August sits between two busy seasons for company swag. Summer events are still happening, while fall conferences, recruiting, and holiday gifting are already on the horizon.
That’s why August is when you should get ahead of your swag orders. The earlier you place bulk holiday orders, the more options you have and the more time you have to account for delays or issues.
Even so, it might be challenging to come up with holiday swag ideas that you can use this early on. So, in this blog, we compiled 21 swag ideas that make sense for August and are perfect for corporate holiday gifts.
Why should you order holiday swag as early as August?
Holiday swag runs on a tighter timeline than it looks. Bulk production takes about three weeks, kitting adds another week, and approvals can take another week before anything is ready to ship. That is already five weeks before transit even begins.
If you want holiday gifts delivered by mid-December, waiting until November may be a little too late, especially when you're shipping holiday swag to employees in different countries. August gives you breathing room to finalize designs, approve samples, produce everything in September, and have your swag items ready to ship when you need them. PerkUp's corporate holiday gifting timeline breaks down the process week by week.
On Demand swag follows a different timeline. With roughly two-week turnaround times, a one-unit minimum, and no inventory to manage, it's a better fit for last-minute sends and smaller orders. If you're deciding between the two, PerkUp's guide to On Demand vs. bulk swag breaks down when to use each.
5 Things to Sort Out Before Ordering
An early order only helps if the details are settled. These are the five that hold up production most often.
Placing an early order only works if you have everything you need beforehand. That said, here are the five things you need to finalize and know before placing an order.
Lock sizing before you lock quantities - Apparel is where bulk orders can go sideways. Guessing shirt and hoodie sizes across a few hundred people leaves you with a palet of XS and nothing in XL. If you can, open a swag store, set a budget per recipient, and let them pick their own size.
Decide what runs in bulk and what runs On Demand - Bulk gets you a better per-unit price on anything predictable like drinkware and backpacks. On Demand covers the one-off sends since it’s a 1-unit minimum, which is great for last-minute sends and apparel.
Get artwork approved early - Depending on your decoration, your timeline can also change. For instance, embroidery, screen print, laser engraving, and DTG need proof in different ways. In this case, make sure to approve designs in August so you can follow your laid-out timeline.
Warehouse in locations where your recipients are - Since your swag items will be produced early (if you order this August, that is), you need to have them stored in warehouses. Make sure to have your swag items placed in the warehouse location closest to where your recipients actually are for less shipping time and costs.
Account for the international aspect - Cross-border shipments require customs paperwork and duties. Confirm before you order whether your platform ships DDP and who covers unexpected fees, so you can include it in your budget if needed.
Trending Holiday Swag Ideas for August 2026
Here are the top 21 holiday gift ideas for employees that are trending this August 2026.
Fully Custom Plushie | 4" and 5" - $8.95
This plushie is designed from the ground up, so you pick the shape and colors down to the smallest details. The skin-friendly materials and durable construction make it something recipients can keep on a desk for years rather than toss after the campaign ends. PerkUp's guide to custom plushie swag can walk you through the design process, so you’ll know what to expect.
Cozy Optimal Knit Gloves - $19.59
The soft rib-knit construction and turn-back cuff provide warmth without much bulk, and the anti-pill fabric helps them stay presentable through months of wear. They're easy to stash in a coat pocket or bag now, or order ahead for colder weather and the holiday season elsewhere.
The Organized Travel Laptop Backpack is designed to keep your daily carry organized and protected, rain or shine. Inside, dedicated compartments separate tech from toiletries, while an elastic laptop pad helps cushion everyday bumps. Add the padded sponge back panel and chest buckle, and your recipients will have a backpack that can comfortably handle everything from the daily commute to a weekend away.
Rupt Moonyx Crossbody Bag | 5L - $25.00
Sometimes a backpack is simply more bag than your recipients need. This 5L crossbody keeps essentials close without weighing them down, with a 900D recycled polyester for everyday use and soft seatbelt-style strap for comfortable usage.
Since this swag item is fully customizable, start with custom specifications and tailor the size, colors, pattern, and construction to match a swag campaign. The breathable mesh works well for tennis equipment, gym clothes, or a trip to the beach, while the jacquard polka dots are woven from colored yarn instead of printed onto the surface. That gives the pattern more texture and helps it hold up over time. Double straps make it comfortable for your recipients to carry by hand or over the shoulder.
