Let’s be honest: nobody gets excited about receiving a flimsy pen or a cheap keychain. Now, if the swag is great, functional, and doesn’t look like it’s under $25? That’s a different story.
If you’re on a budget, choosing affordable company swag doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sacrifice quality and functionality. With the right picks, you can put together branded swag items that your recipients will genuinely use and keep.
Now, if you need proof that swag items are worth the investment, consider this: according to SellersCommerce, 90% of people who receive a promotional item remember the brand name; 73% of those are more likely to do business with a company that offers them swag.
The bottom line? You don’t need a massive swag campaign budget to make a lasting impression. You just need to know what to look for, and that’s exactly what this guide is here to help you with!
When to gift swag under $25?
You may think that having a lower budget can limit when you can give out swag. Except that’s not true at all! There are many instances where you can send out $25 worth of swag items, which we list down here.
Trade show
Trade shows call for inexpensive swag items that are lightweight, easy to carry, and practical enough that attendees won’t leave them on the table or in the trash. Considering there’ll be a lot of attendees, your goal here is to give people something they’ll actually use after the event while still following your budget.
Employee welcome kits
A polished welcome kit doesn’t require a big per-item budget. A notebook, a tumbler, and a pair of branded socks bundled together can already create a cohesive swag package that feels like it’s part of the onboarding process. This kind of affordable swag sets the tone for your new employee’s experience right from the start.
Client appreciation gifts
For client gifts, it’s all about presentation. Choose swag items that look elevated, brand them tastefully, and invest in clean, high-quality packaging to create an experience that leaves a lasting impression without requiring a large per-unit spend.
Holiday and seasonal campaigns
Seasonal swag is a great opportunity to get creative with your cheap swag ideas. Themed socks and festive mugs are all strong choices for holiday campaigns because they lean into the celebratory feel of the season without breaking the bank.
What are the most affordable swag ideas under $25?
Durable apparel
For these apparel items, they’re On Demand swag, meaning the price you see already includes the item cost, shipping, and taxes.
Half-Sleeve Premium T-shirt - $14.99
This tee is lightweight enough for everyday wear, which means more impressions per dollar. It’s a suitable swag if you have new hires or simply wish to send out swag for your team.
Toddler Half-sleeve Premium T-shirt - $11.99
Got employees who have toddlers? Then this toddler shirt is an affordable swag item you should consider. Made from 100% combed ring-spun cotton, it's soft, practical, and thoughtful.
Premium Hoodie - $20.99
If you’re putting together onboarding kits or planning for cooler months, this hoodie is a dependable choice. The classic fit works across different settings, and the material will surely hold up over time.
Classic drinkware
TYESO ROAM Tumbler 2.0 | 20 oz - $19.79
This tumbler is a solid pick for daily-use branded swag. It features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot or cold and an ergonomic handle for easy carrying. It’s the kind of swag that goes from desk to gym bag seamlessly.
TYESO Stainless Steel Flip Lid Tumbler | 14 oz - $14.39
For something more compact, the TYESO Stainless Steel Flip Lid Tumbler | 14 oz is suitable for commutes and on-the-go moments. This swag item is sleek, functional, and with a starting price of $14.39, it’s an excellent value for affordable custom swag.
Travel essentials
Memory Foam Travel Pillow - $22.79
The Memory Foam Travel Pillow is lightweight and easy to pack, making it suitable for recipients who have flights, road trips, or simply wish to unwind at the end of the day. Your recipients will definitely reach for this one more than they might expect.
21" Impact AWARE™ RPET 190T Pongee Dual Colour Mini Umbrella - $14.55
The 21” mini umbrella brings sustainability into the mix. Made with genuine recycled fabric materials, it’s a travel must-have that is both functional and inexpensive.
Renew AWARE™ rPET Lunch Cooler - $14.43
Another sustainable pick is this lunch cooler. Made from recycled fabric and webbing from plastic bottles, it can hold up to 9 cans, features dual zippered access to an insulated main compartment, and includes an adjustable shoulder strap. Perfect swag for weekend getaways!
