Merchandise Monday: ‘Q it Up!

Spring is officially here, as of tomorrow, and not to jinx anybody, but here at Hinda, we’ve been experiencing some unseasonably warm weather for mid-March. While we’re all crossing fingers, toes and every other crossable body part hoping the nice weather sticks around, some great new backyard merchandise has conveniently come down the pipeline. Since our neighbors didn’t feel it was too early in the season for a barbeque, we think that gives us license to go ahead and talk grilling and chilling in this week’s Merchandise Monday.

The Grills

Coleman® RoadTrip® Charcoal Grill

Ideal for on-the-go grilling, the RoadTrip charcoal grill features 225 square inches of cooking area, a durable steel construction and a lightweight, easy to transport design. The porcelain-coated grate is easy to clean up and ash removal is a cinch. If you haven’t planned your next road trip yet, you’d better start now.

Coleman RoadTrip Propane Grill

The RoadTrip propane grill provides powerful, open-flame grilling anytime, anywhere. With the same great features as the charcoal grill, plus an 11,000-BTU burner and a fixed regulator, you’re barbeque-ready whether on the road or in the comforts of your own backyard.

The Chills

Coleman 24-Can Party Stacker™ Cooler

Take your summer parties to the next level with the 24-Can Party Stacker cooler. This monster is wide enough to fit a 13" x 9" pan and is stackable with multiple coolers, so you can separate your hard drinks from your soft, and keep your garage relatively clutter-free. Molded handles provide comfort for carrying from party to party all summer long.

Coleman 48-Can Party Stacker Cooler

Not to be outdone, this version holds double the amount of cans while retaining all the same features as its 24-can-holding counterpart. Be the hit of the block party or barbeque when you bust out this giant of the can-cooling world. Get ready for a busy summer, because you’ll no doubt receive many a barbeque invite after debuting this cooler.

CreativeWare™ Beverage Dispenser

Great for entertaining or for everyday use for the iced tea or lemonade enthusiast, the beverage dispenser holds three gallons of your favorite summer beverage. The wide-mouth lid is easy to fill, and an ice compartment in the base keeps your beverage extra cool. Use this dispenser indoors or out and keep your guests happy and hydrated all day.

Are you getting hungry yet? Do you have big plans for the summer, or are you just looking to catch up on your R and R? Are you a regular host of big summer barbeques, or do others host and you just show up ready to party? Consider this your invitation to comment below. 

Merchandise Tuesday: Giving Back

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, often we forget to slow down, take a step back and pay attention to some of the issues that seem to slip through the cracks. Many companies are becoming more and more aware of their impact on the environment, and as a result, trying to adopt a more green way of doing business. Other corporations are concerned with social issues, and asking what they can do to contribute to their communities. Then there are the places out there that are focused on the global scale, doing whatever they can to enrich the lives of those less fortunate. These issues are just some of the problems we all tend to put on the back burner until we have more time or resources to take action. The good news is many companies are starting to tie their corporate social responsibility plans into their incentives programs.

At Hinda, our awards assortment features all kinds of products brought to us by Helping Hand Rewards, or HHR. HHR connects you with established social enterprises and fair trade organizations that manufacture unique, high-quality good with the sole mission of helping people earn a living and feed their families. From jewelry to bath products, housewares to gourmet food, these products are attractive and well made. Here are just a few samples of items created by some of HHR’s partners:

• Bath and Spa products feature items from Pure Eden™ and Bright Endeavors. Both of these organizations help women learn employment skills and provide job training so they can get ahead in life. Pure Eden’s products include fair trade and green soaps, lotions and travel spa kits for both women and men. Bright Endeavors creates its signature Dreambean soy candle tins in a variety of scents and sizes.
• Jewelry and Accessories products feature handmade bracelets from Mary Fisher and Moda Esperanza. Mary Fisher works to provide employment opportunities to HIV-positive women in Africa. Fisher designs the bracelets, which are intricately stitched and beaded by the women, who receive all profits from sales. Moda Esperanza helps women and single mothers in Honduras to earn a fair wage. These women create unique bracelets out of recycled pop tabs.
• Gourmet Food from Lambs Farm includes tins of cookies, toffee, chocolate and jars of jams produced by the longstanding organization, which focuses on empowering adults with developmental disabilities to lead enriched lives as independently as possible. Not only does the baking help the participants learn new skills, it also helps them cultivate their talent, which is a focus area for Lambs Farm.

