It's no secret that happy employees lead to a more successful company. But did you know that one of the best ways to show your employees you appreciate them is by stepping up employee swag? At Swag Bar, we believe that giving employees gifts is an important way to show your appreciation and keep morale high. 

In this blog post, we will discuss why stepping up your employee swag is so important, and give you some tips on how to do it! Let’s start with a quick explanation of what swag is…

What Exactly Is Employee Swag?

Employee swag, also known as corporate swag, is a term used to describe promotional items that are given out to employees by their company. These items can include branded items like clothing, water bottles, office supplies, food & drink, and gift cards, among many others.

Swag has become increasingly popular in recent years, as companies have realized the importance of showing their employees they appreciate them. These days, fair pay and good working hours aren’t enough on their own to keep good employees around. If you really want to increase retention and employee satisfaction, stepping up employee swag is a must. 

Why Stepping Up Employee Swag Is So Important

So why is stepping up your employee swag so important? There are actually quite a few reasons to give employees gifts.

These days, companies are falling short with their employee gifts. This leads to lower morale, and wasted swag budget as employees don’t even want the stuff you’re giving them. It’s time to step things up!

Stepping up your employee swag can help improve morale. When employees feel appreciated by their company, they are more likely to be motivated and productive. 

Additionally, stepping up your employee swag can help reduce turnover rates. Employees are more likely to leave a company if they feel unappreciated. Stepping up your employee swag is a great way to show your employees that you value their work and want them to stick around.

Now that we’ve discussed why stepping up your employee swag is so important, let’s talk about how you can do it!

Stepping Up Employee Swag: 7 Tips To Really Show Your Appreciation

The best way to show your employees that you appreciate them is by giving them gifts that they will actually use and enjoy. To do this, you need to get to know your employees and what they like. Keep reading as we’ll share some cool tips for stepping up employee swag in your workplace!

Think Outside The Box

When it comes to employee gifts, it is important to think outside the box. Stepping up your employee gifts does not have to be expensive - sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that are personal and thoughtful. For example, you could write a handwritten note of appreciation, or give your employees an extra day off work.

Adding these personalized touches to your swag bag will strengthen your relationship with your crew while showing them how much you care!

Get To Know Your Employees & What They Want

One of the best ways to step up your employee swag game is to get to know your employees and what they want. Ask them about their hobbies and interests, and see if there are any specific types of gifts that they would like to receive. 

This will help you to choose gifts that they will actually use and appreciate, which is the whole point of giving gifts in the first place!

If you are new to the journey of creating the best swag package, you might be wondering what sort of promotional items will suit better for your company. The good news is that there are countless swag ideas! Any creative idea can be transformed into a swag form when branded with your company or organization's logo. However, here are some of the most trendy categories:

• Clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, socks, hats, jackets, gloves, scarfs, etc.)
• Food & Drinkware (coffee mugs, tumblers, collapsible water bottles, etc.)
• Notebooks, Sticky Notes, & Pens
• Tech Goods (phone accessories, speakers, blue light blocking glasses, computer accessories, and more)
• Travel Bags & Backpacks
• Food & Snacks
• Planters
• Hand Sanitizer
• Drink Koozies
• Playing Cards
• No Touch Keys
• Coasters
• Towels & Blankets
• Umbrella
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• And everything else you can imagine!

Come Up With Your Swag Budget

Another important tip is to come up with a swag budget for your employee gifts. This will help to ensure that you stay within your funding and that you don’t end up spending too much money on employee gifts. It will also ensure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. When coming up with a budget, be sure to consider the cost of the gifts, the type of gifts, the shipping, and any other associated costs.

Let's explore some suggestions when it comes to choosing what kind of swag bag you want to invest in. First of all, it's important to prioritize welcoming new employees on their first day with a gift bag. This creates bonding in the developing relationship and helps them feel like they are part of the community, It also supports their new job with practical items!

Second, make sure to keep an eye on the special holiday dates. Christmas times are a great opportunity to thank your team for all the hard work. But it isn’t just employees who would love to receive some promotional goodies from you! Begin considering how often you would like to deliver swag to clients and vendors. Remember that they will appreciate gifts that are coming from your company, too! 

