Shark Week

Watch out everyone! It's Shark Week! This week marks the 21st annual Shark Week. Sponsored by the Discovery Channel and meant to create respect and awe over this often misunderstood creature, this week has been a summer programming event since 1988! With feature stories about shark myths, survival tips, and exciting shark behavioral investigations, Shark Week is sure to be a hit!

From July 27th through August 2nd, celebrate the exotic beauty and power of sharks. Shark collectibles and items are extremely popular during this week, and promotional shark stress balls are common giveaways to generate buzz for this action-packed week of television.

Whether or not you're a shark enthusiast, gain some knowledge about them during Shark Week. It will not only help you be aware, but will also help you gain an appreciation for a fascinating animal with a bad rep'.

Parents' Day

Parents' Day is a relatively new holiday compared to both Father's Day and Mother's Day, both of which have been around for several decades. Parents' Day started with the Clinton Administration in 1994 and was unanimously approved by Congress to be recognized every fourth Sunday in July. Similar to both Father's Day and Mother's Day, Parents' Day is a day for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children."

For children, this is a day to reflect on the roles that your parents have played in your upbringing. For parents, this is a day to continue unconditionally loving your children and positively impacting them in their development, no matter their age. In general, family values and bonding are what Parents' Day is all about. In honor of this day, spend some time, either on the phone or in person, with family members.

For Parents' Day, businesses frequently hand out promotional photo albums to encourage families to document and share their history. Promotional tote bags for family gatherings and trips are also popular items that businesses give away in recognition of Parents' Day.

No matter what, be grateful for your parents and how they have influenced who you are today!

Roots and Branches Month

Continuing on with what seems like a consistent family and community-oriented theme this month, July is also Roots and Branches Month! You're probably wondering what roots and branches have to do with family. Well, specifically, it refers to your family tree. This July is a time to acknowledge your heritage and your future. A really fun and enlightening activity would be to create your own family tree--that is, of course, if you don't already have one!

At the heart of this month is the study of genealogy, the investigation of family history. There are many genealogy resources available on the web, including a ton of sites about genealogy and family history. Do your research, but don't tackle this large project all at once or by yourself! It will take quite sometime to map out your family tree, but it is a fun visual representation of family knowledge that will help you grow in the end.

If you decide not to take on constructing a family tree, try connecting with family members you haven't spoken with in a while. Even if it's a five minute phone call to tell them that you love them, you'll feel good afterwards!

"Families" and a sense of community are the core of the business world as well, so Roots and Branches Month is a popular month for giveaways like promotional picture frames with the company's logo that reinforce a feeling of home and family.

Get your bearing this July by getting to the bottom of your very own "roots and branches"! You'll certainly be glad that you did!

National Recreation and Parks Month

Sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), July is National Recreation and Parks Month. This awareness month has been celebrated since 1985, With the purpose of building community through parks and various recreactional activities. Throughout this month, many local parks kick off their summer programming, full of sports, concerts, picnics, cookouts, and lots of fun in the sun!

Take your friends and relatives to the park throughout this July and celebrate nature, comaraderie, and leisure activities. Whether it's promotional games and toys, or promotional outdoor and sports items, National Recreation and Parks Month is a popular month for companies to promote.

Make the most of your leisure time this month by getting out there and enjoying national parks and recreational activities while the weather is still warm!

National Grilling Month

July marks the height of the grilling season, so it should come as no surprise that this month is National Grilling Month! Lazy summer days and nights are frequently associated with swimming, tanning, the beach, vacation, and grilling. Whether it's hot and spicy or simple and sweet, celebrate your freedome to cook outside this month with a creative and exciting barbeque or grill experience. Invite friends over, warm up the grill, and go to town! Cookouts are a great way to bond and enjoy the outdoors during the warm summer months.

Look up some neat grilling recipes, gather some family and/or friends around, and kick back to enjoy some great food, drinks, and company! For an extra kick to the celebration, mix some summer cocktails and enjoy!

A popular celebration of this month in the corporate world includes giving away promotional BBQ/grilling sets to outstanding employees. Summer-themed promotional products are also popular because they build company pride while remaining useful for this time of year.

Take to your porch, patio, deck, or backyard this month for good times and good food to be had by all!

Family Reunion Month

While there are some different observances of this month, many social groups and organizations acknowledge July as Family Reunion Month! A period to reflect on the importance of family and community, July happens to be when most families hold their family reunions! If you are holding or attending a family reunion this year, make the most of it and reconnect with long-lost relatives. If nothing else, use it as an informal networking event.

