By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

I’ve loved personalized gifts since I was a little girl.

My mom had a thing for names.

She’d light up when she found a mug, keychain, or sweatshirt with mine or my brother’s name on it — her vacation specialty.

But the real thrill was finding a personalized gift for a family member with a less common name: a license plate, a shiny keychain, a glittery pencil, even a snow globe. She was always on the hunt, and that tiny discovery made her day.

She taught me to notice the joy in things that feel personal — the small magic that makes someone feel seen.

That feeling is exactly what great branded merchandise should create.

When I help a company design custom swag that feels like it was made just for someone — a team member, a client, a customer — I think of my mom and that sense of being known. Personalized merch isn’t about slapping a logo on a product; it’s about connection. It’s about making someone feel valued, seen, and part of something bigger.

So whether it’s custom apparel, employee onboarding kits, or a client gift box, the most successful branded items are the ones that capture that same personal touch my mom loved so much.

How easy was it to find your name on those souvenir racks growing up? (And did you care?)

P.S. The photo here is of a square of “Amanda” wrapping paper my mom got for me over 30 years ago — proof that good design and personalization never go out of style.

---