This is just a small sampling of the socially responsible items Hinda has in its assortment. These products are not only great for employee recognition and corporate holiday gifts, but by redeeming these items, you are helping to enrich the lives of people around the globe who are struggling to put food on the table, working toward gaining important job skills or emotionally isolated from the rest of society due to unplanned pregnancy or developmental disabilities. When you choose a socially responsible gift, you are not just rewarding your employees or yourself, you are giving the gift of empowerment to the loving and motivated hands that stitched, baked and crafted these fine products.

Merchandise Monday: Awards Oscar® Would be Jealous of

Did everyone tune in to last night’s Academy Awards® ceremony? Were you shocked/amazed/appalled/indifferent to learn that “The Artist” took home the Oscar for Best Picture? Were you as broken up as we were to hear that “Bridesmaids” was snubbed for everything? Guess you can’t win them all.

In honor of Oscar Night, we’re focusing on recent DVD and Blu-ray™ additions to Hinda’s merchandise assortment. Some are Academy Award-winners themselves, and others are just really good flicks – but all are “A” list award choices. And this month’s winners are…:

Best Picture Academy Award WinnersFive Film Collection on Blu-ray and DVD

Why waste your time on sub-par films when you can build your collection with five amazing movies that all won the Academy Award for Best Picture? The Best Picture Academy Award Winner set brings together for the first time “The English Patient” (1996), “Shakespeare in Love” (1998), “Chicago” (2002), “Crash” (2005) and “No Country for Old Men” (2007). Experience the best of cinema all over again with touching stories, quality filmmaking and exceptional acting as these films make their way back into your home and your heart.

“The Help” on DVD

The #1 New York Timesbestseller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. Led by Emma Stone, Academy Award-nominated Viola Davis (Best Supporting Actress, “Doubt”, 2008), Octavia Spencer (who just won Best Supporting Actress for this film) and Bryce Dallas Howard, “The Help” is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project - one that breaks society's rules and puts them all at risk.

“Kung Fu Panda Collection” on DVD

Get your Fu fix with the “Kung Fu Panda Collection” on DVD. The collection features “Kung Fu Panda”, “Kung Fu Panda 2” and “Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters.” Jack Black is perfect as the voice of Po, a noodle-slurping dreamer who must embrace his true self - fuzzy flaws and all - in order to become the Dragon Warrior in the Academy Award-nominated original. In round two, which was also nominated for an Academy Award, Po must lead his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five, on a mission of epic proportions to defeat his most threatening rival yet. Finally, get ready for even more awesomeness in the world premiere of an all-new “Kung Fu Panda” adventure, “Secrets of the Masters.”

“Real Steel” on Blu-ray + DVD Combo and DVD

Enter the not-so-distant future, where boxing has gone high-tech and 2,000-pound, eight feet tall steel robots have taken over the ring. Hugh Jackman stars as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter turned small-time promoter in “Real Steel”, a riveting, white-knuckle action ride that will leave you cheering. Visually stunning and complete with knockout bonus material, “Real Steel” is a pulse-pounding, inspirational adventure filled with heart and soul.

“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1” – Special Edition on Blu-ray and Two-Disc DVD

In the highly anticipated fourth installment of “The Twilight Saga”, a marriage, honeymoon and the birth of a child bring unforeseen and shocking developments for Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) and those they love, including new complications with werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). This special edition includes a six-part making-of documentary, Edward and Bella's personal wedding video, a glimpse into Jacob's destiny and audio commentary with director Bill Condon.

What are your thoughts on these recent merchandise additions? Are some of these already part of your personal stash, or would you choose any of these for your home collection? Is it really an honor just to be nominated? Let’s hear your speech in the “Comments” section below!

