Estimated read time: 5 minutes

Santa is a magical being. He can survive in the frozen tundra, can deliver presents all over the world in one night, and is able to check that infinitely long list of who is naughty or nice twice. Santa is amazing – he is a parent’s favorite person, and their worst nightmare (no one can compete with Santa’s reputation and deep pocketbook).

Santa and his elves work tirelessly on making toys all year. Buddy the Elf told us all about the elf life, remember? They make stuffed animals, rocking horses, and so much more. So, Santa and his elves can make anything, right?

Santa Can’t Do Everything

Wrong. Santa can’t make custom.

Can you imagine Santa making 20 phone calls and emailing back and forth with every “customer,” aka child, to have every product, or toy, completely customized to each child? No. How would he ever get anything done?

Santa doesn’t collaborate to see what each child wants. He doesn’t have phone calls with you to pick the colors in every single room in your new doll house. You can get basic monograms and engravings, but don’t expect more customization than basic set colors and fonts to choose from in strict guidelines.

No, Santa’s forte is not custom. It’s mass production. Nonetheless, his workshop is an efficient assembly line, his logistics are simply magical, and his prices are unreal (let’s be honest, a plate full of cookies and the occasional reindeer food, no one can beat that price). Santa is certainly amazingly and magical, but he is not perfect.

Then there are the elves. Although the elves are talented, they aren’t artisans and they can’t customize. You won’t see that perfectly crafted custom award left under the tree for every employee in your company anytime soon.

So unless you are ordering the awards and dressing up as Santa at your holiday party, don’t expect the real Santa to be giving the gift of custom this year or any year.

So, Santa and His Elves Can’t Do Completely Custom

Whether it is next year or 50 years from now, the answer will always be Bruce Fox.  If you want custom items like commemoratives, signage, awards, trophies, event gifts, plaques, lobby installations, recognition awards, honor walls, lobby art, mission statement displays, product replicas and miniatures, and much more, then we’re the ones to talk to. Yes, talk to us because unlike Santa, we are available by phone and email.

We will start with a conversation about your needs and together we develop a custom product that fits what you are looking for. Whether you are seeking a custom mission statement piece that will sit on each employee’s desk or if you want to celebrate a high client retention rate with key players, we can help.

On the other hand, the elves can only create the same products over and over with barely any variation. They are not craftsman or artisans. The elves don’t have any exclusive capabilities like we do with Electroforming (Engle) and Cast Urethane (Foxite), or a plethora of other experience and capabilities like metal etching, fabrication, Full Color UV Direct Imprinting, die casting, wood working, laser cutting, product personalization, and so much more.

A true craftsman develops and perfects their craft while still always learning and being innovative. Besides ripping off some technology through the years, what innovations have the elves shown?

How can you get custom presents?

No, Jack Skeleton isn’t going to provide a hybrid of Halloween and Christmas presents. Bruce Fox will have a conversation with you about what you want. We will learn about your budget, deadline, company culture, and wants. We start with a blank sheet of paper and let imaginations soar – which is the true spirit of the season, right?

We will work with you to find what you want. You want a different person’s name and title on each award? We can do that. You want an abstract idea to somehow become 3-D? Been there, done that. How about bringing a character to life? Just send us the image files.

That’s the beauty of custom and being able to have a conversation. Then, after approval, we produce and ship in a timely manner. Even though we don’t have a special sleigh powered by magical reindeer, we do live right next to UPS’s shipping hub, and are capable of fast shipping if requested.

Santa is great for mass-produced gifts that don’t require true customization, just a name or logo. However, that’s why you go to craftsman for specialty products, right?

Tis the season for gifts so make sure they are personal and actually mean something to the recipient.

If you want to learn more about custom products, check out our portfolio, read our blog for more info, or reach out to start a conversation.

But be sure not to forget about Santa! Just because he does not do fully custom products doesn’t mean that he does not have a special place in the world and in our hearts. Be sure to leave out cookies for the jolly man.

 Kristina Hublar is the Marketing Specialist at Bruce Fox, Inc., which means she is the person behind the keyboard for the social media, emails, website, and other marketing efforts. She’s new to Bruce Fox, but is an Indiana native. In her spare time, you’ll find her plotting her next road trip, bobbing along to music while crafting, spending time outside with loved ones, or with her nose in a book.