You’ve spent time choosing swag kits for new hires. The useful question is whether the contents help them settle in and feel welcomed.
Start with what the recipient will use, then add a personal message explaining why you’re glad they’re joining.
Choose fewer useful items rather than filling space. A public unboxing post is optional, and its absence tells you little about how someone felt receiving the gift.
Here’s how to decide when a swag box fits, when an individual gift suits better, and how to make either feel considered.
Show that you care about the planet in your first impression. Add tree growing kits or just plant trees with your swag kit.
This guide is part of our complete guide to eco-friendly promotional products.
Key Takeaways
- Swag kits fall flat when they feel generic, over-branded, or wasteful. Recipients notice, and clutter gets thrown out fast.
- Choose useful items and a personal message. Thoughtful presentation helps the gift arrive well; social sharing is optional.
- Adding a custom branded tree kit turns swag into an experience recipients plant, name, and share.
- Each Tree Kit sold supports additional tree planting in Tanzania, separately from the recipient’s home growing. It is a specific reforestation contribution.
- A QR code or CTA to your Forest profile lets people see the collective impact and keeps the story alive.
Why Swag Kits in the First Place?
Swag kits are a popular choice for companies because they offer a cohesive and branded experience. They are particularly effective in scenarios where multiple items can collectively enhance the recipient’s experience and reinforce the company’s brand identity. Here are some good use cases for swag kits:
- Employee Welcome Kits: These kits can include a variety of items such as a diary, company T-shirt, water bottles, pens, and other branded merchandise. They help new hires feel welcomed and integrated into the company culture from day one.
- Event Giveaways: Swag kits are ideal for conferences, trade shows, and corporate events. They can include a mix of useful items like tote bags, lanyards, notebooks, and tech gadgets, creating a memorable experience for attendees.
- Client Appreciation: Sending a swag kit to clients can strengthen business relationships. Including a mix of practical and thoughtful items can leave a lasting impression and show appreciation for their partnership.
When to Choose Individual Gifts
While swag kits are great for creating a broad impact, individual gifts can be more meaningful in certain situations. Here are some scenarios where individual gifts might be more appropriate:
- Recognizing Specific Achievements or Milestones: When an employee reaches a significant milestone or achieves a notable accomplishment, a personalized gift can provide a special touch. This could be something tailored to their interests or a high-quality item that signifies their achievement.
- Key Clients or High-Value Prospects: For important clients or prospects, a personalized individual gift can demonstrate special appreciation and attention to detail. This could be a bespoke item that aligns with their personal preferences or a high-end product that reflects the value of the relationship.
An important consideration when deciding on whether to go for a swag kit or an individual gift is, of course, your budget. Costs can add up quickly for swag boxes, although ordering swag kits in bulk in advance for use throughout the year can be the more affordable choice.
Why Your Swag Packs Don’t Pack a Punch
Environmental Concerns
One of the most significant frustrations with swag kits is their environmental impact. Many swag items are mass-produced, low-quality, and made from non-recyclable materials, leading to unnecessary waste. Recipients are increasingly aware of the environmental footprint of the products they receive and prefer sustainable and useful items that align with their values.
Overbranding Issues
Large logos on swag items are generally disliked, as they make recipients feel like walking advertisements. Subtle or no branding is preferred. Recipients want items they can use without feeling like they are promoting a brand. A Reddit user shared that they received a jacket with a large company logo, which made them uncomfortable wearing it in public, leading to the item being discarded quickly.
Inconvenience and Clutter
Receiving swag kits can sometimes be more of an inconvenience than a benefit. Users have reported that they end up with clutter and items they do not need or want, which adds to their frustration. A LinkedIn post highlighted how company swag often ends up being decluttered using methods like the KonMari approach, indicating that many items do not bring joy or serve a purpose for the recipient.
