Just Say No to Swag: How to minimize the crap, er, stuff we all get

I remember my first professional conference. I was in my early 20s, living in Vancouver, BC and I was working at the University in the Pathology Department of all places. My department was having its annual conference at a big fancy hotel downtown and I was pumped. I didn’t have a lot of money back then and the chance to eat a free catered meal was well worth the inevitably boring speeches about Pathology (note: I worked in admin and had to look up the definition of pathology before my interview #liberalartsmajor).

The thing I remember most about that day, though?

That sweet, sweet swag.

A branded tote bag with a bunch of pens and pencils in it. A branded coffee mug. I even won a branded sweatshirt in the raffle. It was four sizes too big and was emblazoned with “UBC PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT” across the front in big green letters but I didn’t care. I won something! Never mind I never wore it and gave it to Goodwill within a few months. The mug joined it soon after since I am extremely loyal to my favorite mugs. The tote bag was fine enough, since this was back before you got a reusable tote bag several times a month. But did I really need its random contents?

The good and bad thing about branded swag is that it is usually useful. It might be things that we use everyday, like glassware, water bottles, towels, zip drives, note pads, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, pencils or bags. Or maybe it’s not an everyday staple but it’s still useful - golf tees, playing cards, aprons and coloring books. Then there are the somewhat off the wall items like stress balls, eye masks and those zen sand gardens. All of this stuff is good in theory.

But in practice…it can be a bit much. As a professional organizer I see so, so, SO much of it. And I see how guilt provoking it can be. Many of my clients already have their own favorite sunglasses, coffee mugs and backpacks but then that new, swag-y one comes around, and it is perfectly fine, I guess. It would be wrong to let it go, right?

I have taken so many of these fun but mostly useless picnic backpacks to Goodwill for my clients.

Before long you might find yourself drowning in a sea of swag. It has taken over your office storage, your closets, your kitchen cabinets and junk drawers. I’ve been in homes with more than a dozen swag backpacks (tell me you work in tech without saying you work in tech). I remember when San Francisco first banned single use straws and all of a sudden kitchens were swimming in reusable metal and bamboo straw branded with every tech logo that you can think of. They can certainly be a practical thing to have around but how many do you realistically need? Personally, I never liked using them so my answer is zero and I drink straw free.

If you're looking to declutter & lead a more intentional life, you have to stop the swag at the source and cut off its oxygen supply. Do not bring all of that swag home with you and be discerning about what you do take. Here are some tips about how:

How Many Sleep Shirts Do you Really Need?

Before attending your next event, think about your intentions. Do you really need more keychains or tote bags? If you really do need more pens then by all means, stock up, but say no to the golf tees (and consider taking four pens not 40). Setting the intention to only bring home items that are genuinely useful or meaningful will help you resist the allure of freebies.

Let’s Be Honest, that Shirt is Itchy/Flimsy/Ugly

Focus on collecting items of higher quality rather than grabbing everything in sight. Choose items that are durable, practical, and align with your needs. I urge you to stop taking those super flimsy grocery bags that only last a couple of uses. Hold out for the ones that are sturdy and functional (but only if you need more)! My organizing pal told me that she loves it when she finds extra large Post-it pads as swag since it’s difficult to find the size she likes in stores. Awesome, make it your goal to stock up on those and leave the rest.

Ask Yourself, Does This Align with My Life?

This one goes out specifically to the swag that I know very well: branded glassware. Whether it’s wine tasting glasses from a day in Napa, shot glasses from your college friends’ wedding or beer steins from the bar down the street - do you really need to keep them all? I understand that sometimes swag can be sentimental and there is a case to be made for keeping special keepsakes. But as I like to say, if it is all important, none of it is important. Pick out your most treasured pieces and if you don’t think you will use them functionally, consider moving them to a “memory/keepsake box”. If your kitchen is filled with a mismatch of promotional glasses, maybe it is time to donate all of them and get a nice set of matching glasses that you love. But for gods sake, leave the tasting glasses at the winery. They can wash and reuse them, and let’s face it - are you really ever going to want to sit around and drink only two ounces of wine?

Is There Another Way to Remember This?

Sometimes swag isn’t just random free stuff, it’s there to actually help us remember the brand (go figure!) If you need to keep something top of mind, try to embrace digital alternatives whenever possible. Instead of taking home physical items to remind you of the brand, opt for digital versions. QR codes can store information without adding physical clutter to your life. If I want to remind myself of something to look into later, I like to take a quick photo of it. I usually wont’t even take stickers (or even business cards), because even though they are small, I know they will just turn into clutter and I likely won’t find it when I need it.

Mindful Declining

Don't be afraid to politely decline swag that you don't need. Event organizers are actually used to participants turning swag down and many will appreciate your conscious effort to avoid unnecessary waste. Also, this will help them learn about what folks actually want and need! If we keep taking those silly paperweights they are going to keep bringing them.

BYOB

Arm yourself with a small, reusable bag before attending an event and pass on the big prefilled bag that is handed to everyone upon entry. This limits the space available for swag and makes you more conscious of what you're accumulating. Once your bag is full, you'll have to make decisions about what to keep and what to leave behind.

Donate that Swag

If you find yourself with too much swag and are realizing that you aren’t ever going to use it, consider donating it. Local schools, charities, or community centers may benefit from items like art and office supplies, reusable bags and other well made and functional swag. I have a client who regularly delivers clothes and supplies to a local homeless shelter. She asked me to collect reusable bags for her because they are in high demand there. I help many families downsize their collection and it makes them happy to know that the bags can be used and appreciated.

Reflect and Evaluate

Periodically reflect on your swag collection habits. Evaluate what items you've enjoyed using versus what ended up collecting dust. Use this reflection to refine your approach and become even more discerning in the future.

Living a clutter-free life starts with being intentional about what comes into our lives. By setting clear intentions, being mindful of our choices, and opting for quality over quantity, we can stop the influx of swag and create a living space that is both purposeful and free from unnecessary clutter.

We all have enough coffee mugs. Just say no.