Complete Prize Selection Guide [Budget & Scene Based Recommendations]

"What prizes should I choose for the year-end party?" "Budget is limited but don't want it to look cheap..." "Same prizes every year, becoming stale"

Prize selection is one of the most troubling points for event organizers.

In fact, prize selection has principles, and knowing them dramatically changes participant satisfaction.

This article thoroughly explains prizes that please vs. prizes to avoid, organized by budget and scenario.

3 Basic Principles of Prize Selection

Principle 1: "Practicality" or "Experience Value"

Characteristics of Well-Received Prizes:

• Practical items for daily use
• Things they want but wouldn't buy themselves
• Special experiences (dinner vouchers, hot springs, etc.)

Avoid:

• Items with unclear uses
• Too niche tastes
• Items that look cheap

Principle 2: Provide "Choices"

Why Catalog Gifts Are Popular:

• Can choose themselves
• Match personal tastes
• Never unwanted

Applications:

• Prepare multiple prizes of same value
• System where winners choose
• Digital gifts (Amazon, etc.)

Principle 3: "Topic Appeal" and "Surprise"

Prizes That Energize Events:

• High-value prizes (headline items)
• Unexpectedly unique items
• Trending popular products

Budget-Based: Recommended Prize List

[Budget ¥300-500] Participation Prizes/Small Items

Purpose: Give to everyone, no-miss prizes

Recommended:

• Bath salt sets
• Assorted snacks
• Eco bags
• Premium ballpoint pens
• Brand pocket tissues

Points:

• Individually wrapped for hygiene
• Usable by all ages/genders
• Slightly nice items (above usual purchase level)

[Budget ¥1,000-3,000] Standard Prizes

Purpose: Lottery prizes, nice to win

Recommended:

• Starbucks card ¥3,000
• Amazon gift card ¥2,000
• Local gourmet sets
• Hand cream/bath salt sets
• Tumblers/mugs
• Wireless earphones (¥2,000 range)
• LED lights/mobile batteries

Avoid:

• Tableware (tastes vary)
• Clothing (size/taste issues)
• Plush toys (storage problems)

[Budget ¥5,000-10,000] Medium Prizes

Purpose: Upper prizes, main prizes for multiple winners

Recommended:

• Catalog gifts ¥5,000-8,000
• Premium foods (crab, meat, fruit)
• Appliances (small cooking appliances, beauty devices)
• Experience gifts (hot springs, restaurants)
• Brand towel sets
• Coffee makers/electric kettles
• Bluetooth speakers

Selection Tips:

• Usable by whole family
• Luxury items they wouldn't buy
• Trending new products with topic appeal

[Budget ¥30,000-50,000] Large Prizes

Purpose: Headline prize, grand prize for 1-2 people

Recommended:

• Latest iPad/tablets
• Robot vacuum cleaners
• Premium brand items (bags, wallets)
• Luxury hotel vouchers
• Dinner cruise tickets
• Latest game consoles
• High-performance wireless earphones (AirPods Pro, etc.)

Excitement Tips:

• Make box large (appearance matters even if contents small)
• Display value "Worth ¥○○"
• Ensure fair lottery method transparency

[Budget ¥100,000+] Super Grand Prizes

Purpose: Event headline, topic emphasis

Recommended:

• Travel vouchers (domestic pairs, overseas)
• Premium appliances (large TVs, refrigerators, washers)
• MacBook/high-performance PCs
• Electric-assist bicycles
• Latest game consoles + many games
• ¥100,000 gift certificates

Notes:

• Consider winner portability (arrange delivery)
• Tax issues (over ¥500,000 taxable)
• Identity verification (prevent resale)

Scenario-Based: Prize Selection Points

Year-End/New Year Parties

Participants: All employees (wide age range)

Recommended Prizes:

• Catalog gifts (choice reassurance)
• Premium foods (family enjoyment)
• Appliances (practicality)
• Travel vouchers (special feeling)

Distribution Guidelines (100 participants):

• Grand Prize (¥50,000): 1 person
• 1st Prize (¥30,000): 2 people
• 2nd Prize (¥10,000): 5 people
• 3rd Prize (¥5,000): 10 people
• 4th Prize (¥3,000): 20 people
• Participation Prize (¥500): Everyone

See also energizing company year-end parties.

Sales Meetings/Kickoffs

Participants: Sales department (motivation emphasis)

Recommended Prizes:

• Cash/gift certificates (immediate value)
• Premium business items (card holders, pens)
• Experience gifts (golf, premium dining)
• Latest gadgets

Points:

• Differentiate by achievement
• Create "earned it" feeling
• Boost motivation for next time

Family Days/Company Events

Participants: Employees + families (including children)

Recommended Prizes:

• Toys/games
• Theme park tickets
• Assorted snacks
• Family-use appliances

Notes:

• Prepare prizes children enjoy
• Separate adult/child prizes
• Easy to carry home

Online Events

Participants: Remote participants

Recommended Prizes:

• Digital gifts (Amazon, Rakuten)
• Deliverable foods/drinks
• Subscription services (music, video)
• Online experience tickets

Delivery Tips:

• Collect addresses in advance
• Send immediately after winning
• Share tracking numbers

See also online event lottery methods.

Distribution Methods and Tips

Choose Distribution Method

1. Sequential Lottery (Standard)

• Benefits: Exciting, fair
• Drawbacks: Time-consuming

2. Simultaneous Lottery

• Benefits: Time-saving, efficient
• Drawbacks: Less exciting

3. Game Format

• Benefits: Participatory and fun
• Drawbacks: Preparation intensive

Importance of Fair Lottery

Cases Perceived as Unfair:

• Organizers can manipulate method
• Results invisible (black box)
• Same people always win

Countermeasures: Use a transparent lottery tool so everyone can confirm the process, completely eliminating suspicions of "is there cheating?" Especially with high-value prizes, ensuring fairness is essential.

Excitement Techniques

Presentation Tips:

• Large prizes last (climax)
• Make boxes large (appearance matters)
• Display value "Worth ¥○○!"
• Create atmosphere with BGM

Follow-Up for Non-Winners:

• Participation prizes for all
• Cheerfully say "Look forward to next time!"
• Write "funny messages" even on losing tickets

Summary: Prize Selection is About "Considering Others"

The most important thing in prize selection is choosing what participants will enjoy.

What You Can Practice Today:

1. Understand participant demographics (age, gender)
2. Allocate 30-40% of budget to headline prize
3. Provide choices with catalog gifts
4. Ensure transparency with fair lottery method
5. Give participation prizes to everyone

Especially, fairness in lottery is as important as prize selection. Distributing high-value prizes with a transparent method ensures everyone accepts and greatly improves event satisfaction.

Please utilize this guide for your next event.

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Related Articles:

• Energizing Company Year-End Parties
• Complete Event Planning Guide
• Online Event Lottery Methods
• Seasonal Event Ideas Collection
• Mathematical Proof of Fair Lottery