No-one wants to be a part of the overplayed trope of swag bags that end up in the trash. You want to offer value to your guests by providing them with useful and appealing swag.
This is no easy task and it’s easy to run out of ideas when you’re planning a new event every week.
Not to mention the fact that your swag is a reflection of your brand. The more you stand out from the competition, the better. But, the only way to do this is to put together epic swag bags that’ll have people talking and drive recommendations to your company.
You want to give people useful items that they’ll enjoy receiving while promoting your clients’ brand tastefully and effectively. Admittedly, this can be a difficult balance to strike.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 swag bag ideas that’ll help you switch things up and promote your brand.
Tropical swag bag
Whether you’re throwing a tropical-themed event at your office, a marina, or a cruise ship, nothing beats providing an aptly themed swag bag to impress your guests.
This type of swag bag is incredibly easy to put together and you’ll be spoilt for choice with items to choose from. Take your guests on a virtual trip to the tropics with items like branded lip balm made with CBD, beeswax and other natural ingredients.
Add a luxury robe and eye mask into each swag bag to make sure your guests get enough shut-eye. Wireless earbuds and Bluetooth speaker bottles aren’t just popular but incredibly useful as well.
Make sure you pack everything in an eco-friendly tote. Your guests will appreciate you for it.
Survival kits
You don’t have to a prepper to recognize how useful survival kits are. Heck, even Khloe Kardashian has one! These nifty kits typically include items like mints, a pen, a notebook, a fanny pack, and even a packet of Advil.
You can hand out survival kits prior to the event and get attendees excited about what’s to come. It’s ideal for nature and adventure-themed conferences and summits.
Charitable gifts
We all want to make a difference in our environment. It makes us feel good and shows that we care about others. Millennials are particularly disposed to this trend and, 79% of them report that they prioritize live events aimed at promoting sustainability and giving back.
This makes charitable gifts a very lucrative trend for event planners as millennials make up 30% of the U.S. population.
Give your audience an opportunity to give back through eGift card donations to a charity of their choice. Or, ask people to fill out a gift card so they can give to a specific charity in their own name.
Healthy snacks
Snacks are always a hit with event planners. They’re a lucrative branding opportunity and it shows you care enough to provide your audience with event fuel. However, it’s important to include healthy snacks like dried fruit packs, protein bars, and trail mix.
People get excited when they see something delicious in their swag bags and will most likely take a few #foodie selfies to mark the occasion. Make the most of it by wrapping the snacks in custom branded packaging or take it a step further by printing industry-specific facts.
Note: Download our free, swag bag reference sheet to build and create praiseworthy swag bags for any and every event, making your's one to remember.
Carry-on cocktail kit
As the name implies, a carry-on cocktail kit comes with all the tools and ingredients you need to prepare a single cocktail serving.
This includes things like mixing spoons, flask, jiggers, and syrups. It’s ideal for outdoor parties and festive celebrations that are meant to help people relax and/or socialize.
This includes expos, end of year office parties, etc. Each kit comes with specific ingredients to make a particular cocktail including gin and tonic, margarita, Bloody Mary, Pina colada and more.
You’ll have no shortage of sponsors for this type of swag bag because liquor brands are always looking for new and exciting ways to promote their products. Plus, attendees will definitely enjoy the opportunity to get creative after the event.
Books
With the advent of Kindle, Amazon and social media, bookstores aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were. So, why not treat your audience with an exciting and thoughtful? The most important thing to consider with this type of gift is to make sure that it’s relevant to the event’s theme.
For instance, if you’re hosting a career expo or conference, then you should include motivational books like Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, or How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
Desk plants
Add branded desk plants to your swag bags and you’ll have your brand sitting on office desks across the city. Just make sure the branding is printed stylishly so as to not annoy people.
A plant is a valuable gift that helps to purify the air, lift the spirits and even repel insects. Succulents are an ideal option because they don’t take up much space and they’re easy to maintain.
This is the perfect swag bag item for an event like a flower show, plant expo or even a team-building event.
Self-care kits
In a culture that promotes hustle and productivity at all costs, it’s always a good idea to highlight the importance of self-care and wellness.
It doesn’t take much to put together a self-care kit. All you need are basic items like mini candles, lip balm, natural soaps, and lotions, etc.
These products offer a great opportunity to promote your brand through customized packaging and containers. Plus, offering premium quality cosmetic products is a great way to establish yourself as a bespoke event planner.
Conclusion
What does it take to create quality swag packs that get people excited? There’s no secret formula, but it helps to offer interesting, exclusive, and useful products as a start. Consider your audience and what their preferences are, as well as the theme of the event.
Hopefully, the tips offered in this article will get your creative juices flowing and help you pick the perfect swag bag for your next event!
Note: Download our free, swag bag reference sheet to build and create praiseworthy swag bags for any and every event, making your's one to remember.