Merchandise Monday: Spring is in the Air(ish)!

OK, so maybe spring isn’t quite in the air for many of us yet. But according to the calendar, the Spring Equinox is four weeks away, and the way we see it, it’s not too soon to start talking about a favorite spring/summer activity – camping!

Several great new camping and outdoor items have come through the merchandise pipeline this month, so this Merchandise Monday, we’re hoping these will help whet your warm-weather appetite and start gearing you up for the months to come.

Sevylor® Super Caravelle Three-Person Boat

Don’t get stuck up a creek. The three-person Super Caravelle boat kit includes two oars, an air pump and features DIN and tunnel chambers for safety, an all-around grab line and two molded Double Lock™/Mini Double Lock™ airlocks, which feature the guaranteed-not-to-leak AirTight System®. The boat kit accepts SMB 12v electric motor, has a max capacity of 600 pounds, measures 7’6" x 4'6"and is made from 16-gauge PVC. Grab your friends and go float.

Xscape® Designs Sportline™ Quad-Fold Reclining Chair with Footrest  

Kick back and relax with a cold one. The Sportline Quad-Fold Chair is perfect for camping out for a long weekend, tailgating at the game or just lounging around at a neighborhood get-together. Featuring a sturdy 19mm powder-coated steel frame, 600-denier water-resistant oxford fabric and extra-thick padding in the seat cushion and backrest, you can rest assured you’ll never want to get up from this chair. Make someone else bring you a cold one.

Xscape Designs Vertex 4™ Four-Person Modified Dome Tent

There’s no place like “home.” The Vertex Four-Person Tent features a quick and simple setup utilizing color coded shock-corded fiberglass poles. This tent’s unique four-pole design creates ample floor space and excess headroom. Other features include four large mesh windows and roof vents, zippered storage cubbies, rain-blocking technology and flame-retardant fabric coating. Keeps you safe from the elements as you brave the wilderness.

It’s interesting to note that in such a tech-heavy industry we can feature products that essentially help you get off the grid. Are you planning a camping trip or other outdoorsy vacation this spring or summer? If so, where, and what gear do you plan on packing? What do you think of our featured Merchandise Monday products? Talk to us in the “Comments” section below!

Merchandise Monday: New Computers!

Here’s a heavy question for a Monday morning: where would the world be without computers? Ponder that for a moment. Remember a time when computers weren’t so prevalent? We don’t, nor do we want to, and with that in mind, it’s Merchandise Monday!

This month, Hinda is happy to introduce not one, not two, but FIVE new computers into its merchandise collection – four from HP® and one from Compaq. It goes without saying that computers and other techie-gadgety merch items are hot redeemers. (Need more proof? Check out last week’s Merch Monday column). So without further ado, here are five new computers - listed in alphabetic order for ultimate fairness - that are sure to secure those pencil/paper/What’s social media? days firmly in the past.

Compaq

Enhance your life with the full PC performance of the Compaq Presario. With features like HD video support, Altec Lansing® stereo speakers and integrated WiFi®, rest assured your projects will shine effortlessly. A maximum 8GB hard drive holds plenty of documents, homework, music, photos and videos and a built-in setup manager walks you through the process of transferring files from your old PC and backing up your data. Peace of mind is included in the package.

HP Folio 13

HP's first-ever Ultrabook™ features the latest Intel® technology built-in and is fast enough to keep up with everything you want to do, from video uploads to video calls. At less than one inch thick and under four pounds, this ultra-portable notebook is designed for the ultra-mobile life. Folio features a 13.3-inch HD BrightView LED display, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, Intel HD graphics 3000, Intel Rapid Start Technology, Bluetooth® capability, 4GB memory, Internet Explorer® 9 with Bing™ Bar and Skype® and nine hours of battery life on a single charge. You can’t beat that with a stick.

