15 Swag Ideas for Employers and Business Owners

What is a swag bag?

In today’s business world, the term “swag” is used to describe any type of free promotional item that features a company’s brand logo, motto, mascot or specific product. Swag bags are gift bags filled with multiple promo items and given to employees, current and prospective clients, contest winners and walk-in customers. In addition to bags, swag can also be packed and wrapped in a swag box and handed out during the holiday season.

Swag bags are extremely beneficial to businesses, as they allow for instant advertising with every item. For example, if a swag bag contains a coffee cup designed with a unique company logo, the recipient will be reminded of that business every time they get a refill. One of the best aspects of giving out swag bags is that employers and businesses can get creative with the gifts they choose to include, as company logos can be printed on a wide range of useful items.

15 swag bag ideas

When putting together swag bags to promote your business, a good rule of thumb is to choose items that complement one another, essentially creating a theme for each bag. You can include items that feature your company logo, along with additional items to complete the theme. Here are 15 well-received swag bag ideas to consider:

1. Wellness swag bag

Wellness is a topic on everyone’s mind, especially since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Handing out a wellness-themed swag bag is an ideal way to show the recipients that your business cares about the health and well-being of its employees and clients. Some helpful items to pack into a wellness-themed bag or swag box include:

Face masks printed with your company logo
Bottle of hand sanitizer with your company logo or motto printed on the label
Pack of pre-moistened hand wipes
Hand lotion with a gender-neutral scent
Herbal tea bags
Scented candle or incense with a calming scent such as lavender
Small bottle of gummy vitamins containing zinc or vitamin C for immune health
Travel-size toothbrush, mouthwash and dental floss

2. Fitness swag bag

If your business is fitness-oriented, such as a gym or a yoga studio, giving out fitness swag bags to new and potential clients helps you promote your services with products that can be used in your establishment. Even if your company isn’t fitness-related, gifting fitness swag bags is a fun way to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle. Here are some items to consider including in a fitness swag bag:

Promotional gym towels printed with your business logo
Reusable water bottles featuring your company logo
Gift certificates for personal training or workout days at your fitness establishment or at a local gym or yoga studio
Yoga/exercise mat
Sweatshirt or hoodie designed with your business logo
Sweatbands or visors
Mini hand weights
Wrist fitness tracker
Bottle of vitamin water

3. Healthy snack swag bag

Everyone enjoys a snack, and healthy snack swag bags are a great way to promote your brand while encouraging nutritious eating. Additionally, printing your company logo on a snack wrapper ensures that your swag bag recipients will be reminded of your brand with every bite. Think about using some of the following items in your healthy snack swag bag:

Protein or energy bars with customized labels featuring your business logo
Bottled water with customized labels featuring your company logo or motto
Packaged dried fruit
Packaged trail mix
Bottled tea or other healthy beverages that can tolerate room temperature
Snack-size bags of kale or rice chips with customized labels featuring your brand
Snack-size bags of natural cheese puffs
Packaged unsalted peanuts or cashews

4. Office supply swag bag

Office supply swag bags are a great gift option if you want to show your team members how much you appreciate their hard work. While some office supplies are most likely readily available for employees to use as needed, you can easily put together a fun office supply swag bag or box filled with items that are useful yet unique. Here are some office supply swag bag ideas:

Mini desktop fans
Laptop cases printed with your company logo
Colorful tape dispensers featuring your business logo
Customized business cards
Plastic document holders printed with your company name or logo
Coffee mugs with your business name or logo
USB drives with colorful or fun designs
Pens and pencils printed with your company name

5. Tech swag bag

Is your company technology-based? If so, consider giving out tech swag bags at your next client event or company holiday party. Tech accessories and products serve practical purposes and are always well received, making this swag bag theme a win-win for both your business and your gift recipients. The following tech swag bag items are sure to leave a lasting impression:

Portable web camera
Tablet or e-reader (if within budget)
Headphones or earbuds
Utility tote or carrying bag printed with your company logo
USB drives
Portable computer speakers
Wireless computer mouse
Mousepad printed with your business name or logo
Screen cleaning wipes

6. Wine swag bag

Wine swag bags make great gifts for recipients aged 21 and over, and you can also offer nonalcoholic options of this swag theme for those who either don’t drink alcohol or are under the legal age limit. In addition to wine and other bubbly beverages, you can complete this theme bag by adding in snack pairings and accessories. Consider the following wine swag bag ideas:

Bottle of wine with custom labels showcasing your company brand
Bottle of nonalcoholic sparkling cider with custom labels showcasing your brand
Wine glasses printed with your company logo
Corkscrew
Wine toppers
Gourmet chocolates or truffles
Gourmet nuts
Bread sticks
Rice crackers

7. Sweet treat swag bag

Sweet treats are always appreciated, especially when received as gifts. When crafting a sweet treat swag bag, the possibilities are almost endless. Here are some tasty ideas to consider when filling up the ultimate sweet treat swag bag:

Cookie canister featuring your brand logo and filled with a variety of chocolate chip, macadamia nut, peanut butter and sugar cookies
Bag of jelly beans with customized label printed with your business logo
Packaged hot chocolate with customized label featuring your business name
Packaged salt water taffy with customized label printed with your company motto
Chocolate-covered graham crackers
Gourmet dark chocolate candy bars
Mini filled gumball machines with your company logo printed on the front
Gourmet soda

