Swag People Won’t Throw Away: 10 Things Everyone Wants RIGHT NOW
YES - Pens are necessary and everyone needs them BUT...
The best swag doesn’t look like swag anymore. It looks like something you’d actually buy, use, wear, and maybe even steal from your coworker.
At More Than Stick Figures, we spend a lot of time looking for that sweet spot between “we can put your logo on it” and “people actually want it.” So we went searching through some our best collections and pulled 10 products that caught our eye. They feel current, useful, giftable and just a little unexpected.
Here’s what we’re loving right now...
01 | THE PUFFER TOTE
Quilted Puffer Nylon Tote
This is exactly what we mean when we say swag shouldn't look like swag.
The quilted nylon gives this tote a retail-inspired look, while the zippered main compartment, interior pocket, front slip pocket and water-resistant exterior make it genuinely useful. This particular item is a roomy 19" × 13".
WHY WE LIKE IT
Put a beautifully restrained logo on this and people will actually carry it.
MTSF IDEA: Try a tonal black imprint instead of a giant contrasting logo.
02 | THE BAG CHARM
The Little Accessory Having a Very Big Moment
Sometimes the best swag isn't the bag.
It's what you put on it.
Bag charms are everywhere right now—from mini accessories and plush characters to custom tags, keychains and tiny branded objects. They're playful, collectible and give people a way to personalize something they already own.
And that's exactly why we love them for branded merchandise.
Instead of handing everyone the exact same thing, create a charm bar and let guests choose their favorites. Mix your branded piece with initials, icons, colors or fun accessories and suddenly the giveaway becomes an experience.
WHY WE LIKE IT
They're small, highly customizable and completely different from the typical promotional giveaway.
MTSF IDEA: Build a “CHARM YOUR BAG” activation at an event. Guests choose two or three charms and add one custom branded charm to create their own combination.
03 | THE SLING BAG
Mod Sling Bag
Hands-free wins.
The Mod Sling combines a zippered main compartment, 2 Interior Mesh Pockets for interior organization and an adjustable strap in a compact crossbody design.
We see this working beautifully for conferences, festivals, employee programs, travel and outdoor events.
WHY WE LIKE IT
It gives people somewhere to put their phone, wallet and keys without handing them another giant conference backpack.
04 | THE TINY SPEAKER
Beamie Baby Wireless Speaker
Okay, this one is just fun.
The Beamie Baby is an ultra-compact 2-watt wireless speaker with dynamic RGB lighting and a rechargeable battery. It's small enough for a desk, backpack or even a cupholder.
This is exactly the kind of little item somebody picks up and asks:
“Wait. What is this?”
And that's a very good thing in promotional products.
WHY WE LIKE IT
Small. Unexpected. Useful. Conversation starter.
Infinitunes Wireless Speaker & Charger
This isn't another anonymous black Bluetooth speaker.
The Infinitunes combines wireless audio with a mirrored infinity-light effect that creates a tunnel of light. This item is a super new addition to our speaker line.
Put this on someone's desk and people are going to notice it.
WHY WE LIKE IT
It looks like something you'd buy at retail—not something you grabbed from a trade-show table.
IF YOU WOULDN'T BUY IT, DON'T PUT YOUR LOGO ON IT.
06 | THE BLANKET
reGen rPET Woven Throw Blanket
Blankets are one of our favorite underrated promotional gifts - especially for the holiday season.
This 50" × 60" woven throw is made from recycled material and includes a customizable leather-look patch in the lower corner.
That's important.
Instead of putting a giant logo across the entire blanket, the branding can become a small design detail.
WHY WE LIKE IT
People don't just keep a great blanket.
They live with it.
07 | THE LITTLE LIGHT
Renew Rechargeable Grab & Glow Bamboo Light
A flashlight probably wasn't on your swag wish list.
Which is precisely why we noticed this one.
This compact rechargeable light combines a bamboo accent with recycled ABS, three light modes, USB-C charging and up to a 56-meter beam distance.
WHY WE LIKE IT
Useful + good looking + unexpected = really good swag.
08 | THE REALLY BIG TOTE
Epic Oversized Laminated Shopping Tote
Sometimes bigger really is better.
This jumbo laminated tote for grocery runs, beach days and travel, with 24-inch handles, an easy-clean exterior and lots of room inside.
But here's where we'd have some fun with it:
Don't treat it like a tote. Treat it like a billboard.
Go big with the artwork. Make the bag itself part of the creative campaign. Available in other colors!
WHY WE LIKE IT
Huge imprint area. Huge visibility. Huge potential.
20 oz. Classic Tumbler
Nobody needs another bottle they'll never use.
This one checks the boxes we look for: stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulation, powder-coated finish and a spill-resistant flip-top lid with straw.
WHY WE LIKE IT
It has the little retail details that make a promotional product feel more like a gift.
MTSF IDEA: Laser it. Subtle branding can make drinkware feel dramatically more expensive.
Yeti M30 Tote Soft Cooler
Sometimes you don't need to reinvent anything.
You give somebody something they already want.
That's the advantage of recognizable retail brands. The perceived value is there before your logo ever touches the product.
This is the territory we love for VIP gifting, executive gifts, milestone recognition and high-value client programs.
Because the reaction isn't:
“Oh, they gave us a cooler.”
It's:
“Wait—they gave us YETIs?”
THE MTSF RULE FOR SWAG
The best swag doesn't end up in a junk drawer.
It ends up at the beach. On the plane. On the couch. At the gym. On someone's desk. In someone's hand.
Your brand gets to go along for the ride.
That's the difference between putting a logo on something and creating branded merchandise people actually want.
LET'S CREATE SOMETHING GREAT.
Tell us who it's for, what you're trying to accomplish and what you want to spend.
We'll find the swag they'll actually want to keep.
Comments