As the seasons change, so do the accessories we like to keep close by. From warming drinks to practical travel essentials, the colder months bring plenty of opportunities to put your brand in the hands of customers, colleagues and contacts.

We’re shining a light on practical, thoughtful winter essentials that give your brand and message a place in everyday life. From giveaways that spark conversations and create lasting visibility at events, to items that make thoughtful year-end gifts for your team, customers and business contacts.

The common thread? Products that will carry your brand, have wide appeal and offer enough flexibility to suit different budgets and briefs.

Thermal drinkware

We’re a nation on the move, whether hybrid working, commuting or out meeting customers. Thermal drinkware is a trusted everyday companion that travels with you, whether it’s used for a takeaway coffee, a homemade brew or taking advantage of a bring-your-own-cup discount.

Vacuum insulation is key to keeping drinks warm, while capacity, drinking mechanisms and personalisation are all matters of choice. There are plenty of styles and colours to complement your brand, with decoration ranging from subtle laser-engraved logos to big, bold, full-colour wraps.

Tips: Look for drinkware with a capacity of 350ml or more and the ability to keep drinks warm for at least three hours. Recycled stainless steel is also a good lower-impact material to look out for.

Here are some basic, better and best options to get you started:

• Basic – 350ml Recycled Double Wall Tumbler
• Better – 480ml Recycled Stainless Steel Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
• Best – 590ml Ocean Bottle Peak Brew Recycled Stainless Steel Tumbler with 360-Degree Drinking

Travel essentials

For many years, we’ve been advocates of ice scrapers. They’re low-cost, offer plenty of branding potential and can deliver ongoing visibility and a great return on investment. Even when they’re not in use, they’re generally kept close at hand in a vehicle.

Tips: Look for products that offer a reduced environmental impact and give you a good story to share. One example is this Recycled Social Plastic® Ice Scraper, made from waste plastic that would otherwise pollute waterways and oceans. It’s available in white, blue and black, and has several different personalisation options.

Illuminated products

Put your brand in the spotlight with torches, including keyring styles to USB-rechargeable options. Add head torches and safety LED straps, which are particularly useful for runners and dog walkers, and there’s plenty of scope to find something practical for your audience.

Here are some basic, better and best options:

• Basic – Safety strap with a built-in LED that can easily be secured around your arm
• Better – USB-rechargeable LED keychain torch made with RCS recycled ABS
• Best – Recycled aluminium 3W USB-rechargeable torch, IP4-rated for outdoor use, with a 100m beam

Snoods

Here are five reasons why snoods, or neck warmers if you prefer, are such a flexible brand investment:

1. The entire surface area can be printed in full colour, giving plenty of room for creative branding.
2. Unit prices are low, with minimum order quantities starting at just 100.
3. They’re unisex and one size fits all, making them ideal for giveaways or workwear.
4. They provide warmth in winter and protection against the summer sun.
5. They’re lightweight and compact, making them easy to transport, whether you’re preparing for an event or distributing them by post.

Tips: There’s more to consider than personalisation. Different product features can suit your brand values and audience, including reflective strips or fleece sections for extra warmth. You can also look at lower-impact fabric choices, such as rPET, a textile made from recycled plastic bottles.

Headwear

Branded headwear offers plenty of scope to reflect your organisation’s style in a practical accessory with wide appeal. From classic beanies to bespoke knitted designs, there are options to suit different budgets, audiences and branding requirements.

Personalisation can also make a difference, with options including embroidery and printed patches to bring your identity to life.

Start with these basic, better and best options:

• Basic – Classic fold-over, one-size-fits-all beanie made from lower-impact Polylana® material
• Better – Double-layer knitted beanie in bespoke colours, available from 250 units
• Best – Beechfield pom-pom hat with shearling lining

Warming up to these ideas?

Hopefully, this gives you a starting point. There’s a whole range of products that lend themselves to this season and beyond.

At Systematic, we’re ready to research the right approach for your brand, budget and brief. Tell us what you’re looking to achieve, and we’ll get started with recommendations, visuals and samples, followed by delivery of some seasonal newness for your branded marketing assets.