Premium add-ons
Premium Signature Crew Socks - $11.59
These socks are a great example of unique gifts under $25 that feel elevated without the price tag. Made from a polyester knit blend with nylon reinforcement fibers and elastane for shape retention, these unisex crew socks feature cushioning and subtle arch support. They’re also durable enough for active routines and refined enough for everyday wear.
Rupt Ampx 6000 mAh Powerbank - $19.59
Who doesn’t love a power bank? This slim, pocket-friendly charger, built from recycled ABS plastic housing and a lithium-polymer battery cell, is compact enough for a bag but powerful enough to keep your recipient’s phone running through busy event days or long travel days. For tech-savvy audiences or conference giveaways, this one is hard to beat.
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list! There are many other swag ideas that you can choose from with just a $25 per person budget. So, be sure to check out our complete bulk swag catalog for items under $25.
How do you choose the best swag under $25?
With so many swag options available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. A few guiding principles can help you narrow things down quickly.
Know your audience - The best affordable company swag is swag that fits naturally into your recipients’ lives. For instance, a power bank is a great pick for your employee who travels frequently. A desk plant makes more sense for your team member working from a home office. The more you understand your audience, the easier it is to choose something they’ll actually appreciate.
Prioritize practicality - When evaluating cheap swag items, ask whether your recipient will reach for this product regularly. If the answer is yes, it’s a good option.
Choose quality over quantity - It’s better to give 100 people a well-made $20 item than 500 people a flimsy $4 one. A lower-quality swag item reflects poorly on your brand, regardless of the logo on it.
Consider packaging and presentation - How something is packaged shapes how it’s perceived from the get-go. Even the most inexpensive swag ideas can feel premium with the right branded box or a simple handwritten card.
Keep your branding subtle - Heavy-handed branding can make your swag items feel more like an advertisement. A well-placed logo in a complementary color tends to land better than an oversized print, always.
How can PerkUp help you manage affordable swag for global teams?
Finding great, cheap swag ideas is one thing. Managing them across a global team? That’s a challenge that PerkUp can help you overcome.
PerkUp, as a swag management platform built for global teams, provides you with a centralized place to handle everything from swag design to delivery. With access to over 10,000 bulk swag items and 500+ international On Demand swag options, PerkUp makes it easy to source affordable company swag that fits your brand and your budget, whether you’re ordering for 10 people or 10,000.
One of the standout features for teams trying to keep costs down is PerkUp’s global warehouse and supplier network, which spans the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia. PerkUp also offers an in-house design agency team that works as an extension of yours, so you don't have to worry about inconsistent branding or manual approval processes slowing things down or chipping away at your budget.
Conclusion
Great company swag doesn’t require a big budget. The best gifts for $25 and under are the ones that fit naturally into your recipients’ daily lives and keep your brand top of mind long after the receiving.
Ready to explore what else is available? Check out PerkUp's complete bulk swag catalog for items under $25 and see what fits your team.
Frequently Asked Questions about Swag Under $25
What counts as affordable swag under $25?
Affordable swag under $25 refers to branded swag priced at or below $25 per unit. This includes apparel like t-shirts and crewneck sweatshirts, drinkware like tumblers, travel accessories, tech items like power banks, and accessories like socks. The key is finding items that feel high-quality despite the lower price point.
What are the best swag items under $25 for employees?
Some of the best inexpensive swag items for employees include branded tumblers, socks, power banks, and sweatshirts. These items are practical and used regularly, which means your brand stays visible for a long time.
Is affordable swag worth it for brand awareness?
Absolutely! Research consistently shows that physical branded items outperform many digital ad formats in terms of recall and customer action. Even a well-chosen gift under $25 can leave a lasting impression and influence purchasing behavior.
How do I make inexpensive swag feel premium?
Focus on quality materials, thoughtful branding, and good packaging. A t-shirt made from combed ringspun cotton with a clean screen print will always feel more premium than a lower-quality alternative. Adding a branded swag kit or thoughtful packaging around cheap swag can significantly elevate the unboxing experience.
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