But what will those attendees take from the event? Increased motivation, excitement about unreleased products, and newfound connections are a few things that come to mind. But the personalized gifting experience? That’s something attendees will be able to walk away with and hold on to well after the event is over.
Quick Links
- What Are Personalized Gifting Experiences?
- How Personalized Gifting Enhances Event Experiences
- Eight Personalized Gifting Ideas for Your Next Event
- Personalized Gifting Best Practices
What Are Personalized Gifting Experiences?
In addition to keynote speakers, cocktail hours, or educational workshops, a major perk among events is the items attendees get to keep. Beyond freebies or early access to unreleased products, planners can turn these gifts into unique and personalized experiences.
Personalized gifting experiences are curated, customized gift-giving moments designed to enhance attendee engagement, show appreciation for employees, and create lasting memories. These experiences go beyond common giveaways by tailoring gifts to the individual preferences, needs, or achievements of attendees.
As the name suggests, these gifts are not meant to be generic items, likely to get discarded when attendees get home. Rather, these unique gifts are selected for the right person during the right event. In other words, the chosen gifting experience for one type of event might not resonate as well with another event or individual.
For example, during incentive travel programs, a gifting lounge where attendees select local, artisanal products customized with their initials would be an excellent fit. In contrast, for a corporate training event, personalized work-related items, such as a leather-bound planner, demonstrate a commitment to professional growth.
How Personalized Gifting Enhances Event Experiences
When it comes to events, one challenge planners face is finding ways to ensure attendees enjoy themselves over the course of the program, whether it’s a single-day or multi-day experience. Personalized gifting elevates the overall experience by encouraging a deeper emotional connection between attendees and the event. It goes beyond providing a token of appreciation – it reinforces the purpose of the event and the value placed on each individual’s participation.
To ensure events are memorable, personalized gifting stations do a great job of promoting interactive experiences. On-site gift customization stations (such as DIY hats, t-shirts, and tote bags) encourage active participation while creating fun, shareable moments. When completing these activities with other attendees, personalized gifting stations can double as networking hubs, fostering connections among event participants.
Personalized gifting, however, isn’t limited to customized items. In fact, providing choices ensures that every attendee feels considered and included. People have diverse tastes and preferences, and a one-size-fits-all gift may not resonate with everyone. By offering options, attendees can select something meaningful to them, which cultivates a sense of autonomy and respect.
In order for gifts to be appreciated by attendees, they should align with their personal preferences or lifestyle, such as a customized tech gadget for participants who enjoy the latest innovations and smart solutions. When the purpose of the gift and the attendee’s preferences align, planners can rest assured that the item gifted will get plenty of use.
Further, when the gifts provided during an event have a personal touch, attendees feel valued and appreciated rather than feeling like just another name on a registration list. This sense of recognition fosters goodwill and can deepen their loyalty to the organization hosting the event.
Ultimately, personalized gifting transforms what might normally be a transactional exchange into a meaningful interaction that enhances the overall event experience by developing emotional connections and leaving lasting impressions.
Eight Personalized Gifting Ideas for Your Next Event
The key to a successful personalized gifting experience is offering thoughtful, high-quality options that align with the event’s theme and audience. But when getting started with planning personalized gifting stations or putting together swag bags, the list of options can seem to go on forever. To help narrow things down a little bit, we’ve gathered a few of our favorites here.
1. Custom Apparel
Who doesn’t love a new t-shirt, especially one that’s customized just for you? With custom apparel, attendees receive t-shirts, hoodies, hats, socks, or tote bags that can then be personalized for them.
This type of personalized gifting caught our attention recently when, ahead of the 2024 Chicago Marathon, Nike offered custom screen printing for t-shirts and hoodies to help generate excitement leading up to the race. Plus, giving guests a few prints and patches to choose from meant the item they got to keep was unlike anybody else’s. We provided a similar opportunity during an event we planned with the NikeID experience, allowing guests to customize a pair of Nike sneakers.
2. DIY Crafts
Not only do DIYs act as fun, hands-on activities, but they also allow attendees to leave with a meaningful, self-made keepsake tied to the event experience. Attendees can tap into their creative side to paint a tote bag or decorate a picture frame. Not to mention the process itself can be therapeutic and fun.
3. Personalized Spa Kits
For the wellness gurus in attendance, curated self-care packages with items like essential oils, bath bombs, and skin care products might be the perfect gift. For this experience, set up a spa gifting lounge where attendees can assemble their own personal kits by picking items from a selection of items, such as scented lotions, soaps, massage tools, and essential oils. Plus, if this activity is included during a destination event, attendees can use these items during their downtime to unwind ahead of or after a busy day.
4. Photo Booths
To help preserve the memories and moments of an event, photo booths are a great way to provide keepsakes. For that personal touch, attendees can add digital filters, event-branded overlays, or customized frames. Once the photos are printed, provide a mini photobook for attendees to add their pictures to, turning the images into mementos of the event.