Lastly, brainstorm with your recruiting department to find out how many new people you hire in a year. Addressing these variables will help you have a more accurate estimation of how much swag you need.

Stick With Practical Swag They’ll Actually Use

Now, when it comes time to actually find swag ideas for your employees, it can be tricky.

Employees will appreciate practical gifts that they can use in their everyday lives. Steer clear of gimmicky or cheap items, as these are likely to end up in the trash. Instead, focus on gifts that are useful and will be used on a regular basis. 

People tend to associate swag with low-quality stuff – such as cheap t-shirts or hats, coffee mugs, mousepads, etc. At Swag Bar, we are creating a movement to come up with the most creative gifts that solves the problems of your employees while adding beauty to their life!

Useful swag ideas improve employees’ daily lives, whether it's something they can use while they are working or when they are on a break. These swag items demonstrate just how much you desire them to have a quality time in life. When in doubt, stick with the principles of good swag: it is useful, considerate, high quality, and maybe a bit more memorable than your classic fare.

Invest In Quality Swag Over Quantity

When it comes to employee swag, it's always better to invest in quality over quantity. Stepping up your swag game with high-quality gifts will show your employees that you really appreciate them. It will also make them more likely to use and enjoy the gifts, which is the whole point of giving them in the first place!

We suggest you choose the type of products that are long-lasting. Price usually rises with quality, so it's a good idea to invest a little more money than average. Have faith that this investment will improve the morale and rapport in the office.

Keep Them Guessing With Off The Wall Swag Ideas

As you step up your employee swag game, it can be fun to mix things up with off-the-wall ideas. This will keep your employees guessing. Some great ideas include giving employees unusual gifts or sending them on special themed scavenger hunts.

If your employees are usually bringing their lunch with old Tupperware or worse –a plastic bag, you can treat them with a nice bento box that comes with matching utensils! Not only will your employees enjoy such a thoughtful gift, but it will also motivate them to prepare their own lunch instead of ordering out – supporting them in saving money.

Think about organizing personalized treat jars that can serve for pest control and mini action figures for a playful atmosphere at the work desk. Additionally, there are themed swag boxes you can gift your team that will connect to their interests. 

Whatever you do, make sure that the gifts are valuable and useful, and that they will be appreciated by your employees. Don’t be afraid to try something a bit off the wall!

Let Swag Bar Help You Step Up Employee Swag Once & For All

If you're looking to step up your employee swag game, let Swag Bar help you out! We have a wide range of high-quality, useful gifts that your employees will love. 

With employee swag boxes you can curate a wide selection of amazing gifts that bring so much joy to employees' lives. This gift idea is great for community building and bringing motivation to the workspace!

Our other popular gift idea is the new employee welcome kits for onboarding new hires. This is a great way to make sure that your new employees feel appreciated from day one. Welcome kits include items such as a company t-shirt, stickers, a mug, and more. You can also add in some fun extras like candy or a gift card.

Plus, our team is always here to help you with anything you need. We can work with you to come up with the perfect gift ideas, or we can handle the entire process for you. Let us help you show your employees just how much you value them!

Final Thoughts On Stepping Up Employee Swag

Stepping up your employee swag game is a great way to show your employees that you appreciate them. By investing in quality gifts, you can improve enthusiasm and connection in the office. Offering unusual or themed gifts will keep things exciting, while personalized gift ideas are always appreciated. Let Swag Bar help you choose the perfect gifts for your employees!

Imagine how stepping up your employee swag can help create brand advocates! When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to tell others about their positive experience with your company. This word-of-mouth marketing can be invaluable for businesses of all sizes!

By investing in creating the best employee swag for your team, you can also save money in the long run. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, it’s actually the opposite! Employees who feel appreciated are less likely to take sick days, and studies have shown that happy employees cost companies less in health care costs. Isn’t that cool?

We’re the #1 choice for swag gift packs. We don’t just have what you need to help you step up employee swag - we also offer marketing gift boxes, virtual swag bags for remote conferences, and much, much more.

We hope that these tips will help you to step up your employee swag game! If you have any questions or would like some help getting started, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to assist you in any way possible. Thanks for reading!