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\nSummary.<\/b> Swag bags are a good way to welcome new employees to the organization. Gifts can make them feel welcome, allow them to treat themselves, and enforce your branding and culture.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
Key Takeaways:<\/b><\/p>\n
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Swag bags are collections of free items that are usually emblazoned with a corporate logo. They\u2019re often used for advertising or promoting a brand.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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When picking out swag bags for employees, it\u2019s important to consider the company culture and how useful the item will be.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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There are various types of swag bags you can hand out, including apparel, office accessories, snacks, or something more specialized, like eco-friendly goods or items especially for pet parents.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Is a Swag Bag?<\/h2>\n
Swag is a colloquial term for items, be they apparel, coffee mugs, writing utensils, or something else \u2013 that have a company logo on them and are given for free. A swag bag is a collection of swag given out \u2013 generally for free \u2013 either at an event or to commemorate something. Swag is often handed out at trade shows, events, and for advertising<\/a> purposes.<\/p>\n
However, swag isn\u2019t limited to just customers and potential customers \u2013 it can be a way to make employees feel welcome.<\/p>\n
Putting Together a Swag Bag<\/h2>\n
There are many different companies that will customize swag and package it for you. If you want each employee to receive the same items in the same presentation, then going with a company like that is an excellent idea. Swag can also be put together yourself, particularly if you aren\u2019t concerned about everything having the company logo on it.<\/p>\n
Here are some things to consider:<\/p>\n
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Budget.<\/b> This is arguably the most important. You need to decide how much money you\u2019re willing to spend on new hire swag altogether, and that will allow you to figure out how much per bag.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Company culture.<\/b> When putting together a swag bag, it\u2019s important to consider your company culture<\/a> and your employees. Everyone likes receiving free stuff, but if it\u2019s useless or related to a hobby they aren\u2019t interested in, it isn\u2019t going to have the same effect at all.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Equal value.<\/b> In the interest of fairness and not showing favoritism, it\u2019s important to make sure that the swag bags have the same monetary value. Many companies solve this problem by giving every employee the same items, though that doesn’t have to be the case.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Usefulness.<\/b> Have you ever received a gift that served no purpose? It\u2019s not useful; it\u2019s not attractive; it\u2019s not\u2026 anything? You don\u2019t want to be the person giving out those gifts. As a rule, employees are going to appreciate items they can use, not to mention the fact that they\u2019ll then be using items with the company logo on them.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Inclusivity.<\/b> Try to avoid heavily gendered items or ones that will appeal only to a particular age bracket or niche. If you give those to people who aren\u2019t interested in traditionally feminine or masculine hobbies \u2013 never mind if they\u2019re non-binary or otherwise gender nonconforming \u2013 they\u2019ll immediately feel stereotyped and unwelcome.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Branding.<\/b> It\u2019s important to consider your company\u2019s brand when handing out swag. If you\u2019re an exercise equipment company, then putting unhealthy snacks in the welcome gifts seems incongruous. Make sure that the items you hand out to employees fit your brand and reinforce your core values<\/a> and company culture.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Packaging.<\/b> The presentation of the swag bag matters. It\u2019s not the most important aspect, but if it\u2019s attractively packaged and has your company logo on it, it makes it clear what it is and makes the whole process more appealing. It also makes it seem like something that was planned instead of thrown together slapdash.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Personalization.<\/b> It can be difficult to personalize gifts for a new employee, as you don\u2019t know them well. But attempting to cater to their interests can make a huge difference in how they receive the gift. Even just taking the time to put their name on some of the items shows that you put a little extra effort into it.<\/p>\n
Some companies will even write out personalized notes to welcome new hires<\/a> to a company. How much you personalize it will be up to you and your budget, but you can also personalize items by department or job title.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Swag Bag Ideas<\/h2>\n
As a rule, swag bags tend to include a similar grouping of items instead of just random useful things. Depending on your organization and the employee, you can put together several different groupings of swag to welcome them to their new job. Here are some options to consider:<\/p>\n
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Apparel.<\/b> Giving employees clothes with the company logo on them is a good way to welcome them to the company, as well as assure that they\u2019ll think of the company at other times \u2013 and make others think about it as well. This may require finding out clothing sizes, though you can be creative. You can include:<\/p>\n
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Shirt.<\/b> This is some of the most popular swag. Everyone wears tee\u2013shirts now and then. Depending on how formal your dress code<\/a> is, you could also make it a polo or dress shirt.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Backpack.<\/b> Backpacks are universally useful. Depending on the nature of your business, you get them anything from a hiking backpack to a messenger bag to a drawstring bag.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Hat.<\/b> Be it a baseball cap, beanie, flat-brimmed hat, or some other kind, hats are some of the most popular because they\u2019re largely one size fits all. They\u2019re also extremely useful.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Socks.<\/b> Giving out socks that are company-branded can be a way to showcase a more casual culture \u2013 especially if they\u2019re brightly colored or otherwise eye-catching. They\u2019re also more limited in sizing and gender-neutral.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Jacket or hoodie.<\/b> Including a jacket or hoodie can also communicate a less formal culture, depending on the nature of it. In addition, they\u2019re common swag and something that\u2019s likely to be useful to the employee in their day-to-day life.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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Office accessories.<\/b> If it\u2019s an office job, then giving them accessories to make their workday more comfortable is a good way to start. They can include:<\/p>\n
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Coffee mug.<\/b> Most everyone drinks coffee or tea, and even if they don\u2019t, a mug has a lot of uses. It also makes the office feel more comfortable and lived in if there are mugs and other personal items around.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Water bottle.<\/b> A high-quality water bottle can be extremely useful, especially in the warmer months. It helps limit plastic usage, so it\u2019s also eco-friendly, and it allows them to bring water with them easily.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Nameplate.<\/b> Having a nameplate on your desk can make you feel official and truly a part of the team. It also requires personalization, so employees can see you put in more than the minimum.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Lunch bag.<\/b> This encourages employees to bring their own lunch and makes it easier for them. It\u2019s even better if it\u2019s a nice, insulated one. If it\u2019s a high enough quality one, they may not even need to clutter up the break room fridge with their lunch every day.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Decorations.<\/b> Different types of decorations to put on their desk can communicate your company culture. Common ones like perpetual motion machines, a small plant, or picture frames are sure to be well received.<\/p>\n
If you want to showcase a quirkier culture, you can get something like a desk punching bag, a personal chalkboard, or a mini zen garden.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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