Elephant SwagSwag people never forget

Build a swag bag

A bag people open twice.

Once at the event, and again at home when they're deciding what to keep. Here's how to win the second time.

Start with three numbers

  1. How many people?

    Order a few extra. Someone always shows up who wasn't on the list, and the leftovers make good thank-yous.

  2. How much per person?

    Set the per-person number before you look at a single catalog, or the catalog will set it for you.

  3. When do you need it in hand?

    Custom printing takes time to make and time to ship. Ask your supplier for both before you promise anything, and give yourself a buffer.

What your budget gets you

These are the kinds of things that tend to fit each range. Prices vary a lot by quantity, supplier and decoration, so treat these as a starting point, not a quote.

  • Under $10

    per person, roughly

    Pick one good thing instead of five small ones.

    • Quality stickers people put on laptops
    • A good notebook
    • A useful charging cable

  • $10 to $25

    per person, roughly

    The sweet spot. Everyday things done well.

    • An insulated bottle or tumbler
    • A sturdy tote they'll actually shop with
    • A comfortable hat

  • $25 and up

    per person, roughly

    Something they'd be pleased to receive as a gift, not a giveaway.

    • A hoodie people wear on weekends
    • A quality backpack or travel pouch
    • A small tech accessory they'll use daily
Supplier recommendations will go here once each one has been checked. None are listed yet.

The things people forget to plan for

  • Sizes. If it's clothing, collect sizes first or skip clothing. A shirt nobody can wear is a donation bin item.
  • Food. Allergies and dietary rules are real. Label everything, or leave food out.
  • Travel. If people are flying home, big, heavy or liquid items get left in the hotel room.
  • Remote attendees. Shipping a bag to someone's home costs more than handing it over. Budget for it.
  • The bag itself. A good bag is often the best thing in the bag.

Skip these

  • Anything single-use. It goes straight in the bin, and people notice.
  • Paper flyers stuffed in the bag. Nobody reads them. Put a link on a sticker instead.
  • Five cheap items where one good one would do.
  • Anything you wouldn't use yourself.