The peace bonds were heavily promoted in various ways, including demonstrations of trades suitable for returned soldiers, participation by returned personnel (such as airmen making fly-pasts over cities and visiting country areas), the encouragement of rivalry between groups in buying more bonds, newspaper advertising, banners, public meetings, and ephemera such as posters. These posters were widely distributed and appealed to emotions such as patriotism, thrift, gratitude and hope; imagery often included women and children as well as military figures.