Holiday gifting can be chaotic. Teams are busier than ever. Deadlines sneak up on you late at night. Shipping delays are more frequent than before. Still, you want your 2025 holiday gifting to be successful. But, as the holidays inch closer and closer, you’re stuck wondering if ordering company swag in bulk​ or On Demand is better.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the definition of On Demand and bulk swag, their main differences, and best use cases, all of which are aimed to help you decide which approach is right for you—On Demand or bulk. 

Let’s dive straight in!

What is On Demand swag?

The On Demand swag approach lets you order items with a 1-unit minimum. You can buy exactly what you need when you need it. This means that even if you want to send a swag item, say an apparel or a premium tech item, you only need a 1-unit order minimum to place your order, and it goes straight into production. This is why On Demand swag is also known as print On Demand swag​.

During the holiday rush, this approach shines. Production begins immediately instead of waiting for larger order quantities. There’s no need to wait for additional orders before production begins.

Most commonly, teams use On Demand for sized apparel since it ensures a perfect fit for each recipient. And the best part is that certain print on demand swag platforms bundle all fees into the item price. What you see is what you pay. Shipping and taxes are already included. This reduces stress and helps you avoid surprise bills during an already hectic season.

What is bulk swag?

Bulk swag is great if you want to have swag items ready to distribute at any time, anywhere. This is due to the fact that bulk swag has a streamlined production process. What this really means is that all items are manufactured in one production run, which makes it easier for your vendor to ensure brand consistency. Additionally, ordering swag in bulk​ also means you get more discounts. The higher the order quantity, the bigger the discount!

Bulk swag and warehousing go hand in hand. Imagine having 200 coffee tumblers and having nowhere to put them. Worse, having to store them in your office, where they’ll only collect dust or risk being damaged. As such, it’s important to understand that bulk swag means you’d need to warehouse your items. As such, your items will be ready to be shipped at a moment’s notice as they’re already prepared in a warehouse.

What are the differences between On Demand and bulk swag?

The first difference between On Demand swag and bulk swag is the quantity of orders. While On Demand swag items only need a 1-unit order minimum, bulk swag items usually require 50 or more orders, depending on the items and the swag platform provider.

Second, the production timeline. On Demand swag items can be manufactured the moment you place your order (with the designs and specifications). Bulk swag, on the other hand, is typically ordered in huge quantities, meaning items are produced in one run for larger savings. In other words, it’s On Demand vs. pre-purchased swag​.

The third one would be the storage required. On Demand swag items require no warehousing at all since they can be produced as ordered, while company swag in bulk​ is usually stored in warehouses after it’s manufactured.

All of these demonstrate that choosing between On Demand and bulk swag really depends on your specific needs and swag goals.

To make the decision easier, let’s look at the best use cases for each approach.

Choose On Demand swag this 2025 holiday season if…

… you want everything to be included in the pricing

Swag On Demand is the perfect solution for your corporate holiday gifting if what you need is an all-inclusive pricing. As mentioned earlier, holiday gifting ideas that are available On Demand from certain swag platforms like PerkUp already include the price of the item, the shipping, and taxes. Say the swag item’s price is $46.99, that means that $46.99 is all you need to pay for it! You won’t have to worry about paying additional costs for shipping and/or taxes.

… you want to give away apparel items

On Demand swag items are perfect for holiday gifting ideas that require sizing, which typically include apparel items. This is because, under the On Demand swag model, you or your recipients can choose the item’s size, helping you avoid mismatches or errors. Additionally, it ensures that your promotional swag will actually be worn by your recipients as it’s specifically tailored for them.

… you’re in a rush

Since you can immediately have On Demand swag items manufactured when you order them, they’re perfect for last-minute holiday swag sending. You won’t have to wait for a larger number of orders before manufacturing, which means your recipient can get their swag on time.

… you want to personalize each swag for every recipient

If personalization is your priority, then swag On Demand is for you. As mentioned above, On Demand swag items are made only when you place your order, which gives you a lot of room to truly customize swag items for your recipients. For instance, you can engrave a VIP client’s name on a premium fountain pen or drinkware. This not only adds thoughtfulness to your swag but also shows the amount of effort you put into choosing the swag item.

Choose bulk swag this 2025 holiday season if…

… you need swag items in warehouses

If your teams are in the US or your swag platform partner has warehouses in regions close to your recipients, bulk swag becomes the practical option. Pre-manufactured swag items stored in a warehouse can be picked, packed, and shipped almost immediately. This eliminates the waiting time associated with producing swag in bulk during the peak holiday season. Warehousing also means your inventory stays ready for last-minute campaign changes.

