Glam on the Go
Find TSA-approved sizes of up-market brand toiletries and
beauty products ($3 and up) at 3floz.com. Handy kits containing a
variety of products also are available. (212) 791-3331
Mood Lighting
Votive holders covered in Japanese chiyogami ("old paper") are gorgeous on their own as centerpieces; they're even more stunning when lit. Price: $54 for set of a dozen assorted prints. etsy.com
Sweet Sounds
Make a colorful eco-statement with these boom boxes, fashioned from candy packaging. Just scatter them around an event space and connect them to a sound system via the 1/8-inch stereo jack. They work well as gifts, too. Cost: $19.99 each. (888) 651-7900; merkuryinnovations.com
Step It Up
For trade-show booths and entrances to conventions and special events, consider printing your logo or design on the floor. Durable Promofloor vinyl tiles can be customized with graphics or photographs. Cost: from $15 per square foot. (888) 848-8748; promofloor.com
Red Rules
Most people know to order white wine with fish. Give them a pleasant surprise by recommending both a red and white wine. The tannins in red wines react with the iodine in fish, creating a metallic taste, so for red, pick a wine low in tannins, like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir, suggests Carolyn Evans Hammond (wine-tribune.com), wine expert and author of Good, Better, Best Wines.
Out of the Box
Because of its low price and lightweight, glass-free packaging, box wine is an all-around smart idea for outdoor events. But rather than showing guests the incriminating box, remove the pouch from any 3-liter box and place it in this stylish reusable Baggy Wine Coat. For white wine, slip an ice pack into the bag before serving. The Baggy Wine Coat comes in black, white or red; Cost: $69.95.
Top Seed
Seed-paper business cards not only look and feel natural, they also grow flowers if you plant them. Cost 70 cents each (minimum orders of 250). (800) 525-9600; motivators.com
Sticky Situation
Put your logo practically anywhere with customized vinyl stickers, die-cut in the shape of the logo. They can be used as event decoration, because they peel right off surfaces. Or hand them out at trade shows, as they also work well as laptop or window decals. Cost: from $6.99 per page. (877) 437-8825; stickeryou.com
Put 'Er There
These charger caddies are incredibly basic, but they will quickly become essential. The Socket Pocket attaches to any standard dual-socket electric outlet and provides a place to leave devices -- cell phone, PDA, music player -- while they're charging. Logoed, the chargers cost $3.95 each (with no setup fee for 500 or more pieces). (626) 698-1183; tbdpromos.com
No Taxi Necessary
When visiting major cities, attendees might be wary of traveling via an often convoluted public transportation system. World traveler Michael Brein has compiled pocket sightseeing guides for 20 cities, with advice on how best to use buses and subways to get around. The guides, the ideal length for a short visit, cost $12 each (including $2 for shipping and handling); 50 percent off for orders of 50 or more (some are available as iPhone apps for $1.99). (888) 800-8685; michaelbrein.com
Decisions, Decisions
RuMe reusable bags are extremely sturdy and have long handles and square bottoms for easier carrying. They come in so many patterns and sizes, you'll surely find one that attendees will want to save (and reuse). Bulk cost for medium-sized bags: $5.99 for 100; price includes a one-color logo. (303) 339-9609; rumebags.com
Dynamic Duo
Believe it or not, a hot new combination in the foodie world is chocolate with beer. Organic, free-trade chocolate purveyor Theo offers Chocolate & Beer Pairing Kits, which contain five bars of the confection, plus instructions and a place mat for tasting notes. Host a pairing party (each kit can be used for up to 10 people), or give the kit as a gift. The company offers a wine-pairing kit, too. Each kit costs $24, with a 5 percent discount on orders over $500. (206) 632-5100; theochocolate.com