Spotlight On Stran
Nationwide Celebrations for the Stranimal Team 🥳
The end of the year is always a busy season, but it’s also a meaningful one. Across the country, our team comes together to show up for our communities, celebrate the season, and create moments of connection.
Click the + to see how the Stran team wrapped up 2025! 👇
Community Connections 🎁
The Stranimals continued our annual tradition of volunteering with Interfaith Social Services, helping organize and pack gifts for local families. This partnership has become a meaningful tradition for us, as it keeps us connected to our local community and reflects our values to always do the right thing and put people first.
Making Holiday Magic ✨
We set a goal to purchase 100 gifts for local families this year, and our team quickly surpassed it. In just 10 days, Stranimals around the country purchased 107 gifts for families in need right here in Quincy, MA.
In-House Festivities 🥳
We had several holiday celebrations at our locations throughout the US. Our warehouse team based in Walpole, MA took time for a holiday brunch, complete with ugly sweaters and a Yankee Swap. And for the first time, we were delighted to host a friends and family Holiday party at our HQ in Marina Bay. On the West Coast, the Gander squad also held celebrations to mark the holidays and welcome in the new year. And just before the holidays, some of our Stranimals in the Midwest convened for strategic planning and in-person connection!
We always love opportunities to get together IRL, and the holidays bring a little extra joy to those meet-ups. We can’t wait for more time spent together in 2026!
Product Picks:
Swag for a Fresh Start ✨
January is about setting the tone. After a busy Q4, people are craving gifts that feel grounding, useful, and personal. The most effective January merch doesn’t shout “new year, new you.”
Instead, it can support better routines, healthier habits, and moments of pause.
This month’s Product Picks lean into that mindset: thoughtful items that meet people where they are and set the tone for the year ahead.
Click the + to check out the picks! 👇
Set the Scene with Yankee Candle
There’s a reason candles remain a go-to gift year after year: they’re comforting, familiar, and easy to integrate into daily life. A small tumbler candle works just as well on a desk as it does on a nightstand, making it an ideal choice for both employee and client gifting.
Subtle branding on these Yankee Candle classics keeps the focus on the experience, not the logo. The result is a gift that feels intentional. It's a reminder to slow down, reset, and create space in the middle of busy routines.
Clear the Clutter With This Space-Saving Charger
A fresh start often begins with less clutter. This foldable 3-in-1 wireless charger powers a phone, watch, and earbuds at the same time. Its compact, travel-friendly design makes it easy to integrate into daily routines, while its premium materials and thoughtful engineering give it a retail-level feel.
As a branded gift, it’s practical, modern, and earns daily use — exactly what you want when you’re setting the tone for the year ahead.
Why These Picks Work for January
Both of these items share something important: they help your audience get clear, start fresh, and put their resolutions into action. They're truly functional on a daily basis, making them more appreciated by your audience and more impactful for your brand.
Industry News
Next Stop: Tradeshow Season ✈️
A new year means new opportunities, and January is the perfect time to start planning your 2026 event strategy. For teams planning to table, network, or build new partnerships, success doesn’t come from showing up — it comes from showing up prepared.
As we gear up for events like the PPAI Expo, we’re sharing a few tried-and-true tips for making the most of any event.
Click the + to see our tradeshow & event checklist! 👇
Start With the Why
Before you order swag or book travel, get aligned on your goal. Are you there to generate leads, build partnerships, strengthen existing relationships, or spot trends? When the goal is clear, every decision has a purpose.
Prep Your Message
You don’t need a pitch deck, but you do need clarity. A simple intro, a few repeatable talking points, and a clear next step make conversations feel natural instead of forced, whether you’re behind a table or meeting people between sessions.
Use Merch to Support the Conversation
If you’re tabling, use merch to reinforce interactions with your booth. Choose items that align with your brand, feel useful to your audience, and help your message travel beyond the show floor in a way that feels intentional.
Design for Engagement
Merch giveaways are always popular, but activations can help create moments that invite people to pause and connect. Simple experiences like product demos, charging stations, creative activities, or even a snack station can encourage attendees to linger at your booth and start conversations.
Think Beyond the Booth
The real ROI of events comes after the show ends. Follow up with new connections while conversations are still fresh, coordinate internally to share insights, and consider post-event touchpoints — like a thoughtful follow-up gift or casual meetup — to keep the momentum going.
From The Blog
High-Impact Gifting for 2026 🎁
Corporate gifting is powerful, but only when it’s done with intention. In our latest blog, we break down why thoughtful, well-timed gifts continue to outperform digital-only touchpoints and how brands can approach gifting more strategically in 2026.
From onboarding and events to recognition and retention, this guide covers what actually makes a gift resonate, and how to avoid gifting that feels forgettable.
Click to read the full blog! 👇
