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 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:
- Current Customer Favorites
- All-Time Staff Picks
- Tomorrow's Top Items
- The Best Promos for Your Industry, Event or Purpose
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
“Great way to show your employees that you haven't forgotten about their well-being by sending a health & wellness gift to their home.”
“I like adding lemon or cucumber to mine, but you can add any fruit. The easy to clean basket screws on off inside the lid.”
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 sherpa blanket is a surefire crowd-pleaser and will please draw all audiences with its luxurious feel”
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.
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.
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 2022, 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.
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!