Freshers’ Fairs are the unofficial opening ceremony of university life, and a golden opportunity for brands to connect with one of the most brand-loyal generations: Gen Z.
Whether you’re promoting a university, student union, society, or business, Freshers’ promotional giveaways are a smart way to engage and convert students into long-term brand advocates.
According to the BPMA, 83% of people remember a brand from a promotional product, and 79% are more likely to do business with a company after receiving one.
For Gen Z students, who value utility, sustainability and experience, the right giveaway won’t just get picked up, it will be used, kept, and shared.
In this guide, we’ll explore which branded products cut through the noise at Freshers’ Fairs, and how to make sure your brand leaves a lasting impression and encourages student brand engagement long after the Freshers’ fair is over.
Best Freshers’ Giveaway Ideas
From low cost promotional stationery, to reusable bags and drinkware, there is a huge range of promotional giveaways at a number of price points, perfect for the Freshers’ market.
Below we have put together a selection of useful, on-trend branded goodies that would be ideal for the Generation Z audience and will ensure your company is top of mind.
1. Reusable Drinkware
Looking after the environment is a central issue for many in generation Z. In fact, they are emerging as the sustainability generation, with the pandemic accelerating their buying behaviours – favouring sustainable brands.
By offering a reusable travel mug, insulated flask or sports bottle at a freshers’ fair, you will be both appeal to what is important to your target audience, and ensure your brand gets seen daily, in a number of places! Along with discounts being offered to those who use their own mugs at many cafes (students love a discount!), hydration (and caffeine) is a necessity when studying!
A low cost, on-trend promotional add on to your branded drinkware could be our branded reusable straws. Made from metal, these branded straws come in their own handy travel case with keyring fitting and will help to reduce the number of disposable straws being used.
Marketing Tip: Win over your audience by filling your branded cup with additional treats – think sweets, tea bags or coffee sachets!
2. Eco Friendly and Sustainable Ideas
As well as reusable items like branded drinkware and branded bags, consider promotional giveaways that are made from sustainable materials or can be recycled or are biodegradable. That way you will reach out to an eco-friendly savvy audience and make sure your company is remembered for the right reasons.
From FSC paper products, to wheat-straw pens and gadgets, bamboo cutlery and coasters and recycled items like recycled tote bags or lunchbags. Look out for the eco product credentials like Fairtrade, GOTS and GRS to add credibility to your sustainable message.
There are so many eco friendly items now to choose from, but if you want help choosing the right one for your brand, our team can help with that.
Marketing Tip: Why not add a sustainable custom tote bag to your offering so that students can carry all their other freebies in it, whilst promoting your brand as they wear it?!
View our Eco-Friendly Ideas here.
3. Personal Items
For many new students, it will be their first opportunity to live independently and in most cases, it will be in close proximity to other students! Anything to make their life that bit easier and help to keep them safe is sure to please. Branded earplugs, lunch bags, lip balms, antibacterial wet wipes and hand sanitisers are just a few ideas to help.
4. Tech Accessories
If you are wanting a branded giveaway that will both attract students and is guaranteed to be used – look no further than technology accessories with your logo on! Living and breathing social media, instant messaging, online games and live-streaming, you can be sure that a gadget like branded charging cables, branded wireless chargers, or powerbanks will be an instant hit with any Gen Z audience.
Branded phone accessories don’t need to break the bank either, we have a vast selection of promotional phone gadgets from as little as £0.46 for a rPET screen cloth and £0.57 for a travel card wallet for example.
Marketing Tip: Branded smartphone gadgets would make for a brilliant incentive for students to sign up to your mailing list or even to enter a competition you are running. For example, best selfie taken at your stand, tagged with your brand wins a branded tech prize! It’s a low-cost way to generate buzz online.
View our Phone Accessories here.
5. Promotional Stationery
If there is one thing that will help students succeed at university, it is learning to be organised. And you can provide a helping hand! Supply them with writing pads for taking notes in lectures, sticky notes and memo tags for marking important information.
Don’t forget to arm fresher’s with the ultimate giveaway – the promotional pen! Available in a number of styles, colours and price points and many with dual purposes like our Branded Quill GRS Stress Relief Ballpen.
6. Event Lanyards and Wristbands
A low cost yet effective way to get your brand seen is with promotional lanyards and wristbands. Whether it is to promote the university, society or union or for guaranteed entry to an event or to receive a discount, lanyards and wristbands provide easy, wearable branded Freshers’ fair freebies.
7. Student Clothing / Student Apparel
Branded clothing and apparel provides a sense of belonging, which is really important as a new student. Be it a university hoodie, a branded t-shirt, beanie, cap or gloves – clothing with your logo on will not only help to make students feel comfortable in their new surroundings, but will act as a walking billboard for your organisation!
With autumn approaching, you may also want to consider one of the most durable promotional gifts out there – branded umbrellas.
