Memorial Day gifts can make the holiday unforgettable and boost patriotism at celebrations big and small.
Memorial Day is the perfect time to honor veterans with patriotic gifts. Customized giveaways are also appreciated at parades, festivals and military services and make fun guest favors at backyard BBQs.
So, whether you’re a party host or planning an event for a veterans’ group, make the day extra special with patriotic giveaways. From can coolers to sunglasses, we’ve got everything you need to promote the red, white and blue!
What is Memorial Day all about?
Memorial Day is an official government holiday that honors the men and women who died for our country.
But how did it begin? Let’s dive into a little Memorial Day history.
David W. Blight, a history professor and public historian, said Memorial Day had a simple start.
“At the end of the Civil War (1861-1865), Americans faced a formidable challenge: how to memorialize 625,000 dead soldiers, Northern and Southern,” he stated in a book he authored.
Residents in all communities were asked to decorate the graves of the Confederate and Union soldiers who perished during the war. This kind act of respect became the basis for the now annual Memorial Day observance.
10 best Memorial Day gifts and giveaways
Totally Promotional has numerous items that can be customized to give veterans, party guests, employees and parade watchers. Take a look at our top 10 giveaways:
- Customized Premium Foam Can Cooler
- Customized 16 oz. Frosted Plastic Cup
- Customized 9-1/4-in. Flying Disc
- Customized Cotton Canvas Book Tote
- Malibu Sunglasses
- Customized Gildan® Heavy Cotton™ T-Shirt
- Patriotic Heart Stress Ball
- Customized 20 oz. Colored Plastic Sports and Bike Bottle
- Translucent Star Magnet Clip
- Customized 16 oz. Plastic Stadium Cup
What are the items associated with Memorial Day?
Many things come to mind when we think about Memorial Day. Here are a few patriotic symbols that would be appropriate for your Memorial Day giveaways:
- Flags
- The Liberty Bell
- Stars
- Fireworks
- Bald eagle
- Uncle Sam
- Statue of Liberty
- Mount Rushmore
- Washington Monument
Our experts can professionally print images of these symbols and any others you want on your Memorial Day gifts and giveaways. We also have dozens of templates with images and text that can be used to customize your products.
If you’d prefer, you can upload your own artwork to us. We’d be happy to print it on your patriotic party supplies.
Facts about Memorial Day you should know
Interesting facts about Memorial Day:
- Memorial Day was first declared “Decoration Day” by General John A. Logan. He designated May 30, 1868, as the first ever day for “strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
- During that first observance in 1868, orphaned children of veterans who perished in the Civil War, strew flowers on Union and Confederate graves at Arlington Cemetery following a ceremony and speech by Ulysses S. Grant, James Garfield and others.
- It wasn’t until after World War I that Americans began honoring all military personnel who lost their lives during any war, not just the Civil War.
- Waterloo, N.Y., is the official “Birthplace of Memorial Day,” per a federal government declaration in 1966. The city first held the observance on May 5, 1866.
- Some southern states continue to hold “Confederate Memorial Day” celebrations and similar observances of their own.
- The poppies sold this time of year as a fundraiser for the Veterans of Foreign Wars was inspired by a World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrea. Moina Michael, a teacher, in 1915 successfully campaigned for the symbol as a tribute to veterans.
- Congress, in 1971, officially initiated the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day on the last Monday in May to give federal employees a three-day weekend. That also was the year it became an official federal holiday.
- The U.S. flag is to fly at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day and then raised to the top until sunset.
- In December 2000, Congress and the president created “The National Moment of Remembrance Act.” It encourages Memorial Day observances, including a minute of silence at 3 p.m. local time to remember those who died defending our nation.
Celebrate our heroes with Memorial Day gifts
It’s important to reflect on our history and honor those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Giving gifts to others as a keepsake of this important holiday is a thoughtful gesture.
Are you planning a fun get-together for this wonderful Memorial Day observance? Are you in charge of a local veterans’ group service? If so, check out our wide selection of affordable patriotic products.