8. Coffee and tea swag bag

If you have a fair share of hot beverage enthusiasts on your list of swag bag recipients, coffee and tea swag bags are sure to be appreciated. In addition to coffee and tea, you can fill these themed bags with a wide variety of goodies that pair perfectly with these popular beverages. Take a look at these delicious coffee and tea swag bag ideas:

Packaged gourmet coffee in multiple roast options
Assorted tea bags
Coffee mugs printed with your company logo or motto
Mini tea set (teacups, teapot)
Gift cards for local coffee houses
Packaged cookies with custom labels featuring your company brand
Packaged pastries and mini muffins
Tins of after-coffee mints with customized labels printed with your company name
Travel coffee cups with lids printed with your business logo

9. Beach day swag bag

If you’re planning an event or product launch during the summer months, treat your recipients to a day at the beach with your swag bag. Here are some top item picks for your fun-in-the-sun swag bag:

Inflatable beach ball designed with your brand logo
Beach towel
Cotton T-shirts or tank tops featuring your company logo
Sunglasses
Sun visor with your company logo printed on the brim
Mini beach umbrella
Suntan lotion/sunscreen with custom labels featuring your business logo or name
Reusable plastic water bottle
Flip-flop sandals

10. Picnic swag bag

A picnic swag bag theme lets you get extra creative with tasty food items and picnic accessories that can be customized with your brand logo or business name. Pack your picnic swag bags with some of the following items:

Collapsible picnic basket featuring your company logo
Plastic cutlery
Gourmet crackers and packaged bread
Jars of gourmet jams, nut butters and spreads with customized labels featuring your brand logo
Bottled water
Sparkling flavored water
Packaged cupcakes
Colorful napkins
Paper plates

11. Beauty/spa swag bag

If you own a beauty salon or spa, consider giving the gift of pampering at your next event with some beauty swag. Pack your swag bags with some of these popular beauty items:

Packaged sheet face masks with custom labels featuring your salon or spa logo
Travel-size manicure and pedicure sets
Bottled massage oil and lotion with customized printed labels
Spa towel
Hair brush with your company name printed on the handle
Gel eye masks
Travel-size shave kit for men
Shampoo and conditioner with customized labels
Spa-style bathrobes with your business name embroidered on the lapels

12. Art swag bag

For businesses that have a creative focus, art-themed swag bags are a great way to showcase your brand and promote your company. Consider filling your swag bags with these artistic items:

Customized paint brushes with your company logo printed on the handles
Watercolor and tempera paints
Colored pencils featuring your business name or motto
Mini natural wood art easels
Tablets of canvas paper
Natural wood frames
Colored markers printed with your company name or logo

13. Movie and television swag bag

Movie nights and television binge-a-thons are a great way to unwind after a busy workday, and you can make these pastimes even more enjoyable by giving out movie and television swag bags to your loyal employees and important clients. Pack these items in your swag bags to help elevate movie night to the next level:

Packaged microwave popcorn with customized labels featuring your brand logo
Movie theater-size boxes of candy
DVDs
Gift cards to popular streaming services
3-D glasses
Throw blanket for lounging designed with your company name or logo

14. Travel swag bag

If your business is travel-focused or your employees or clients often travel for work, a travel-themed swag bag is an ideal gift option to show your appreciation and/or promote your products and services. Here are some ideas for creating a jet-setting travel swag bag:

Neck pillow
Travel-size hand sanitizer with customized labels printed with your business name
Travel-size hygiene kit
Packaged sanitary wipes with customized labels printed with your business name
Reading glasses
E-reader or tablet (if budget allows)
Gift card for e-books
Sleep mask

15. Camping and glamping swag bags

If your business caters to clientele who enjoy the great outdoors, consider pairing some promotional items with camping and glamping (glamorous camping) swag. Check out these fun outdoorsy items that are guaranteed to complement any camping adventure:

Baseball cap printed with your company logo
Portable camping stove
Foldable canvas tent
Flashlight printed with your company logo
Insect repellent
S’mores kit (packaged marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers)
Cotton T-shirts printed with your business name
Windbreaker jacket printed with your company logo
Batteries
Portable radio

Swag bag tips

While swag gifts are given out on many occasions, the ultimate goal of this practice is to promote your company and advertise yourproducts and services. Here are a few tips to help ensure your swag bags lead to success:

Include your business cards: When packing your company swag bags, always be sure to include at least three business cards. If you just pack one card, it could get lost among all the goodies. Including several gives the recipient the opportunity to pass your information along to friends and colleagues while keeping a card for themselves.
Include a gift certificate or gift card if applicable:If your company offers products or services, make sure to slip a gift card or certificate for your business into each swag bag before you distribute them. For example, if you own a beauty salon, include a gift certificate for a free haircut. If you manage a gym, make sure to include a complimentary day pass in your swag bag, as this can help bring in potential long-term clients and customers.
Choose useful, functional items:Do your best to choose items that recipients can put to good use when coming up with themes and ideas for your swag bags. Avoid common promotional items, such as frisbees and can cozies, and opt for things that are both fun and functional. This helps ensure that potential clients and customers will be reminded of your business in a positive way every time they use one of their swag bag goodies.

Stay within your budget:In today’s business world, it’s not uncommon to hear about companies giving out swag bags with items worth thousands of dollars. If your budget allows, it’s definitely okay to include some high-dollar items. However, there’s no need to go over budget, especially if your business is just getting off the ground. There are plenty of budget-friendly items available to fill your swag bags and leave a lasting impression on each recipient.

Jumpstart your hiring with a $75 credit to sponsor your first job.*