In brief
- Summer promotional products get taken along – to the lake, the mountain pasture, the festival or the building site – and so stay visible.
- Good giveaways are practical, summer-proof and suit the target group; something that “looks cheap” is often more costly than nothing at all.
- It looks high-quality with a subtle logo, a technique suited to the material and a consistent line across sets.
Summer is the time for the start of the season, events, terrace service, outdoor work and more customer contact. That’s exactly why Promotional Products often work better in summer than “just any giveaways”: when an item is used outdoors in everyday life, your brand automatically stays visible – without being intrusive.
In this article you’ll find popular summer giveaways – from budget to premium – plus practical tips to turn a promotional gift into an item people are happy to keep.
Why summer promotional products work so well
In summer, promotional products get “taken along”: to the lake, the mountain pasture, the festival, the beer garden or the building site. This increases the chance that your branded item is actually used – rather than disappearing into a drawer.
Summer items work particularly well when they are:
- practical (real use, not just decoration)
- summer-proof (sun, water, heat, outdoors)
- right for the target group (guests ≠ tradespeople ≠ event audiences)
What makes a good summer giveaway
Usefulness instead of a standard giveaway
The item should solve a problem: thirst, sun, heat, charging on the go, carrying things, outdoor comfort.
Right for the target group
A hotel guest appreciates something different from an installation team or event staff. The more precisely you match the use, the more it gets used.
Quality that suits the brand
Not every item has to be premium – but something that “looks cheap” is often more costly than nothing at all. Better fewer variants that are well matched.
12 popular summer promotional products – with branding tips
Drinking bottles & thermos flasks
Why popular: summer = thirst. Drinking bottles are used regularly – in the office, on the go, during sport.
Branding tip: Place it subtly, for example in one colour or tone on tone. On high-quality models, minimal branding often has more impact. More on this: Drinking bottles as promotional products.
Reusable cups & to-go cups
Why popular: for events, restaurants, festivals and staff – quickly part of everyday life.
Branding tip: clear, easily legible placement. Optionally as a set (cup + lid + straw).
Caps, bucket hats & visors
Why popular: sun protection and high visibility. Perfect for teams, outdoor events and staff outfits.
Branding tip: embroidery or a high-quality print looks far more premium than something “slapped on”. Make sure the fit is comfortable.
Sunglasses as a giveaway
Why popular: a classic for summer campaigns, events and promotions – people happily put them on straight away.
Branding tip: a small logo on the arm, with a clean design. Optionally with a case or pouch for added value.
Beach towels & hammam towels
Why popular: ideal for hospitality, wellness, beach clubs and summer campaigns – and very visible when used.
Branding tip: less is more: a small label, subtle embroidery or a high-quality print along the edge looks elegant.
Cooling towels & sports towels
Why popular: heat, outdoors, sport, summer work – cooling towels are practical and anything but run-of-the-mill.
Branding tip: branding on the label or packaging, or small on the towel, so it isn’t “too loud”.
Mini fans & hand fans
Why popular: perfect for events, queues, summer parties and trade fairs.
Branding tip: a logo on the handle or surface plus a short message (“Stay cool.”) works well – if it suits the brand.
Cooler bags & lunch bags
Why popular: picnics, building sites, the office, day trips – often reused.
Branding tip: a large surface, but still clean. A good option for employee gifts or customer sets.
Picnic blankets & outdoor blankets
Why popular: a premium giveaway for regular customers, anniversaries, prize draws or VIP sets.
Branding tip: a subtle patch or label looks high-quality. For an elegant look, keep the branding rather small.
Waterproof phone pouches & small dry bags
Why popular: lake, pool, rafting, travel – useful and typically summer.
Branding tip: logo on the bag or as a hang tag. Advantage: the item is often passed on – which brings more reach.
Power banks & charging accessories
Why popular: a battery on the go is a real need in summer – navigation, photos, events.
Branding tip: engraving or a high-quality print. Important: choose quality – weak power banks are quickly thrown out.
Sun & lip care in small formats
Why popular: perfectly suited to the season, especially for outdoor campaigns.
Important in practice: for cosmetic items, make sure of correct labelling, shelf life and reputable quality.
Branding tip: branding on the packaging or label is often the cleanest option.
Summer promotional products by industry
Hospitality & restaurants
- Welcome gift: drinking bottle + sunglasses (or a version for children)
- Regular guest or VIP set: hammam towel + high-quality to-go cup
- Summer kick-off for the team: cap + drinking bottle in a matching look
Trades & Industry
- Field staff and teams: drinking bottle + cooling towel
- Summer working day: cap or visor + lunch bag or cooler bag
- Practical on the go: power bank + sturdy charging cable
Clubs, events & organisers
- Entrance and outdoors: sunglasses, hand fan, mini fan
- Staff outfits: caps + reusable cups
- Sponsorship: cooler bag or picnic blanket as a premium item
Logo & personalisation: how to make it look high-quality
A summer item can be great – and still look cheap if the execution isn’t right. Three rules from practice:
- Don’t make the logo too bigSummer items can quickly look “promotional”. Better clean, subtle and consistent.
- Technique suited to the materialNot every surface is suited to every Branding.
- A consistent lineSame logo version, same colour scheme, same placement – especially for sets.
You’ll find many more ideas in our Summer catalogue.
Quick checklist: how to choose the right summer promotional product
Briefly answer these questions internally – and the choice quickly becomes clear:
- Who receives the item (guests, customers, employees, event audiences)?
- Where will it be used (outdoors, work, leisure, travel)?
- What should it achieve (thanks, attention, a premium impression, recognition)?
- How many pieces do you need – and exactly when?
- What level of quality suits your brand (budget, standard, premium)?
Still unsure which promotional product suits your business? Then feel free to book an appointment with us – we’ll advise you personally and also support you with our Graphic design service for logo, design and production.
