The Best Promotional Items, Giveaways & Swag — Period

With more and more customers tuning out ads, businesses and organizations must find new ways to promote their brand. One way they are finding success is with top promotional products, which include a selection of unique corporate gifts and cool swag for a variety of events. It may seem simple, but unique promotional products attract attention and are cost-effective compared to other forms of advertisement.
Here, we're going to show you the best promotional items you can buy — period — and why these products are so versatile when it comes to brand building. We'll cover the best sellers during COVID-19, cool promotional items from last year, the best swag items according to our staff and trendy ideas of the future according to our merchandising experts. Read on or jump to the section that piques your interest below:
- Pandemic Performers
- Current Customer Favorites
- All-Time Staff Picks
- Tomorrow's Top Items
- The Best Promos for Your Industry, Event or Purpose
Pandemic Performers
When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out earlier this year, it increased the demand for products like hand sanitizers and face masks. These items or any of our other personal protection equipment, imprinted with your custom logo, are great promotional products that show you care about protecting your customers and staff, as well as your fellow citizens.
Protect & Promote™ with these top-selling items.
REUSABLE STRETCH FACE MASK
Keep your staff comfortable and protected with these Reusable Stretch Face Masks, which are made from stretchable polyester and spandex for the ideal snug fit. The best part is these masks can be washed and reused, providing your brand with advertising for the months to come once you imprint your custom logo on the front.
“Very happy with the product — they have been a huge hit, and another organization in our community placed a large order with you because they liked our masks so much.” - Susan
REUSABLE FACE MASK
This Reusable Face Mask is another hot item to purchase as we contend with the pandemic. These masks are unique because they come with adjustable toggles that allow them to fit a multitude of face sizes easily.
“The mask is comfortable and not too bulky. The adjustable ear loops are nice too!” - Joseph
COTTON REUSABLE MASK
Cotton is one of the most breathable materials you'll find, which is why the Cotton Reusable Mask is such a great purchase for your business or organization. Purchase these masks for your staff, and they'll greatly appreciate your efforts.
“It is great. We like the printing done on it too.” - Marne
TAKE-ALONG HAND SANITIZER
Your clients can stay protected from germs while on the go with the Take-Along Hand Sanitizer. They'll also see your logo imprinted on the front each time they take it out for use.
“Great size for travel and love that they are refillable.” - Terri
SANI-SPRAY PEN
Whether you want it scented with coconut, citrus breeze or decide to choose unscented, the convenient Sani-Spray Pen is a great way to keep germs away.
“It looks great and is exactly what we wanted.” - Tammy
2 OZ ANTIBACTERIAL HAND SANITIZER
The 2 Oz Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer is the perfect size bottle to keep on you at all times, making it one of the best corporate gifts for any event. Recipients will be sporting this handy bottle for use at grocery stores and during errands.
“Our sanitizers arrived, and the colors look awesome!” - Alisha
CHEERFUL TISSUE PACK
Easy to store in a purse or work bag, the Cheerful Tissue Pack will keep staff or clients smiling to know they will have these tissues on hand when they need them most.
4 PLY SUBLIMATED POLYESTER FACE MASK
The 4 Ply Sublimated Polyester Face Mask has an over the ear design for increased comfort, which makes this mask easy for employees to wear during long shifts. The imprinting method used on this mask allows for brilliant, photo quality results. The best feature is the four layers of fabric for ultimate protection.
“The product we chose is very high quality — thank you.” - Badgerland
2 PLY SUBLIMATED POLYESTER FACE MASK
Another mask designed for long wear and detailed branding, the 2 Ply Sublimated Polyester Face Mask comes in both adult and youth sizes. That makes it one of the best giveaways for schools or family events.
“The masks arrived, and they are awesome! They truly exceeded our hopes/expectations. We are tickled that they arrived sooner than anticipated, also!” - Peoples State Bank of Wells
1.7 OZ HAND SANITIZER
No need to keep your pocket crammed full with an oversized bottle when you purchase the 1.7 Oz Hand Sanitizer. Clients will love this gift when they need to make a quick run to the store.
“Loved that we could get hand sanitizer — customized, nonetheless! — in a time when it's so hard to find it on the shelves.” - Katie
REUSABLE FACE MASK AND HAND SANITIZER
The Reusable Face Mask and Hand Sanitizer Kit is the perfect all in one gift pack for the pandemic. It also comes with a zippered pouch that is water-resistant and washable.
FACE SHIELD
Many people are seeking an alternative or addition to a face mask, and that's why the Face Shield is a trendy product at the moment. Not only is it a protective covering, but it also restricts you from touching your face with your hands.
STRETCHY BANDANA
The Stretchy Bandana is a versatile gift that can be worn 13 different ways, meaning there are 13 different ways to advertise your logo with just one gift. Is your staff working from home? This item is flat, lightweight and unbreakable, making it extremely easy to mail.
FULL COLOR TUBULAR BANDANA
One of the most versatile items on this list, the Full Color Tubular Bandana is multi-functional, serving as either a mouth guard or a sports headband.