Delivering Your Swag Boxes Effectively
Distribution
Deciding how to distribute swag kits can be a logistical nightmare. Should you ship everything to one location first and then distribute it to individual recipients, or should you ship directly to each recipient? Each method has its pros and cons. For instance, shipping to one location first can save costs but may delay delivery to the final recipients. On the other hand, direct shipping ensures timely delivery but can be more expensive.
We partner with organizations like Sunshine Industries Arc Knox to simplify this process. They offer kitting, assembly, and shipping services, and by working with them, you also support a good cause, as they employ people with intellectual disabilities. One more reason for people to love us 🙂
We found more organizations in the US who offer warehousing, kitting, assembly and shipping services while providing employment to those not welcome in traditional jobs. Check out the list here (and feel free to suggest if you find more).
Decoration and Presentation
The presentation of your swag kits matters. Poorly decorated boxes or damaged packaging can diminish the perceived value of the items inside. Decorating the boxes can be cumbersome, requiring printing and shipping to be packed. Including padding like crinkle paper can protect the contents and ensure that the box and its print remain intact during shipping. This care helps the contents arrive intact and makes the message easier to enjoy.
How to Create Sustainable Swag Kits with ForestNation
1. Add Tree Kits to Your Swag Box
Our tree kits come in cup and pouch formats, so you can choose one that fits your swag box. They give recipients seeds and growing instructions to start their own trees at home. The packaging and growing materials depend on the format you choose.
For each Tree Kit sold, we plant additional trees in Tanzania. This contribution is separate from the tree the recipient grows at home. Your message can explain both parts: an invitation to grow something themselves and support for planting in Tanzania.
The tree kits come with a unique code that allows recipients to name their tree, post photos, and share updates. This feature creates further engagement by allowing recipients to track the growth of their tree and share their experience on social media. This not only fosters a deeper connection with the environment but also encourages recipients to share their positive experience with your brand, amplifying your message.
2. Plant Trees with Your Swag Kits
You can plant trees alongside the swag kits to communicate your sustainable values. Rather than framing it as cancelling out the swag items or shipping, position it as what it is: a contribution to verified reforestation in Tanzania that your recipients can see and share.
Communicate this by adding a CTA link or a QR code on the box that directs recipients to your brand’s Forest profile. Here, they can see the collective impact of the trees planted through your initiative. This not only communicates your commitment to sustainability but also creates an interactive experience for the recipients.
Over to You
Choose the item around the person and the occasion. A new hire may value something useful for their first week; an individual thank-you may call for one gift with a personal note. If a grow-your-own gift fits your box, discuss branded Tree Kits with ForestNation. We can help shape the idea and the message for your recipients.
FAQs
A: Custom swag boxes are high-quality promotional kits that can elevate your brand by showcasing your company culture, logo, and values through branded products. They are a perfect way to build the perfect company swag and show appreciation to team members.
A: Custom swag boxes serve as a unique marketing tool to distribute promotional swag and corporate gifts to customers, clients, and employees. They can help in increasing brand visibility and creating a positive impact on your target audience.
A: Yes, custom swag boxes are fully customizable, allowing you to tailor the products to fit your brand aesthetics, messaging, and objectives. You have the flexibility to include branded products, wellness items, employee appreciation gifts, and more.
A: Tell ForestNation about the Tree Kits you have in mind for your swag box. We can help you choose a cup or pouch format, explore branding options and shape the message for your recipients.
A: Custom swag boxes offer a convenient one-stop shop for everything swag-related, making it easier for you to create and distribute swag items for various purposes such as employee onboarding, holiday gifts, and branding initiatives. They are a great way to welcome new team members and show appreciation to existing employees.
A: Custom swag boxes allow you to showcase your organization’s values, mission, and personality through branded products and themed swag items. They can help foster a sense of belonging among employees and create a positive work environment.
A: A custom swag box can include a variety of items tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s custom swag packs, branded backpacks, company logo merchandise, or employee-useful products. Trust us to help you create the perfect swag box that aligns with your branding goals.
