The Best Promotional Merchandise & Freebies For Freshers' Fairs

For the uninitiated, a freshers' fair is one of the most important events in the student calendar.

As well as giving new students the chance to discover campus-based clubs and societies, it also presents them with the opportunity to connect with local businesses and nationwide brands that they might not have encountered before.

And of course, there's the possibility for them to receive freshers freebies: good old promotional giveaways, perfectly branded with your design and ideal for creating long-lasting visibility for your logol.

READ MORE:

• The Benefits Of Promotional Giveaways At Freshers' Fairs
• 5 Of The Best Promotional Items For UK Freshers' Fairs

The typical freshers' fair presents a brilliant opportunity for your business: namely, to put your brand in front of a whole new audience of potential customers.

Typically, students will attend a freshers' fair to discover clubs and societies, as well as to make the most of the swag up for grabs, too - after all, students head to uni knowing they will be living on a low-income for the duration of their course, before graduating with (most likely) a fair whack of debt in their wake. So naturally, the opportunity to walk away with some practical freebies is not one to be turned down!

Typically speaking, the standard freshers event will feature displays from clubs, societies and local businesses, all hoping to entice new students to visit their stands. Some freshers events start in early September, while others last into October. 

If your business is planning to exhibit at a Freshers' Fair in autumn 2024 (or to university students in general, for that matter), it's time to start thinking about your branded merchandise now - and give consideration to the best freebies for freshers to help generate awareness for your company.

(And by the way: if you've got a stand at a freshers event, be sure to take a look at our high-impact range of show decorations and signage, with all products ready to order with your logo today.)

Freshers Fair Ideas: How To Choose The Best Products 

With years in the industry, it's safe to say that the team at Total Merchandise know a thing or two about choosing the perfect freshers fair freebies. Read on for a few of our pointers...

• Know your audience: are you targeting people who are studying a specific topic, or who are considering membership of a certain club or society? Understanding your ideal demographic will help you choose merch that truly resonates.
• Choose items that will align with your business: your merch is an extension of your brand, after all. Whether it's fun or professional, let your brand shine through!
• Focus on visibility: the more eye-catching the item, the more interest it will generate. Think colourful badges, striking lanyards, stand-out stationery... 
• Combine an eco edge with functionality: thinking green is a great way to show a whole new audience that your business cares. Items such as reusable water bottles or bamboo ballpens are practical, considerate and long-lasting.
• Offer practicality: pick products that they'll actually want to use! Students will be sure to appreciate items that they can incorporate into their studies and daily lives, including USBs, travel mugs and hoodies.
• Invite students to find you online: incorporating social handles or hashtags on your merch will give students a way to interact further with your brand.

And that's just the start of it! If you want more advice for choosing the perfect freshers' giveaways for your business, just let us know - our team are here to help. 

The UK's Best Ideas For Freshers Week Freebies In Autumn 2024

Here at Total Merchandise, we have a wide range of freshers fair ideas for your consideration - though of course, their appeal isn't limited purely to the start-of-term fairs.

With an influx of new students into the town, local businesses need to make sure their brand is known in order to attract new customers - and what better way to do it than with some promotional merch?

If you work within a university town, you'll be aware that the student portion of your customer base will change each year. Keeping up with changing times, interests and trends can help you pick products that will truly make an impact among a potential new audience, meaning you don't need to rely exclusively on the loyalty of pre-existing customers.

Without further ado, here are some of the best freshers fair freebies for your consideration - and explore our full range of branded gifts for freshers fairs for more ideas.

Insulated Travel Mug

A must-have for everything from 9am lectures to all-nighters in the library, our Insulated Travel Mug is printed with your design in up to four colours. Perfect for using in campus coffee shops or for students to prep their favourite drinks into before they leave their accommodation, they're an essential all-year round. 

Pick from a wide range of shades, with finishes ranging from solid to translucent. It can also be ordered from just 25 units, making it a great choice for clubs and societies that are keen to attract the interest of new sign-ups.   

Promotional Message Bug

Looking for the perfect freebies for freshers fairs - that won't blow your budget? You can't go far wrong with our cost-effective message bugs. This classic merch item is hugely budget-friendly and is a low-cost giveaway option for any brand. 

Sweet, simple and budget-friendly, the humble message bug is a promotional classic and is perfect for printing with your branding. We have a wide selection of logo bugs available at incredibly cheap prices; browse our full range to find the perfect design to match your business and industry!

