Unexpected or unusual promotional products to surprise and delight

By Michelle Banks

In psychology, surprise is one of the seven universal emotions opens in new window. It triggers a powerful psychological and physiological response and creates a memorable moment because it activates dopamine, increasing feelings of satisfaction and motivation. The power of surprise can be harnessed to benefit your brand. Fun, unexpected or unusual promotional products can capture your audience’s attention, form long-term connections and leave a lasting impression.

Event swag that sounds like fun

There are countless opportunities to hand out promo products that look like fun. But summer and fall events are particularly great times for promos that sound like fun too. Give Kazoos to build buzz about your brand at an outdoor carnival or concert. Or provide Police Whistles to promote safety at a training event or back-to-school weekend.

Offer tambourine drums to attendees at a nighttime race or other sporting event. It’s a noisemaker with three light-up functions to make any event more festive. Use dance party buttons to encourage community festival attendees to visit your booth. With light-up features and snippets of five songs, families can shake and shimmy to beats provided by your brand.

Quirky promos from head to toe

Outfit them in unusual promotional products that range from practical to playful. Foam cowboy hats can steal the show. For something more functional—but still unexpected—choose beach-ready Flip Flops. They’re a perfect fit for any warm-weather or beach-themed giveaway.

Speaking of sunshine, tropical print shirts could be the perfect employee gift to spice up casual Fridays. If your brand is more aligned with the forest than the beach, camouflage sweatshirts might be just what you’re hunting for. Don’t worry: It might be camo, but it’ll still help your brand stand out!

Fun products to simply spark joy

Some promotions spark smiles that really last. Such is the case with a unique branded item like an extending back scratcher. It’s a fun gift for a chiropractic clinic, massage therapist or any organization that lends a helping hand. A business providing Bubbles at a fall festival is likely to blow families away. Foam putty is sure to be a hit with the little ones, so a nonprofit focused on family or children’s causes is a great match. An organization really looking to score points on the silliness scale can opt for Whoopee Cushions. The amount of attention this surprise giveaway could attract is no joke!

More surprises on the menu

When you’re hungry for fun promo items, there’s no shortage of tantalizing food-related options. For instance, Bluetooth^® speaker coolers make great raffle prizes at a food festival or community bake-off. Or up the cute factor with animal-themed lunch bags—available in many species, from bees and bears to dolphins and ducks.

Looking for something memorable to provide at a company cookout? Corn butterers are an a-maize-ing gift idea. Want s’more fun promos? Host a bonfire and give guests branded roasting sticks. Provide a s’mores bar, and the memories—like your unconventional gift—will be cherished for years to come.

Outside-the-box ideas for a pleasant surprise

All promotional products have power. But those that offer a fun surprise can really make an impression. Whether introducing your brand to new customers, celebrating success with your team or looking to make an impression on the community, fun and unusual promotional products can get the job done—and inspire many smiles.

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