Everyone loves branded merchandise, but there’s a lot of forgettable product out there, and it takes some judgment to land the piece your employees, customers, and prospects will actually treasure. As you think about your own line of swag, remember two things: quality counts, and the classics are classics for a reason.

It’s always fun to experiment with novel product concepts, but don’t overlook the timeless staples. After nearly two decades of decorating these in our own facility or through trusted partners, here are the 11 merchandise categories that never go out of style.

1. T-shirts

You can’t go wrong with a t-shirt. People love adding new staples to their wardrobe, and a tee is arguably the easiest way into anyone’s closet. Choose a comfortable garment and a design worth wearing (that second part matters more than most buyers think; see the thrift store test). We decorate tees every day on our apparel line.

2. Baseball Hats

Just like a good t-shirt, people enjoy adding a good hat to the rotation. Hats work for the gym, the outdoors, a bad hair day, or no reason at all, and headwear gives you a huge range of colors and decoration options, from embroidery to leather patches.

3. Socks

Companies didn’t used to think of socks as swag; in recent years they’ve become immensely popular. They’re a product that gets worn over and over. People literally wear socks every day. Keep them simple or make them loud, depending on your brand.

4. Hoodies

Everyone reaches for one when the weather turns. That warm, cozy feeling is exactly what you want people to associate with your brand, and a well-made hoodie earns years of wear.

5. Water Bottles

Water bottles are a daily accessory for a lot of people, especially the health-conscious and eco-conscious. Reusable plastic, aluminum, or glass. Whichever you choose, a good bottle is a gift that shows up everywhere its owner goes. Browse our drinkware lineup for the styles that hold up.

6. Notebooks

Notebooks are one of those essentials that always come in handy, especially for teams that live in meetings. Practical, inexpensive, and used until the last page.

7. Laptop Backpacks/Bags

Whether your employees work from home or at the office, they’re toting a laptop around. Give them something that protects it and shows off the company they’re proud to work for at the same time.

8. Tumblers

Tumblers do what water bottles do, plus hot drinks, which makes them useful in more moments of the day. More moments of use means more impressions for your logo.

9. Mugs

Most people run on coffee or tea, so a good mug earns a permanent spot on the desk. A nice, sturdy mug with tasteful branding gets filled up every single morning.

10. Totes

Totes have always been a classic, and they’re seeing a resurgence as sustainability becomes the norm. Some grocery stores don’t offer disposable bags at all anymore. A sturdy tote becomes an everyday carryall, which means your brand runs errands all over town.

11. Blankets

Blankets run bigger than most swag, but people hang onto them for a long, long time. They’re a favorite in the welcome kits we build, a natural fit for a special onboarding gift or a holiday thank-you for your crew or your customers.

You can never go wrong with these 11. To see what we make across every category, and how each one gets decorated, start at our products page, or tell us what you’re planning and we’ll help you pick the right classic.