The best gifts are products we wouldn’t buy for ourselves.

These products are innovative, unique and definitely useful. But they’re not essential, so they’ll probably stay on our wish list. That’s where promo steps in: Businesses gift their customers products they’ve always wanted and products they never knew they needed. And in the process, promotional product do become essential elements of the brands that offer them.

That was the message of the first-ever Promotional Products Work (PPW) Expo, which PPAI debuted to hundreds of distributor clients last week. PPW Expo’s product pavilion showcased many of these coveted items, and PPAI Media was on the scene to check them out for ourselves.

Here are associate editor Kristina Valdez’s picks from PPW Expo, with an emphasis on innovation.

This revolutionary lip kit goes beyond the typical by creating a unique experience for each and every user as they design their own lip balm. This kit includes everything needed to make five lip balm tins: ingredients (natural beeswax pellets, sunflower oil, peppermint essential oil and vanilla flavoring), utensils (plastic beaker, pipette and spatulas), empty lip balm tins and instructions.

Raining Rose, Inc. / PPAI 232508, S7 / www.rainingrosepromos.com

Great for camping, tailgates and backyard gatherings, this travel-friendly seat delivers a smooth rocking motion on any surface, anywhere. Supported by a sturdy, powder-coated steel tubing frame, the padded armrests and mesh backrest provide additional comfort. Its easy-fold technology makes opening and closing the chair a breeze and protects your fingers from getting pinched. And when it’s time to pack up, its integrated carry handle means no wrestling to fit it in a bag.

Koozie Group / PPAI 114187, S13 / www.kooziegroup.com

The HeatBank is a nine-hour rechargeable hand warmer that keeps you warm while also functioning as a power bank to keep your devices charged. With dual-sided heating, this power bank has six different settings. Recipients can stay warm and connected with this product.

Compass Industries, Inc. / PPAI 110923, S6 / www.compasspromos.com

This 20-quart hard-sided Orca cooler can hold 18 cans. It has integrated insulation for maximum cold retention and freshness of your stowed items for up to 200 hours. There’s extendable flex-grip handles for comfortable solo or tandem carrying. There’s also a cargo net attachment for added storage and an easy-flow drainage spout with a lid gasket to ensure a perfect seal. Made in the USA.

Ball Pro Promotional Group / PPAI 112763, S8/ www.ballpro.com

The SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker delivers the clearest possible sound with deep, powerful bass wherever life takes you. With its silicone body, powder-coated steel grille and utility loop, the speaker is versatile and rugged enough for all your adventures. It doesn’t matter whether SoundLink Flex is standing upright, hanging or flat on its back, its technology automatically detects its orientation and ensures optimal sound in any position.

Incentive Concepts / PPAI 212912, S10 / www.incentiveconcepts.com

This attractive Bistro French Press waves goodbye to wasteful paper filters, single-use capsules and other add-ons for good. All recipients need to brew brilliant coffee that’s bursting with flavor is hot water and coarsely ground beans. The French Press is a supremely stylish, simple and streamlined coffee-brewing system. It’s quick, too – in a matter of minutes coffee is ready, and the plunger prevents any grounds from escaping.

Hirsch Gift, Inc. / PPAI 221823, S10 / www.hirschgift.com