They say that first impressions last. The moment an employee walks through the door of your company (whether physical or virtual), the process of engaging with them begins. You want to make an impression on them and show them that they are welcome and that you are excited to begin working with them.
You’ve already given them a rundown of the company, its people, values, and the culture you share in your organization throughout the hiring process. You may be wondering how you will represent these values and culture during their onboarding process. How can you get them pumped up for their first day?
Are you Looking for Interesting, Meaningful gifts to Welcome New Employees?
Whether a small token of appreciation or an elaborate gift, giving meaningful gifts is the perfect way to show your new staff that their presence is appreciated and valued, from personalized mugs to branded keychains, we’ve rounded up 22 cool employee welcome gift ideas to make anyone feel special.
Need something simple yet impactful? Get inspired by unique options like customized stationery sets with each employee’s name printed on notebooks and pens! Or provide a useful toolkit such as a laptop bag stuffed with all the necessities (laptop charger included). For something unexpected, consider gifting them lifetime access to online classes so they can continue learning.
Looking for employee gift ideas to level up your onboarding process? Keep on reading.
What are good welcome gifts?
A welcome gift for your employees or co-workers is intended to make them feel like they are appreciated and supported by the team. This can take many forms but the best approach is to make it unique and personal to the end receiver.
Some ways you can approach this is by sprinkling in some specific questions into the onboarding phase of the new employee starting which will give you clues as to what they like or what they might appreciate.
For example, some managers ask what the new starter likes to do on the weekends or what their favorite food is, these personal questions can help at least narrow down some ideas.
What is a good staff appreciation gift?
For new employees, the onboarding process can be a make-or-break point. It has been demonstrated that it has a significant impact on improving the performance of new hires and extending their retention period.
Giving welcome or onboarding gifts sets the tone for the workplace and shows that you value your new employees from the start and that you appreciate them.
Here are 13 employee gift ideas for your company’s welcome kit:
1. Adventure Begins Mug (from MugHeads)
This Adventure Begins Mug is a cool gift for any new employee. It’s a great way to start their first day with a cup of coffee or tea, and it’s also a nice reminder that their adventure is just beginning.
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2. Company Signature Items (by SplashBrands)
The term “swag” entered the HR world as quickly as the world rotated. “Swag” items, also known as “Stuff We All Get,” are unbranded items that include your company’s name. It could be a shirt, tote bags, tumblers, mouse pads, notebooks, or anything else that your employees would appreciate receiving and finding useful.
This is also an excellent way to promote your company on any platform. There is no limit to this. You can experiment with your company’s branding or find a way to incorporate the company’s identity into the product.
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3. Office Essentials Gift Set (from Cheersville)
An office essentials gift set is a great way to welcome a new employee to the team. It shows that you’re thoughtful and that you care about their success. Plus, it’s a nice way to get them started on the right foot.
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4. Tech Items (from Officeworks)
Every job necessitates the use of technology. It could be a laptop, desktop, headphones, or any other technology related to the job. To avoid the hassle, ensure that they have access to the applications they require and that the appropriate permissions are in place. This demonstrates how much you appreciate your employees.
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5. Onboarding Kit (from Delightly)
Another way to make sure that new employees have a great first day is to give them an onboarding kit as a welcome gift. This kit includes ceramic mug, soft cover journal, clawhammer organic peppermints, and notecards.
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6. Personalized Welcome Letter (by Send Handwritten)
This says a lot about your company and how much you genuinely care about them. This will give them a sense of belonging that they will remember for a long time.
If you are interested in personalizing handwritten notes for your employees, or anyone you value, check out Send Handwritten!
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7. New Job Candle (from Homesick)
As a way to welcome a new employee, why not give them a candle that says “new job” as a welcome gift? This thoughtful gesture will let them know that you’re excited for them and that you wish them all the best in their new venture.
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8. Hardcover Notebook Set (from BenOpinion)
To help your new employee feel welcome and settled in, why not give them a hardcover notebook set? Not only will they appreciate the gesture, but they’ll also find the notebooks useful for taking notes and jotting down ideas
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9. Creative Employee and Company Handbook
In their first week, every new employee will have doubts and questions. Consider all potential questions and include them in the handbook. You may have already mentioned them verbally, but you cannot be certain that they will remember them. This will help them get all of the important information, and it will be something they can refer to if something is unclear to them.
With all of the do’s and don’ts as well as regulations, it may appear serious, but you can make it more enjoyable. Be creative and include things like department introductions with clever quotations, fun pictures of your activities, and a reflection page for employees to share their thoughts and doubts about the company. This may motivate your new hire to push himself or herself beyond the limit.
10. New Employee Welcome Gift Set (from Cheersville)
Welcome gifts are a great way to promote your company culture and values. A welcome gift set containing a signable certificate, small bound journal, black ink retractable ballpoint click pen, and ceramic travel coffee mug is a great way to do just that. This gift set is both practical and stylish, and it’s a great way to show your new employees that you’re invested in their success.
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11. ou Got This Tumbler (from Fancyfams)
Starting a new job is always a bit of a daunting task, but it’s made a lot easier when you feel like you’re part of a team. That’s why we love giving new employees a ‘You Got This Tumbler’ as a welcome gift. It’s a small way to show them that we’re behind them and that we know they’ll do great things.
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12. Books or Learning Materials (from Booktopia)
Show your concern for your employees by sending them materials such as books or e-books to demonstrate your desire to invest in their growth and learning. It could be self-help books or materials that will help them expand their knowledge in their field.
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13. Welcome to the Team Journal (from Pipilo Press)
A journal is a great way to welcome a new employee to the team. It’s a way to show them that you’re excited to have them on board and that you’re looking forward to working with them.
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14. Work from Home Starter Pack (from Ergonomics 101)
With the global pandemic, most of us are working from home, so why not offer things that can add value to their work from home, while also providing the warmth of the company? You can give teas, lattes, and other beverages to enjoy while they work.
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15. 3-in-1 Employee Appreciation Notebook (from Cheersville)
A notebook with sticky tabs, pen and notebook is a great way to show your appreciation for a new employee. It’s a practical gift that they can use in their work, and it’s a nice way to welcome them to the company.
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16. Wellness Gifts (from Hampers with Bite)
Concern for your employees’ health is a huge green flag. Give them a wellness package that will encourage them to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
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17. Teamwork Motivational Journal & Pen Gift Set (from Cheersville)
As a team, we are always looking for ways to improve our performance and motivation. One way to do this is to keep a teamwork journal. This journal can be used to track our progress, brainstorm ideas, and keep our team morale high.
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18. Snacks (from Sunbeam Foods)
Everyone enjoys snacking while working or taking breaks. Sending snack packages that they can eat while working is the simplest way to get your new hires excited. These will not only make them giddy but will also increase their focus.
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19. Inspiration Jar (from Only Good Vibes)
An inspiration jar is a jar filled with inspiring quotes. It’s a simple but thoughtful way to show someone that you’re excited to have them on board and wish them success in their new role
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20. Sticky Note Cube and Pen Gift Set (from Cheersville)
A sticky note cube and pen gift set is a great way to welcome a new employee. It’s a simple and practical gift that will come in handy on their first day, and it’s a nice way to show them that you’re thinking of them.
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21. Scented Candles (from Yankee Candle)
Along with the other gifts, you might consider including scented candles to help them relax while working, and during their breaks.
Scented candles are all the rage nowadays – and for good reason. You can buy customizable candles to incite a certain mood, such as productivity, stress relief, and focus.
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22. Plants (from Indoor Plant Shed)
Plants bring a sense of home to any space. Plants can brighten up the workstation whether your company works in an office or at home. It is a stress reliever, and some varieties can even clean the air. You can also try succulents, which require little care.
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Tips to Pick an Ideal “Welcome to the Team Gift.”
An ideal welcome gift for the new hire is something that reflects your company’s culture and company values, as well as shows how much you appreciate them joining the team. Whether remote workers or those joining the office, consider choosing something that they can use in their daily work life.
Some of the things to consider when picking the perfect welcome gift include:
- Consider a gift personalized with the new hire’s name or initials.
- Maybe get them something related to their job role and interests, such as a leather planner for those in the office or noise-canceling headphones if they are remote workers.
- Think about gifting an item that can be shared around the office, like a coffee machine or an office plant, for everyone to enjoy.
- If you have a limited budget, consider gifting something handmade or homemade such as a framed picture of the team members or a thank-you card written by each team member.
- Consider the employee well-being and show how much you care by gifting items like a gift box with a wellness package or an ergonomic office chair.
No matter what you choose, make sure that it’s meaningful and memorable. Remember, a work-life balance is important, so a gift that can help reduce stress or provide comfort is always appreciated.
Frequently Asked Questions About 22 Cool Employee Welcome Gift Ideas
Q: How does the Company Culture affect the choice of a Welcome Gift?
A: Depending on the type of organization and its values, certain gifts may not be suitable or appropriate.
Q: Office Supplies – Are they a good Welcome Gift?
A: Office Supplies are practical and useful but may not be seen as exciting or creative.
Q: Is giving one large Welcome Gift or a few smaller ones better?
A: Giving several smaller gifts the new hire will appreciate is best.
Q: What are some unusual Welcome Gift Ideas?
A: Unusual welcome gift ideas include personalized items such as mugs or t-shirts, a power bank with the company logo, gift cards for local restaurants, or a subscription to a magazine or streaming service.
Q: What is the best way to present a Welcome Gift?
A: It’s always nice to give the new team members their welcome gifts in person during their first day on the job.
Conclusion
Sending welcome gifts to new employees is a great way to get things going, build excitement, and make them feel truly welcomed. It’s the same as saying that this is just the beginning of their fun journey in the company and that they can look forward to more fun activities in the future. Remember that your welcome package should show that you genuinely care about them and want them to have the best onboarding experience possible in the corporate world through these employee gift ideas.
We hope you found these employee gift ideas helpful! Thanks for reading!