Haven't found exactly what you're looking for yet? We have plenty of other health and wellness gifts to help promote your brand and protect your clients and staff. For example, you can try out one of our thermometers, which will be a valuable gift as the pandemic progresses into the winter months.
If you need help choosing the right face mask for your organization, we have a detailed article that will guide you through the process, and you can always reach out to our Promotional Product Experts with any questions or concerns.
Current Customer Favorites
The customer is always right! That's why we are listing our best-selling promo products over the past year along with what our customers had to say about them. These cool swag items are sure to please any recipient and are a great way to advertise your brand.
“Love the pens. Great graphics and the pens write beautifully!” - Stephanie
“It's not like some of the cheaper products I've seen. This one is solid and good quality. Nothing better. Wonderful customer service.” - Kevin
“These pockets are a must-have on our university campus. The adhesive holds well and the pockets hold up to daily use.” - Mary
6FT STANDARD TABLE THROW — FULL COLOR FRONT PANEL
“The color of the table throw is very vibrant. The print quality is top notch! Can't wait to display it at events!” - Tia Barberton Preschool
“The lip balms are a hit. They are a great giveaway for adults and teens. Everyone seems to love them, and the price is affordable!” - Sue
“The pens were everything we imagined. People loved them and found them to be very useful for using their phones and tablets. I am very pleased with the quality and cosmetics of them. Thank you so much.” - Colleen
“These pens are great! They are easy to use, comfortable to hold, write consistently without skipping and last a very long time.” - Carlena
9” X 12” BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAGS
“These are great little bags. We use them for our Health Fair. It is really nice that they are biodegradable. It is very important to us. The imprints look great!” - Heidi
16 OZ ACCENTS STAINLESS TUMBLER
“The cups were even better than how they appeared in the catalog. We were satisfied with our choice. Everyone was pleased with the cups because they can be used for dual purpose — either hot or cold drinks.” - Louise
“The drawstring bags are great quality for the price. Our students loved them.” - Sharon
MAXGLIDE CLICK PEN — CORPORATE COLORS
“Love our new pens! The printing looks sharp and they write so smooth!” - Diana
NATURE-FRIENDLY NOTEBOOK & PEN
“We are very happy with our product. We pass them out to visitors, and they are not only used to take notes, but as a marketing tool.” - Linda
“These grocery totes are our bank's number one requested giveaway! They are strong and durable, making them a big hit for our community members to use while shopping, and our local organizations when making deliveries, gifts, etc. The totes always arrive in a timely manner! We take pride in seeing our logo tote bags being used in so many helpful ways within our communities!” - Mallory
“The cups are great. The quality is wonderful! From start to finish it was a great experience! Wouldn't change anything.” - Erin
“These custom, stainless steel tumblers offer a more clean-cut appearance and are available in many different colors and sizes.” - Dan
“The Popsockets are small in circumference but big enough to see the full design, and they are very thin as well which is perfect. It's a big perk that they are small, and they appear to hold up well and work as advertised. The imprint is a very high resolution, and our design looks perfect. We give them to our employees who excel in certain ways related to IT Security, and so far, they are a big hit.” - Daniel
“Great product, big hit with teens, durable, exceeded expectations!” - Seth
“Padfolio looks terrific! It's padded and feels soft in the hand with a leather-like texture. It is not hard and does not feel like plastic or vinyl. This was for a university event honoring PhD graduates, so it had to be a really nice, upscale type of gift. This one fit my requirements perfectly plus it's at a great price!” - Brigid
All-Time Staff Picks
Here at Crestline, We Know Promo™. That's why we have the best Quality Obsessed Experts who are PPAI-certified and have an average tenure of over 10 years. These experts are always there to help you find the best products, so we asked them to offer up some of their top picks.
Abrey Recommends
“I like adding lemon or cucumber to mine, but you can add any fruit. The easy to clean basket screws on and off inside the lid.”
“Great way to show your employees that you haven't forgotten about their well-being by sending a health & wellness gift to their home.”
Alicia Recommends
“During a recent power outage, I plugged it in and was able to completely recharge my phone!”
Allen Recommends
“It's easy to clean and I won’t use anything else!”
“This light is invaluable when camping. Once the tent is set up we hang them on the inside and it's like sitting in a fully lit room. And when someone has to exit the tent they can just grab & go.”
Cathy Recommends
“It is the perfect size for enjoying a glass of wine at a picnic or BBQ.”
ABSORBENT STONE CAR COASTER SET
“They help keep the bottom of your cup holders clean and dry.”
Dan Recommends
“I love custom imprinted items that make my life easier.”
“An inexpensive, yet convenient branded item that your client will use on a daily basis for their beloved four-legged friends.”
Deborah Recommends
“Valuable teaching tool for teachers and parents. Children can set a goal to save for something whether a short-term goal such as a toy or to plan for a trip as my family did.”
Elizabeth Recommends
“I love my lunch container. I've used it every day since I got it.”
Lori Recommends
20 OZ COLOR BURST WATER BOTTLE
“I love this bottle because it is made from a durable glass that does not give my drink a 'metal' taste to it and the silicone sleeve protects the bottle and gives it a nice grip.”
