I give out branded pens with my name and phone number. I give them out at open houses for sign in sheets. I give out the more expensive pens at listing appointments (so seller can sign listing agreement and have a pen to sign contract when I bring them an offer they can't refuse) 

I also give buyers and renters their new keys on a gold-plated branded key chain. 

I haven't in a couple of years....but my favorite was a desk calendar so they could look at my name and number everyday....for one full year....it had small boxes to jot down quick things...best purchase ever....my builders would wat 2 of them....one for home and one for the truck....

I like the pens, note pads, flashlights, envelope openers, cute ones, clothing that fits and certain others.  Very useful.  Water bottles, calendars and some others are not useful.  Some items I cannot figure out what they are for.

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl We used to send out pocket calendar planners. Everyone wanted one, but it didn't do much for business.

I use many pop-by items. Books are one of my favorite: I have an inside cover label.

I pop-by homes & offices and I have a variety, too many to list but here's 3 branded favorites: tape measures, USB multi-strips & flash drives for my A+ clients. Much is Home & tech based.

Branded give aways? yes.

Pens - no
Water bottles -no
Note pads - Refrigerator grocery lists
Calendar - no

Buyers guide - Yes. To whom? Open house visitors
100 Days - Yes. To whom? digial copies only in exchange of contact info.
T-shirts - Yes. To whom? Athletes who will wear them NOW.

Bumper sticker (will be used on refrige) with website and important local events such as dates for chemical, electronic drop off.

My favorite is branded NFL schedules and i send them to past clients. 

I gave branded chocolate bars to realtors.

We give branded magnets and stickers that go on our cleaning products and we give thoses as part of the thank you gift for past customers.  These go in branded shopping bags (the ones you can use for grocery store).

I am a "green realtor". I got some branded pens where the "barrel" is cardboard and the plastic is a special kind that is biodegradable. I also have wine openers that are branded--something people keep around. I leave them in the fridge with a surprise bottle of champagne.

Texas is a big football state, one of my agents sends out football schedules for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Texas A&M Aggies and the UT Longhorns, in fact they start calling and asking for them before they even arrive at the office. They have our office info up on their refrigerators all over town! It's been a good source of referrals for her.

OnLy closing gifts and they are knives as closing gifts

Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl - used calendars last year - and found it's not something that I should do.

My monthly mailers (Item of Value from Buffini and Company ) are saved and remembered! The eReports are good for EVERYONE in my database.

I have pens with flashlight . Clients like them.

I use to give branded note pads but have not lately.

Not in a while

No, but I do handwritten notes everyday which is a lot more effective in showing that I care.

I used to but I saw almost nothing as new business from them.

I like the small note pads that will fit a pocket or purse. Everybody needs to write notes. They are good for open houses and for a table at community events.

In our vision; a huge waste of $$$$$