Started a college from scratch | Catalyst for courage and integrity | Helping people live purpose-driven lives | Producer of complex purpose and community focused events
Quick informal survey... Let's say you are attending an event (conference / meeting / party) where the host is giving everyone a small gift...as the recipient of the gift, would you rather get an identical thing to everyone else there or would you rather choose from among several similar options? Similar options could be things like the same item, but a different style or color. Edit to original post since initial responses are leaning towards choice... there are some benefits to giving everyone the same thing and there are some benefits to receiving the same item as everyone else. I would like to uncover some of the benefits of each approach for the recipient if possible. (I've been helping to give gifts for years under particular assumptions and am questioning those assumptions to see what I can learn 😀 )
A “one size fits all” approach rarely ever does. Providing options is a way to treat people as individuals. Asking things like favorite color in advance can help with logistics and stil allow you to surprise and delight people.
The same as everyone, especially if it's an annual thing or one-of-a-kind. For example, a conference attended annually giving a special gift each year to attendees. Another example, if you're attending a special event, the same gift as everyone who attended has a "bond" to it, connecting you with other people who attended with you.
I’m always pro-choice. 😉
For me, I'd definitely prefer having an option! I think it shows that you've thought of the different paths of life, preferences, etc... of your guests. Additionally, you ensure that the majority of people will leave with something that they can use/treasure because it's more to their taste!
Would love to have options to choose from. Not a lot of people do this so it always makes me think about it years later when I do have that option.
A consumable such as locally made chocolate or jam with choice (to account for taste but also dietary restrictions).
Operations Manager | Events Producer
4moAn idea I always wanted to make real but never did was to have an event swag Vending Machine. In your arrival packet, you get a token. Put the token in the vending machine if you want to at any point during the event to select what you want. Not everyone wants another physical item. Don’t put the year in any of the options, reuse each year so collectors can collect, and people who don’t want excess junk in their suitcase are happy, too. Plus it’s cute, as an activity for attendees to “visit” the vending machine.