You know just how much work goes into planning on presenting at a trade show or business event or thinking about gifting valuable clients. Trust us, so do we. And one of the key dilemmas facing every planning professional is what promotional items to give away as client appreciation gifts.
So often, most promotional items end up unused or forgotten. That’s because many businesses don’t focus on what clients actually want, which is quality, usefulness, and brand alignment. For those that are wondering about what are the best promotional items to give away, you’re at the right place.
This article gives you some sound ideas, including premium customized chocolate gifts that taste great and leave a lasting impression. Ready to get started? Keep reading.
What Makes a Great Promotional Product?
Okay, let’s get into it. You want to know what are good promotional items to give clients. And you’re right to ask. Based on our observations and research, high ROI promo items have five key traits in common. These are:
- Usefulness
- Quality
- Personalization
- Aesthetic appeal
- Sustainability
While these characteristics seem pretty achievable, it’s actually a hard nut to crack when you think about one item that does it all. For example, products like pens, mugs, and USBs have worked as useful promotional products in the past. But remember: customer preferences are shifting and the elevated levels of demand call for something more thoughtful and meaningful.
Best Promotional Product Categories for 2025
In this section, we’ve broken down the best promotional products for 2025 into five categories. Each one aims to focus on the five key client gift traits mentioned above. Here’s what to consider:
1. Drinkware
Drinkware is a daily part of life, no matter what your clients may be consuming. That’s why it should be durable and, of course, branded for maximum impact. A few examples to choose from include:
- Water bottles
- Mugs
- Tumblers
2. Apparel
When choosing apparel, the good news is that it has a long lifespan. Plus, with branded items, your brand can gain more visibility than something that stays indoors. Some ideas to think about include:
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Outerwear
3. Tech accessories
Then there are the tech accessories that every modern client looks forward to receiving. Their usefulness is undeniable and they’re always going to remember this type of gift because of its utility. Consider these options if you’re on the tech wave:
- USB drives
- Phone grips
- Chargers
4. Eco-friendly items
There’s also a major shift toward gifting eco-friendly promotional products as a result of heightened environmental awareness and following principles of sustainability. Not sure where to start? Some suggestions to think about include:
- Bamboo items
- Reusable totes
- Recycled notebooks
5. Office supplies
The best promotional products don’t have to be something out of the ordinary. They can also be useful consumables. For example, the most effective promo items include:
- Branded pens
- Notebooks
- Sticky notes
Whichever of these gift items you choose to give away, bear in mind that branded promo gear is essential. Putting your company logo, tagline, or name on any promotional item is something you don’t want to miss. Otherwise, you risk your items being lost in a sea of promo items when you actually need them to stand out from the crowd.
Unique and Memorable Promotional Products
Want to take your gifting game a notch further? This is the section to focus on. Below, we mention some unique and memorable promotional products that do the job beautifully.
Custom chocolate gifts
It doesn’t matter if you want to stand out at events, trade shows, or create memorable onboarding kits. Custom edible gifts are the way to go. In particular, we are talking about the universally loved premium chocolate here at Totally Chocolate.
And it’s not just about amazing, high-quality chocolate items. It’s about personalization to a whole new level. Yes, we help you personalize each chocolate gift, from the design to the packaging, messaging, and everything in between.
Why do these premium branded gifts work so well? Because they touch the senses, creating a positive brand association with taste. Plus, the gorgeous presentation is also worth it. Trust us.
Other high-impact ideas
Are there other options to consider apart from chocolate promotional gifts? While we are biased and believe that chocolate is the best as unique corporate giveaways, there are a few other options to bear in mind. These are a bit more out-of-the box and really make an impact. So, for not just any personalized company swag, think about gifting:
- Cocktail kits
- Remote work gift boxes
- Event-specific luxury swag
What Customers Actually Keep
In the sea of client appreciation gifts, there are generic branded promotional gifts and promo products customers love. So, how can you hit the sweet spot? The answer lies in high perceived value and practical use.
To take it one step further, it’s when you give a premium edible gift, you’re making certain that it will be opened, enjoyed, and remembered. As a little bonus here, we can easily say that branded chocolate from Totally Chocolate does this extremely well.
It’s also a no-clutter, no-waste situation that only leaves memorable sensory experiences. We think high-quality engraved chocolate is the best route to take. Don’t you?
Trade Show Giveaways and Events
The best giveaways for trade shows should be something unique. They should be memorable, useful, and personalized.
That’s why you need to go beyond pens as your trade show giveaways. Rather focus on engraved and personalized 1 lb and 2 lb chocolate bars, luxury chocolate tasting boxes, and other premium chocolate treats that are promo gifts that convert.
You simply won’t go wrong with any of our edible swag. And don’t forget: we can put your brand’s logo on the packaging for a fuller impact. Pretty sweet, isn’t it?
Conclusion: Add a Sweet Touch to Your Brand
In this article, we answered the question “what promotional products are most effective” and gave you a few options to consider. But we’d like to add our two cents’ worth here: we know what makes for good promotional items and we can help.
With our custom engraved chocolate options, you’re at the right place here at Totally Chocolate with premium quality chocolate that leaves a lasting impression.
Are you ready to order your unique corporate chocolate gift? Browse our extensive selection of sweet treats today and get in touch with our awesome team to bring your vision to life.
