It's graduation season! Whether you're celebrating the little ones' moving up ceremony or congratulating those headed off to university, you're going to need a good gift. Let's go over what's hot right now.

1. Hoodies & t-shirts

Students love wearing their school pride; that's nothing new. But don't you want to buy apparel that's fashionable? Motivators offers trendy promotional clothing that your recipients are sure to fall in love with.  

2. Electronics

Kids these days are more tech-savvy than ever. If you want to give the graduating class something they'll really use, shop for popular electronics products and accessories. For example, at Motivators.com you'll find everything from iPad cases to microfiber cloths.

3. Kitchen & houseware

Need a little something to give to college graduates? Help them get started on life after school with gifts for the home. There are lots of options to choose from, including drinkware, measuring utensils and even ornaments.

Once you've chosen the perfect graudation present, be sure to add your school's name and logo. Students will hold onto your gift for the rest of their lives!

'Tis the season for new babies, or it may be just us at Motivators. We welcomed a few new members to the Motivators family this month! (Well, really this week.)

Three exciting births and the promotional gifts have been running wild. We made some really great items for the proud grandparents of twins and I am sure there will be plenty more personalized items for the newborns.

I know the joke is that newborns don't come with manuals, so it is always a trial period for everyone to get used to each other. But there are some great books with helpful hints, like "Health: Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care."

This Saturday, March 23, is my league's fantasy baseball draft. This is absolutely in the top five events of the year. We begin around noon: A little lunch, some playful banter about how bad every other team was the previous year, and chats about how our own teams are going to win it all.

We then take our seats. Some with partners others without. Papers, magazines even an adult beverage or two in front of us and the draft begins.

We have a 60-inch flat screen scrolling like ESPN across the bottom of the screen. Insults are aplenty and work is the last thing on all of our minds. Then some promotional gifts pop up.

The company that hosts our league sends us a board and t-shirts and a bobble head trophy. All of those items will go home with someone, and keep us reminded all year about their website.  Promotional items... You just can't get away :). 

It's Dec. 31, 2012, which means a new year begins tomorrow! How will you promote your brand in 2013? We've got a few ideas.

1. Go Green

If your business hasn't yet made any environmentally-friendly changes, 2013 is the year. As Americans become increasingly aware of their impact on the earth, you can't afford to be behind-the-times. Even small adjustments like switching to energy-efficient light bulbs can have a big impact. Your clients and customers are sure to notice, helping to position your brand as an eco-friendly one.

2. Customer Appreciation

Let's face it: Your business would be nothing without your customers. In 2013, make sure you show them how much you appreciate their business. Whether you decide to roll out a customer loyalty program or choose to offer promotional gifts, your recipients will love you for thinking of them. What a great way to make your brand stand out!

3. Be Social

Getting involved in social media has never been more important. If your company can't be found on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter, etc., then you're at a disadvantage. (Watch: Why Your Company Needs to Stop Ignoring Google+.) Having a presence on key social networks can help drive sales, improve SEO and increase brand exposure.

What other ways will you promote your brand in 2013?

It's not the holiday season until a couple of has-beens put out a Christmas album.

OK, that was a little harsh. But who thought it was a good idea to bring "Grease" co-stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John back together for a holiday CD? After all, Travolta's public image is not at its prime right now. (Who could forget all those massage lawsuits?)

Still, according to CBS News, the album, dubbed "This Christmas," is happening, and it will be in stores on Nov. 13.

All jokes aside (and whether or not you think the reunion is incredibly cheesy), we can at least appreciate that the Christmas CD will benefit some great causes.

CBS News explains: "Travolta and Newton-John will donate the artist proceeds from the album to their respective charities - the Jett Travolta Foundation, which works to combat children's disabilities, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center in Melbourne, Australia."

If you know any hardcore "Grease" fans, "This Christmas" may just be the ideal promotional gift! As for me, I'll probably just put this song on repeat for the entire holiday season.

I may not be a mom, but I always have a great time on Mother's Day. For the past couple of years, my family has done the same thing:  We meet up with my mom's brother and take my nonna out to brunch at her favorite diner!  I know diners aren't exactly fancy, but the food at this one is just incredible (which might explain why it took almost an hour to get a table)!

After a delicious breakfast, we went back to nonna's house to exchange gifts and enjoy each other's company.  Nonna is pretty much the only person in my family who has a green thumb, so I wasn't surprised by the fact that we all bought her flowers and other garden items as promotional gifts.  You should see her backyard -- it's full of thriving plant life!

Luckily the weather completely cooperated (75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky? Sounds ideal to me!); we were able to spend a majority of the afternoon in nonna's yard.  Check out some of the photos we took while relaxing outside: 

Afterward, my mom opened her own gifts.  We bought her a Pandora bracelet and customized it with charms we knew she'd love.  You should have seen her face as she opened the gifts -- she was so happy!

As you can see, we had a lovely time. How did you celebrate Mother's Day?

When I was a little kid, I remember one of the most exciting parts of Christmas was imagining where Santa Claus could be at any given moment.  I always found myself pondering how one man could travel across the globe in 24 hours, and when he'd get to my house with promotional gifts.  Of course, I was a child in the 1990s, and technology wasn't what it is today.

Now, little ones can get constant updates on jolly old Saint Nick's whereabouts thanks to OnStar and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).  According to CBS News, those who use OnStar will be able to click the blue OnStar button to receive an update on Mr. Claus' location.  To take it a step further, NORAD will provide tracking through apps on mobile devices and on Facebook, Google+, YouTube and Twitter.

Take a look at how it all works: 

It's a girl! Sunday, I attended my friend Gulizar's baby shower in New Jersey. She did not want a suprise or anything big. She just wanted just some close friends and family over her house. I decided to go over on Saturday to help her out with last minute things that needed to be done. Little did I know, her house was already full. Her mom and her mother-in-law came over with a bunch of other women cooking. We decided to get out while we can and went to another friends house to frost the cupcakes that I had made for the shower. We also did some final touches on the promotional gifts we put together as favors. Gulizar ordered customized tote bags, pens, notepads from Motivators for the games we would be playing at the shower. Gulizars small, intimate, shower turned out to be so much fun. I cannot wait to meet the little princess in two month. Her due date is February 14th!

As Christmas approaches, many are still scrambling to finish there holiday shopping. Every year I tell myself I would start early, but I end of doing it at the last minute. I did however managed to pick up atleast one present so far. Need something by friday? Look no further. Motivators still has some great Promotional Gifts, and Company Holiday Gifts that we can do a 1 day rush production on. Our Holiday collection can also help you narrow down your searches. I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holidays!!

If you're anything like me, you've waited until this week to start your holiday shopping.  I personally took advantage of Motivators' free shipping and free one-day rush on Leeds business gifts for my last-minute purchases, but there are other alternatives, too!  One such option is The Giftinator.

Mashable reports that The Giftinator is like "Chutes and Ladders for grown-ups who procrastinated in their holiday shopping."  You'll begin at the top, and then "follow the flow" until you find the ideal tech present for the man in your life based on his interests, what he already owns, and how skilled he is.  The Giftinator will then spit out cool gift ideas and provide more information for each.

The Giftinator even allows users to look at reviews and videos of promotional gifts, and directs you to the correct Web site to make a purchase.  Check out the infographic below for a more detailed look at how it works: