It's a normal perception among the businesses that the more the promotional items are expensive or grand, the better is their acceptability. But, this perception does not hold its ground when we analyse the basic reason for acceptance of the gifts. The acceptability of the gifts depends on the following factors:
Utility: The more the item has the utility feature attached to it, the better would be its acceptability. Everyone like gifts which has some uses for him/her. The expensiveness or grandness of the article would hardly have any impact, if it has no utility for the recipients. For example, if any company gifts pen to the students it would have more utility and better acceptability in comparison to the expensive gifts like camera or some other products.

Occasion: The occasion of disseminating promotional items also decides how much that gift is going to score on the acceptability quotient. The right gift at the right occasion will always be more preferred in comparison to any expensive and grand gifts. For example, the conference folders will be always have better acceptability in the business conference in comparison to expensive gifts like golf accessories or any other gifts.
Social factors: The social factors like age, gender and social status also decides the acceptability of the gifts. No matter how grand or expensive a promotional gift is, it would not be accepted by an old age recipient if it's flashy and bold. Even no men would accept any feminine gifts, no matter how costly it is.

The acceptability of the promotional items decides its brand promotion power. The more acceptable a gift is the better would it promote the brand. For better brand promotion, you need not burn a hole in the pocket. You can even achieve the desired end by using cheap and affordable promotional items.