If your family has not held a reunion in a while, think about planning one! Or, if your family holds them regularly, make an active effort to attend. To build even more family pride, invest in promotional picture frames with your family name and a snapshot of everyone who attended. Because July is such a hot summer month, ponder promotional summer items that will help you and everyone in your family make the most of your reunion while making lasting memories. However you decide to celebrate, make the most of Family Reunion Month this and every July!

National Make a Difference to Children Month

Millions of kids every year suffer from serious illnesses, injuries, or handicaps. These children endure pain and sufferring that could crush some adults. Understandably, for these children, a smile is a precious and invaluable gift that brings joy into their lives. That is why July is recognized as National Make a Difference to Children Month!

Sponsored in part by the Hugs and Hope foundation, this month is truly all about giving to children who need it. No amount of help is too small. Whether it's a donation, volunteer work, or some other charitable contribution, help spread happiness across the country to the children who need it this July and beyond. Give these children something to smile about as they undergo therapy, surgeries, and an endless onslaught of medical examinations and tests.

Companies do a lot for this holiday. In honor of National Make a Difference to Children Month, businesses hand out promotional games and toys to bring a smile to those children who need it. Imprinted bean bag animals are also popular items to hand out for this month, as they are cute and inspirational for kids.

However you choose to acknowledge National Make a Difference to Children Month, bring a smile and spread joy to those in need. You might just find that it'll make you smile in the process as well.

National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

You see them everyday: people on their cellular phones, gabbing away without a care in the world regarding what's going on around them; bumping into people, being poor drivers and worse friends. The ubiquity of this phenomenon is the reason why in 2002 Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert who runs the The Protocol School of Palm Beach, FL, proclaimed July as National Cell Phone Courtesy Month!

The true purpose of this month is to draw attention to the rude and disrespectful behavior caused by someone being on their cell phone. Whether it's poor driving or blatant ignoring, the root of the issue is the lack of attention span caused by the energy and focus demanded by the device.

Do not fret, though: there are websites out there to help, with guidelines for cell phone etiquette as well as a mini-quiz to test your knowledge. Take a second to reflect about how you act when you're on your cell phone. Is this how you want to portray yourself to others? Are you one of the many rude and obnoxious individuals targeted by this awareness month? If so, take active measures to reduce or alter how your cell phone use. Companies, in honor of this month, reinforce good cell phone behavior through corporate gifts such as promotional cell phone accessories.

Chances are, though, that the gluttony of gabbing and the rude behavior associated with it will still continue.

National Vehicle Theft Protection Month

For all of you safety-enthusiasts out there, July is National Vehicle Theft Protection Month. This awareness event was started in June 2007 through joint sponsorship from LoJack Corporation and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The month recognizes the importance of education and awareness regarding vehicle theft. July was chosen as the month of recognition because it has one of the highest rates of car theft throughout the year! Of course, there are safety measures that can be taken to ensure that your car is as safe and secure as possible, so be sure to check them out.

Use this month as a reminder to be cognizant of where your car is and how it is secured. There are plenty of car alarm systems out there. Counteract car theft by doing your research. Companies frequently give away automotive promotional items this month, especially promotional emergency car kits and safety items in order to draw attention to preparedness and car safety.

National Black Family Month

Officially recognized since 2006, July is National Black Family Month! Throughout this month, family and community are both encouraged in order to bond and strengthen the African American culture and heritage. Fairs, picnics, and family reunions are all extremely common in honor of this month. Whether a small get-together or a large celebration, this month is all about family bonds and ties among blacks and strengthening relationships with family members and the community.

Celebrate this month with game nights, barbeques, pool parties, family day-trips, reading time, movie marathons, or even slumber parties; whatever it is that bonds your family, do it! Businesses recognize the importance of this month by giving away promotional games and toys that will make bonding fun and enjoyable, as well as with promotional outdoor and sports items that will pass the time this July and beyond!

World Youth Day

World Youth Day is a promotional event for the Roman Catholic Church that is celebrated on an international level every two to three years, as determined by the Pope. The event is focused on youth and encourages health, happiness, and involvement in the catholic church. This year, World Youth Day is being celebrated in Sydney, Australia, and it will mark only the fourth time that the Pope has ever visited the country. It is expected that 500,000 youngsters will attend the event this year, from July 15th through the 20th. The theme of this year's World Youth Day comes from Acts 1:8 and is "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses."

