A cheerful group of diverse people standing in a circle outdoors, joining hands in the center for a team huddle, smiling and enjoying the moment.

Swag to the Future: Gifting Volunteers Like the Heroes They Are

Welcome to the magical land where appreciation meets absurdity—National Volunteer Week! It’s that glorious time when we shower our do-gooders not only with gratitude but also with delightful, occasionally-questionable-but-always-well-meaning swag. Forget boring pens and bland tote bags—this blog is here to jazz up your volunteer appreciation game with ideas as bold as your volunteers’ hearts (and as shiny as the holographic stickers you’re about to hand out). Grab your label makers and glitter glue—it’s time to swag out.

Swaggwarts: Magical Merch for Wizard-Level Volunteers

Wands = pens (but fancier). Bonus points if they glitter and occasionally malfunction.
House scarves based on volunteer departments: Gryffin-help-doors, Slyther-in-assistance, etc.
Amortentia-scented candles—smell like “the thing you love most”—aka fresh popcorn from the concession stand they worked last weekend.

Plant One On ‘Em: Eco-Friendly Swag to Grow Their Inner Green Thumbs

Seed packets with slogans like “Thanks for helping us grow” or “You plant kindness like a boss”
Tiny succulents in pots that say “You make us unkillably better”
DIY herb garden kits: Basil not included—just like volunteers, it’s in high demand
Bamboo utensils engraved with “Stirring up change since [your founding year]”

Do or Do-Not—There Is Some Try: Swag Style Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

✔ Keep it useful—water bottles > 1,000 fridge magnets
✔ Stay on-brand—if your cause is saving penguins, maybe skip the plastic swag
✔ Include puns. Always. Puns are love. Puns are life.

Don’t:

✘ Give them something that requires special assembly instructions or a minor engineering degree
✘ Swag that melts, breaks, squeaks at inopportune times, or can be used as a weapon
✘ Forget sizes—no one wants a T-shirt that fits more like a tent or a sock puppet

Wrap-Up: Swag Goals, Activated

At the end of the (volunteer-fueled, magic-flavored, metaphor-stuffed) day, it’s not about how flashy the swag is, it’s about showing your volunteers that you see them, love them… and maybe want them to keep coming back. Whether you go full Hogwarts with it or settle for a punny thank-you note and a donut, it’s the appreciation that counts. But seriously? Capes. You can’t go wrong with capes.

Now go forth and swag like you’ve never swagged before.