In my opinion company should SELECT A GIFT / GIVEAWAY THAT HAS LONG LIFE , ATLEAST A YEAR, that can be a product manufactured by them or replica representing their industry / business with their logo embossed or printed on it. There are whole lot of portals showing so many gift items to choose. For example a fashion industry may like to give away a fancy bracelet for female customers and hotel would come up with a desk calender showing month wise complimentary services, bank may like to give away a wallet . How a item is presented is the attraction for the customer to retain for his use or pass it on but in both cases the marketing objectives are served.
Due to the economy, there's an interest in budget promotional items and trade show giveaways like custom mints and mint tins, promotional sticky note pads, and custom drawstring backpacks. As the economy improves and tradeshows and conferences revive, then the higher end items like conference pads, promotional padfolios, custom logo watches and promotional stainless steel bottles will return to popularity.