If you're Catholic, get involved with World Youth Day, or encourage others to do so. If your religious affiliation is other than Catholic, celebrate the right to religious freedom and freedom of expression. Religious organizations, in honor of this holiday, typically give away promotional fish-shaped car magnets and promotional religious calendars, both of which raise awareness for this week and what it represents to millions across the globe.

Captive Nations Week

Captive Nations Week, signed into law by President Eisenhower in 1959 and recognized every third week of July, is a week that is meant to raise awareness for the oppression experienced in nations that are under the influence or control of political factions that are non-democratic. A product of the McCarthy era, Captive Nations Week originally referred to Communist societies who oppressed their citizens.

This week, from the 14th through the 18th, take time to recognize how fortunate we are to live in a free society that encourages speech, thought, and the press. Not all countries are as lucky and priviliged as the United States of America; hence, why this week is dubbed "captive" in reference to other nations. Also, reflect on what democracy means to you and the role in plays in your life. What would your life be like if you lived in a non-democratic nation? On the corporate side, continue your patriotism from the 4th of July with some patriotic promotional items, because a patriotic gift never grows old.

National Culinary Arts Month

July is National Culinary Arts Month! The purpose of this month of recognition is to draw attention to the cooks and chefs who prepare our food for us. Food preparation and cooking are truly an art form, and July acknowledges this fact. Whether it's some old-fashioned home cooking or fine dining at a five-star restaurant, National Culinary Arts Month is the time to reflect on the time and effort required to prepare and present excellent cuisine. How flavorful!

Spice up your life this month by exploring new and exotic foods and dishes, starting a new diet, checking out Zagat-rated restaurants in your area, or even learning culinary arts yourself! Also, dine out at a nice restaurant and pay careful attention to the painstaking details determined by the chef. To honor this month, businesses could cater a corporate event with food from a great local restaurant. A great company giveaway could be paid registration for a culinary arts course, or some promotional food and drink products. For those customers or employees with a fierce and insatiable sweet tooth, promotional brownies are the perfect item!

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert. Mmmmmm. Go crazy this month, but don't lose the swimsuit body you worked so hard for over the past couple of months!

UV Safety Month

Appropriate for the summertime, July is UV Safety Month! UV stands for ultraviolet and refers to those electromagnetic waves--which we cannot see but can feel--that can cause extreme damage to our skin, including painful sunburns and even skin cancer.

Throughout this month and the course of the summer, take precautions to make sure that you are sun-safe. Purchase sun screen and apply it regularly. Moisturize and stay hydrated with lots of water. Also, wear a hat and sunglasses to block the sun. Wearing lighter colors is also wise, as darker colors absorb more heat than lighter ones do.

Read up on facts and tips regarding sun safety and UV rays. In honor of UV Safety Month, promotional sunblock is a popular corporate gift and is great as an incentive to stay healthy and happy this summer. Promotional hats are also great items that will keep the sun away and can be worn year-round. However you acknowledge UV Safety Month, keep your safety and health in mind.

National Hemochromatosis Screening and Awareness Month

According to the National Health Observances Calendar, July is National Hemochromatosis Screening and Awareness Month. Hemochromatosis is one of a genetic iron disorder that entails an excess amount of iron being retained from the diet, which cannot be expelled from the body naturally. This causes a buildup of iron in the blood and in organs, causing serious medical complications that can lead to disease and even death.

This month is sponsored by the Iron Disorders Institute and is meant to raise awareness for this inherited disorder and the complications that can arise from it going undetected. A simple blood test can determine the levels of iron in the body and blood donation or phlebotomy is a quick and easy way to lower iron levels in the body. Diet adjustments are often necessary to treat this disorder as well, but there are cookbooks and diet plans online and in print that make these diet changes tasty and not as painful.

In honor of this month, read about hemochromatosis and inform yourself about its prevalence and treatability. Also, try to spread the word or make a donation. In the corporate world, businesses frequently distribute health informational packets and hold testing days. Giveaways are a fun and clever way to draw attention to this cause as well, and companies often hand out promotional healthcare items, as well as other products like promotional blood drop stress balls, which serve as reminders of this disorder.

International Group B Strep Awareness Month

July is International Group B Strep Awareness Month. You may be asking, "what is Group B Strep?" Well, Group B Strep - not to be confused with Group A Strep, which causes strep throat - is actually a common bacteria found in the lower intestines of the human body. Normally, Group B Strep bacteria are not harmful, but when the balance is thrown off in the body it can become a serious infection, usually affecting either the bloodstream or the respiratory system. The infection can also lead to meningitis, which can in turn sometimes lead to death.

