Promotional products are perhaps the most popular corporate gifts. And it probably wouldn’t surprise many to learn that it seems that the “pen” is the most relied upon business gift among the hundreds of thousands of choices that exist. Sure, they’re practical and useful – and so are a number of other common business and corporate gifts. But there are so many other choices out there.

It’s important to keep the promotional products choices simple and convention. At the same time, simple and convention can break the mould and become more creative and artistic – a beautiful garment or print with an artistic touch and professional design will be cherished.

J.S. Rangi, founder of Monsoon Corporate Business Gifts, Montreal, Canada, offered some of the following tips for event planners and others who are searching for creative corporate business gifts that will really make an impression:

1) Give business gifts that people will use.
A tote bag, an umbrella, a scarf, a blanket--these are all everyday items which people use and interact with. Make these everyday items beautiful and they will be much more appreciated. A less practical item like an ornate vase, on the other hand, may just lie forgotten at the back of a cupboard.

2) Imprint designs and themes relevant to the event.
You want people to associate the design of your corporate business gift with the event, without being blatant or overly promotional. Designs with relevant logos, paintings, or symbols are a great way to evoke a concept without spelling it out. A corporate business gift design for a lawyer’s association, for instance, might feature justice scales. Or consider featuring a cityscape of the conference location.

3) Balance corporate gifts with originality and taste. It is important to be original, but the design of an artistic corporate business gift also needs to appeal to a wide audience of people. It is best to get something that is not too "out there", but still unique. If you get a print in a wild art deco style, it might not match with everyone's décor. That said, don't be too safe, either. Stay away from too much black and brown and grey, and don’t be afraid of a little color.

4) Limit the use of brand messages and corporate logos. 
Whether you go with full-out promotional branding will depend on the corporate business gift you select. Depending on the item, branding can compromise the appeal of a corporate business gift. Tote bags are a great opportunity to promote future events, for instance, but branding is not a good idea for a print which people will put on their wall.