
Material matters: Promotional gift ideas to make a lasting impression
By Mae Strehlow
3 min read
Posted: March 21, 2025
Brands have one-tenth of a second opens in new window to make a first impression. In that moment, you want your brand to shine, whether someone is visiting your website, attending an event or meeting a team member. A branded gift can create a lasting, positive impression, but material matters. Browse these promotional gift ideas featuring quality materials to make the most of those first seconds.
Metal promo items
Metal is synonymous with strength, endurance and quality—traits many brands want to be associated with. By choosing promotional business gifts made from metal, you’re showing there is weight and substance in your partnership. Give stainless steel bottle openers to celebrate anniversaries. On especially monumental anniversaries, consider a stainless steel watch.
A laser-engraved Thermos® bottle makes a lasting retirement gift. For a relationship that’s just beginning, tuck a stainless steel pen in a new-hire onboarding kit to signal the start of something long-lasting.
Branded wood gifts
Along with its natural aesthetic appeal, wood can symbolize growth, strength and vitality. Research shows opens in new window wood carries positive psychological effects too. An organization with roots in home-building or the environment could give branded pallet coasters to show appreciation to customers or volunteers. Or include an air plant in a wood planter in a thank-you package for donors.
Bring a natural feel to the world of tech by giving a wood wireless charging pad or speaker. For fans of symbolism, these branded employee gifts can represent both natural growth and embracing the future.
Promos made of cloth
Cloth can add texture. And when it appears someplace unexpected, it can bring a touch of softness. Kick off an all-department meeting or team-building event by giving employees a cardigan pen and cotton-wrapped hardcover notebook as a surprise. If the gathering involves competition, a stylish accessory for their desk or kitchen counter, like a fabric and bamboo speaker, is a prize they’ll work hard to win.
Make a bold impression with a colorful table cover at your next event. The snug-fit stretch fabric gives your expo booth a refresh and helps draw people in.
Epoxy dome items
An epoxy-dome—with its glossy 3D appearance and protective qualities—can elevate a branded employee gift. Impress attendees at your organization’s next golf fundraiser by including golf ball tubes in your event swag bag. The epoxy-dome cap exudes class and quality. Raise the profile of any event by giving wireless speakers with an epoxy-dome covering.
If you are in the construction or real estate industries, a small level, adorned with a full-color epoxy-dome imprint, can be a statement-maker. Include it in a gift bag presented at the end of a project. When it’s employees you want to impress, a metal badge holder carries associations of strength and durability. Imprint your logo on an epoxy dome on the front and wow your team at the next all-staff meeting.
Promotional gift ideas to make a lasting impression
Your brand gets one chance at a first impression. Promotional gifts made with memorable materials, like metal, wood, cloth and epoxy dome can help you make your mark.
THERMOS is a registered trademark of Thermos L.L.C., 475 N. Martingale Road, Suite 1100 Schaumburg, ILLINOIS UNITED STATES 60173
“Branding Statistics.” CapitalOne Shopping, 26 Jan. 2025, capitaloneshopping.com/research/branding-statistics opens in new window
Ojala, Ann et al. “Psychological and physiological effects of a wooden office room on human well-being: Results from a randomized controlled trial.” ScienceDirect, August 2023, sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027249442300107X opens in new window