The staff gifts that get used are the ones people would happily buy for themselves: a good hoodie, a cap or beanie, a polo that's comfortable off the clock, an apron for the home cook, a bag or a drink bottle. Choose a quality blank, keep the logo modest, and get the sizes right. Here's how to put that together.
Think weekend, not work
A gift is different from a uniform. A uniform has to carry your brand. A gift has to earn a place in someone's own wardrobe, so the garment comes first and the logo second. A small chest or cuff logo, often in a tone close to the garment colour, is easier to wear on a day off than a large print. Pick colours people already wear, such as navy, black, grey or a muted green, rather than your brightest brand colour.
Gift ideas from our range
Hoodies
A hoodie tends to get worn again and again once the weather cools. The AS Colour Supply Hood 5101 is a 290 GSM, 80/20 cotton/polyester "anti-pill" fleece in 15 colours, sizes XS to 5XL, with a "Tear-out AS Colour label", so the gift carries your logo rather than a blank brand tag. It's a safe pick for a mixed team because of that size and colour range. For a heavier, more relaxed feel, the GOODMATES Everyday Hoodie is a 350gsm brushed fleece in S to 5XL; the women's version runs XS to 2XL. GOODMATES advise "Do not tumble dry" for it, worth knowing if the recipient relies on a dryer. Our hoodies collection has more styles.
Polos
For a polo that feels more like a weekend shirt than a uniform, the Aussie Pacific Claremont 1315 is a 200gm pique of 95% cotton and 5% elastane, with knitted cuffs and side splits. There's a women's Claremont 2315 in sizes 6 to 26, and both come in the same nine colours. The cotton with a little elastane gives it some stretch, which suits office, retail or front-of-house staff who'd wear it on the weekend too. One detail varies: the "Loose pocket provided" is listed for the men's style only.
Caps and beanies
- The AS Colour Stock Cap 1100 is a high profile snapback with a flat peak, one size fits all, and its listing says it "takes embroidery well". It's 80% acrylic and 20% wool, and listed as suited to embroidery and heat press, so ask us first if you had a screen print in mind.
- The Flexfit 6277 is a fitted stretch cap in three sizes (S-M, L-XL and L-XXXL) and 23 colours, so you'll need head sizes.
- The AS Colour Cuff Beanie 1107 is a one size acrylic beanie in 17 colours, and its listing suggests "embroidery on the cuff". Its decoration line says "Suited for embroidery", so keep the logo simple enough to stitch.
Aprons and bags
Aprons make a good gift for the barbecue or home kitchen. The AS Colour Canvas Apron 1080 is 365 GSM cotton duck canvas with an adjustable shoulder strap and YKK metal adjuster, 90cm long, in Black or Walnut only. The JB's Brass Eyelet Canvas Apron 5ACBP is 350gsm duck canvas with pockets "reinforced with rivets" and a 65 by 75cm body, a little shorter than the AS Colour. For a bag, the AS Colour Carrie Tote 1001 is a 320 GSM cotton canvas tote, 42cm by 42cm with "Reinforced shoulder straps", in 23 colours. It has one large main compartment and no closure listed, so it suits shopping or a conference day rather than carrying valuables.
Drink bottles
If you'd like to add a drink bottle, our drink bottle collection has the range, and the branding options depend on the bottle, so ask us what suits.
Where the logo goes
Keep the branding where people expect it. On a hoodie or polo, a left chest logo is the understated choice. Our ordering guide maps out the common spots, including the cap side and the cap back above the strap for a smaller logo or a few words. For a more personal touch, the guide lists the right chest for a staff name. Our embroidery or printing guide helps you match a method to each item, and you can mix them across a gift pack.
Getting sizes right without spoiling the surprise
Sizes are the usual sticking point. Two ways around it:
- Choose one-size items where you can. The Stock Cap, Cuff Beanie, Canvas Apron and Carrie Tote are all listed as one size, and bottles don't need sizing at all.
- Collect sizes quietly for apparel. A manager or office lead can gather them on a single list, or use the sizes from your last uniform order.
Get the list right first, because our refund policy says decorated items can't be returned for change of mind. If fit is a worry, we keep samples in store and no appointment is needed, so ask which of these styles we have to try.
Start early
As our gifting page puts it, "Getting your requirements sorted early gives you more product and branding options and plenty of time to meet your gifting deadline." That matters most for larger quantities and anything being branded. Not sure what you want yet? The page's FAQ suggests sending your approximate budget, quantity and who you're gifting to, and we'll suggest suitable options. When you have a rough list, send it through the End of Year Gifting Enquiry form on our end of year client and staff gifting page.
