We’ve all been there – someone close to you is celebrating a milestone. It’s grandma’s birthday, your brother’s graduation, or your best friend’s wedding, and you are wracking your brain trying to figure out a gift for them…because they already have everything!

Unfortunately, these problems are all too frequent, and they don’t just exist in our personal lives: businesses can face these same challenges when trying to think up a good giveaway for an upcoming tradeshow or create a meaningful gift of appreciation for their longtime employees and customers.

In both cases, there’s the risk of going too generic (no, mom doesn’t need another candle!), but there’s an equal risk of missing the mark with something that won't resonate with your recipient. Not to mention, you need to try to avoid getting them something they already have or getting them the same gift someone else is already giving. If you do that, it will drastically reduce your chances of making a strong impression and increase the likelihood that your gift will be discarded or forgotten.

With all these different factors to consider, it can be incredibly overwhelming to come up with a good solution. And the truth is, there is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to this problem (at least, not without risking your gift coming off as too generic, cold, or formulaic).

So, what’s a marketer to do? Well, why not try thinking about your target audience in a different way! Next time you’re stuck trying to think of the perfect gift, try one of these thought exercises to help you understand how your people might be reached in unique and impactful ways, even if they seem like they already have everything they could possibly need:

1. Unexpected Delights

This exercise is a pretty straightforward one, and it centres around appreciation for the little everyday joys that we all experience. To get the ball rolling here, you’ll want to challenge yourself to think about all the little things that can happen to you in a day that would bring a smile to your face. If you can ask your whole team to come up with their own lists and then share them as a group, even better!

From the comfort of a warm drink in your hand to the satisfaction of a perfectly inky pen, to the serenity of a perfectly organized workspace, there are no bad ideas here. Once you’ve narrowed down a list of “little good things”, start brainstorming about the kinds of gifts you can give that will help bring those small moments of joy into your audience’s days!

2. Brand as an Experience

In our 2025 predictions article, we talked a little bit about how experiences are set to be a huge part of the marketing scene in 2025. And who doesn’t love a new experience or adventure? It’s a unique take on a branded gift, and even those who seem to have it all can still get a kick out of it.

For this one, you’ll want to start off by asking yourself, “How can my brand provide an experience, rather than just an item?” Some examples of this strategy in action might be hosting an online or in-person game with branded prizes, or gifting your longtime employee a round of golf at a local club- along with a set of custom-branded golf balls, of course!

Ready to start thinking outside the box with your promo gifts? We can’t wait to see what you come up with! As always, browse through countless customizable products on our site to help get those ideas rolling. And if you need any help finding the perfect item, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service team!