Buyers Guide: Gifts for Galas and Formal Events

Branded Giveaway Items for Formal Events

In 2024, in-person events such as galas and formal events will continue to increase in perceived value. Hosting in-person corporate events could have more of an impact on your organization, boosting morale, employee satisfaction, and team relationships. And, if you’re planning to raise money or awareness for an important cause, galas and formal events can definitely make that possible. 

Galas and formal events offer a big return on investment, including potential opportunities for sales, donations, and new corporate relationships. Formal events can be a great occasion for giving customized gifts to gala guests. Custom giveaways such as party favors, event apparel, and raffle items can help to make your event a success! 

Considering an in-person gala event for your company or fundraiser this year? In this article, we’ve pulled together some fantastic ideas for custom formal event gifts. Let’s jump right in! 

Why Host a Corporate Gala Event?

Hosting a corporate gala event is a great way to help your team, stakeholders, sponsors, clients, or customers connect - not only to your brand but to one another. It’s a fantastic opportunity for attendees to network and strengthen their bonds. That connection extends beyond the event itself and long after, helping team members to feel closer at the workplace, too. 

Gala events can also serve as a great time and place to recognize team members for their hard work, contributions, and accomplishments. They’re not one-size-fits-all, and you can be as fancy or creative as you like. The most important thing is that you bring your crew together for some much-needed celebration time.

Guide to Custom Gifts and Merch for Gala Events

Merch serves as a useful tool to help attendees remember your special events. Using custom merch as branded gala gifts can truly make a difference at a gala event, leaving a fantastic impression. Attendees can take these gifts home with them to remember their special night, and if the event is for a great cause, they can continue to spread awareness long after it’s over. 

For instance, Merchology sponsored “A Night Out,” the inaugural gala for the Gilmore Family Foundation. The event was organized by founders Andrew Herrington-Gilmore and Lauren Giannini, whose children were each diagnosed with rare illnesses. In 2018, their daughter, Mara, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. And in 2019, their son, Jay, was diagnosed with ATR-X syndrome. 

In partnership with Zusa, we donated 400 caps for the inaugural event, which had 300 attendees. It raised over $250,000 USD to support Children’s Wisconsin, the hospital where Mara was treated. Our caps will serve to raise awareness of rare childhood diseases and the families affected by them, long past the event’s close. 

Custom T-Shirts

If you need easy, crowd-pleasing custom giveaways for galas, Custom T-Shirts should hit the spot! Wearable gifts get more eyes on your corporate logo, and they give your team something to wear proudly as they represent your company. When you shop for logo-branded T-shirts at Merchology, you’ll find a broad selection of choices, including the custom Zusa Men's Red Heather Peachy Tee, branded Marine Layer Women's Navy Re-Spun Signature Crew, and logo-printed Next Level Unisex Vintage Royal/Heather White Triblend 3/4-Sleeve Raglan Tee.

Branded Caps 

When it comes to personalized swag for formal events, it’s hard to go wrong with Branded Caps. Give your team members a reason to represent your brand with the custom Zusa Navy Staycationer Dad Cap, the logo-branded Richardson Heather Grey/Black Mesh Back Split Trucker Hat, or the embroidered Ahead White Classic Fit Snap Back Cap! Whatever style you choose, you’ll be spreading brand recognition and making a great long-term impression on your attendees, too.

 

Embroidered Beanies 

Want to gift your gala attendees with wearable accessories? Embroidered Beanies make excellent branded gala gifts! We offer apparel and accessories from some of the world’s most loved outdoor brands, too. 

For a sustainably-made option, take a look at the corporate Zusa Black Hyland Knit Beanie, which is made with 87% recycled materials and two recycled water bottles! For an extra warm option, we love the embroidered Patagonia Drifter Grey Brodeo Beanie. Finally, the casual custom Leeman Grey Cuffed Rib Knit Beanie looks great with anything, and your debossed logo will look amazing on it!

Company Logo Tote Bags

Custom giveaways for galas can be simple, and they don’t have to blow your event budget, either. That’s what we love about Company Logo Tote Bags. A durable, reusable bag can serve your team well for many years, and it looks great with your corporate logo added! 