5. Planting Workshops
For those with a green thumb, workshops to create personalized, plant-based gifts (such as potted succulents or terrariums) are an excellent choice. In fact, bonsai bars and events are becoming increasingly popular. For this interactive and educational workshop, set up a planting area where attendees choose pots, plants, and decorations to design their own miniature gardens or learn to trim and care for their bonsai. Bonus points for using eco-friendly materials and highlighting the sustainable aspect of the activity!
6. Custom Jewelry
Custom jewelry combines elegance and personal significance, making it a cherished gift that attendees will wear and remember. At these stations, attendees can pick from a range of styles that align with their personal preferences. For luxury events, there might even be options for fine materials, like sterling silver or gold. Plus, these personalized gifting experiences provide an excellent opportunity for events to partner with local artisans.
For those who may not be as interested in a very hands-on or creative experience, consider providing a few pre-made options as well. The simple act of choosing ensures a gift feels personal while providing a tailored yet effortless experience for attendees.
7. Luggage Tags
Personalized luggage tags are a thoughtful and functional gift, especially for events with a travel theme or those tied to incentive trips. These tags can be customized with attendee names, initials, or unique designs, making them both practical and meaningful. Luggage tags not only serve as a keepsake but also provide attendees with a practical item they can use frequently, reminding them of the event every time they travel.
8. Engraving Station
An engraving station is a popular interactive gifting option that allows attendees to personalize items on site. This experience transforms ordinary gifts, such as pens, notebooks, keychains, or phone cases, into cherished keepsakes. Similarly, this idea can be extended to other personalization methods, such as woodburning or metal etching. The process is both engaging and memorable, as attendees can watch their chosen item being customized with their name, initials, or special messages.
Personalized Gifting Best Practices
When incorporating personalized gifting into an event, there are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind. Following these best practices ensures that the experience is impactful for attendees.
Understand Your Audience
To create a truly personalized gifting experience, it’s essential to know your audience. What resonates well with one group of people might not be a great match for another. So in order to learn more about the people at an event, use event surveys, registration information, or previous attendee data to better understand their preferences.
With this data in hand, planners can then group their audience into categories based on demographics, roles, or interests to offer tailored options. Understanding preferences helps planners avoid gifting faux pas, such as providing alcohol to people who prefer not to drink or items that don’t align with attendees’ lifestyles.
Ensure Gifts Reflect Brand Values
The gifts you choose should align with your organization's identity, mission, and the message of the event. This reinforces brand recognition and leaves a consistent impression on attendees. For instance, if sustainability is a key brand value, opt for eco-friendly gifts like reusable water bottles or upcycled products. If innovation is a focus, consider tech gadgets or cutting-edge designs. These gifts also act as an opportunity to incorporate thoughtful branding by adding logos and acting as a reminder of the event experience without feeling like a marketing gimmick.
Gifts should also complement the theme or purpose of the event. For example, at a wellness retreat, offer self-care items or fitness tools instead of generic promotional items. Gifts like these reflect brand values and event goals, which in turn strengthens brand identity and ensures a cohesive attendee experience.
Provide Options
To further ensure the gifts attendees receive are items they truly want, planners should let them pick from a few different options. No two attendees are alike. Allowing them to choose helps create a gifting experience that reflects their individuality, creating a more meaningful connection. For example, an attendee who loves tech might choose a Bluetooth speaker while another might prefer a luxury travel kit.
Plus, offering options minimizes the risk of attendees receiving something they don’t want or won’t use, increasing the perceived value of the gift. Plus, this level of satisfaction reflects on the entirety of the event experience, promoting positive emotions toward the event host or sponsor.
Source Locally
Locally sourced gifts add a unique touch to the event while supporting the community and promoting sustainability. In fact, a growing trend within the events industry is finding more unique and creative ways to incorporate sustainable practices, and gifting has been a common avenue to do just that.
To accomplish this, planners can partner with local artisans or vendors to create exclusive, regionally inspired items like handmade pottery, specialty foods, or locally crafted leather goods. This tactic is often included as part of incentive travel programs to highlight the community visited and see that guests take home a meaningful gift that reminds them of their experience. Plus, supporting local businesses demonstrates corporate social responsibility and promotes goodwill among the event’s host community.
Further, gifts that don’t align with an attendee’s preferences are often unused or forgotten. To combat this, allowing attendees to choose from a few locally sourced items significantly reduces this risk, ensuring that each gift is appreciated and valued. This also aligns with sustainability efforts by reducing the likelihood of waste from unused items.
Careful planning allows hosts to turn moments into memories; creating experiences that attendees will talk about, cherish, and look forward to in the future. So if you’re interested in exploring ways to incorporate personalized gifting into an upcoming event, reach out to the Bishop-McCann team to get started!
