College alumni weekends are a time for celebration, nostalgia, and reconnecting. These events bring former students back to campus, rekindling their school spirit and strengthening their lifelong connection to their alma mater.
A key part of making alumni feel welcomed and valued? Branded merchandise! Thoughtful, high-quality alumni swag enhances the experience, creates lasting memories, and keeps your school top of mind long after the weekend ends.
Here’s a guide to the best-branded merch that alumni departments can offer to make alumni weekend unforgettable.
🎒 1. Welcome Kits for Alumni
Start alumni weekend off right with a custom swag bag filled with practical, school-branded goodies!
🎁 Must-Have Items:
✅ Branded tote bag or backpack for carrying weekend essentials
✅ Personalized name badge & lanyard to encourage networking
✅ Alumni-exclusive t-shirt or cap to wear with pride
✅ Commemorative sticker or pin featuring the event theme
🔥 Pro Tip: Include a campus map, event schedule, and discount coupons for local businesses!
🧥 2. Alumni Apparel: Wear the Pride
One of the best ways to reinforce school spirit is through high-quality branded clothing.
🏆 Best Apparel Picks:
✔️ Classic alumni t-shirts with the school name and event year
✔️ Cozy hoodies and quarter-zip pullovers for a premium look
✔️ Embroidered hats and beanies perfect for year-round wear
💡 Why It Works: Alumni will proudly wear their branded gear for years, keeping your school’s name visible everywhere they go.
🥤 3. Reusable Drinkware: A Sustainable Keepsake
Help alumni celebrate responsibly and sustainably with branded drinkware that lasts.
♻️ Top Sustainable Drinkware Choices:
✅ Insulated tumblers for coffee and tea lovers
✅ Stainless steel water bottles to stay hydrated on the go
✅ Engraved alumni pint glasses for reunion toasts
🌱 Sustainability Bonus: Reusable drinkware helps reduce single-use plastics, making your event more eco-friendly!
📓 4. Practical & Meaningful Alumni Gifts
Give alumni something they’ll use every day while remembering their time on campus.
📝 Top Picks:
✔️ Leather-bound alumni journals for jotting down memories
✔️ Custom engraved keychains as a subtle yet meaningful keepsake
✔️ Branded tech accessories like PopSockets or wireless chargers
🎯 Retention Tip: Offer limited-edition, event-exclusive gifts for alumni who donate to scholarship funds!
📸 5. Social Media-Worthy Swag
Encourage alumni to share their experiences online with fun, photo-ready branded merch.
📷 Instagram-Worthy Ideas:
📌 Temporary tattoos or face stickers with the school logo
📌 Branded foam fingers for sports-loving alumni
📌 Photo booth props like giant mascot cutouts or speech bubbles
🔥 Engagement Hack: Create a custom event hashtag and reward attendees who post photos in their alumni swag!
🎓 Why Branded Merch Matters for Alumni Engagement
Branded merchandise isn’t just swag—it’s a powerful tool for building long-term alumni relationships.
✅ Strengthens school pride and lifelong loyalty
✅ Keeps alumni engaged with their alma mater
✅ Boosts fundraising efforts through merch sales
✅ Encourages word-of-mouth promotion as alumni show off their gear
By investing in high-quality, memorable alumni merch, your alumni department ensures that former students stay connected and involved for years to come.
Ready to make your next Alumni Weekend unforgettable? Let’s create the ultimate alumni swag! 🎉🎓
