It’s widely understood that creating bespoke, custom-branded gifts for business partners, clients and team members is an effective way of generating positive association for your company and brand. People love receiving unexpected gifts, and the goodwill they foster often far outweighs any financial costs. But what about new employees? Should they be given thoughtful gifts as a warm welcome? This article explores the benefits of onboarding gifts for new hires, and the creative ideas that can help your business to make a great first impression. The team at Branded Products® knows better than anyone the impact that a thoughtful and practical branded gift can have on a new employee’s onboarding experience, and our extensive selection of new hire gifts is sure to increase staff morale and boost employee retention regardless of your corporate gifting budget.
A warm welcome
No matter what type of business you’re in, a warm welcome and a personalised gesture can go a long way in helping to make new employees feel like part of the team.
As confident and experienced as any new employee may be, they are still heading into a partially unknown environment and culture – so what better way to make them feel welcome (and reinforce a positive workplace culture from the get-go) than with a thoughtfully chosen branded gift? As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression – and a well-planned onboarding pack can have a significant impact on a new team member’s experience and workplace happiness.
Choosing appropriate and enticing onboarding gifts to welcome new employees
From practical stationery items and tech gadgets to personalised coffee mugs and everything in between, there is a world of promotional products for new employees that can be customised with your chosen branding.
Our highly experienced team of Branding Advisors has put together a carefully selected list of onboarding gift ideas that will not only help your new employees to feel comfortable and welcome in their new position, but also foster a sense of excitement and enthusiasm for your business and brand.
Read on for some functional yet thoughtful ideas for new hire onboarding gifts, and how these can enhance brand recognition and employee engagement within your business.
Products to make their job easier:
Everyone loves a gadget or accessory to make their working day easier, so give your new hires a branded gift that they will be sure to make good use of. From computer accessories to stationery, a welcome pack of branded and practical items for the desk or to take to meetings is a thoughtful gesture that won’t go to waste. The options are practically endless, but some of our most frequently-requested products for onboarding packs include:
- Mouse pads
- Chargers and cables
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Laptop cases
- Notebooks, sticky notes and pens
Products to make their day more comfortable and enjoyable:
Whether your new hires have joined your business in an office, warehouse or hospitality capacity, there are many ways that you can welcome new recruits to your team and make their workday that little bit more comfortable and enjoyable. From everyday items that can be used on the job to thoughtful gifts that promote a sense of relaxing and unwinding at home after work, elevate your onboarding packs with a range of practical products and self-care goodies such as:
- Coffee mugs and water bottles
- Insulated lunch bags
- Confectionery and nut snacks (check for food allergies first)
- Blankets
- Scented candles
Products they’ll want to wear:
If your company doesn’t already have a uniform, introducing a range of branded apparel is a great way to help all employees feel connected to your organisation whilst removing the individual decision of what to wear to work on a daily basis. For maximum brand impact, consider a range of comfortable and practical yet professional workwear garments and accessories, including:
- Polo shirts
- Jackets
- Hi-visibility workwear
- Caps and beanies
- Gloves
- Backpacks
Products to reflect your workplace culture and brand ethos:
Aside from welcoming new talent to the business and settling them into their roles, onboarding packs are a great opportunity for you to communicate your company culture and workplace values through gift-giving:
- Wellness packs: An ideal way of demonstrating your company’s commitment to employee wellbeing and the promotion of work/life balance, wellness gifts for your new hires might include hygiene-conscious items such as hand sanitisers and face masks, or pampering items for their downtime such as bathrobes, slippers and cheeseboards.
- Eco-friendly products: Show your employees that you are committed to environmental sustainability and eco-friendly solutions with a range of welcome items that are better for the planet. From reusable coffee cups to notebooks made from recycled materials, taking a responsible attitude towards the environment with your onboarding gifts will leave a favourable impression on your new hires.
As we wrap up our list of onboarding gift ideas, it is worth considering how you will present your new employees with their welcome pack. Placing it on their desk ready for day one is a practical way of ensuring that the items can be used immediately, although this might overwhelm the recipient. On the other hand, sending a gift pack to the new hire’s home in advance of their starting date is a thoughtful gesture that can help to reduce first-day nerves and leave a subtle but lasting impression of your business. Above all else, the perfect onboarding pack and delivery method should be one that makes your new hires feel valued, welcomed and included.
Contact us
Still not sure which onboarding items are best for your business? Contact our experienced team of Branding Advisors today to discuss your requirements and marketing budget, or to find out more about our wide range of branded corporate gifts.
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