Certainly we can say the face of PR has changed drastically in recent years with the widespread use of digital and social media. In most cases, gone are the days of traditional printed press kits. Today most content can be found posted on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. Minute-to-minute status updates and live action posting of photos through Instagram  are the new norm.

Through my career as the agency production manager, my colleagues in PR have asked me to produce everything from a rain hat and coat for a real, live circus elephant to bumper stickers to “nerd” glasses with hangtags.

But what do you do if your press event has more typical needs like a giant pair of scissors for a ribbon cutting event or a golden shovel for a groundbreaking? Items like these make for exciting, unusual components which are easily shared through social media. Here’s where I can make some suggestions and share some websites that may take the stress and guesswork out of your next event.

Next time you are looking  for a giant pen to sign a proclamation or check, go to GreatBig Stuff.com. They carry lots of uncommonly big, fun things like giant paper clips, pens, pencils and nametags. You can find grand opening kits with oversized scissors and ribbons on ceremonialribboncuttingscissors.com. Need a giant key to the city? Try going to goldenopenings.com. My quick and easy trick for a groundbreaking shovel is to buy shovels at your local hardware store and spray paint them metallic gold and attach an engraved plate from someone like Tony Martin Awards – or if you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, try goldenopenings.com.

If you need a giant check for a presentation and don’t have a graphics department, you can find lots of templates to customize on bigcheckstore.com. The standard size is 5’w x 2’h and if you’re having a local printer produce them, find a digital printer with wide format capabilities that can direct print to foam core. Need a backdrop for your next press conference? I recommend an aluminum telescoping frame system with dye sub printing on fabric using your logo in a step and repeat pattern. The average size is 10’w x 8’h.

It’s fun details like these that can really brighten up an event and drive your message home.

 Betty Ann Krischan is a production manager at Travers Collins.