Get more for your money
If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling for last-minute holiday gifts or paying rush fees to get event swag in on time, you’re not alone. One of the biggest ways to reduce stress and improve results when ordering promotional products is simply… better budgeting.
Q3 and Q4 are the busiest times of the year for most companies—and the most common seasons for promo purchases. Whether you’re gearing up for a holiday celebration, client outreach, or employee appreciation campaign, planning now means better pricing, better product selection, and better outcomes.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to plan your promotional product budget for the second half of the year—and how working with someone like me helps you get more for your money.
Why Q3 and Q4 Matter Most
The second half of the year tends to pack in:
- End-of-year celebrations
- Employee gifts
- Holiday client appreciation
- Fall and winter conferences
- Company retreats and milestone events
Promo spend often spikes in October–December. But those who budget earlier get more value and peace of mind.
Step 1: Outline Your Promo Calendar
Start by listing out events and campaigns where swag or gifting might be involved:
- Internal employee milestones or meetings
- Customer-facing events or campaigns
- Trade shows or sponsorships
- Holiday parties or year-end celebrations
From there, you can break down the needs: apparel, giveaways, gift kits, printed collateral, etc.
Step 2: Prioritize Spend by Impact
Ask yourself:
- What will be most visible?
- What creates the most brand recall?
- What items do people keep or reuse?
It’s better to invest more in one really memorable gift than spread your budget too thin across generic giveaways.
Step 3: Include All Cost Factors
Your total cost isn’t just the product price. Be sure to factor in:
- Set-up charges
- Decoration (printing, embroidery, etc.)
- Packaging and kitting
- Shipping (especially to multiple addresses)
- Sales tax (if applicable)
- Rush fees (if you’re ordering late)
I help clients forecast total costs upfront—so there are no surprises later.
Step 4: Leave Room for Flexibility
While it’s great to plan in detail, leave 10–15% of your promo budget open for last-minute opportunities—like an unexpected trade show or a seasonal team win worth celebrating.
Planning for flexibility keeps your brand agile without blowing the budget.
Step 5: Order Early to Stretch Your Budget
Ordering promo items in August vs. October can be the difference between:
- Full product selection vs. backorders
- Standard shipping vs. rush fees
- Custom packaging vs. limited print capabilities
Working ahead often saves 15–30% when you factor in time-based price breaks, early bird specials, and reduced shipping stress.
Bonus Tip: Reorder Favorites
If you had a hit last year—maybe a soft fleece, a great tumbler, or a well-loved tech item—reorder it early with updated colors or personalization.
I keep order histories on file and can help you reorder past winners with fresh updates.
Final Thoughts
A smart promo budget isn’t just about dollars—it’s about timing, planning, and alignment with your company’s larger goals.
When you know what’s coming and partner with someone who can help you anticipate hidden costs, you get more value from every item you invest in.
Ready to build your Q3–Q4 promo plan? Let’s talk now so we can beat the rush and build something that works for your brand and your bottom line.