… you need swag for repeated use across the year

Bulk swag works well when you know you’ll need items for the 2025 holiday gifting and for upcoming initiatives. Think of future conferences or company meetups where bulk swag items can be used. Instead of placing multiple small orders, you can simply order all the swag you need for campaigns and keep them warehoused until you need them.

… you need large order discounts

The more you order bulk swag items, the more savings you get. This is because most swag platforms offer discounts for large quantity orders. So, if, for example, you’re sending a tumbler to 600 employees, you may get a discount of 12%. If the unit price is $65.71 each for only 50 items, a 12% discount for 600 orders would put the price of the item at $57.87. That’s $7.84 savings per unit for a total of about $4,704 for a 600-item order!

What are some holiday On Demand swag ideas?

All On Demand swag items in this section include all applicable fees: item price, shipping costs, taxes, and other relevant charges.

Port & Company Oversized Core Fleece Sweatshirt Blanket - $46.99

Soft fleece and generous sizing make this blanket a warm crowd pleaser. It can give your global employees a cozy moment without worrying about fit or preferences. It also works for holiday gifting since it pairs well with cold weather and nights.

Port Authority Collective Insulated Jacket - $69.99

This jacket works well as a holiday gifting idea because it offers warmth without bulk. The quilted insulation and soft shell panels keep it comfortable in winter settings. It also layers cleanly with other Collective pieces. The molded zipper, open pockets, and decoration access make it practical for everyday use.

Carhartt Super Dux, Insulated Hooded Coat - $226.99

This is a strong holiday gift for teams that work outdoors or travel in colder climates. It’s lighter than traditional duck yet still extremely durable. The added abrasion resistance means your recipients can also rely on it all season.

Sport-Tek PosiCharge Sport-Wick Heather Fleece 1/4-Zip Pullover - $57.99

A moisture-wicking layer that fits almost any lifestyle. This quarter zip works well for teams that want branded apparel without handling size mismatches in bulk. For holiday gifting, it delivers that “premium but practical” feel.

Eddie Bauer Quilted Vest - $102.99

A sleek cold-weather vest with water repellence. Its lightweight feel makes it ideal for On Demand gifting since it ships easily to international recipients. During the holidays, vests strike a balance between stylish and functional, making them a strong choice for clients or VIPs who appreciate such outerwear.

What are some holiday bulk swag ideas?

Now, if you need a holiday gifting guide for swag in bulk, we also got you covered with these holiday bulk swag ideas.

Carhartt ® Acrylic Knit Hat - $20.70

This hat is perfect for bulk orders when you want consistent winter accessories for local teams. It’s also easy to distribute at office parties or winter kickoff events. For holiday gifting, it’s a seasonal classic.

Unisex Ravenlake Roots73 Knit Scarf - $40.33

Since scarves are a timeless winter staple, they fit naturally into holiday gifting. They elevate any cold-weather kit and give recipients something they can use during holiday travel or winter gatherings.

Timbuk 2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe - $99.00

This backpack fits holiday gifting because it supports hybrid work and year-end travel. The padded laptop sleeve, organized interior, and luggage pass-through make it easy to move between home, office, or trips.

Stanley 470 Ml Aerolight™ Transit Tumbler - $44.28

Since this tumbler eeps drinks hot or cold during winter commutes, it’s another great holiday gifting idea you should consider. It is leakproof, lightweight, and easy to clean. The lighter build makes it convenient to carry in a bag during busy seasonal travel.

Authentic Yeti® 14 Oz. Stackable Mug *new* Durasip™ Ceramic Liner - $42.99

A tough, vacuum-insulated mug with a ceramic liner. Bulk gifting shines here because everyone gets the exact same premium item for holiday celebrations. It’s a strong pick for holiday events because it fits winter beverage themes.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, choosing between On Demand swag and bulk swag for your 2025 holiday gifting is up to what you really need. Do you have a rush order? Are you prioritizing huge bulk discounts? Answering such questions first will help you inform your decision.

Whatever that decision may end up being, the important thing is to look for a swag platform like PerkUp that can offer both On Demand and bulk swag. Having such an option will allow you to easily switch between these two approaches if your holiday gifting needs suddenly change.

With PerkUp, you can have extra support that can make 2025 holiday gifting easier. Need bulk swag? Get access to PerkUp’s global warehousing in locations such as the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia. Want On Demand swag items? Enjoy an all-inclusive price on all On Demand swag items so you don’t have to worry about shipping fees and taxes. 

Additionally, you can get a dedicated Customer Success Manager (CSM) who pays close attention to your holiday gifting ideas and expectations. Year-end gifting matters to employees and clients, and as such, having a CSM who understands that and can provide you with a personalized holiday gifting guide can make a real difference.

Overall, you can manage everything in one platform, ensuring that your 2025 holiday gifting is organized and stress-free, no matter where your recipients may be. Check out how PerkUp can help you with your holiday gifting!