Just because summer’s for vacations and relaxing, doesn’t mean you should take a break from promoting your brand.

In fact, this is the perfect time to stand out from your competition and grab your audience’s attention.

How do you do that?

By offering fun and practical summer promotional products that will wow potential customers, clients, and employees.

We’ll give you all the details on why and how you should use this marketing strategy, as well as 20 creative summer giveaway ideas to inspire you.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

How Can Summer Promotional Items Benefit Your Brand?

20 Summer Giveaway Ideas To Promote Your Brand

How To Use Summer Giveaway Items

How Can I Choose the Best Summer Giveaway Items?

How Can Summer Promotional Items Benefit Your Brand? 

During our many years of experience, we found that offering promotional products during the summer months has many benefits.

And our clients totally agree!

Here are some of the amazing benefits you shouldn’t miss out on:

• Boost brand awareness. During summertime, people attend lots of outdoor events, like festivals and sporting events, which gives you the perfect opportunity to enhance your brand’s visibility.

For instance, by offering custom golf tournament gifts, you can easily make sure your brand is seen by a large audience and piques their interest.

• Build customer loyalty. By offering client gifts, you show your customers how much you appreciate them, which, in turn, helps strengthen your relationships and build brand loyalty.

On top of that, some summer-themed swag, like sunscreen lotion, will show your clients you truly care about their well-being, which can further enhance their emotional connection to your brand.

This is very important since, according to statistics, customers spend 43% more money at brands they’re loyal to.

• Produce long-term effects. If you offer your audience practical summer giveaways, they will likely use them for a long time, advertising your brand for free.

In fact, an ASI survey found that 57% of American consumers kept the promotional gifts they received for more than five years.

• Increase employee retention. High-quality employee appreciation gifts show your team members that you value all their hard work and that makes them feel seen.

You shouldn’t overlook this because statistics show that 66% of employees would leave their jobs if they didn’t feel appreciated.

Now, let’s look at some summer giveaway ideas that will help you enjoy all these benefits. 

20 Summer Giveaway Ideas To Promote Your Brand

If you want your summer brand marketing campaign to be a success, you need to wow your audience with unique promotional giveaways.

To help you achieve that, we created this list of 20 summer giveaway ideas based on our clients’ feedback and top choices.

1. Sunscreen

While most people enjoy basking in the sun at the beach, this can be quite dangerous given that UV rays can cause sunburn, skin aging, and even cancer.

Therefore, sunscreen is a must-have during the summer months.

For ultimate summertime protection, our clients often choose this compact five-piece set that includes SPF30 sunscreen lotion, after-burn spray, insect repellent, after-bite spray, and hand sanitizer.

Price range: $8 – $10

Why we recommend it: Because your clients and employees can use this healthcare promotional item while practicing outdoor activities or attending summer events and can share it with others.

2. Hats

Summer hats help prevent heatstroke, which makes them very thoughtful wellness gifts.

The Transcend unisex ballcap is one of our best sellers because it comes in 12 fun colors that will match any style and you can customize it with your company logo to enhance your brand’s visibility.

Price range: $10 – $14

Why we recommend it: Custom hats make great giveaway prizes for summer contests and you can be sure your recipients will wear them frequently to protect their heads from the sun.

3. Sunglasses

Sunglasses protect your eyes from dangerous UV rays, germs, and bacteria.

We suggest you opt for these stylish, retro sunglasses that feature UV 400 protective lenses and are lightweight, compact, and unisex.

Price range: $3 – $5

Why we recommend it: You can pair them with branded t-shirts and offer them as corporate gifts to your employees or as fun prizes for summer contests.

4. Beach towels

Beach towels are very practical during the summer season because people spend a lot of time at the beach or the pool.

Our clients love this super soft and absorbent beach towel made from 100% sustainably sourced cotton that also features a very useful corner pocket.

Price range: $40 – $70

Why we recommend it: Beach towels, together with inflatable beach balls, are great prize ideas for social media or in-person summer contests.

5. Picnic blankets

People also enjoy having picnics with their friends and family at this time of year, so picnic blankets are a good swag choice.

This custom blanket has a carrying strap for easy transportation, as well as a cozy fleece-lined interior and a waterproof exterior which make it perfect for a picnic in the park.

Price range: $13 – $20

Why we recommend it: Because it encourages your employees and clients to have some summer fun outdoors and relax, which they will highly appreciate.

6. Drawstring bags

Similar to tote bags, drawstring bags are very practical promo items for carrying your essentials or groceries.

One of our clients’ top choices is this drawstring bag made from recycled water bottles that features trendy graphite color blocking. 

Price range: $5 – $7

Why we recommend it: You can easily turn this into a swag bag full of cool summer essentials and hand it out at trade shows to attract new customers.

