Top 10 Giveaway Ideas That Work Best at HIA Home Ideas Show

If you’re exhibiting at a home and renovation expo like HIA Home Ideas Show - Melbourne, your giveaway strategy matters more than most exhibitors realize. Booth design and samples may attract visitors initially, but the merchandise they take home is what keeps your brand remembered after the expo ends.

Home expos are different from tech or corporate trade shows. Visitors are usually homeowners, renovators, builders, or families actively planning projects. As a result, they value useful, practical items over novelty giveaways. The right merchandise can extend your brand visibility from the expo floor straight into their homes, cars, and worksites.

Below are the top 10 giveaway ideas that consistently work best at home expos, based on real exhibitor performance, retention value, and post-event brand recall. 

1. Pens & Notebooks

Home expo visitors are planners. They compare suppliers, note measurements, sketch ideas, and track quotes. A good-quality pen paired with a compact notebook supports this behaviour perfectly.

These items are often used during the expo itself, which immediately links your brand to the decision-making process.

Why it works:

• Supports planning and comparison

• Used during and after the expo

• Low cost with high retention

2. Reusable Canvas Tote Bags

Reusable tote bags are among the highest-performing giveaways at home expos. Visitors need something to carry brochures, samples, and catalogues as they move from booth to booth.

After the event, tote bags are reused for shopping, storage, or future outings, giving your brand long-term exposure.

Why it works:

• Immediate on-site usefulness

• Long lifespan

• High brand visibility

3. Stainless Steel Drink Bottles

At large home expos, visitors spend hours walking the floor. A stainless steel drink bottle feels premium, practical, and thoughtful.

Because bottles are used daily at home, in cars, or on worksites, they deliver exceptional brand recall.

Why it works:

• Premium perceived value

• Daily usability

• Sustainability-friendly choice

4. Reusable Coffee Cups

Reusable coffee cups fit naturally into everyday routines. Whether for morning coffee or takeaway drinks, they become part of a daily habit.

This makes them one of the most effective lifestyle giveaways for home and renovation audiences.

Why it works:

• Strong daily usage

• Compact and practical

• Reinforces eco-conscious branding

5. Insulated Cooler Bags

Insulated cooler bags perform extremely well at home expos because they serve multiple purposes, groceries, lunches, picnics, or worksites.

They are reused regularly and often stored in cars or kitchens, keeping your brand visible.

Why it works:

• Practical for everyday use

• Long-term household item

• High perceived value

6. Reusable Stainless Steel Straws

Eco-friendly home items resonate strongly with modern homeowners. Reusable stainless steel straws are compact, useful, and easy to keep.

They typically live in kitchens, lunch bags, or cars, making them a subtle but consistent branding tool.

Why it works:

• Aligns with sustainability values

• Easy to distribute

• Kept rather than discarded

7. Bottle Opener Coasters

A bottle opener combined with a coaster naturally earns a place in kitchens, dining rooms, or outdoor entertaining areas.

Because these items stay visible on tables or benches, your branding remains in sight during social moments.

Why it works:

• Dual-purpose functionality

• Strong home-use relevance

• High visibility placement

8. Glass Coaster Sets

Coaster sets feel more premium than single-item giveaways and appeal strongly to homeowners who value presentation and entertaining.

They’re used during daily routines and gatherings, reinforcing brand exposure in a natural way.

Why it works:

• Premium feel

• Long-term household use

• Strong visual branding impact

9. Scented Diffusers

Scent is closely linked to memory. A small scented diffuser creates an emotional connection with your brand while reinforcing the idea of comfort and home living.

Placed in bedrooms, bathrooms, or living areas, it keeps your brand present in personal spaces.

Why it works:

• Emotional brand association

• Strong relevance to home lifestyle

• Subtle, long-lasting exposure

10. Family & DIY Lifestyle Items

Items designed for family activities or DIY projects, such as aprons or practical home-use accessories, appeal strongly at home expos.

They feel thoughtful, useful, and different from generic giveaways, making them more memorable.

Why it works:

• Appeals to family households

• Practical and engaging

• Differentiates your booth

How to Choose the Right Giveaway Mix for HIA

Rather than relying on one item, successful exhibitors use a tiered giveaway approach:

• General visitors: pens, notebooks, tote bags

• Interested prospects: bottles, cups, cooler bags

• High-intent leads: diffuser or premium home items

This strategy helps control costs while maximizing brand impact across different visitor types.

Final Thoughts

At home expos, giveaways are not about being flashy. They’re about being useful, relevant, and memorable. The most effective merchandise supports how people actually live, planning, organising, entertaining, and improving their homes.

When your giveaway fits naturally into everyday home life, your brand stays visible long after the expo ends. And that continued presence is often what turns a casual booth visit into a real enquiry.