Hot picks for chilly temps: Cold-weather giveaway ideas

By Laurie Frees

When the wind blows and snowflakes fall, it’s time to cozy up with cold-weather giveaways. Canadians say promo products are their favourite type of advertising opens in new window, which means cold-weather giveaways may be the best way to warm up people to your brand. Use these frosty-friendly winter giveaway ideas for inspiration.

Warm them from the inside out

Tasty treats never go out of style. Stuff vacuum bottles with hot chocolate pouches. Surprise employees with this warming gift to start their week off right. Or leave them behind after meeting with prospects to make a flavourful impression.

Give snowflake vacuum tumblers with jumbo cashews to customers who buy during a special promo. Or donate them to healthcare workers as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation. You could also present them to first-time clients as a surprise and delight item that’ll make a powerful impression.

Bundle up and bond

Strengthen your relationships with vendors and partners by sending them cuffed toques before a trade show or event. Offer to promote their organization in exchange for their team sporting the hats for a social pic.

Cozy microfleece pullovers and rib knit gloves are perfect prizes for a referral program. Customers and team members will feel even more loyal to your organization and be excited to refer friends and family.

Taking your employees outside for some adventurous team building? Or preparing for an outdoor event that requires durable gear? Insulated hooded jackets will last through wind, snow, rain and cold.

Provide the heat

Give back to the community by hosting cold-weather safety workshops. Invite local first responders to talk about how to stay protected when temperatures fall. Provide emergency cold-weather giveaways for participants, like polar fleece neck warmers and reflective vests, to keep in the car.

Align your brand with a meaningful purpose by giving to a local charity. Every time a product or service is purchased, donate a plush blanket or deluxe snowbrush. If appropriate, give in honour of the customer whose purchase made the donation possible.

Show cozy appreciation

Dedicate a day to showing gratitude to customers. Invite them to your store or office for an appreciation open house. Gift the first several people who walk through your doors an ice scraper mitt. Attach a coupon or discount code to really warm their hearts. Delight their taste buds with delicious sugar cookies, hot cocoa, coffee and tea.

Hold prize draws throughout the day to keep people engaged. Cutter and Buck^® quilted hooded jackets are high-end winter giveaway ideas that show how your organization goes the extra mile. In the pocket, slip a list of fun cold-weather activities, like the best sledding or ski hill or how to make snow ice cream. Hand out sugar cookie scented candles as door prizes.

Give toasty treasures

From tasty treats to cozy apparel, the right cold-weather giveaways can hit the spot for prospects, customers and team members, making your brand the hottest one around.

Laurie Frees

Laurie Frees is a merchandising category manager at 4imprint who specializes in apparel. With over 25 years of experience in merchandising and product development—plus four years in the promotional products industry—she brings deep expertise in fabric construction and logo application. Laurie manages the product assortment across all apparel categories, including T-shirts, polos, outerwear, dress shirts, sweatshirts and more. Her role includes tracking trends, building supplier partnerships and analyzing data to guide decisions. With a strong focus on products made from sustainable materials, Laurie helps drive innovation in core apparel offerings that customers rely on to showcase their brands.

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