As the year wraps up, companies want to maximize the impact of their remaining promo budget and make every last dollar count. How can you make the most of your year-end spend, end 2024 on a high note, AND set your business up for success in 2025? PromoCentric is here to help by answering the burning question: What’s hot and what’s not in the world of giveaways?
We asked our Director of Sales, John Russell, for advice about how businesses can get the biggest bang for their buck. As we know, marketing–no matter the vehicle–has lag time, so you shouldn’t wait until Q1 to think about how to make a meaningful impact in that quarter. By using your remaining budget to send meaningful merchandise now, you’re creating goodwill, brand recognition, and loyalty that will carry into the new year. John suggested that companies focus on one of two essential questions:
- How do we effectively show our employees or clients how much they’re appreciated? OR…
- How do we put ourselves in the best possible position to get off to a great start in 2025?
So, what items make great end-of-year gifts for employees and clients?
Gone are the days of generic pens and keychains. When it comes to gifting, it’s all about thoughtfulness, and the best picks are high-quality items that reflect your company’s values.
John says he always looks for gifts that can check multiple boxes. PromoCentric–along with most of the clients we work with–is fanatical about corporate social responsibility, so it makes sense to choose brands and products that have a giveback component. For example, the tentree brand makes great apparel, and each item purchased plants 10 trees somewhere around the world. Not only are you giving a great gift to your employees or clients but you’re also boosting your company’s sustainability goals. Eco-friendly gifts like this are the perfect combination of useful and meaningful, and make the recipient feel appreciated on a deeper level.
The end of the year is often jam-packed with fundraising events to raise money for a cause. The key to choosing giveaway merch for these events is to select items that resonate with your audience and align with your organization’s mission.
What are the biggest gifting trends for non-profits or charity events?
The promo industry is not much different from the retail space, so when products become trendy in the real world, companies want to jump on those trends as well. That’s why you see Stanley cups and Owala water bottles popping up everywhere, from charity walks to corporate galas, to name two recent examples. These products aren’t just practical–they’re fashionable, and people love showing them off. Branding trendy daily-use items like these keeps your company top of mind. PromoCentric gets asked about these products almost daily and yes, we can get them, and we can put your logo on them!
Looking ahead, what promo merch categories will be hot in 2025?
According to John, “Sustainability isn’t going anywhere. There are two types of companies: those focused on becoming more sustainable and those that will be soon. And the list of the latter is getting shorter by the day.”
Consumers, and by extension corporations, want to feel good about what they’re buying. More and more companies are opting to go green and focus on quality over quantity. Businesses used to ask, “What can I get the most of for the least amount of money?” Now, the idea of dumping 1,000 (or 10,000) pieces of throwaway merch into a landfill just to check a box and have something to hand out at an event is unthinkable. As we head into 2025, expect to see more environmentally friendly products like reusable totes, eco-conscious gadgets, and products made with recycled materials. High-quality, sustainable branded items not only give your audience something they’ll want to use but demonstrate your company’s commitment to doing good.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re making the most of your Q4 budget, selecting year-end gifts, or planning for 2025, remember this: promo merchandise is more than just swag. It reflects your brand, values, and how you want to connect with employees, clients, and partners. Choose thoughtfully, invest in quality, and keep an eye on the trends that matter to your audience.
Need help picking the right items? PromoCentric is here to help make your promo merch memorable, meaningful, and sustainable. Let’s talk.
