Let's sum up 2021 so we can look ahead to 2022 with hope!
Phew, and so 2021 is over. What a challenging year it was! Now it's time to take a look back at the past year and at the same time look ahead to the future with hope!
No, we are not going to talk about electricity prices or Covid-19, which were the main keywords of 2021 in the economy as a whole, but about where trends moved in the world of promotional gifts and what the new year might bring in this field.
There is no getting around reuse and sustainability. Even influencers are calling on people to consume less and make more conscious purchasing decisions. Quality has become more important than quantity, and people think their purchases through more and more before buying: will the things they buy actually be used, and how long might they last.
The same is actually true in the world of promotional gifts. People are giving fewer and fewer things that may end up gathering dust unused at the back of a cupboard. All kinds of knick-knacks may seem fun and pretty at first glance, but a moment later you realise that, apart from that fleeting emotion, you have no real use for the gadget. More emphasis is also being placed on quality and on how products are made. High-quality products last longer and so bring the recipient joy for longer too.
From an environmental point of view, the trend continues to move strongly towards products made from recycled materials. They may be somewhat more expensive, but by choosing them you know you have consciously done your bit for the environment. RPET should no longer be an unfamiliar abbreviation to anyone, and the label is turning up more and more in the world of promotional gifts too. Anything that points to recycled materials or has been made in fair working conditions is increasingly valued.
PET is the most common plastic, used mainly to make packaging and single-use drinks bottles/containers. A large share of the waste polluting the environment is exactly this type of plastic. Recycled PET plastic, or RPET for short, is the most widely used recycled plastic material in the world. Thanks to RPET, plastic containers that have already been produced find a new use. Less new plastic is made, which reduces the harm to the environment.
The keyword for 2022 is definitely even more sustainable materials. Our suppliers are constantly updating their collections and introducing new, even more eco-friendly raw materials, while also paying attention to functionality and quality. High-quality materials that are recycled or recyclable, produced with renewable energy and in line with ethical working practices, are being used more and more.
In second place is waste reduction. People value their surroundings more and more, and unnecessary waste is avoided as much as possible. The goal is to replace single-use products made from non-renewable raw materials with reusable products made from renewable materials.
Looking back at 2021, it was great to see more and more companies consciously making greener choices and thinking about practical promotional gifts. It was also good to see a strong pull towards more eco-friendly materials in textiles. Organic cotton hoodies and T-shirts were very much on trend for merch as well. The big interest in eco-friendly fabric shopping bags, which are reusable and last a long time, shows that plastic bags are being replaced and are quietly fading away.
Which products were bought the most and given as promotional gifts in 2021?
- High-quality blankets – blankets with a lovely message that are both practical and a piece of home decor.
- Hoodies with a name or a special picture – a personal gift that is sure to be used.
- Personalised sauna towels – a gift simply can't get more practical than this.
- Various wine accessories – a category that has become increasingly popular in recent years, with gifts including glasses, openers and the drinks themselves.
- Drinking bottles and cups – it's great to see that the single-use cup culture is gradually shrinking, and drinking bottles have firmly earned their place on our bestseller list.
2022 is sure to be an interesting, memorable and, above all, opportunity-filled year! We are certainly ready for exciting challenges and want to bring even your wildest ideas to life. If you have ideas, whether for promotional gifts or merch, don't hesitate to get in touch:👉 allprint@allprint.io
