Remember the best event you’ve ever been to? It probably wasn’t just the free drinks or the gourmet canapés that made you remember the event long after the confetti had settled. It was probably that cunning little freebie. The truth is that the correct promotional items don’t just fill goodie bags; they also keep your brand alive in people’s daily lives. Click here for more information!

To be honest, not all swag is the same. We’ve all thrown away floppy tote bags and pens that dry up faster than a puddle in July. But a gift that shows you care, is useful, or is a touch strange? That still exists. I once bought a USB hub that looked like a squid and had eight bendy tentacles for cables. It’s still on my desk years later, and every time I plug something in, I recall where I acquired it. That’s what smart swag can do.

You shouldn’t feel like you’re just checking off a box when you pick what to give away. Think about how your guests feel. Would you really keep it? Would you use it? Think of things that are useful but also amusing, like insulated water bottles, phone stands, and colorful socks with funny sayings on them. Add a personal touch, and all of a sudden you’re giving out something that people will want to talk about instead of trash.

Timing is also very important. Sunglasses for a summer event outside? Exactly right. Picnic kits that are good for the environment at a park gathering? Great. These little things show that you know your audience.

Want to raise the stakes? Allow folks to make their own goodie bags. It’s fun to use, gets people talking, and they’ll adore taking pictures for their social media. That implies your brand will get free advertising long after the event is done.

Add a surprise, like random gifts for early birds or prize spins for more goods. It makes a normal gift into something worth talking about.

In the end, amazing giveaways are more than just free stuff. They are stories that people can fit in their pockets. So try to get promotional goods that people will remember, like that squid USB hub that people will never forget. Sometimes, the smallest present makes the largest impact.