Annually sponosred by Group B Strep International, the purpose of this month is to raise awareness of the prevalence of Group B Strep Infection, which typically occurs in newborns. How do newborns get affected? Well, the Group B Strep bacteria can also grow in the nether regions of women, thus placing newborns in contact with the bacteria as they exit the womb during birth. The disease also has a high prevalence among those with chronic chronic medical conditions, which weaken the immune system's ability to keep the bacteria in check.

Approximately 8000 babies a year become infected with Group B Strep, with 800 of them passing away due to complications from the infection. On the other hand, another 1600 babies recover, but are left permanently handicapped. The severity and preventability of this disease are what make it so vital to inform others about its causes, symptoms, and treatments. In order to honor International Group B Strep Awareness Month, pick up a pamphlet from your local doctor or OBGYN, or look up further information online. For this holiday, businesses and organizations typically utilize custom woven awareness ribbons. Another fun promotion that could help draw attention to this cause are promotional bean bag animals with the cause imprinted on the item itself. However you choose to acknowledge this month, educate yourself and make a difference!

Independence Day in the U.S.A.

Good ol' Independence Day, the 4th of July, America's Birth Day; whatever you call it, July 4th is Independence Day here in the United States of America, and is one of the biggest celebrated holidays of the year. This day marks when the Declaration of Independence gained approval from the Continental Congress in 1776, officially starting the process of the United States of America becoming a sovereign nation. Fireworks, picnics, barbecues, baseball games, parades, carnivals, and other festivities annually mark this occasion.

Keep a look out for lots of red, white, and blue this Friday, and even throughout the weekend. Patriotic promotional t-shirts, promotional American Flag Pins, and other patriotic promotional items are common gifts from organizations and companies, because they are an excellent way to show patriotism and American pride this and every July 4th.

Here are some facts about July 4th and its history:
-There were an estimated 2.5 million people living in the United States in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved.
-Last year, $207 million of fireworks were imported from China, most of which were used for celebrating Independence Day.
-The annual value of shipments of patriotic materials is $349.2 million, according to the 2002 Economic Census.
-Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, was actually born in Plymouth, Vermont on July 4th, 1872.
-The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rang out on July 8th, 1776 to announce the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
-John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only U.S. Presidents to have signed the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826 at their homes. President Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
-The first anniversary of July 4th, in 1777, was marked with 13 gunshots at morning and night - signifying the 13 original colonies.

First photo courtesy of Creativity + Timothy K Hamilton's Flickr Photostream.
Second photo courtesy of Albert Valentino.

Social Wellness Month

Improve your social skills this month, as July is Social Wellness Month! You may be asking yourself, "what is social wellness?" Well, Social Wellness deals with everything positive and helpful about communication and interacting with others. From making good impressions to sending thank you cards, this month is all about presenting yourself succinctly, positively, and effectively.

Make sure that you are open to change your communication and socializing habits before you turn to introspection. Ask yourself, "what can I do to improve the way that I interact with others?" In a more general sense, be sensitive to the needs of yourself and others and get in touch with what makes you tick as a person. On a corporate level, Social Wellness Month is a big deal. Giveaways and corporate gifts are what this month is all about. Some popular gifts and giveaways include customized planners, great tools to help employees stay organized and on top of their appointments; promotional plants, which help with feng shui and oneness with nature; and promotional recognition gift books and cards, which show appreciation for others and all that they do.

Bioterrorism/Disaster Education and Awareness Month

Think back on September 11th, the Tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina; you can never predict when a disaster will hit. That is why July marks the recognition of Bioterrorism/Disaster Education and Awareness Month. The purpose of this month is clear: to raise awareness for emergency preparedness in case a disaster were to hit. There are many different types of disasters, from natural disasters to bioterrorism, but whatever the emergency, it's important to educate yourself to be prepared. The Red Cross has compiled a guide to educate people on the different types of disasters and how to prepare for them. Utilize resources both online and off in order to educate and protect yourself and those you love in case of an emergency.

Throughout the month of July, take some time to sit down and discuss emergency procedures with your friends and family, and purchase first aid kits and other preparatory items to stock up on in case of a potential disaster. In the business world, companies often provide these items and kits as giveaways during the month of July in order to raise awareness for this critically important month. However you choose to observe it, make safety and preparedness your top priority this month in order to be ready in case a disaster strikes.