Avoid These 7 Common Event Gift Mistakes That Might Hurt Your Branding

Giving gifts at events is a way to show appreciation to attendees and leave a lasting impression of your brand once the event ends. That’s why selecting the right event gifts requires thoughtful planning and clear understanding.

In this article, let’s go over the most common mistakes businesses make when choosing event gifts. If not addressed, these errors can harm your company’s image. It’s essential knowledge not only for business owners but also for event organizers and marketing teams.

Choosing the right event gift helps build a positive brand image

1. Choosing gifts that don’t match the audience

When picking out event gifts or door gifts, business owners and event planners must clearly understand who the attendees are and which customer group the business is targeting.

Guests at the event may not be the main product users, but they could influence purchase decisions (e.g., journalists, KOLs, KOCs). On the other hand, the actual consumers might not attend the event but are still the intended audience for sales. Failing to recognize who you’re introducing the product to can lead to mismatched gifts—or worse, a negative impression.

How to fix it: Research both your target customers and event attendees. If both groups will be present, look for common ground and choose a gift that resonates with all parties.

Giving the wrong gift is a common event mistake

2. Choosing gifts that don’t reflect your brand or event

Companies should use event gifts as an opportunity to express their values and brand essence. This creates a strong impression on recipients.

You can’t expect people to believe in your sustainable products if your giveaways come in plastic packaging. Similarly, a company that sells athletic gear shouldn’t hand out decorative art pieces.

How to fix it: Choose gifts that reflect your brand’s identity and core products, ensuring consistency between your brand image and the gift itself.

>>>Further reading: What Are Corporate Gifts? Why They Matter for Business Success

3. Choosing generic, forgettable gifts

Generic gifts like logo-stamped calendars or notebooks won’t leave a lasting impression. Many long-established businesses fall into this trap—they opt for safe choices and avoid risks, but in doing so, their brand presence at events becomes dull and forgettable.

How to fix it:

• Gather customer data and research popular corporate gift trends before making a decision.
• Focus on creativity and uniqueness, but stay aligned with your brand’s direction.

4. Prioritizing quantity over quality

Businesses hosting large-scale events may focus on high gift volumes and overlook the “niche” aspect, or they may choose lower-quality items due to budget constraints. This is one of the biggest mistakes that can hurt your image among both loyal partners and potential new customers.

How to fix it:

• Invest in well-designed, quality gifts with strong materials and practical value—this ensures your gift makes a lasting impression and represents your brand well.
• Balance event size with budget to maintain the gift’s quality.

>>> Further reading: How to Choose Corporate Gifts by Budget & Recipient Correctly?

5. Giving heavy, bulky, hard-to-carry gifts

The goal is for people to remember your brand even after they’ve gone home. If the gift is too large, heavy, or difficult to carry, it becomes a burden rather than a bonus.

How to fix it: Make sure the gift’s size and weight are easy for guests to transport after the event.

 Choose compact, easy-to-carry event gifts

6. Poor timing in gift distribution

When you give the gift during the event matters—but this is often overlooked. Giving gifts too early may make people forget about them by the end. Giving them mid-event might distract from the program. And giving them at the end could fall flat if the gift isn’t impactful enough.

How to fix it:

• Carefully plan your event timeline to find the best moment for gifting.
• Seamlessly integrate gift-giving into the event, such as through mini-games, trivia contests, or lucky draws. Don’t just hand them out at the exit.

7. Gifts lack a message to encourage sharing

An eye-catching event gift or door gift isn’t enough—you need people to talk about it. In the age of social media, one share can significantly increase brand visibility. A creative gift can spark curiosity among both attendees and those who didn’t make it to the event.

How to fix it:

• Attach a clear message or meaningful story to the gift, so recipients understand why they’re receiving it.
• Include a short note or QR code linking to your brand story or the gift’s backstory.
• Offer perks or discounts when attendees post about the gift online.
  Help guests know what to post by including a caption suggestion and reward those who share with your event hashtag.

>>> Further reading: Door Gifts Explained: What They Are & How to Choose Well

Conclusion

Choosing the right event gift is an art. Avoiding these common mistakes will help your brand shine, impress your guests, and build a polished, professional image.

If you’re on the lookout for high-quality, meaningful corporate gifts, visit CHUS—home to over 250 Vietnamese vendors offering unique, well-crafted event gifts that reflect Vietnamese identity.