Transit Recycled rPET Tech Organizer - $14.98
This slim organizer uses a wraparound zip to keep everything contained, with card slots and cord webbing for smaller accessories. It's made from recycled materials and slips easily into a larger bag, making it a useful addition to travel kits, wellness gifts, or employee welcome swag.
With this YETI, coffee stays hot for hours thanks to double-wall insulation, while the MagSlider lid helps keep spills under control. The real space-saver is the stackable base, which lets multiple mugs sit neatly on top of one another in a cupboard or office kitchen. This swag item is also available both on bulk and On Demand, making it flexible enough for an August campaign and holiday gifting.
Stanley Everyday Camp Mug 12oz - $30.00
This is the Stanley option for your recipients who want something smaller than the brand's signature oversized tumbler. Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks at the right temperature, and the press-fit Tritan lid helps guard against splashes.
Ergonomic Travel Pillow - $22.79
Traditional U-shaped travel pillows can leave your recipients' heads tipping forward at the worst possible moment. This swag item’s camel-hump design is built to support the neck and help keep the head upright, with a soft outer fabric wrapped around a supportive foam core.
Plush Hot/Cold Eye Mask - $3.67
A small wellness gift with two ways to use it: recipients can warm it in the microwave for relaxation or chill it in the freezer to soothe tired eyes. Pearl bead technology avoids the leaks and mess associated with traditional gel packs, and CPSIA, FDA, and Prop 65 compliance make it suitable for larger gifting programs.
Bubble Luxe Blanket - $56.00
This 50-by-68-inch blanket is designed to feel as good as it looks, pairing faux bubble rabbit fur with a velvet minky backing and a substantial 720 GSM weight. A laser-etched faux leather patch gives the branding a more refined, retail-inspired finish.
Recipients can take this swag to an outdoor event, pack it for a trip, or keep it nearby for a cozy night at home. Made from 100% recycled PET with a soft microplush feel, the blanket rolls into its matching RPET pouch for convenient storage and transport. It offers sustainability-focused programs with a clear recycled-material story while remaining genuinely useful.
The North Face name does some of the work here, but the sweater-knit fleece gives the jacket substance beyond the logo. It has the warmth of traditional fleece with a cleaner, more polished appearance, plus enough breathability for light activity.
This three-season jacket uses a fleece lining for warmth while keeping the overall silhouette clean enough for everyday wear. It's a dependable choice for employees who commute outdoors, travel regularly, or simply need a versatile layer for colder days.
This swag item’s 8.3-ounce polyester fleece is midweight and low-pill for regular wear, while the chin guard adds comfort around the zipper. An adjustable drawcord hem lets recipients fine-tune the fit, giving a relatively simple pullover a few useful upgrades.
This hoodie’s 10-ounce fleece combines combed ring-spun cotton with recycled polyester, while the oversized fit, dropped shoulders, and drawcord-free hood create a modern silhouette. A tear-away label makes customization easier, and the front pouch pocket and 2x2 rib-knit cuffs keep it practical enough for recipients to wear every day.
The TYESO Vacuum Insulated Coffee Mug is designed to keep your favorite drinks hot or cold throughout the day. Double-wall insulation helps maintain drink temperature, the sliding lid reduces spills, and the comfortable handle makes it easy for recipients to carry. The sweat-free exterior also keeps condensation off desks and tables.
Ocean Bottle Brew Flask | 12 oz - $33.39
This one is for coffee-loving recipients who notice the details. The 360-degree lid lets them drink from any angle, while the aromadome is designed to influence the drinking experience. A leak-proof, lockable design makes it safe to carry in a work bag, and each purchase helps remove ocean-bound plastic.
Small enough for morning coffee and equally at home with an evening drink around a fire, this is a versatile piece of YETI drinkware. Double-wall vacuum insulation helps maintain temperature, while the stackable shape takes up less cupboard space.
The beanie’s three-inch cuff offers generous branding space, while the removable pom can be left on for a classic look or taken off for something simpler. Double-layer acrylic adds warmth, and five darts at the crown help the beanie maintain its shape.
