Best marketing giveaways for small businesses in 2025

With the current economic landscape looking uncertain, every dollar a small business spends needs to work harder and stretch farther. This is especially true for marketers, whose budget is often one of the first on the cutting block when money gets tight.

The good news? Marketing via promotional products is still one of the most cost-effective ways for brands to stay visible – and they’re often more welcome than traditional marketing. One survey found that during tough economic times, 59% of consumers would rather receive a useful promotional product than be exposed to ads on TV, social media, or radio.

For small businesses, that makes promo products a pretty powerful tool. We’ve rounded up the best marketing giveaways for 2025 that are not just budget-friendly but genuinely useful – making them far more likely to help your brand stay relevant as a part of someone’s daily routine.

Best marketing giveaway items to try out as a small business

Ready to make an impact with a thoughtful promotional product? We’ve organized our top picks into four categories to help you quickly zero in on the items that best match your goals.

Everyday essentials

When budgets are tight, every promo item needs to earn its keep. Everyday essentials are one of the smartest investments because they check three key boxes: practical, affordable, and highly visible. These are the things people actually use:

• Cotton tote bag (from $2.42/unit): Bags generate more impressions than any other type of promotional product – an average of 5,700 over their lifetime. That’s because they go wherever your customers go: farmers markets, libraries, grocery stores, and beyond. 
• 3-in-1 retractable charging cable + phone stand (from $2.75/unit): Everyone has a phone, which means everyone needs a charger. This compact gadget works with most devices, keeps cords tangle-free, and doubles as a phone stand for watching videos or hopping on a quick call. 
• Jacquard knit quarter crew socks (from $3.01/unit): Socks feel personal without being overly branded, and they’re universally useful. Plus, you avoid the sizing headache of t-shirts and other apparel.
• Quick dry cooling gym towel (from $1.30/unit): This lightweight towel is perfect for warm-weather events, fitness-focused brands, or anyone who appreciates something practical and a little unexpected. 

Unique and useful promo products

Not all great promo items are things people use every day, but the best ones earn their place the moment they’re needed. For small businesses that want to hand out something a little different without stretching their budget, check out these options:

• Mini grip tape measure keychain (from $0.43/unit): Whether it’s for measuring picture frames, packages, or furniture dimensions on the fly, this giveaway is especially relevant for home goods shops, craft businesses, or local hardware stores.
• Handheld mini fan and phone holder (from $3.86/unit): This portable fan is great for hot summer days at outdoor events or markets, and it comes with a built-in phone holder that makes it surprisingly versatile.
• Microfiber cleaning cloth (from $0.68/unit): Lightweight with flexible branding options, these cloths are ideal for cleaning phones, glasses, tablets, or computer screens – basically, anything that can smudge. 
• Premium small hardcover pocket journal notebook (from $3.47/unit): With a sturdy cover and compact size, it’s perfect for jotting quick notes, stashing in a bag, or pulling out during a meeting.

Fun marketing giveaway ideas

Not every promo item has to be strictly functional. Sometimes, a little joy is worth just as much. These fun giveaways are perfect for brands that don’t mind standing out in a sea of business cards and pens or leaning into their playful side:

• Frisbee disc (from $1.64/unit): Ideal for outdoor markets, pet-friendly businesses, or any small business that leans casual and approachable.
• 3x3 Rubik’s cube (from $3.18/unit): Add your full-color branding to a classic toy that people will pick up, use, and keep on their desks. 
• Squeaky soda can dog toy (from $3.27/unit): If your audience includes pet lovers, this playful squeaky toy can be an instant hit. Great for pet boutiques, groomers, or community-focused brands who want to be the reason for some tail wags.
• Clip-on selfie phone ring light (from $2.40/unit): We live in the selfie age, and anything that helps people look better on camera earns its spot. This clip-on light brightens up selfies, Zoom calls, and video content in seconds. 
• Manual massage roller ball (from $2.33/unit): This little roller is excellent for wellness brands, studios, or service businesses that want their customers to enjoy some relief from their tense shoulders or backs. 
• Wine opener gift set (from $5.80/unit): Your brand is more memorable when it shows up during the best part of someone’s day, like opening a bottle of red after work or hosting friends on a Friday night. Choose this if you’re a food and beverage brand, real estate pro, or someone whose customers appreciate a good pour.

Splurge-worthy giveaway ideas for small businesses

Sometimes, it’s worth spending a bit more, especially when there’s an opportunity to deepen relationships or elevate your brand perception. These higher-end items are ideal for thank-you gifts, customer loyalty programs, holiday boxes, or moments when you really want to stand out:

• Canvas boat tote bag (from $7.61/unit): As we mentioned above, totes are already one of the most effective promo items for impressions, and this one takes it up a notch with its heavyweight canvas build, structured shape, and classic design. If you’re a local boutique, consider giving these out as a spend-over-$100 incentive; if you’re a service-based business, don’t be afraid of including one in a new client onboarding package.
• 20 oz. stainless steel tall tumbler (from $5.42/unit): There’s a reason drinkware continues to rank among the most kept and most-used promo items: people want them. This double-walled stainless steel tumbler works well as a higher-tier reward, thank-you for referrals, or exclusive merch drop that subtly advertises your brand every time it’s used.
• Power bank with LED display and flashlight (from $10.06/unit): 87% of surveyed consumers say they would keep a promotional power bank because it’s genuinely useful, and 60% say they’re more likely to do business with the company that gave it to them. It’s a great giveaway for B2B businesses that want to give a client something useful enough to keep in their work bag.
• Custom sherpa blanket (from $11.31/unit): Soft, cozy, and way more appealing than another mug or T-shirt, this is the kind of giveaway item that’s ideal for client appreciation, winter gift boxes, or VIP thank-yous. Real estate agents, subscription boxes, and hospitality businesses in particular can benefit from gifting something personal and seasonal like this.
• Custom pickleball set (from $29.72/unit): The pickleball craze isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and this branded set puts your logo right in the middle of it. Whether it’s for a customer thank-you, raffle prize, or local partnership gift, this is a high-impact piece of swag that actually gets used. 
• Mini karaoke machine (from $11.43/unit): If your brand leans fun, bold, or just a bit chaotic, this portable karaoke machine brings the energy. Great for party-planning businesses, creative teams, or brands who want to send a surprise thank-you to collaborators or their top customers

Maximize the impact of your giveaways

For small businesses, good swag makes a lasting impression without making a dent in your marketing budget. After all, when a customer uses your tote every weekend, charges their phone with your cable, or smiles at a frisbee you handed out months ago, you’ve created real brand impact.

Ready to stock up on marketing giveaways for small businesses that deliver big value for the price? With premium merch priced up to 50% less than big-name vendors, Wayo helps you stretch your swag budget while creating unique, memorable items.

Explore Wayo’s full list of marketing giveaways for small businesses.