Corporate swag boxes: what to put into and what to avoid

This guide will help you put the right items into swag boxes that people will love, use, and discuss.

A swag box is a better alternative to a single corporate gift. Unboxing itself is exciting and memorable as recipients explore their gifts. At the same time, a well-thought-out swag pack reflects your care and attention to detail, enhancing the overall brand perception.

What to put in a swag box?

Employee welcome kit

The new hire welcome kit is essential for a positive onboarding experience. It should be a generous and motivating gift while remaining cost-effective and easy to reorder for frequent new hires.

Our welcome kit bestsellers are:

Lifehack: Add a personalized welcome card or integrate a message into an NFC tag.

Explore Swag42 ready swag boxes

Client appreciation box

Thank your key clients for their choice with a premium swag box and a custom thank-you message. Add thoughtful, high-quality gifts that make clients feel respected and valued.

Here are some examples of premium gifts:

Best swag ideas for VIP clients and partners

Employee anniversary box

As this kind of swag box is a gesture of gratitude for loyalty and hard work, the gifts inside should be generous, surprising, and thoughtfully personalized. While it’s important to consider employee preferences, here are some inspiring ideas:

Employee appreciation swag ideas

Business partner gift box

This box aims to strengthen relationships with business partners, so the focus is on premium quality and creativity. At the same time, the merchandise box should echo your brand values and be appropriate to the recipient’s cultural, social, or personal context.

Consider the following swag, or check out our tutorial on business partner gifts for more ideas:

Christmas swag pack

Winter holidays are the time for warm, cozy gifts supporting the magic atmosphere. We’ve collected 42 ideas for corporate Christmas gifts, some of them are:

Swag box for kids

Today’s parents don’t want candies as corporate Christmas gifts for their kids. Instead, we recommend edutainment and practical lifestyle items—and don’t forget the eye-catching packaging!

Conference swag boxes

The key to conference swag boxes is standing out from other exhibitors—so go for creative, memorable gifts. At the same time, avoid heavy and large boxes. After all, no one wants to carry them around, including you and your booth team.

Lifehack: Choose items that can be used at the event so people can promote your brand on the spot. Consider the location, weather, and audience to offer contextually helpful swag.

Customized power bank to save mobile low batteries during the conference
Pocket umbrella in your corporate colors for rainy locations like Amsterdam and Barcelona
Hand ventilator to beat the expo hall stuffiness
Mint box for on-the-go freshness
Compact sunscreen lotion for sunny locations like Dubai and Limassol
Zip-up hoodie for chilly afterparties

What to avoid in a swag box

Cheap, low-quality swag. Low-quality plastic keychains, pop sockets, pens, and low-grade T-shirts won’t make a good impression. If it’s something you wouldn’t use yourself, it probably won’t resonate with others.
Obnoxious branding—that kind of branding when the only thing you see is a shouting logo. As a rule, people prefer swag with subtle and stylish customization.
Heavy and large swag. Items that are difficult to carry, store, or use, like portable refrigerators, are discarded rather than appreciated.
Allergen foods. Unless you know the recipient’s diet, avoid foods that may cause allergic reactions (e.g., nuts, gluten, chocolate) or spoil quickly.
Irrelevant branded swag. Avoid anything offensive or irrelevant. A branded lunchbox to use on lunch breaks as a remote worker..? Just nope. Gender-specific gifts are also a bad idea.
Outdated or generic corporate merch. Outdated USB sticks and generic corporate brochures will likely end up in the garbage.

What makes a good swag box?

Good swag boxes should be:

Beautifully wrapped

The first impression is the most important. Look at the two pics: which gift would you prefer to get?

The elegant matt box looks far more tempting, doesn’t it? In our gift-wrapping guide, you will find creative packaging ideas, from wax-sealed paper envelopes to zero-packaging options.

Universal and multifunctional

Items that fit into everyday life are more appreciated and used frequently. Most people prefer casual personalized T-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps of neutral colors with minimalistic branding. This swag is suitable for both office and personal life.

According to Statista, every third person in the world will buy a sweatshirt in 2025, which proves its mass popularity.

Practical and durable

Long-lasting functional products that support recipients’ lifestyles help integrate your brand into their daily routines. For example, a heart rate tracker and sunglasses for runners or a wireless charger and aroma lamp for remote employees.

High-quality and appealing

Premium swag, such as thick cotton designer apparel, Marshall headphones, a RAINS coat, or Crocs clogs, associates your brand with reliability and excellence.

A solution to everyday challenges

Let your brand be that comrade, making everyday life easier. Add gifts that solve minor daily inconveniences or enhance routines. Examples include travel-friendly toiletry kits, cable organizers, collapsible lunch boxes, or warming gel packs.

Expressing company care

Swag should communicate company values and make recipients feel valued. Inspirational personalized messages, eco-friendly products, or items that support a cause align your brand with meaningful engagement.

Contextually relevant swag boxes

Swag boxes should be tailored to occasions, events, or specific needs. For example, a Hangover Recovery Kit after a company party or a New Mama Box for employees on maternity leave shows extra care and thoughtfulness.

Surprising

Most companies focus on holidays or standard events. Differentiate your brand by offering corporate swag boxes for lesser-celebrated moments, such as a milestone swag pack, a summer company picnic kit, or an autumn wellness box.

Build custom swag boxes or select from presets

With Swag42, you can create a corporate swag pack in a few clicks. Whether you want a completely custom package or choose from the presets, our platform makes it easy.

What to put into swag boxes and what to avoid?