AS Colour Cuff Beanie - $11.70
Clean, understated, and easy to wear, this midweight acrylic beanie has a longer body and classic cuffed shape that works well for everyday winter outfits. The tear-out AS Colour label leaves a clean canvas for customization without a competing brand showing.
Running a Holiday Swag Program With PerkUp
Starting early means you have extra time and leeway for when things don’t go as planned. However, that can also be difficult when you don’t have a reliable swag management platform like PerkUp to support you in your holiday swag campaigns.
That said, here are a couple of reasons why you should work with PerkUp for your 2026 holiday swag campaigns:
Swag flexibility - PerkUp offers swag (bulk, On Demand, and event swag), swag stores, swag kits, and 5,000+ gift cards, giving you flexibility for whatever you may need for your 2026 holiday swag campaigns.
Bulk and On Demand in the same swag store - Creating a swag store with PerkUp allows you to combine both bulk and On Demand swag in one storefront, so your recipients can choose pre-stored swag items like drinkware and order apparel as needed.
Warehouses in eight regions - PerkUp has warehouses in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia. Thanks to this network, you can store your swag items closest to where your recipients are, lowering shipping costs and time.
DDP shipping with fees covered - The platform also handles customs paperwork and duties and fees, so every international swag shipment is covered. If unexpected customs charges do come up, they're reimbursed in full.
Over 200 integrations - More than 200 integrations (including HRIS, Amazon Business, and Slack) can be integrated with PerkUp. This, then, allows you to automate sending swag and gifts or gift cards for milestones.
Automated milestone gifting - As mentioned above, PerkUp’s integrations enable you to automatically send swag, kits, and gift cards during occasions like birthdays, work anniversaries, and onboarding.
Design support from start to finish - PerkUp's design team handles the artwork or mockup designs for your swag items, so you can ensure a consistent branding experience for all of your swag.
Companies That Trusted PerkUp with Their Holiday Swag
If you’re wondering how all of these look in practice, here are some companies who used PerkUp for their holiday swag campaigns.
Muse Group
Muse Group used PerkUp for their holiday kit that contains a backpack, a towel, and a power bank, sent to recipients across the US and Europe, including Spain and Georgia.
Euna Solutions
For the 2025 holidays, Euna went with a laptop sleeve, a power bank, and an insert card, with the power bank branded in Euna's own gradient colors. The kit shipped in a bag rather than a box, a small call that kept the cost down without ruining the unboxing experience.
Ecoworks Studio
Not every holiday send needs to be a full kit. That’s why Ecoworks Studio sent a single swag item: a Dipster waterproof speaker. It’s a good example of how a holiday program can work just as well for a single item as it does for a full kit.
Get Your Holiday Swag Sorted
August buys you options. You get first pick of stock, time to fix a proof you don't love, and a production slot before the queue fills. Teams that order now spend December checking tracking numbers. Teams that wait spend it explaining delays.
Pick three or four items from the list above, decide what runs bulk and what runs On Demand, and get the proofs moving. Talk to the PerkUp team, and they'll map your list against the countries you're shipping to and tell you what's realistic for your timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical turnaround times for custom-branded swag?
With PerkUp, On Demand swag takes roughly three weeks because items are produced after the order is placed. Bulk swag, on the other hand, runs about five weeks before it ships: three weeks of production, one week of kitting, and one week for approval. Since this is for holiday swag, make sure to also add transit on top, especially for international deliveries. That's why August is a good time to place a December order.
When should you use On Demand swag vs. bulk swag?
Use bulk swag when volume and timing are predictable, which describes most holiday programs. You get a better per-unit price and more decoration options, too. Use On Demand for the sends you can't forecast: new hires who start after your order closes, last-minute client gifts, or a small regional group you missed. PerkUp offers both, so you can have all your swag orders in one place.
How does PerkUp handle customs and duties for international gift shipments?
Shipping from inside the recipient's region avoids most of the problems, which is where PerkUp’s warehouse network comes in. When a cross-border shipment is necessary, PerkUp ships DDP, so duties are paid in advance. Unexpected customs fees are reimbursed in full as well.
Which countries does PerkUp ship holiday swag to?
PerkUp ships to 65+ countries, with regional warehouses in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia. Swag orders going to those regions can ship domestically instead of crossing borders. When cross-border shipping is necessary, PerkUp ships DDP and reimburses unexpected customs fees in full.
