Employers often try to make a splash with new employees by offering them welcome gifts for joining the company. These gifts are usually small and thoughtful, and they’re just one way for a business to say “thank you for joining the team.” For instance, providing a custom coin can further solidify their sense of belonging and pride in their new role.
Your company may come up with a unique idea that everyone will love, but if you’re struggling to generate ideas, there are a lot of options available.
The following gift ideas are a great start for every business’ welcome gift:
Custom Swag
Swag is an excellent option for new employees because it helps them feel like they’re a part of the team. A lot of pride comes from working for a company and helping the company grow. You can help new employees integrate into your team easier and promote your business at the same time with:
- T-shirts
- Hats
- Elite custom socks
- More
Your swag choices should be gender-neutral, or at the very least, be sure that there are equivalent options for each gender.
If you work with one supplier, ask what they can do to accommodate people of different sizes. You won’t want to keep an inventory of sizes that people never seem to fit, so you may need to have items made rapidly for new employees.
Ask your supplier if they can accommodate these smaller orders.
If small orders aren’t feasible for the supplier, you may want to consider swag that is almost universal in size. Hats, socks and headbands are just a few of the swag items that are practically one-size-fits-all.
Tech Gift Package
If you’re in the tech industry, a tech gift package may be a good fit for you. Tech employees welcome these packages because they’re so practical and thoughtful. Of course, you can also give the new hire an allowance to outfit their office themselves.
A few of the items that you might want to include in a tech package are:
- Earplugs or headphones
- Charging cables
- Power bank
- Storage devices
You may even want to consider a microfiber cloth that allows your new employee to wipe off dust from their devices easily.
Snack Box
Food is never a bad option for employees because almost everyone loves a snack pack or some type of fruit basket. However, you can choose gifts mindfully, and be sure to avoid peanut-related items just in case the person may be allergic to peanuts.
A few of the items that you might want to include in the box are:
- Coffee or tea
- Chips
- Cheeses
- Candy
- Crackers
- Drinks
Spend your time finding a universal list of items that will make it into your snack pack.
Scent Packs
If you’re in the home goods industry, scents are a good gift option for your new employee gift package. You can choose from multiple options:
- Sachets
- Candles
- Sprays
- Diffusers
- Essential oils
You have a lot of options when creating a scent pack for employees, so spend time finding the right mix of products for your team.
Why It Pays to Give Welcome Gifts
Welcome gifts are a nice gesture but they’re not a necessity. When employers give these gifts, they know that there’s some benefit to the business. The reasons why you may want to give your new hires a welcome gift are:
- Onboarding, when you offer gifts, can increase productivity by over 10%
- Proper onboarding increases the chances of the employee remaining with the company for three years by as much as 60%
Onboarding is separate from welcome gifts, but when combined, they offer a great way to impress employees and keep them members of the team. In addition, you can write these gifts off on your taxes, promote your business and make your employees happy in the process.
You'll also find that welcome gifts excite employees, make them feel appreciated, inspire and set the tone that your workplace is positive and a good place to work.
New employees need to know that they’re part of the team, and one great way for employers to do this is to give the employee a welcome gift. The gift options above are a great way to reach your goal of making employees feel important.
Have you ever received a welcome gift from an employer that you loved?
