpose Door Opener includes a stylus and bottle opener. The key or germ hook can be used as a sanitary door opener, no-touch button-pusher tool, keychain tool, keychain stylus, anti-touch stick tool or anti-germ utility tool for infected handles, locks,  elevators, ATMs, keypads, switches, sinks, gas pumps, levers, payment machines, trash bins. The stylus tip works on most touchscreens, and much more.

Comfortable, compact & durable – This stainless steel tool can hook or attach easily in pockets, belt straps, bags or purses, and a small hole for a keychain or carabiner.

Contact me, or start a quote to get you started on promotional products that will truly tell your customer, prospects, and employees that you care about them.

We are here to help!

Debbie Smith

p.s. We will most likely be using precautions for a while. If you’re interested in putting your brand on COVID19 supplies such as masks (for adults and kids), sanitizers, and more, check out the last blog: A Variety of COVID19 Supplies.

We are now supplying a wide variety of COVID-19 supplies. Face masks, hand sanitizers, and other safety products:

As we all get back to some kind of normal, or a “new normal”, providing COVID-19 supplies is not only safe, it shows goodwill to your employees and your customers. It is also a great opportunity to promote your business by putting your logo on some of the products.

Face Masks. All face masks are FDA approved.

There are a variety of face masks available, including face masks for kids, KN95 face masks, and custom face masks.

3-ply disposable face masks.

KN95 disposable face masks.

Bella+Canvas face masks.

Kids 100% cotton face masks.

Custom face masks – put your logo brand on a face mask.

Other COVID19 Items

Hand Sanitizer – custom and bulk available.

Alcohol wipes.

Disposable thermometers.

Disposable face shields.

Anti-fog safety glasses.

Social distancing floor decals and mats.

These unusual times call for unusual methods.

We all know the saying “Better safe than sorry.”

While none of us thought we would be spending our promotional budget on items such as these, the truth is, people will be looking for places that are safe to visit for the near to distant future. People mention places like Costco that insist that all employees and customers take precautions.

Show your employees, customers, and prospects that you are on the side of safety.

Contact me to get you started with what works best for you and your company.

Stay safe!

Debbie Smith