Tchotchkes & Tootsies

Unless your name is Tootsie or Roll, don't do it...

I recently saw a creative campaign commercial by US Senator Chuck Schumer, giving a lesson in Yiddish.

It caught my eye because one of my all-time favorite campaign words is tchotchke (Chahch-key), meaning a little trinket. Check it out:

Some candidates would rather spend money on shirts, hats, and coffee mugs with their name on it than good data (UGH! But I digress…). So why are you going to Costco the night before the parade and loading up on Tootsie Rolls? 

RUN AWAY FROM THE UNBRANDED TCHOTCHKE!

Now, I love a Tootsie Roll as much as the next parade-goer (as long as they’re not Halloween leftovers!), but why are you spending good money on anonymous giveaways? You can get branded Tootsie Rolls. And peppermints, and gum, and water, and freeze pops, and, and, and…

Pro-Tip: Never spend campaign money if it doesn’t have your logo!

DON’T:

• No one wants your walk card at the parade. They end up in the gutter or trampled on the parade route. 

• Prize for posting this blog with the most creative photo of campaign litter!

DO: 

• Pay attention to themes!

• To win the best-event-giveaway contest, think outside the Tootsie Roll! 

• All of these can be branded (and 100s more) or with your lapel sticker on them:

CONSIDER: 

1. What you’re running for: 

   1. School board: 

      1. Pencils

      2. Small rulers

      3. Apple themes: Refrigerator magnet school calendar

      4. Bookmarks: logo and important election dates

   2. City Council: 

      1. City themes – what is your community known for? 

   3. State House or Senate: 

      1. State themes: flower seeds, state nut or snack

      2. Campaign themes: “clean up” sponge

2. Candidate name/profession: 

   1. Sharp: Nail files, clippers, letter openers

   2. Beveridge/Beverage: reusable plastic cups

   3. Doctor: band-aid pack, first aid, ice pack

   4. Judge: pencil with “gavel” eraser

   5. Tech person: flash drive, tech tattoos, webcam covers, device wipes, pop sockets, chargers

3. Season: 

   1. Winter: 

      1. Hand warmers

      2. Hot chocolate packets

   2. Spring: 

      1. Flower seed packets

      2. Basketball magnet schedules (pro, college, high school)

   3. Summer: 

      1. Citronella (bug spray) bracelets

      2. Vegetable or herb seed packets

      3. Sunscreen packets

      4. Hand fans

1. 1. 1. Freeze pops (Chill out & vote XX)

      2. Water bottles

   2. Fall: 

      1. Apple cider packets 

      2. Seed packets (forget me not on Nov 7…)

      3. Football magnet schedules (pro, college, high school)

2. Event Type:

   1. Festival/Fair:

      1. Drink koozie (especially for lake/river/water themes)

      2. Mini basket/foot/baseball

   2. Circus/Carnival:

      1. Hand sanitizer packets

      2. Slap bracelets

      3. Glow bracelets or other glow items

      4. Popcorn in branded bags

   3. Parade: 

      1. My all-time favorite: CANDY BAGS! People forget to bring something to carry around all that unbranded candy!

         1. Pro-tip: “Seed” the parade route starting at the end just before the parade starts, then walk with your entry and hand out more bags to folks who filled in the route. 

         2. Everyone walks around advertising your logo, carrying the candy other candidates spent money on but have no name ID to show for it!

   4. Wine tasting events: 

      1. Bottle stoppers

      2. Wine pourers

3. Event theme: 

   1. Riverfest: koozies, inflatable drink coasters, mini beach balls

   2. BBQ or Chili cookoff: seasoning packets, spoons, wet wipes

   3. Holiday: peppermints, sticker sheets

   4. Halloween: glow sticks, keychain flashlights, 

4. Always winners: 

   1. Pens

   2. Chip clips

   3. Bottle opener

   4. Jar opener

   5. Reusable grocery bags

   6. Temporary Tattoos

   7. Easy-access calendars

Creative juices still not flowing? Contact Stephanie for pricing on any of these concepts and 100s more, customized to your district and event. Memorable giveaways voters use year after year create name ID at the ballot box year after year, too!