The global financial crisis has affected many sectors of society including the major companies. Due to a bad economy, a lot of people and organizations have started cost cutting in as many ways as they can. The good news is that companies that don't want to spend so much on advertising but would like to be widely promoted can turn to wholesale promotional gifts.

Through these promotional gift items, a company can make people aware of its existence as well as the products or services it offers. Many companies around the world have acknowledged the importance of these products as an effective yet cost effective advertising strategy. These promotional items are best bought in bulk or wholesale to avail the buyer of a much lower price compared to ordering them by retail.

Promotional gifts are great incentives for sales people who reach their quota or for loyal customers. These corporate giveaways are perfect during special events and occasions such as the organization's anniversary, launching of new products, trade shows and services as well as during Christmas and New Year.

A typical promotional corporate item features a company's name and logo. Variations could include the company's motto, icon, products and services and awards received, if any. Among the numerous corporate giveaways available since these items became popular, perhaps the pen and mug are the most commonly given away.

The exposure of these promotional sales incentives with logos is usually a major consideration for many companies. The reason behind this is that, when a corporate giveaway is something that can be worn or used on a frequent basis, more people will remember the company and the products or services it offers.

For instance, parker pens are a very popular promotional item given by major companies that deal with loyal clients and customers. These pens are excellent quality and appear to be very expensive, and it's expected that a recipient of this item will surely consider them of great value.

Other highly popular promotional corporate gifts that will give a company extensive exposure include bags, t-shirts, caps, keychains, mousepads, bumper stickers, bottle openers, scented candles, wallets, paper weights, umbrellas among many others. T-shirts, caps and bags are things that people wear and so every time they go out wearing these items, other people will get to see and read the company brands and logos.

Computer items are also very useful considering that numerous people use computers now on a daily basis and so there's a very good chance that your company will get stuck in the minds of the people using the branded products. Thus, the goal of name recall is easily achieved with these corporate giveaways.

The latest trend in these wholesale promotional gifts is using eco friendly materials. In response to a growing international call for environmental preservation, some companies such as the Independent Ad Specialties have opted to manufacture corporate items using recycled and biodegradable products.

These include backpacks, water bottles and steel tumblers, USB memory drives, cotton lanyards, memo pads and notebooks, coffee mugs, tote bags, t-shirts and magnets which can be customized at very affordable prices. Companies that patronize these recycled promotional corporate items are hitting two birds with one stone as they not only advertise their business but help in preserving the Earth as well.