Coloured Cotton Tote Bags

Students are to tote bags as logos are to merchandise - and with 10 different colours to pick from, who could possibly resist our best-selling Coloured Cotton Tote Bags? Printed with your branding in up to full colour on both sides, these bags will come in handy time-after-time for freshers around campus, helping them transport books, shopping and more. 

Long-lasting, reusable and eco-friendly, they also make a stylish and eco-conscious alternative to plastic carriers. What's not to love?

50ml Hand Sanitiser Gel

Almost as notorious as the freshers' fair is the Freshers' flu: decidedly less exciting, it's a grim rite of passage that most students would prefer to avoid if they can help it. 

Give them a fighting chance by handing out bottles of promotional hand sanitiser gel. A great choice for health-related brands, the bottles are available in four colours and will feature your design on the label. 

Smart ProBuds

Our stylish (not to mention best-selling!) Smart ProBuds are perfect for allowing students to listen to their favourite music, podcasts and TV shows as they travel to-and-from classes and campus.

With your branding perfectly displayed on the case, this product is a great way to assert your brand as one that's cool and current. 

Official Tangle Puzzle

Budget-friendly and long-lasting, fidget toys are popular with customers of all ages - and if you're looking for a freshers-friendly option, search no further than the Tangle. Comprising 18 pieces, the Tangle can be twisted, deconstructed and rebuilt, and is available to order in nine different colours. 

This pocket-friendly puzzle can be printed with your logo in one colour and can be ordered from just 50 units. Explore our full range of novelty giveaways for more figdet-busting ideas.

A1 Wall Planner

Help students keep on top of deadlines and social plans with our easy-read A1 Wall Planner, which clearly displays your branding and guarantees awareness for your business every time it's looked at.

Perfect for staying on top of essay deadlines, society meetings and more, it can be ordered with your design from just 50 units. Want more ideas? Take a look at our full range of branded wall calendars.

Promotional Windsor Teddy Bear

For newbie students who crave a little reassurance or comfort, a teddy bear could make the perfect anti-homesick remedy.

Enter our gorgeous Windsor bear - wearing (or should that be 'bearing'?) your logo on his T-shirt, he's a promotional cutie who's made for cuddling up to. Explore our full range of promotional teddy bears. 

Mini Hangover Kits

Set your company apart as a life-saver by coming to students' assistance with a branded hangover kit.

Containing a series of post-Sambuca essentials, it will feature your logo and artwork on the exterior of the case and will position your business as a bit of a hero. 

Trolley Coin Oval Sticks

A key part of the quintessential student experience is the weekly food shop - and it's all fun and games until you realise you don't have a suitable coin to allow you to unlock a trolley. 

Make things a little easier by handing out a clever branded trolley token keyring. This one, for example, is made in the UK, is easy to attach to keys and will help make the supermarket sweep a whole lot easier to manage.

Printed Nail Files

Granted, a promotional nail file might not be the most exciting of giveaway ideas but it's one that's highly practical.

Coming into its own when your customer really needs it, our classic printed nail files come with a mirror on the reverse for extra functionality.

Printed Condom Foils

Perfect for an organisation that's promoting sexual health to students at a Freshers' Fair or student-focused event, our best-selling printed condom foils are an ever-popular event giveaway for students.

Promotional Fruit of the Loom Hoodies

For an impressive long-lasting giveaway gift, look no further than a branded hoodie. Our cosy Fruit of the Loom hoodies are perfect for printing or embroidering with your corporate logo, providing warmth for students as well as additional awareness for your business with each and every wear.

On the fence? These make excellent giveaway items for organisations and clubs that are looking for items to hand out to new members, as well as offering guaranteed wearability as the cooler months draw in.

Wireless Mini Charging Pads

Finally! Students are on their phones constantly (well - aren't we all?) so it makes sense to print your logo onto a charging device that they can use with ease every day.

Charged via a USB and compatible with Qi-enabled devices, our highly practical wireless miniature charging pads are ideal for keeping your brand alive in students' minds long after freshers has ended!

In short, we've got all the freebies for freshers fairs that your business could possibly want to consider. Want more Freshers Fair giveaways? We have a huge range of freshers fair freebies for you to browse - contact our friendly and knowledgeable team today to get your free quote. 

Feeling inspired? Browse more freshers' week giveaway ideas and place your order today. Need help finding a specific item? Simply contact a member of our friendly and experienced Sales team on 01376 509092 or email info@totalmerchandise.co.uk today. Photo by Windows on Unsplash.