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Creative & Cost-Effective Prizes for Employees: Boost Morale with Branded Merchandise

Boost Morale with Branded Merchandise

 published

 September 26, 2025

Looking for fresh ways to reward your team and boost engagement? Whether you're running a contest, launching a wellness initiative, or simply want to show appreciation, prizes for employees are a powerful tool to foster motivation and loyalty. At Crestline, we specialize in custom logo merchandise, perfect for bulk orders and scalable recognition programs.

Why Employee Prizes Matter

Employee prizes aren’t just about fun, they’re strategic. They can:

  • Increase participation in company initiatives
  • Reinforce positive behaviors like wellness, safety, or productivity
  • Build brand pride with logoed gear employees love to use
  • Support retention by making employees feel valued

Popular Use Cases for Employee Prizes

Workplace Raffles & Drawings

Perfect for holiday parties, team-building events, or monthly recognition. Keep it exciting with a mix of high-value and everyday items:

Team Contests & Challenges

Gamify your workplace with contests around performance, creativity, or teamwork. Winners can choose from:

team winning a contest at work

Office Wellness Incentives

Encourage healthy habits with wellness prizes tied to fitness goals, step challenges, or mental health check-ins:

Staff Performance & Sales Incentives

Recognize top sales performers with tiered rewards:

Employee receiving performance award

Employee Milestone Celebrations

Celebrate work anniversaries, birthdays, or project completions with personalized gifts:

Annual Meeting & Conference Contest Prizes

Keep your annual company meetings and conferences lively with fun contests and engaging prize giveaways. These events are a great opportunity to energize attendees, encourage participation, and create memorable moments.

Here are some contest ideas and prize suggestions to make your event stand out:

  • Company trivia games (Prize ideas: Branded notebooks, pens, or tech accessories)
  • Icebreaker challenges (Prize ideas: Custom apparel or tote bags)
  • Breakout session contests (Prize ideas: Reusable drinkware or snack kits)
  • Raffle drawings throughout the day (Prize ideas: Coolers, backpacks, or gift sets)
  • Social media engagement contests (Prize ideas: Logoed phone stands or selfie kits)
  • Team-building game winners (Prize ideas: Self-care kits or branded fleece blankets)
  • Prize wheel spins to liven up the weekly team huddle (Prize ideas: Tech gadgets or tumblers)

These small but impactful prizes help keep energy high and give attendees something to talk about long after the event ends. Crestline’s wide selection of custom logo merchandise makes it easy to match the prize to your brand and budget.

Eco-Friendly Employee Prizes

Show your commitment to sustainability while rewarding your team with eco-friendly employee prizes. These thoughtful giveaways not only support the planet but also reflect your company’s values.

Here are some eco-conscious prize ideas to consider:

Eco-friendly prizes are a great way to show appreciation while promoting sustainability. With Crestline’s selection of green products, you can reward your team and help protect the planet at the same time.

Easy-to-Mail Prizes for Remote Employees

Recognizing remote employees doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right selection of lightweight, shippable prizes, you can keep your team engaged and appreciated, no matter where they work.

Here are some easy-to-mail prize ideas:

  • Snack packs in eco-friendly packaging
    Always a hit and never wasted, choose shelf-stable treats in recyclable or compostable wrappers.
  • Branded notebooks, pens, or sticky notes
    Lightweight, useful, and easy to personalize with your logo.
  • Compact tech accessories
    Think phone wallets, webcam covers, or cord organizers, small but impactful.
  • Gift cards or digital reward codes
    Perfect for instant delivery and flexible use.
  • Custom socks or T-shirts
    Soft, foldable, and fun, especially when printed with team slogans or inside jokes.
  • Reusable drinkware
    Drink koozies or foldable water bottles are great for shipping and daily use.

These prizes are not only practical and appreciated, they’re also cost-effective to ship. Crestline offers a wide range of custom logo products that are perfect for remote recognition programs, and we can help you select items that fit your budget and brand.

Made in USA Employee Prizes

Support local businesses and showcase your company’s commitment to quality and community with Made in USA employee prizes. These gifts are not only patriotic, they’re often crafted with exceptional care and sustainability in mind.

Great Made in USA prize ideas include:

Holiday-Themed Office Games & Prizes

Seasonal celebrations are a great excuse to bring some fun into the workplace, and prizes make them even better! Whether you're planning a costume contest, desk decorating challenge, or trivia game, branded giveaways add excitement and reinforce your company culture.

Halloween Office Games

Spice up spooky season with:

Valentine’s Day Fun

Celebrate appreciation and connection with:

  • “Secret Cupid” gift exchange (prize ideas: heart-shaped candles, stress balls & cookie cutters or plush toys)
  • Compliment card games (prize ideas: journals or pens with uplifting messages)
  • Love-themed bingo (prize ideas: valentine candy or cozy blankets)

Christmas & Winter Holidays

Make the season bright with holiday office games and activities:

  • Ugly sweater contests (prize ideas: branded fleece or holiday socks)
  • Desk decorating competitions (prize ideas: ornaments or mini gift sets)
  • Holiday trivia or scavenger hunts (prize ideas: hot cocoa kits or insulated tumblers)

Thanksgiving & Fall Festivities

Celebrate gratitude and autumn vibes with:

  • “Thankful For…” sharing games (prize ideas: custom journals or gratitude cards)
  • Pumpkin bowling or harvest trivia (prize ideas: flannels or blankets)
  • Pot luck lunch with best dish competition (prize ideas: branded aprons or kitchen accessories)

Easter & Spring Celebrations

Welcome spring with light-hearted games and fresh prizes:

  • Egg hunts around the office (prize: reusable snack containers or water bottles)
  • Spring trivia or flower arranging contests (prize: gardening kits or tote bags)
  • “Guess the Jellybeans” jar game (prize: logoed candy or stuffed animals)

USA 4th of July Fun

Celebrate summer and independence with patriotic flair:

Custom Online Stores for Employee Rewards

Want to streamline your prize program? Crestline offers custom online stores where employees can redeem points or company cash for branded merchandise. This flexible solution lets you:

  • Offer a curated selection of logoed items
  • Control inventory and budget
  • Empower employees to choose what they love

Low Minimums, Big Impact

While bulk orders are ideal for large teams, Crestline also offers low minimums on select items, perfect for small departments or personalized recognition. Whether you're ordering 10 or 10,000, we make it easy to deliver quality prizes that reflect your brand. Here are some small order staff prize options:

What is the value of prizes for employees for your company?

From raffles to wellness programs, employee prizes are a smart way to build culture, drive engagement, and show appreciation. With Crestline’s wide selection of custom logo products, you can create memorable moments that make your team feel seen and celebrated.