7. Travel mugs or tumblers

Travel mugs and tumblers are very thoughtful company swag items because they keep the recipient’s favorite beverages cold for a long time during the hot summer months.

We suggest you give our Hugo tumbler a try, as it has a durable, double-wall stainless steel vacuum structure with copper insulation and a sleek design.

Price range: $15 – $20

Why we recommend it: Whether you offer a custom tumbler to your employees or clients, they’ll likely use it every day on their way to work or while traveling, thus creating brand exposure.

8. Water bottles

Water bottles are another type of popular summer drinkware that you should consider.

Our clients often opt for this double-wall stainless steel water bottle that keeps beverages cold for 48 hours during the summer season and has a spill-resistant lid.

Price range: $19 – $24

Why we recommend it: Water bottles are very practical travel promotional items that people can use to stay hydrated wherever they are, making them memorable giveaways.

9. Lunch coolers

During summertime, cooler bags will keep your food fresh until lunchtime and you can also use them for picnicking.

If you want to take this corporate gift to the next level, opt for this snack gift basket that includes a fashionable cooler sack and tasty treats.

Price range: $19 – $27

Why we recommend it: A cooler bag is a summer promotional giveaway that will make your brand stand out from competitors offering classic tote bags.

10. BBQ grill sets

Nothing screams ‘summer vibes’ quite like a barbeque, so you can be sure that a BBQ grill set will leave a lasting impression on your recipients.

We love this BBQ set because it features 13 tools with comfortable bamboo handles that are oil- and stain-resistant, all wrapped up in a beautiful and durable bamboo case.

Price range: $65 – $80

Why we recommend it: A BBQ set can make a memorable giveaway prize for a summer social media contest or a promotional gift that will strengthen your relationship with clients and employees.

11. Can coolers

Another unique summer swag idea is to opt for a can cooler, aka a koozie, that people can use both at home and at the beach. 

Our clients frequently choose this double-walled vacuum-insulated stainless chiller that keeps any canned drink three times cooler for three times longer.

Price range: $27 – $43

Why we recommend it: You can offer can coolers as promotional giveaways when hosting corporate outdoor events on hot summer days, as long as you also offer attendees some canned beverages to quench their thirst.

12. Folding chairs

Your recipients can always use a folding chair while relaxing in their backyard, picnicking, or camping.

We suggest you opt for this portable folding chair that features armrests with built-in cup holders and comes in a matching carry case with shoulder strap.

Price range: $27 – $35

Why we recommend it: These promo items are particularly appreciated during sporting events or other outdoor activities where participants would otherwise have to stand for long periods in the heat.

To offer your attendees the best summer event experience, make sure you also install some outdoor umbrellas.

13. Hammocks

Whether hiking in the mountains or relaxing at the beach, a hammock can make your summer days a lot more enjoyable.

The Sebago hammock is one of our clients’ favorites due to its breathable quick-drying nylon, easy setup, and accompanying storage pouch. 

Price range: $60 – $90

Why we recommend it: If you have a great summer contest idea, you can attract more participants by offering this hammock as the big prize.

Likewise, you can use it to reward valued clients or employees and strengthen your bond.

14. Fanny pack

People attend lots of outdoor events during the hot summer months and carrying their essentials in a fanny pack is very comfortable.

Our clients often pick the Hipster fanny pack because it’s budget-friendly and made from recycled polyester, making it an eco-friendly promotional item.

Price range: $5 – $7

Why we recommend it: Custom fanny packs are much more practical during the summertime than branded backpacks and will grab the attention of trade show attendees because not many brands hand them out.

15. Waterproof Bluetooth speakers

Summer get-togethers would be no fun without good music, which is why waterproof Bluetooth speakers are such a great promo item.

We love this waterproof Bluetooth speaker because it’s very compact and features a carabiner clip so you can easily take it with you to the pool or beach.

Price range: $16 – $20

Why we recommend it: Your recipients will be constantly reminded of your brand while listening to their favorite tunes on a speaker personalized with your company name.

16. Pickleball paddle and ball sets

According to our clients, summer gatherings are much more fun for both adults and children when they involve some games, like pickleball.

Our set includes two wooden paddles and a set of balls, all wrapped up in a mesh bag for easy carrying.

Price range: $27 – $34

Why we recommend it: Forget about the classic inflatable beach ball and grab your audience’s attention with a pickleball set that will keep them active during the summer season.

17. Bottle Bash sets

Bottle Bash is a fun and competitive outdoor game for the entire family.

The Bottle Bash set includes everything you need to set up the game, as well as a customizable storage bag for easy carrying.

