Snack Solution
GoPicnic offers boxed meals that feed groups without hassle and for much less than lunch usually costs. The mini meals, with options such as hummus and crackers or salami and cheese, aren't flashy but can hit the spot on a tight budget. For orders of up to 1,056 meals, cost $3.25 each; up to 10,000 meals, $2.50 per meal; more than 10,000 meals, $2.40 each. Custom labeling is available. (773) 328-2490; gopicnic.com
All in the Wrist
Before the gala evening, hand out logoed cuff links as gifts. They display a logo front-and-center in a smart, stylish way -- and they might even become a collector's item. The cuff links cost $35 per pair for the minimum order of just 10 pairs, and $30 for orders of more than 25 pairs. (877) 283-3565; cufflinks.com
Peel and Enjoy
Bananagrams, a fast-paced new game reminiscent of Scrabble, works well as an icebreaker for groups of up to eight (multiple sets can be used for larger groups). Each player must form a network of connecting words from the letter tiles they get (number of tiles is based on number of players); the first person to run out of letters wins. To make things more fun, require that all words relate in some way to your company or industry. Afterward, give the games away to the winners. Bananagrams retails for $14.95 per set. (401) 781-9649; bananagrams-intl.com
The Nose Knows
Purell doesn't do much good when the virulent germs are in the air. For tight situations, such as an airplane or a sneezy meeting room, dab some Nozin Nasal Sanitizer inside the nostrils. It has a pleasant citrus scent and lasts up to eight hours. A bottle with 60 doses, plus 30 applicators, costs $12.99 here. nozin.com
One-Bite Bliss
If you're getting into a rut with passed hors d'oeuvres, take a look at the creations in these recipe books. Author Kim Hendrickson fits macaroni and cheese into a cherry tomato and an entire "Thanksgiving meal" onto the base of an endive leaf. A savvy caterer or hotel F&B department should be able to replicate these recipes for the masses. The books cost $18.95 each. salviapress.com
Take Charge
By this point, we all have so many chargers, it makes packing significantly more complex. This universal charger is sleek and highly adaptable, comes in many colors and weighs less than a pound. Just make sure to pick the correct fittings for your devices. The IDAPT i4 costs $59.99. idaptweb.com
App-roved
In case you've been living under a rock for the past two years, apps for iPads, iPhones and other smartphones can be extremely useful for almost any task and are often free. That said, sorting through the dross to find the best ones is not something most people have time for. Instead, check out meetingapps.com, which lists planner-approved apps for meetings. Thanks to James Spellos, founder and president of Meeting U. (meeting-u.com), for the suggestion.
White Magic
If you're holding a meeting in a room without a whiteboard, make your own with Wizard Wall. Simply unroll a piece of the clingy white film and cut it, and it will stick to any indoor surface without adhesives. Unlike with a whiteboard, you can write on the Wizard Wall with permanent marker and save it for later. A starter pack costs $128.50. wizardwall.com
Pie Break
In the typical break, attendees feed, ingest caffeine and return to breakout sessions. Encourage interactivity and stimulate creativity by adding a DIY aspect to the snack. Loews Hotels, for example, offers a "Makin' Whoopie" break, in which attendees assemble whoopie pies, selecting among two cake types and three different filling flavors. An optional chocolate dip turns it into a Moon Pie. loewshotels.com
Stem Wares
This clever bud vase imagines a root system for whatever flower its owner puts in it. It's small and useful enough to work well as a holiday gift. The Nekko Bud Vase costs $30 each; bulk pricing is available. (978) 443-4308; www.japanesemoderndesign.com
Puppet Masters
For years, the intelligentsia have been gifting the tongue-in-cheek Magnetic Personalities, refrigerator-magnet finger puppets of history's greatest personages. Now with just a photo of the CEO or an image of the company mascot, The Unemployed Philosophers Guild can make a customized Magnetic Personality. The custom puppets cost between $2.75 and $4, with a minimum order of 500 pieces. (718) 243-9492; philosophersguild.com/wholesale
Knit Pick
Knits are on-trend in fashion right now, and knitting itself is gaining popularity as a hobby. Wool and the Gang sells designer knit kits that include needles, yarn and simple instructions. Kits start at $59; for recipients without time on their hands, the finished products are also available for purchase. (212) 966-9266; usa.woolandthegang.com