How to Ensure Your Brand Stays Present During Vacation?

Published: May 3, 2025

Summer is a time when life slows down, and people take a break from work responsibilities to focus on themselves. But in this relaxed period lies a great opportunity for brands – to be part of their customers’ everyday life even during vacation. How? Through cleverly chosen promotional gifts that don’t stay at home but travel to beaches, mountains, trips, and airports. If you want your logo to remain visible after the last pre-holiday email, think about gifts that travel with your customers.

Products That Always Travel Along

When people go on vacation, they pack only the essentials – the most useful items. If you want your promotional gift to make the cut, it needs to be practical. Basic rule: keep it compact, useful, and versatile.

• Water bottles or collapsible flasks: perfect for hot days, hikes, and the beach.
• Branded towels: they take up more space but are extremely useful and visible.
• Headwear (caps, bandanas): protect from the sun and double as advertising space.
• Power banks or charging cables: travel lifesavers that no one wants to forget.

These gifts aren’t just present – they’re actively used. And every time someone reaches for your towel or bottle, it’s another moment your brand is remembered.

Brand at the Beach, Campground, and Airport

Although people may forget about work and ads on vacation, it’s actually the perfect time to reach them in a more subtle way. Promotional gifts that follow them in various vacation settings can become silent ambassadors of your brand.

• Cooler bags or cooling pouches: essential for trips and beaches, with logos visible all day.
• Inflatable items (loungers, rings): high impact and visibility.
• Passport or document holders: useful at airports and hotels, and stylish promotional tools.
• Bags or backpacks: frequent use and large branding space.

Your logo, whether subtly or cleverly placed, will be seen at the beach, by the pool, or at a campsite. Such visibility creates natural brand presence without aggressive promotion.

Gifts That Encourage Social Media Sharing

Vacation is prime time for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok posts. If you offer something visually attractive and slightly unique, there’s a good chance it will end up in a photo – with your logo included.

• T-shirts with vacation-themed prints: if fun or stylish, people will wear and post them gladly.
• Specially designed sun hats or caps: fashion accessories with a playful message or slogan.
• Unique packaging or personalized accessory pouches: perfect for flat lay shots.
• Cocktail kits or picnic supplies: not only practical but also photogenic.

If your gift makes it into a social media post, you’ve reached more than just one user – you’ve reached their entire audience. That’s free promotion that builds recognition and credibility.

Less Is More: Choose One Impressive Gift

For summer gifts, “less is more” often holds true. Instead of giving a bag full of trinkets (most of which stay home), invest in one high-quality item that’s truly useful and impressive.

• Larger embroidered towel: visible, practical, and perceived as premium.
• Stylish stainless steel water bottle: handy for travel and office use.
• Folding beach chair or seat cushion with branding: perfect for picnics, festivals, or camping.
• Bluetooth speaker with engraving: if it’s good quality, it will stay in use and be often seen.

One well-chosen item often has more impact than a pile of generic ones. Quality, usefulness, and aesthetic appeal leave a lasting impression beyond the vacation itself.

Make Sure They Take You With Them

Summer vacation isn’t a break for your brand – it’s an opportunity to be part of your customers’ most memorable moments. If you choose gifts that are useful, stylish, and seasonal, there’s a good chance they’ll take you with them. Literally.

A promotional gift that ends up at the beach, in a backpack, or on an Instagram post is no longer just a gift – it becomes a tool for building long-term relationships and brand awareness. So think strategically and choose gifts that work even when your team is on holiday.