8. Edible Giveaways
Grab instant attention and draw the masses to your Freshers’ fair stand with an edible freebie! Which hungry student doesn’t love a tasty indulgent treat?!
Whether you opt for chocolates, cupcakes, doughnuts, cookies, sweets or mints – get your brand on the packaging or even in icing for an immediate brand high! Disclaimer – we can also brand healthy treats too!
View our Sweets and Treats here.
9. Novelty Promotional Products
A fresher’s fair would not be the same if there wasn’t a quirky freebie on offer! Yes we can brand condom packets and yes we do get asked to brand things like space hoppers, foam hands, card masks, hair headbands and loud hailers! So if you have a fun, out there thought for your branded merchandise, don’t be shy, we would love to hear your ideas!
View our Event Giveaways here.
Why Target Generation Z?
Students born after 1997, also known as Generation Z have an estimated global spending power of $200bn according to Bloomberg. When you include parental influence that spend goes up to $3 trillion. Being early adopters and influential to both Millennials and generation X in their buying habits, they open up a great opportunity for marketers to target.
Promotion During Freshers’ Week
A celebration to welcome new university students, Freshers’ Week or Welcome Week traditionally takes place in the autumn, at the start of the new academic year. It’s an incredibly busy time, where students get the chance to meet friends and settle into their new surroundings. Freshers’ week is one of the most anticipated events of the university calendar and a major draw for new students to the week is the Freshers’ fairs.
Fresher’s fairs provide a chance to find out about clubs and societies but also to learn about new brands and products – it is the first time for many they will be making their own purchasing choices. And we all know one thing students love, and that is freebies! With student fees reaching up to £9,535, it is even more likely that many students will be eager to collect free useful and long-lasting merchandise.
Student lettings, taxi firms, bars, cafes, restaurants and gyms are but a few types of companies which may benefit from advertising and offering their services during Freshers week. By offering a freshers’ promotional giveaway as part of an introduction campaign to new students and graduates alike, you will instantly create a positive association with your company. Plus, it is likely that your brand will be remembered and used for years afterwards too.
How to Stand Out & Maximise Your Giveaway Impact
It’s not just what you give away, it’s how you give it. A bit of planning and creativity can make your brand the most memorable one at the Freshers’ fair.
Make Your Stand Interactive
Freshers fairs are bustling with activity, so it’s important to grab attention quickly. Bring your brand to life with fun, engaging elements like:
- Spin the wheel or lucky dip prize draws
- A QR code scavenger hunt placed around campus
- Mini-games or challenges – think basketball hoops, mini golf, or a quick ‘throw-the-ball-in-the-cup’ game
- A selfie station or branded photo frame with fancy dress props and a hashtag to encourage social sharing
Marketing Tip: These activities double as content opportunities – encourage students to tag your brand on socials for added exposure!
Bundle up Your Giveaways
Offer items as themed bundles to boost perceived value and make your brand more memorable. Try ideas like:
- Welcome Pack – Branded tote bag, pen, notebook, include a QR code with a discount or offer
- Study Starter Kit – Highlighter, sticky notes, branded water bottle
- Night Out Essentials – Reusable cup, lanyard, wristband, branded snack
Marketing Tip: Make your bundles feel exclusive by offering them only after a student signs up to your mailing list or follows you on social media.
Plan Ahead
We recommend ordering your branded merchandise 6–8 weeks in advance if you can, especially for custom or sustainable products. This gives you time to:
- Get product samples or artwork approval
- Avoid last-minute rush or express delivery costs
- Create a buzz with your merchandise online before the event
And don’t forget to order more than you think you’ll need – when your giveaways are good, word spreads fast!
Keep the Connection Going
Make sure your giveaway isn’t the end of the journey. Add a QR code to your product, packaging, or bundle a flyer/card that links to:
- A student discount landing page
- Your TikTok or Instagram page
- A competition or signup form so that you can keep in contact with them
Marketing Tip: A simple QR code can drive long-term engagement and keep your brand top-of-mind after Freshers’ Week.
What Makes a Giveaway “Gen Z Approved”?
Gen Z aren’t just after freebies, they want relevance. When choosing Freshers’ Fair merchandise, ask:
- Is it useful? (e.g. not just another cheap, throwaway pen)
- Is it aesthetic? (will it look good on their socials?)
- Is it eco-conscious? (sustainable = shareable)
- Is it shareable? (can it help you get User-generated content (UGC)?)
Summary
Freshers’ Week is your chance to make a bold first impression with the next generation of consumers. With useful, on-trend giveaways and a little creative flair, your brand can become part of their university journey, and stay with them far beyond it.
Need help picking the perfect promotional products? Get in touch with our friendly team – we’d love to help you create a standout Freshers’ campaign that really stands out.
Read next: Event Planning Checklist.
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