When I wrote about Capella University’s wondrous freebies in the Holy Grail of Swag, I truly believed their customized and personalizable academic planner couldn’t be topped. I mean, it came with stickers.
But the little beauty pictured above arrived earlier this week, and I just had to share it. It tickles me as much as the planner, and while it pretty much speaks for itself, I will say this:
- It’s smaller than the palm of my hand and easily fits in both my purse and laptop bag
- The carry box is very sturdy and durable
- There are extra staples for the teeny stapler, which is super-nifty
And it totally passes the IttyBiz Test of Great Swag: relevant, appropriate, attractive, practical, coordinating, and “not shit”.
Et tu? Have you received a notably good freebie lately? Lemme know down below…
Wow! I’m beginning to think I went to the wrong university. The most swag I ever got from my alma mater was a bright orange, extra large t-shirt and a folder with a fancy emblem on the front. The folder was of course filled with information on all the ways we could give our money back to the school. These things fail at least half of the tests you mention above… Stickers and a mini stapler are virtually worth the price of tuition already!
Kyle / OnYourBusiness
Recent blog post from Kyle / OnYourBusiness: 7 Lessons Learned Abroad
Kyle—Welcome back!!
Oh dear! A bright orange t-shirt? Ick!
And a folder with alumni donation instructions? That’s so not swag…that’s a gift that keeps on taking. Exactly what Naomi warned us about.
And I know I’m a goof for being so psyched about the stapler and stickies, but the thought they put into it tickles me.
As you’ve proven perfectly with your story, it’s just as easy to give a thoughtless, self-serving thing!
I went to George Washington University and they had some great swag. They gave out tons of hats, t-shirts, notebooks, etc. Unfortunately, everytime I got something new, I knew that my tuition would be raised next year
@F. Peters—Thanks for your comment and welcome! And how funny is that?!
Some folks don’t keep in mind that “gifts” from a company or school aren’t really gifts at all…more like a present we paid for, but didn’t get to pick out. All the worse then, when it’s useless or ugly…
Thanks again!