Our church set out to design a gift bag for visitors that would achieve three key goals:
- Provide a meaningful opportunity for face-to-face follow-up.
- Serve as an attractive way to present brochures and essential church information.
- Extend our church’s name and logo into guests’ everyday lives, increasing visibility and influence.
Understanding Our Audience
Our target demographic consists of busy young families with elementary-aged children. These families often lead fragmented lives, moving between separate, unrelated spheres of work, school, and activities. This disconnect can create what Randy Frazee describes as “crowded loneliness” in his book, Making Room for Life.
With this in mind, we aimed to create a gift bag that not only welcomed our guests but also helped them view church as a unifying mission—a place that intersects with every part of their lives, rather than just another compartmentalized activity.
Thoughtful Contents for Connection
To ensure the gift bag resonated with both individuals and families, we carefully selected items to appeal to various interests and spheres of influence. Here’s what we included:
- Practical Literature: Brochures outlining our ministries, mission, and values, along with tracts and a signed welcome letter from the pastor.
- Invitation Cards: A bundle of personalized church business cards for visitors to share with friends. These cards featured a map, service times, and contact information, emphasizing that they are valued and encouraged to spread the word.
We also incorporated unique, logo-branded items designed to be memorable, useful, and visible in their daily lives.
Principles for Branded Items
- Value Over Volume: Invest in high-quality, practical items rather than inexpensive trinkets.
- Encourage Regular Use: Items should be appealing enough for guests to use daily, even in public.
- Reinforce Positive Experiences: Useful gifts with our logo remind visitors of their time at church and spark conversations.
- Expand Influence: Items should naturally integrate into their most influential spheres, encouraging self-identification with their faith community.
Highlighted Gift Items
- Tote Bag: A durable and stylish logo-branded bag, perfect for carrying toys, snacks, or beach gear. This practical item is designed to make our presence known in public spaces like parks, daycare centers, and more.
- Coffee Mug: A unique 17 oz. mug with a comfortable handle and tastefully displayed church details. We envisioned it becoming a favorite at home, work, or during casual meet-ups.
- Sunglasses Clip: A functional and innovative visor clip for cars, complete with our logo and contact info. We knew this would find daily use during commutes and family outings.
Organized and Thoughtful Presentation
We included a detailed checklist to ensure consistency in every gift bag:
Gift Items
- 1 Tote Bag
- 1 Coffee Mug
- 1 Sunglasses Clip
- 2 Pens
- 1 Notepad
Paper Items
- Pastor’s Signed Letter
- Contents Explanation Sheet
- Church Brochure
- 5 Invitation Cards
- The 7 Wonders Booklet
- Feedback Form
Food Items
- Candy Bag (in Mug)
- Homemade Item (e.g., cookies or banana bread)
The Impact of a Personal Touch
Visitors consistently express appreciation for these thoughtful gifts, often sharing them with friends and family. One guest even joked about returning for a second mug! These moments reflect the lasting impression we aim to leave.
However, the gift bag itself is only part of the equation. The follow-up delivery process is equally important. Here’s how we approach it:
- Choose Familiar Faces: Whenever possible, the person making the delivery should be someone the visitor remembers from their visit.
- Be Considerate: Call ahead to schedule a convenient drop-off time. Avoid creating discomfort by showing up unannounced.
- Empower Lay Leaders: Encourage non-staff members to make the deliveries to maintain a warm, approachable atmosphere.
A Heartfelt Explanation
Every gift bag includes a contents sheet that metaphorically explains each item’s significance:
- Tote Bag: “This bag is a reminder that we are here to help you carry life’s burdens.”
- Coffee Mug: “We hope this mug becomes a favorite and reminds you of the warm welcome waiting for you at our church.”
- Sunglasses Clip: “May this item help you see clearly—both in your car and in life—with God’s vision for your journey.”
- Invitation Cards: “Feel free to invite others. We’d love to meet your friends and family!”
- Edible Treats: “Enjoy these goodies as a taste of the sweet fellowship available here.”
Follow-Up Strategy
The journey doesn’t end with the delivery of the gift bag. Visitors should find a dedicated section for newcomers on our website, along with additional opportunities for engagement, like small group invitations or personal follow-up messages.
By creating a thoughtful and intentional gift bag, we’ve not only made our visitors feel welcome but also encouraged them to share their experience, extending our mission into their many spheres of life.