Some of our favorite company logo tote bags include the custom Econscious Olive 6.8 oz Hemp Market Tote, the branded Port Authority Peacock Beach Wash Tote, and the logo-branded Liberty Bags Navy Susan Canvas Tote. And while these reusable bags can help reduce waste in themselves, many of them are sustainably made, too!

 

Custom Sweatshirts 

Branded apparel goes over well at corporate events! Custom Sweatshirts make great custom formal event gifts, and at Merchology, we have a fantastic selection of different shirts for you to choose from. 

Try the classic branded Champion Men's Maroon Hoodie for a casual, familiar fit. If you’d prefer a standard crewneck sweatshirt, take a look at the custom Feat Unisex HeatherGrey FlowTech Roam Crewneck. Finally, the corporate New Era Men's True Navy Heather-Sueded Cotton Full Zip Hoodie acts as both a sweatshirt and a light jacket - because we love versatility!

Branded Key Chains 

Looking for budget-friendly swag to give as branded gala gifts at your next event? Branded Key Chains just might fit the bill! And with our wide variety of key chain options, there are plenty of variations to choose from. 

Wondering about the different materials you can select for your gala key chains? Try a wooden key chain like the laser-etched Woodchuck USA Red Oak Wood Key Chain, the leather debossed Leeman Black Tuscany PU Leather Rectangle Key Ring, or the chrome-finish custom Valumark Silver Perspective Vi Keyring.

Corporate Water Bottles 

Keep your gala attendees hydrated at your event and beyond with logo-branded Corporate Water Bottles! Bottles make great personalized swag for formal events, whether glass, stainless steel, or eco-friendly recycled plastic. We especially love the custom Zusa Navy Sidekick Water Bottle 20 oz, the laser-engraved MiiR Home Powder Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth 20 oz Bottle, and the branded S'well Teakwood 16 oz Traveler Bottle.

Logo-Branded Mugs 

Logo-Branded Mugs make great customized gifts for gala guests, and you can adjust your order to fit your budget as needed! Mugs are the perfect gift for coffee and tea lovers, and with your corporate logo added, they can also make memorable keepsakes. If you want to make your next gala a night to remember, be sure to include wonderful logo-branded gifts as part of the experience. 

We offer a variety of mugs that fit any budget and style choice. Take a look at the laser-engraved YETI Black Rambler 14 oz Mug or the logo-branded Zusa Daybreaker Mug 14 oz if you’re in the market for an insulated mug. Or, if you’d like something a bit more classic and sophisticated, check out the beautifully crafted custom Leed's Black RockHill Ceramic Mug 17oz.

 

Company Logo Tumblers 

When it comes to custom giveaways for galas, Company Logo Tumblers are always a fan favorite. A durable, insulated tumbler with your corporate logo laser engraved on it is a gift your attendees can use over and over again, long after the party’s over. 

Plus, well-made gifts are memorable and thoughtful! When your recipients use tumblers like the company logo S'well Onyx Tumbler 24 oz, branded Zusa Black Commuter Tumbler 20 oz, or custom logo Arctic Zone White Titan Thermal HP Slim Cooler 12oz, they’ll remember your event for years to come.

Branded Wine Glasses 

Branded Wine Glasses are the ultimate in logo-branded drinkware, and they’re perfect as branded gala gifts for a ritzy gala or dinner party with your team! Here at Merchology, we offer a wide variety of wine glass styles to suit any occasion, from glassware to insulated tumblers. When it comes to options, we’ve got you covered. 

For glass wine tumblers, take a look at the custom govino Clear 16 Oz. Wine Glass Handwash with your logo printed on it. These glasses will help you stay on budget while providing logo-branded drinkware your gala attendees can take with them when they go. And if you’re looking for an insulated wine glass, take a look at the corporate YETI Alpine Yellow 10 oz Wine Tumbler or the engraved BruMate Uncork'd XL 14 oz Wine Tumbler.

 

Contact Us

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Need help selecting your favorite custom formal event gifts and starting your order? Contact us today - our Merchologists are happy to help!