“This was given to me by my insurance company and stays in my truck, because it is a lifesaver!”
Peter Recommends
FULL COLOR TRADE SHOW TOTE 14” X 12” X 6”
“A durable, affordable event bag with 2" wide adjustable shoulder strap for easy and comfortable carrying. These bags are both tear-resistant and water-repellent!”
Rhonda Recommends
“A grocery tote is the gift that keeps giving. From the market to the shopping center, carrying a favorite dish to a family outing, brand exposure is occurring on a wide scale. It can be washed and reused over and over.”
Sandy Recommends
“This "apple" shaped clip can be given to teachers or nutritionists!”
“This clip can be given to “star” employees or students!”
Seanna Recommends
“My own collection of totes has options, but this is by far my favorite! With a weight tolerance of around 44 lbs. this tote is durable enough to carry books, binders, hair appliances, gym equipment, and the list goes on. This tote is incredibly trendy and I’m receiving compliments from everyone who sees it!”
“This item is a surefire crowd-pleaser and will please draw all audiences with its super plush micro fur and chic embroidered imprint area of 5 ½“ in diameter.”
Sue Recommends
12 OZ PLASTIC STEMLESS WINE GLASS
“Great for outdoor gatherings of any kind: weddings, graduations, family get togethers or just sitting around the fire pit.”
“This is the only pen I have used since starting here nearly 15 years ago. Once this runs out … It’ll be time to retire!”
Tabatha Recommends
“I like this mitt because of its silicone exterior which protects the skin and withstands up to 250°C/482°F. This is also great to wear while grilling out on the deck because of its longer glove length.”
Wanda Recommends
HANDYMAN'S HELPER LOCKING TAPE
“This is the perfect size tape measure to keep in my purse. I’ve used mine to measure for furniture, and other miscellaneous items when shopping at yard sales and flea markets. Very handy!” - Wanda
“I really like the orange flavor and it keeps my lips hydrated much longer than other balms I’ve tried. Not to mention it’s a cute container!” - Wanda
Tomorrow's Top Items
Our ace merchandising team always stays ahead of the curve when it comes to the best swag. They offered their advice on the top forward-thinking items that have recently come out. You can keep your company trendy with any of these unique promotional items.
Everyone should be watching cybersecurity — this 4 pack stops unwanted people from seeing and hearing from your computer and can block unwanted data sharing. This is a must for everyone working at the office or remotely.
Hands-free is the way to go. The sling allows you to wear it on your front or back and keep everything you need with you at all times.
Most everyone is working on a computer now. With fewer in-person meetings, we are spending more time in front of a screen. This is a great way to rest those tired eyes. Blue light technology helps filter blue light and reduce eye strain.
We have all become aware that germs are everywhere. This device using UV technology kills germs on the surface. Keep it handy to clean things like your phone and high touch surfaces.
SNACK & LEARN MEETING IN A BOX
We are all meeting virtually — this box of snacks is for those afternoon meeting when you need a little pick me up. Mailing each member of the meeting a box brings you all together virtually.
SOAPBOX NOURISH & RESTORE GIFT SET
Give a gift that also gives back. The Soapbox brand gives back to those in need with every bar of soap purchased. Soap equals hope.
Our best-selling pen just got earth friendly. It's made from a renewable and sustainable resource — wheat straw ABS plastic — which is created from reclaimed stalks of wheat.
This is a perfect product for anyone working with children — schools, dentists, pediatrics and the public. This type of mask brings a smile to life. We all thrive on seeing facial expressions so don’t hide behind your mask.
NECKBAND EAR SAVER WITH BUTTON FOR MASK LOOPS
Most of us are not used to wearing masks every day like those in the medical field. That makes us more prone to ear fatigue. This soft piece of fabric with two buttons holds the mask loops and keeps the pressure off your ears. People who now need to wear a mask for hours a day can find relief using this product.
We all want to do our part to save the environment and leave the planet better than how we found it. This silicone bag eliminates the need for disposable plastic baggies when packing a lunch, taking snacks on the go, or storing foods.
The Best Promos for Your Industry, Event or Purpose
We've looked at some of the best promotional products according to our customers and staff. Now, let's dig in and look at the different things that “best” can mean depending on your industry, event or purpose.
- Find out how to choose swag that won’t get thrown away.
- Best eco-friendly promotional products.
- Best inexpensive promotional products and budget friendly giveaways.
- Best holiday corporate gifts for 2020, best gifts for employees by budget, and best gifts for clients and customers by budget.
- Best gifts for nurses.
- Best gifts for teachers.
- Best gifts for mailing and home delivery to individual recipients.
- Best promotional products for real estate.
- Best promotional products for banks and the financial industry.
- Best promotional products for virtual events.
- Best giveaways for churches and religious organizations.
- Best back to school items with logo.
- Best school spirit items.
- Best dental office giveaways.
- Best promotional products for government agencies.
- Best custom face masks for companies and organizations.
- Best branded PPE for safe workplaces, schools and universities, restaurants and bars, and retail stores.
Still not sure of the best promotional product choice for your organization? Give us a call or chat in and we’ll help you find it!
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