Award-winning Swag

Awards season is in full swing; from the BRITS and the Oscars to local business awards and nationwide ceremonies, there’s an award for almost everything these days (including award-winning swag!). And, with in-person awards finally back on, there’s always one thing everyone want’s to know… ‘What’s in the (swag) bag?’.

No self-respecting awards ceremony is complete without the coveted gift bag. Take the Oscars, which has been reported to contain over £100,000 worth of treats! Everything from personal training sessions and facial rejuvenation to luxury skincare and even a plot of land in Scotland, along with the title of Lord or Lady, were all tucked away in these gold-star goody bags.

In fact, this year, the BAFTA goody bag was an eco-friendly version, with the award ceremony going carbon neutral back in 2020. The swag bag featured gift cards for luxury brands, including Tattinger and The Savoy and came in a bag made from recycled plastic bottles. As well as sustainable gifts, the BAFTAs have also encouraged celebrities to be more sustainable with their fashion choices, looking at recycled and rented options as well as using electric cars to chauffeur their guests around.

So, how can you up your gift-giving game this award season without a hefty price tag while looking at more sustainable options? And don’t worry; you don’t have to gift such extravagant swag to make a lasting impression.

Here are a few ideas for giving that award-winning swag that will have everyone talking, whilst getting your brand out there!

1. Gift cards are a great way to reduce packaging and stop unwanted physical gifts from going to waste. You can use gift cards to gift experiences, too, as well as give the recipient autonomy over what they purchase.

2. Work with your sponsors and those contributing to the awards for sponsor-branded products. They may be keen to gift some items for your goody bags or want to create their own branded product to be featured.

3. Enhance your CSR with a branded tote made from sustainable or recycled materials. Add your branding, quirky wording, and your sponsors’ logos for maximum exposure.

4. Foodie treats always go down, well, a treat! This is something that your sponsors may be able to support you with, but if not, opt for healthy snacks, refreshing drinks and vegan sweets.

5. QR codes work really well for gifting experiences or creating branded interactive experiences by taking your audience straight to where you want them to be.

6. Really consider the impact of your gifts and avoid single-use plastic and items that may be instantly discarded. Instead, consider practical and purposeful gifts such as power chargers, reusable water bottles and lunch boxes.

7. If you’re including paper-based products or notes, then why not consider seeded paper? This is paper that contains seeds and is made from recycled material so it can be planted straight in the ground. Many venues now use eco-seed wrist bands!

8. How about including a charitable donation? Maybe your evening is centred around a cause, in which case you can include a charitable donation within your goody bag. Or why not opt for something like One Tree Planted for every award given or ticket sold?

9. Product samples will always be a great giveaway, and if your award has multiple sponsors, encourage them to gift samples and use that as one of your sponsorship offerings for maximum brand exposure.

10. Grow your own kits make for eco-friendly and sustainable gifts. For example, why not try a cocktail herb kit that you could accompany with a spirit and mixer set?

Fill your bag with goodies but make sure they have a purpose. Be conscious, be ethical and sustainable where possible, and be purposeful too.

Ask yourself…