As the year winds down, inboxes fill with out-of-office replies, calendars turn festive, and the focus shifts to wrapping up projects. Before you log off for the holidays, there’s one strategic move that can make your new year feel seamless and successful: planning your January events and conferences now.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

January is a high-energy month for tradeshows, conferences, and company kickoffs. Your brand has the chance to set the tone for the year. Make that first, lasting impression on clients, prospects, and partners. The smartest marketers are already preparing, leveraging remaining 2025 budget funds to ensure their first-quarter events launch without last-minute stress.

When you plan now, you get more than peace of mind. You also get:

• Priority production schedules before the post-holiday rush

• Access to premium products and decoration options that might sell out later

• Extra time for creativity, ensuring your brand story is told with intention

Think Fewer, Smarter, More Impactful

Instead of ordering bulk items for the sake of quantity, think strategically about impact. Every piece of branded merchandise is a physical touchpoint of your brand story. When thoughtfully chosen, it can elevate perception, spark conversation, and create emotional connection.

Ask yourself:
Would I love to receive this?
Would I actually use it?
Would it make me remember the brand that gave it to me?

If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

Fewer, better-quality pieces signal that your brand values craftsmanship, intentionality, and connection. They don’t just fill tote bags; they build affinity.

From Giveaway to Gift

It’s time to reframe how we think about branded merchandise. These aren’t giveaways, they’re gifts. A giveaway is transactional; a gift is emotional.

When you treat your merchandise as a gift, you think about the story behind it.
Why this item?
What moment will it create?
How will it make someone feel?

That thoughtfulness turns a simple branded product into a memory. At a tradeshow booth, it’s the difference between someone collecting swag and someone connecting with your brand.

Merch That Mirrors the Moment

The new year is all about renewal with refreshed energy, new goals, new opportunities. Your merchandise should reflect that same feeling. Think products that make recipients feel revived, organized, and inspired for the year ahead: hydration products, travel-ready essentials, elevated work accessories, or wellness-inspired gifts.

Are you considering a rebrand or adding new services and resources to your existing repertoire? Consider the "Awesome Mix Tape", to show how you're mixing things up with our Bluetooth Speaker, shown below.

Are you advocating for self-care and wellness in 2026? People love to track their progress, so give them what they want. We're showcasing this health and wellness journal as an affordable gift that recipients will put to good use.

Plan Ahead, Then Rest Easy

Before you close your laptop for the holidays, take one proactive step:
Connect with your Grossman Marketing Group Representative.

We’ll help you identify the perfect products, manage your timelines, and make sure everything is in place for a strong January start. Head into your holiday break with peace of mind.

Ready to get a jump start on 2026?
Let’s talk about your January events today and make your branded merchandise work harder (and smarter) for you.

Contact us before the break and start your year ahead of schedule.