What Event Guests Actually Keep
After years of working events across Montréal, we've had thousands of conversations with guests about what they keep versus what they discard. Here's what we've learned, roughly ranked from most to least kept:
1) Personalized photo magnets — kept nearly always. 2) Custom photo books — kept usually. 3) Candles with custom labels — kept sometimes. 4) Chocolate or food items — consumed immediately. 5) Wine glasses — kept maybe, if they don't break. 6) Branded pens/keychains — discarded usually within weeks. 7) Potted plants — kept until they die. 8) Candy buffet bags — eaten the night of. 9) Paper fans/folding items — kept rarely. 10) Generic tote bags — depends on quality.
Why Personalization Changes Everything
The key differentiator is personalization. A photo magnet that features the guest's own face — taken at this specific event, in this specific moment — is impossible to throw away. It's a piece of that person's personal history.
The Daily Visibility Factor
Photo magnets live on the refrigerator — the most-visited surface in any home — delivering daily positive impressions year after year. That's why they remain the highest-ROI event souvenir available in Montréal.
Why Photography-Based Souvenirs Rank Highest
Across the hundreds of Montreal events we've worked, souvenirs built around real photography consistently rank above printed merchandise or edible favours. Guests keep what a professional photographer captured because it feels personal, not generic.
Where Event Halls Fit Into the Ranking
Interestingly, the venue itself often boosts a souvenir's staying power — guests who take home a magnet photographed against a striking Montreal banquet hall backdrop tend to display it more prominently than a plain studio-style shot.
Turning the List Into a Competition
Some hosts print this very ranking on a small sign near the magnet station, sparking a friendly debate among guests about which souvenir truly deserves the top spot — a simple conversation starter that drives even more traffic to the station.
Frequently Asked Questions
What consistently ranks as guests' least favourite souvenir?
Generic branded merchandise like pens or magnets with no personal photo tends to rank lowest across the events we've surveyed informally.
Why do photo magnets outperform photo books for most guests?
Every guest gets their own copy instantly, rather than waiting for a shared book that usually stays with the host.
Related Articles
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