I've spent more than 25 years working in branding. So it might seem a little strange that I sometimes encourage companies not to put their logos on things.
But hear me out.
At Seek & Swoon, I've worked with companies looking to give our knit throws as gifts to clients, employees, and business partners. And often, one of the first questions they ask is whether we can add their company logo.
My response? Have you considered leaving it off?
I know. Not exactly what you'd expect from someone who's spent her career helping businesses build their brands.
But here's my thinking.
There's a difference between a gift and a promotional product.
We've all received them. The branded water bottles, mugs, notebooks, tote bags, and countless other things with company logos plastered across them.
And there's absolutely a place for those things. Promotional merchandise serves a purpose. It gets your name out there. It builds recognition. Sometimes it's even pretty great stuff.
But when you're thanking a valued client or recognizing an employee, is that really the goal?
Or is the goal to make someone feel genuinely appreciated?
Because those are two different things.
The best gifts become part of someone's life.
Think about a gift you've received that you really loved. Chances are, you remember who gave it to you.
Not because their name was printed across the front, but because they gave you something thoughtful. Something you actually wanted. Something that made you feel like they'd put a little consideration into choosing it.
That's the kind of connection I think companies should be aiming for.
When someone takes a gift home and uses it regularly, it becomes part of their everyday life. And the positive association with the person or company who gave it doesn't disappear just because there's no logo attached.
In fact, I'd argue it can be stronger.
Your brand is more than your logo.
This is something I've believed throughout my career in branding: your brand isn't just your visual identity. It's the experience people have with your business. It's how you make them feel. It's what they remember about you.
And a gift is an opportunity to reinforce all of those things.
A company that gives something thoughtful, well-made, and genuinely useful is communicating something about its values without saying a word.
You don't necessarily need to put your logo on a gift for it to represent your brand.
Sometimes, leaving it off is the more thoughtful branding decision.
Make the gift about them, not you.
Of course, I have a vested interest in this conversation. I design knit throw blankets, and I happen to think they make wonderful gifts.
But when I encourage a corporate client to skip the logo, I'm not trying to talk them out of branding. I'm encouraging them to think about what they want the recipient to feel.
A blanket that looks beautiful in someone's home, that gets pulled out for movie nights, or that becomes a favorite thing to curl up with? That's a gift that has a life well beyond the moment it's received.
And isn't that the point?
I'm not saying companies should abandon branded merchandise. I'm simply suggesting that when the occasion calls for a genuine thank-you, appreciation might be more meaningful than promotion.
Because your clients and employees don't need another reminder that your company exists. They need to know that you appreciate them.
A more thoughtful approach to corporate gifting
At Seek & Swoon, we work with businesses looking for meaningful gifts for clients, employees, and special occasions. Our throws are made in the USA using recycled cotton yarn and designed to be used, loved, and kept for years.
And yes, we can talk about branding options. But don't be surprised if I suggest leaving your logo off.