In many offices, International Women’s Day has historically been marked by a quick email from HR or a bouquet of flowers on a desk. While the sentiment is appreciated, modern professionals look for something deeper. They want to see a commitment to the #GiveToGain mindset, where the company invests in women to gain a stronger, more diverse future.
Humanizing your celebration means moving away from corporate performance and moving toward community building. Here are five creative ways to mark the day, along with the right tools to make each moment memorable.
1. The “Human Library” Storytelling Session
One of the most powerful things we can give is our story. Instead of a formal panel with a podium, host a “Human Library” event where women from different departments and levels of seniority act as “books” for 1-on-1 chats. This breaks down silos and fosters empathy, which is the ultimate human-driven metric.
The Promo Connection: Provide participants with a custom premium journal and a high-quality pen. This encourages attendees to jot down the wisdom and “chapters” they learn from their colleagues, turning a brief conversation into a lasting resource for their career growth.
2. Launch a “Give To Gain” Mentorship Exchange
In alignment with the 2026 theme, use International Women’s Day to launch a structured mentorship program that emphasizes reciprocity. Encourage “reverse mentorship” where younger women teach senior leadership about emerging trends and digital culture.
The Promo Connection: Commemorate the start of these new partnerships with branded tech accessories, such as a sleek wireless charging pad or high-quality noise-canceling earbuds. These tools facilitate the “exchange” of ideas, whether the mentors are meeting in person or across a digital divide.
3. The “Gratitude Wall”
Recognition is a fundamental human need. Create a dedicated space, such as a physical wall in the breakroom or a Slack channel, specifically for peer-to-peer appreciation. Encourage employees to give a shout-out to a woman in the office who has helped them grow this year.
The Promo Connection: Supplement the wall with custom lapel pins or eco-friendly tote bags featuring empowering messages. When someone receives a shout-out, they get a physical token of appreciation they can wear or carry with pride, extending the gratitude beyond the office walls.
4. Support Women-Owned Businesses in Your Supply Chain
If you are providing lunch or gifting gear for International Women’s Day, do it with intention. Make a public commitment to ensure 100% of your IWD event spend goes to women-owned businesses.
The Promo Connection: Choose wellness-focused gift sets such as soy candles, organic tea, or artisanal soaps. It perfectly embodies the “Give” to the community to “Gain” a balanced economy.
5. Skills-Based Volunteering “Power Hours”
Move the celebration outside the office walls. Organize a “Power Hour” where your team can virtually or in-person mentor young girls in STEM or review resumes for women re-entering the workforce. Nothing bonds a team quite like working together to lift others up.
The Promo Connection: Equip your volunteering squad with branded apparel, such as high-quality quarter-zips or sustainable cotton tees featuring the International Women’s Day #GiveToGain logo. Uniformity in service creates a shared sense of purpose and high visibility for your company’s values in the community.
We can help you observe International Women’s Day by personalizing your next set of giveaways to match your brand’s unique mission. All you need to do is choose from our exhaustive collection of high-quality promo items, and we will handle the rest. If you need a hand picking the right gifts to make an impact, give us a call. We look forward to working with you to make this International Women’s Day your most meaningful one yet!