Gift ideas for corporate gala party favor?

March 3, 2013 6:57 PM

Gift ideas for corporate gala party favor? Every gift which is given, even though is be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection. -Pindar

It is my company's 10th anniversary. For some unknown reason I volunteered to find ideas for a promotional item to send to all of our partners as well as for a party favor for attendees at the big party gala ball thing. The promotional item can't exceed $2 at a quantity of 1000 and the party favor $10 at a quantity of 350.

After some internet searching, I have found that everything is super cheesy and really impersonal. I know I can't really personalize a gift for 350 - 1000 recipients but I want something a little more interesting and thoughtful than a keychain.

I found this for the promotional item that I thought would be cool with a little message saying something like "a little bubbly for you to share in our 10th anniversary celebration" but food items are poo pooed because they are temporary. Marketing wants something that will be a keepsake.

I like this for the party favor but I have to present 4 ideas.

Have you received a promotional item or party favor that you thought was super cool or have a great idea? Oh, and of course both must have our company logo on it.

Possibly pertinent, veterinary medicine.

posted by little miss s to grab bag (12 answers total)

Out of all the promotional items/party favors/company-logo-ed things I've gotten, what I've found most useful and have kept the longest are USB flashdrives.
posted by dragonfruit at 7:06 PM on March 3 [3 favorites]

could you do the USB thing but fill the drive with something personal from your company? a video of thanks, a slide show of something, etc.
posted by andreapandrea at 7:12 PM on March 3

I love USB drives; the more the better. I also like multi-tools.

I Googled "cool promotional items" and found this place. I sorted their list from low to high price and these were the things I'd like if I got them as a party favour:

cutlery set
mini whiteboard/tape measure
bag

I also saw this stuff from here (they seem to have a really big selection of stuff and do the pricier items that might make really nice gifts). Again, just stuff I think is cool, useful, and not the usual junk.

microfibre cloths
lip balm
cable organizer

Hope your anniversary event is a huge success.
posted by angiep at 7:53 PM on March 3

Appropriately logo-ed stuffed animals should be within your party favor price range, and since your company does work related to animals that might resonate.
posted by steinwald at 7:54 PM on March 3

Image3d makes 3D viewmasters from your 3D digital files, and in quantity 100+ is $8 each.
posted by Sophont at 7:57 PM on March 3

I got a few wind-up LED flashlights as promotional items at a conference, and they have endured the test of time. I keep one in my car, put one on my keychain, and gave one to a kid. (It looks like the one in that link isn't for a keychain, but I'm sure you could find one with that feature if you were interested.)
posted by gubenuj at 9:25 PM on March 3

The one swag from a gala that I still use is one of those tiny foldable reusable fabric bags, because it's purse-sized and helpful as a backup gyn bag. It is only useful because it folds down to such a small level-- I have way too many of the larger, stiffer ones!

I would also vote for LED flashlights as high on the usability scale. I've also gotten tiny med kits from benefit open houses that are super useful. If you do anything computer-related, I would make sure that there is some kind of explanation-- my college sent out great screen microfiber wipes and many people were very confused about what they were on the alumnae listservs...
posted by jetlagaddict at 4:28 AM on March 4

Please don't do stuffed animals with a logo. They look cute but almost we've ever received (my husband was a journalist) have been dustballs that got trashed with a "what a waste of money". The only one I've ever kept was a very nice teddy with a logo on a removable t-shirt. A pet toy would be cute though - I would have kept and used a rubber ball for my dogs.

At our events, we've done or are doing: sets of postcards (if you have access to really great photographs, these are cheap to print and nice if on a theme, no giant logo - you could do animal photography), fair trade handmade silk ornaments (around Christmas or tied to the event theme), notepads with an attractive cover and blank insides, sticky notes in tiny reusable silk holders, with a tiny logo that doesn't get in the way of the note - no-one uses the ones with the giant logos, stationary sets with cute illustrations matching our theme.

I actually hate the USB drives because they're rarely large enough to be useful, or they have a dumb logo or design. I have never ever looked at the contents on them and just pass those on. Pens are okay but dull. Bags are great if they have a really good illustration that isn't just a giant logo on the outside.

I would budget for good artwork and do something simple like a notebook or bag.
posted by viggorlijah at 4:49 AM on March 4

These are all very useful and helpful answers. I am going to look at all of your suggestions closely. I really like the postcards idea and we already have some great professional photos. Thanks everyone!
posted by little miss s at 6:12 AM on March 4

The coolest product that I could possibly find is the static electricity eliminator https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/9de7/
A google search reveals lower prices than the one at the above website. I would give this item link to the company that is doing your promotional stuff and see what kind of deal they could get. It's an awesome gadget. You touch it to the metal on your car or house door to discharge the electricity and keep from getting shocked. A smiley face appears if there was static electricity there, so you know that you were saved. Static electricity is a painful problem for me. Sparks would fly when I would unlock my house door at night. With this little gadget, I no longer have to worry about painful shocks. Your guests would love it.
posted by myselfasme at 8:02 AM on March 4

Things I've loved getting at conferences include:
-cigarette lighter usb charger
-sticky stand for a phone
-gum/mints
-industry-themed magnetic poetry
-umbrella
-earbuds
posted by rmless at 3:27 PM on March 4

Palm-size LED instant temperature reader... I'm a female and received it at a conference. I gleefully chortle each time I aim it at the outdoors deck and get the true temp. I would think you could get it stamped with the name of the firm, or order from Harbor Tools. Lasts for years, too.

Anything edible like 4 little fine chocolates in a box - but I'm an eater.
posted by Lornalulu at 5:33 PM on March 4