HP Omni 120

This 20-inch, all-in-one computer gives you the PC you need in a modern design that makes your digital life easy, entertaining and supremely stylish. Just plug it in to turn on a world of connections, entertainment and productivity. Omni runs on Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium and has an AMD dual-core processor. The space-saving design is integrated to eliminate multiple cords and cables and the radically improved easel design holds the HD display upright. Connect with your friends online using the built-in webcam and microphone. Now, go brag.

HP Pavilion dv6

Get serious entertainment in a notebook that goes everywhere. The HP Pavilion dv6 gives you Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, a Blu-ray™ player and SuperMulti DVD burner, and features Beats Audio™ and quad speakers for amazing sounding music, movies and more. Pavilion features a gorgeous 15.6-inch HD display for watching videos, a built-in HD webcam for keeping in touch and an HP SimplePass fingerprint reader for extra security. So no one can access your 640GB of photos, music and HD movies but you. How very 007.

HP Pavilion g4

Keep in touch, get it done, and have some fun on the HP Pavilion g4, which features a 14-inch HD LED display, Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, a touchpad supporting multi-touch gestures, a built-in webcam, a SuperMulti DVD burner, crystal-clear audio with great speakers and SRS Premium Sound™, and a 500GB hard drive with storage for 116,000 photos, 105,000 songs or 210 HD movies. Whew – deep breath.

What do you think of these latest models? Have you seen them around or heard anything about them? Are you in the market for a new notebook or desktop PC? Let us know your thoughts in the “Comments” section below!

Merchandise Monday: Introducing the Top Redeemers of 2011

The top merchandise reward redeemers for 2011 fall almost exclusively into the electronic entertainment category. Surprised? Neither are we. The rise in popularity of e-readers and tablet computers, as well as new updates and versions of familiar gaming consoles, video players and music devices, have created such a demand that our top redeemers list might as well just say “Cool Electronic Toys.”

But that would make for quite a short blog post, so let us discuss further. According to our calculations, the top redeemers of 2011 are as follows:

Blu-ray™ Players:  Sony®, Panasonic® and Samsung®

Tablet Computers:  Apple® (iPad®), Samsung® (Galaxy Tab™), Coby® (Kyros™) and Sony (Tablet™)

iPod® Audio Docking Systems

Single-Cup Coffee Makers:  Keurig®, Black & Decker®, Hamilton Beach®, Cuisinart®

Gaming Software:  Wii™, Xbox® and PlayStation®

Portable DVD Players:  Coby, Audiovox™, Sony, Panasonic

e-Readers:  Amazon Kindle™, Sony

Bose® Headphones

Garmin® GPS Systems

Clearly, people enjoy their entertainment systems, whether it’s video games, movies or music that they prefer. Not only this, but they like to be entertained on the go (who doesn’t?). And they want to make sure they know where they’re going and that they’re caffeinated when they get there.

It will be interesting to follow 2012’s trends and see what this list looks like a year from now. What crazy technological advancements will occur over the next 12 months (because you know there will be some)? What are people already anxious to get their hands on? Is this the year the flying car will finally come to fruition (fingers crossed!) and will it be available for redemption?

We’re going to keep our radar tuned on the trends, so stay tuned to Hinda’s blog for updates!

Merch Monday: Grill with Emeril™

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Perfect your grilling passion with an Emeril™ grill. Renowned for his culinary abilities, enthusiastic personality and worldly successes, Emeril has become a household name. His charcoal and gas grills have raised the bar on backyard barbeques.

The Emeril Outdoor Charcoal Grill features a spacious 424-square-inch cooking area, giving it the flexibility and space to serve everything together hot off the grill. Made of heavy-gauge steel with a porcelain-coated firebox and high-temperature coated paint, this grill is built to last. It’s also easy to use thanks to the high-quality thermometer and hinged lid.

Far from any ordinary gas grill, the Emeril Outdoor Gas Grill delivers more power with four burners, each reaching a searing 48,000 BTUs. The porcelain coating conducts heat better and resists staining. With 589 square inches of cooking space, you can grill your meats and vegetables together. The seven stainless flavor-generator plates capture drippings, creating a pure smoky flavor