THE CHRISTMAS "STRENNA"

December is the month of the Christmas "strenna".

But what does this word mean? What are its origins? And how has it evolved over the centuries?

The Christmas "strenna" is not a generic gift, but a real act of courtesy and attention. It’s a way to remember and thank the people who receive it, a special way to communicate respect and gratitude.

WHAT IS THE ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD STRENNA?

"Strenna" is a word that dates back to the time of Ancient Rome. It comes from the Latin "strena" which means "gift for good omen", a meaning that has undoubtedly maintained over time.

In Ancient Rome, during the holidays called Saturnalia in honor of the God Saturn - which were celebrated during the month of December, usually from 17 to 23 (https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnali) - they exchanged gifts of a propitiatory and copiousness nature (usually laurel, mistletoe and votive statuettes).

Some historians attribute the etymology of the word "strenna" to the Goddess Strenia (https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strenia), a Roman deity, symbol of the new year, prosperity and good luck.

This tradition, typical of the Saturnalia festivals, was rather transversal as it concerned not only the wealthy classes, but also the poorest, including the slaves who, during this time of the year, were allowed to participate in the exchange of gifts as a sign of benevolence.

WHAT WAS THE CHRISTMAS STRENNA IN ANCIENT ROME?

The ancient Romans used to exchange baskets of dried fruit and spices. A custom that has been maintained over time and that still characterizes the Christmas strenna: giving food continues to be a common and appreciated trend.

In the essay "The Christmas Present. History of an invention" by the sociologist Martyne Perrot, it is described how, until the nineteenth century, the word "strenna" was used more than the word "gift". This was due to the fact that the strenne had an unusual peculiarity in the world of objects: according to tradition, it was believed that they fell from the sky, that they had therefore a supernatural and magical origin (the same magic atmosphere that later on would be inherited by the christian Christmas).

It’s also interesting to know that, in ancient time, the Christmas strenna was not wrapped. This custom was born at the end of the 19th century, a period in which the need for surprise and unveiling arose.

Christmas Time

Christmas is one of the best times to be able to consolidate your image towards customers, potential or real; it is the right opportunity to make a good impression, to enter people’s hearts by choosing the right gift in relation to your brand and the message you want to convey.

How do you choose the right gift?

First of all, it should be chosen in time and it is crucial to convey the message correctly: for example, a sports club or a gym could focus on bamboo mats, a clinic could choose pens with an original design. The message is clear and simple and it says: "Dear customers, thank you for choosing us".

The message must be supported by attractive graphics and impeccable customization.

For this reason, it is important to contact established companies that know how to guide their customers; for this, we have trained staff members, ready to support you in every phase of the promotion and a company in which the collaboration between the sales and marketing department is at your disposal.

But what do your customers like to receive?

The ideas are many! The technological gift is always among the most innovative, like the Christmas ball with wireless speaker that can be connected to a Christmas playlist. Just remember, it is essential for any product you choose to stay in the customer’s heart and if you can have the wow factor ... then you won.

Green Christmas

Environmental talk is now essential for your image; going on eco-sustainable products is in itself one of the important messages to convey: we think of our customers respecting the environment.

There are many products with low environmental impact, not only beautiful but also useful, such as Impact items (https://water.org).

These are just some of the many choices you can make, and with the right agency you can be sure to stay in the hearts of your customers for a long time.

THE VALUE OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS: PRINTING TECHNIQUES AND PERSONALIZATION

“Let's dress your passion!” is the motto of Stegip 4 Communication, this means giving life to an exclusive promotional item, not only realizing it but building a communication tailored to each customer.

To do this, it is essential to choose, in addition to the right item, the most suitable customization technique to correctly convey the message of a Brand and make it memorable.

Our know-how is expressed not only in the careful selection of gadgets, but also in the customization phase, thanks to an internal department of graphic design, which produces renders to allow the customer to view the final result before production. The gadgets we offer to our customers are always enriched by the logo and graphic elements in line with the coordinated image.

There are several customization techniques for promotional items:

1. SERIGRAPHY, a technique in which the color is passed through a thin-weave frame directly on the surface of the gadget to customize. The ink is passed with a light pressure using a spatula. Serigraphy is one of the most popular printing techniques in the commercial sector and is widely used for printing images and graphics on materials such as plastic, nylon, fabric and metal.

2. LASER is the technique that most of all leaves a permanent imprint on the object and gives a visual effect of great impact. Unlike serigraphy (only used on flat surfaces), the laser technique can also be used on uneven surfaces or difficult to reach corners of the object. We recommend laser customization for promotional pens, key-chains, usb sticks, wooden and glass gadgets.

3. TAMPOGRAPHY, a customization technique able to reproduce - easily, quickly and with excellent results - logos and graphic elements. Using a soft and flexible buffer, the ink is transferred to the surface of the object to be customised. Tampography works like a real stamp, precise, sharp and quick. It’s the right customization method to reproduce images and graphics on any type of surface, whether flat or uneven. Tampography is also perfect for reproducing small prints.

4. EMBROIDERY, a customization technique - generally used on promotional clothing - that allows us to enhance logos and decorations. The final result is very refined.

5. TRANSFER, consists of a digital print on a sheet of paper prepared for hot transfer on the object, through a hot press that makes the printed support stick on the fabric. The transfer technique is particularly suitable for multicolour printing, as it allows you to limit the costs related to the customization of the gadget. Ideal for fabrics.
   

Stegip 4 Communication, depending on the type of gadget - according to the materials and the final use - carefully chooses the customization techniques best suited for a result that can enhance the meaning and message of the object.