Price range: $60 – $75

Why we recommend it: The Bottle Bash set is a unique corporate gift that will definitely pique your audience’s interest and impress your team members.

18. Power banks

Since you have nowhere to charge your phone while at the beach or in the woods, a power bank can be a lifesaver.

This 2,200 mAh power bank is one of our best sellers because it’s very small so it can easily fit even into a fanny pack and you can personalize it with your company name to make it memorable.

Price range: $11 – $14

Why we recommend it: Because this tech swag will allow your recipients to enjoy their long summer outings and vacations without worrying about charging their devices.

19. Outdoor lanterns with power bank

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind way to charge devices?

Look no further than this outdoor lantern with a built-in USB mobile charging port.

Besides its charging capabilities, our clients also like that it features a handle with a built-in clip and magnet for easy carrying and attachment.

Price range: $55 – $65

Why we recommend it: This summer swag idea is so unique that it will impress any client or employee, while also allowing them to enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors.

20. Bottle/can opener keychains

You don’t need to go overboard with summer giveaways if you can’t afford them because even a practical keychain can leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Our clients frequently opt for this aluminum bottle/can opener keychain that comes in three different colors and is easily customizable.

Price range: $2 – $4

Why we recommend it: Because this branded product is very budget-friendly and your recipients will likely use it all summer long, wherever they go, increasing your brand’s visibility.

We’ve given you plenty of ideas to choose from, now it’s time to explain how you can use them.

How To Use Summer Giveaway Items

To answer this question, we’ve surveyed our clients and came up with the following main use cases for summer branded merchandise:

Business use

Clearly, one of the main reasons why you should invest in summer giveaways is to promote your brand.

Here’s how:

• Offer client gifts to show your appreciation for their collaboration and encourage repeat business.

To make your gift more memorable, choose summer promotional items that encourage them to unwind and have some fun, like a speaker or a pickleball set.

• Attract new customers by offering them unique summer giveaways at trade shows and other corporate events.

For instance, the outdoor lantern with a built-in powerbank can easily attract visitors and help you spark a conversation.

• Organize summer contests that boost engagement and attract more participants with cool summer-themed prizes.

Colorful beach towels, stylish sunglasses, and practical cooler bags will do the trick.

Employee gifting

Your businesses could never succeed without hard-working and committed employees.

Therefore, keeping them happy should be your top priority.

By offering them practical and enjoyable summer promotional items, like sunscreen and hats, you can boost employee morale and increase job satisfaction.

However, make sure you choose a more impressive gift, like a BBQ tool set, for your best-performing team members to make them feel special and motivate others to do the same.

To make things more fun and engaging, you can use gamification in the workplace and reward the winners with cool summer swag.

Student gifting at the end of the school year

For educational institutions, offering summer giveaways at the end of the school year is a great way to celebrate students’ achievements.

What’s more, cool summer-themed promo items, like branded tumblers and lunch coolers, can help schools build a positive emotional connection with their students.

Finally, you can even encourage students to stay active and healthy during the summer break by giving them a Bottle Bash set or a custom water bottle.

However, regardless of the use case, you should still pay attention to the summer promotional products you choose.

Keep reading to discover some useful tips.

How Can I Choose the Best Summer Giveaway Items?

Here are some practical tips for your summer marketing campaign:

• Ensure your swag is summer-relevant. Think about the most popular summer activities, like enjoying a day at the beach or going camping.

Then, choose practical promo items that would enhance these experiences, like beach towels, picnic blankets, and cooler bags.

• Pick summer giveaways that match your brand values. For example, if your brand promotes sustainability, make sure you opt for eco-friendly promotional products, like reusable drinkware.

• Focus on quality and durability. Even if you choose budget-friendly promotional gifts, never compromise on quality and durability.

After all, the longer your recipients can use your giveaways, the more brand exposure they create.

• Think about your target audience. If you want your target audience to actually use your branded merchandise, you need to pick items that match their interests or preferences.

For example, tech-savvy consumers will likely appreciate a Bluetooth speaker more than they would a beach towel.

• Stick to the budget. Carefully analyze your budget to determine how much you can afford to spend on summer swag.

Then, distribute your resources wisely.

For instance, you can pick a few luxury promo products to wow your most important clients and buy budget-friendly swag in bulk for corporate events.

• Be unique and creative. Always look for unique summer giveaways that will impress your audience and help you differentiate your brand from the competition.

There you have it; everything you need to know about summer giveaways.

Now, it’s your turn!

Over To You

With all these summer giveaway ideas, you are now ready to create a marketing campaign that will wow your audience.

Just remember to pick unique and practical items that your audience will love and use. 

For more swag inspiration, check out our SwagDrop shop.

And if you need any help picking summer-themed items, contact us.