Giving Back to Your Employees' Furry Friends

These past few months have been far from the usual, but one of the advantages to a global lockdown is staying at home with our furry friends. And more importantly, getting to work alongside them every day. Working from home with your pet(s) can add many benefits to your day-to-day life, so we wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you and give back to our furry friends.

Working with your pet not only allows for a comfortable work-home balance during the day, but it can also lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels. Petting an animal releases dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which can improve our mood and make us feel happy. If you’re feeling down, your serotonin and dopamine levels are probably low.

That being said, feel free to stop and pet your furry friend as much as you’d like throughout your workday because it’s only going to make you happier and healthier!

So, it’s been scientifically proven that pets significantly decrease the likelihood of a person developing anxiety or depression, but did you know it also has the same effect on your pet? Once a pet falls into the routine of the owner being home all day, every day, they start to become relaxed and less anxious about being separated from you.

Routines, in general, are well-received by pets because they provide stability and continuity. Knowing that they’ll be fed in the same place at the same time every day, or let out to use the bathroom every four hours like clockwork, are just two examples of how staying at home allows for routines to be made, resulting in a happier pet. Doing this will make for an even stronger bond between you and your furry friend.

Also, being given the opportunity to work from home can give a person more “free time” during the day, allowing them the time needed to adopt a pet. If you haven’t heard, there’s been a significant decrease in the number of animals up for adoption in shelters all over the country. More and more people are using their time and resources towards giving a pet the life of their dreams which is yet another great way to give back to not only yourself but the pet as well.

And for all the cat lovers out there, June is National Adopt a Cat Month! Be sure to hug your cats tight and tell them how much they mean to you! Also, if anyone you know is looking for a new furry friend to call their own, consider suggesting the adoption of a cat. There are plenty of furry felines of all kinds that are just waiting to find their “furever” homes!

From everyone at Skylight Creative, we want to give a special shoutout to all of our cat-owning customers and their furry felines. Happy National Cat Month, and be sure to check out our selection of cat toys and products. Showing your employees that you care about their pets shows that you care about them, too!

As always, if you have questions or want to learn more about Skylight Creative, give us a call at 410.879.8401 at or contact us on the website.

Sweet Treats: The M&M

The M&M is a classic Mars candy that we all know and love. These round, mini treats give us
just the perfect amount of chocolatey goodness in every one. Over the years, M&M’s grew and
evolved, offering several different flavor varieties. Here is all you need to know about the great
M&M.

The Infamous “M”

Many people think that the “M” on the M&M candies stand for Mars, which is partially true, but
there is more to the story. Frank C Mars founded Mars Inc. in 1911, but passed it down to his
son Forrest Mars Sr. upon his retirement.

Forrest Mars Sr. traveled abroad and noticed British
soldiers were eating small candies with a small center and hard shell, which was very
convenient for the summertime.

Upon his return, he found a new partner, William Murrie, the
son of the president of Hershey’s, and called their company Mars & Murrie. In 1941, the Plain
M&M Chocolate Candies were introduced.

Popularity Increase

When M&M’s first came out in the 40’s, they were only sold to the U.S Armed Forces. This is
because the chocolate candies were heat resistant and good for long travel. They are still
included in MRE (Meals ready to eat) rations for soldiers.

However, they began selling these candies to the public and by the 1950’s, M&M’s became so popular that many companies have tried to imitate it. This is when the “M” was stamped onto each candy to differentiate it from imposters.

In 1954, the M&M Peanut Chocolate Candies were introduced and the color used to
stamp the “m” changed from black to white.

Out of This World

Mars & Murrie began to butt heads when M&M’s gained popularity, ending with Mars buying the
company back in only his name. In the 1980’s M&M’s made history by being the first candy to
go to outer space. The Columbia Space Shuttle chose M&M’s as their snack of choice to take
on their journey in 1981.

M&M’s made history again in 1984 when the Olympics named them the official snack of the
Olympics. During the 80’s, M&M’s also went global, reaching Asia, Australia, Europe, and
Russia.

Customized Candies

In 2004, M&M launched “My M&M’s”, an online service that allows consumers to customize
messages on their chocolate candies. This was a great advance in the promotional product
industry, allowing people to create customized candies for company events, weddings,
birthdays, and more.

Contact Skylight Creative Ideas Today for Your Customized Candies!

Skylight Creative Ideas, Inc. has been a leader in the promotional products industry since
1977. Our goal is to provide top-notch customer service, innovative ideas, and high quality
products to help our clients exceed their marketing objectives.

Located in Bel Air, MD, we have access to over 750,000 promotional products and can help
your business with anything from awards to corporate apparel.

For more information, contact us at (410)-879-8401 or visit our website www.skylightcreativeideas.com to see all of the products we have to offer!

The History of the Hoodie

The fall season is finally here and that means hoodie season is here as well! The cooler weather is the perfect time to put on your favorite hoodie and cozy up by the fire. Have you ever wondered where the hoodie began? Here is some insight on the history of the hoodie.

The First Hooded Garments

The word “hood” is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word “höd” meaning hat. The very first hooded garments are traced back to the 12th century. The outdoor workers wore capes with hoods and the Monks wore tunics with hoods.

