How to Choose the Right Award
Jul 13, 2026
/
Educational
Introduction
Knowing what award to give out for different situations can feel intimidating. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Awards, at the end of the day, just show your team and awardees that you care about them. So don't overthink it, and let us help you win the "best at award giving" award.
Start with the moment, not the product
Before you think about what the award looks like, think about what it's marking. Is this an employee milestone? A sales achievement? A team that just crushed a tough quarter? A customer you want to wow at an event?
The occasion shapes everything: the tone, the format, and how personal it should feel. A five-year work anniversary hits differently than a "thanks for attending" gift. Start there.
Match the award to the recipient
There's no one-size-fits-all. Here's a quick breakdown of common situations and what tends to land well:
Employee recognition: Think engraved items, custom drinkware, or desk-worthy pieces they'll actually keep. Longevity and quality matter here. And don't default to traditional crystal; custom acrylic awards can be just as striking, more durable, and way more on-brand. This is something they might display for years, so make it worth displaying.
Sales incentives & performance awards: Go bold. Premium branded merchandise, travel accessories, or tech items feel like a reward, not just a token.
Event giveaways: Practicality wins. Tote bags, drinkware, and lifestyle items that travel home with people keep your brand top of mind long after the event ends.
Client appreciation: This is your chance to make an impression. Custom packaging, thoughtful kitting, or a product that feels curated to them goes a long way.
Team milestones: Shared experiences or matching items (custom apparel, branded gear) build that "we did this together" feeling.
Think about shelf life
The best awards don't end up in a drawer. Ask yourself: will the recipient actually use this? Will it remind them of the moment it came from?
Don't underestimate custom packaging
How something is presented matters as much as what's inside. A gift that arrives in thoughtful, custom-branded packaging immediately signals that care went into it. We've done this for brands like Skims, and the packaging alone can elevate the entire experience.
Conclusion
You don't have to figure it out alone
This is exactly what we do at Brand Aid. Whether you're recognizing one employee or outfitting a company-wide program, we help you find the right product for the right moment, and make sure it looks like you thought of everything (because with us, you did).
Ready to get started? Let’s get that convo started!