The First Hooded Sweatshirt

The U.S apparel company Champion was founded in 1919. They were actually the first company to create a hooded sweatshirt in the U.S in the 1930’s. Founded in upstate New York, the original purpose of the hoodie was to keep workers warm during the cold winter season. Champion also sold sports kits to the U.S military which included hoodies for them to wear during training.

The Fashion Transition

Hoodies didn’t become a fashion statement until the 1970’s, starting with the Rocky movie. This movie told the story of a boxer named Rocky Balboa and he wore a hoodie throughout the movie. Around the same time, hip hop culture developed in New York and hoodies became an item of fashion. 

American designer Norma Kamali was one of the first to feature a hoodie sweatshirt on a catwalk. Universities also began embroidering customized hoodies with their names for students to purchase and wear to represent their schools. Hoodies have taken off ever since and their popularity doesn’t seem to be declining any time soon.

Contact Skylight Creative Ideas Today for Your Custom Hoodies!

Skylight Creative Ideas, Inc. has been a leader in the promotional products industry since 1977. Our goal is to provide top-notch customer service, innovative ideas, and high quality products to help our clients exceed their marketing objectives. 

Located in Bel Air, MD, we have access to over 750,000 promotional products and can help your business with anything from awards to corporate apparel. For more information, contact us at (410)-879-8401 or visit our website www.skylightcreativeideas.com to see all of the products we have to offer!

Do Stress Balls Really Work?

Life can be quite overwhelming at times and we don’t always have instant relief when we get stressed out. Stress balls were invented in the 80’s as a quick way to let off some steam. Often times, you will find a stress ball sitting on someone’s office desk. Some people may regularly squeeze them, while others seem to just use them as an office accessory. Have you ever tried to squeeze a stress ball when you feel overwhelmed? Did you feel any relief? Here is what you need to know about stress balls and their uses.

How Stress Balls Work

High stress levels can eventually begin to affect your physical and mental health. Maintaining a low level of stress really helps to improve your quality of life. There are several ways to relieve stress and stress balls are often overlooked. 

Typically, they are made of a gel and are designed to fit in the palm of your hand. When you squeeze the stress ball, it activates the muscles in both your hands and wrists. Releasing your grip then allows the muscles to relax. This repeated motion helps to alleviate tension and relieve stress.

Physical Injuries

Though stress balls are known to be for mental stress, they also are great for soothing hand and wrist injuries as well. It is a tool used for physical therapy when hand and wrist muscles weaken due to a sprain, arthritis, or daily use. To use the stress to rehabilitate muscles, you have to hold it in the palm of your hand and squeeze as tight as you can. 

Hold this tight grip for about five seconds then release the stress ball. You want to repeat this about 10 times in one sitting. You can also use a firm stress ball as a foot massager. Slowly roll your feet over the stress ball to relieve muscle tension and soreness.

Other Uses

Stress balls are versatile and don’t only have to be used when you are feeling tense. You can use a stress ball during work meetings to ensure that you are remaining alert and attentive. When you feel yourself getting tired, bored, or disinterested, use a stress ball to keep your hands occupied and help to keep you awake. 

Stress balls are great to use for gift bags at business trade shows and conferences since the workplace is the most common place to find them! You can also use a stress ball as a way to enhance communication skills in your home. If you are having a family meeting, use the stress ball to designate whose turn it is to speak. This helps to encourage healthy communication and listening skills

Contact Skylight Creative Ideas for Your Promotional Product Needs!

Skylight Creative Ideas, Inc. has been a leader in the promotional products industry since 1977. Our goal is to provide top-notch customer service, innovative ideas, and high quality products to help our clients exceed their marketing objectives. 

Located in Bel Air, MD, we have access to over 750,000 promotional products and can help your business with anything from awards to corporate apparel. For more information, contact us at (410)-879-8401 or visit our website www.skylightcreativeideas.com to see all of the products we have to offer!

Holiday Items

The holiday season is filled with gifts and holiday spirit. Skylight Creative Ideas prints a lot more than pens and notepads for the office. We offer a wide range of seasonal products that serve as the perfect gift and products that can spark holiday spirit.

Here are three featured products for the month of December.


Snowman Tower

This adorable Snowman Tower is filled with delicious gourmet treats including peppermint bark, extra fancy jumbo cashews and four Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares. After the treats have been enjoyed, the snowman makes a great holiday centerpiece. This item is perfect to send to a business partner, for your own office or to send to family and friends. 

Personalized Ornaments 

Shatter Resistant, Round, Christmas Tree Decor, Hanging. 

Order a personalized ornament for everyone in your family or office. 

Santa Hat



Felt, Santa, Headwear, Pom Pom, Contrast Band, Triangular, 1 Size Fits Most.

These hats are sure to bring out holiday fun where ever they are worn. 

Look For a Partner, Not a Pitch

You can’t drive people to a website, if you give them the wrong web address.

Walking through a trade show many of the tables are giving out free products ranging from pens and pencils to mousepads and keychains. The room is full of marketing products driving traffic to organizations handing out branded collateral. But what happens when the product you are handing out doesn’t have the correct contact information? What happens when you don’t catch it but a potential customer does?