The Ultimate guide to welcome gifts for new employees in 2025
Picking out the perfect welcome gift for someone new to the team is really about showing them what we’re all about, saying a big “we’re glad you’re here,” and making them feel like they belong right from the start.
This guide isn’t just a list of best sellers and cool gift ideas; it’s about finding that surprise element that adds magic to the welcome process. It’s more like your map to finding that perfect something that’ll make the newbies feel really seen and appreciated. We’re talking about gifts that scream “you’re one of us now” and help them knit into the fabric of our place like they’ve always been here. So, let’s dive in and figure out how to pick, personalize, and give those welcome gifts that are going to make our new teammates feel like they hit the jackpot by joining us.
Overview
- The importance of new hire welcome gifts
- The evolution of welcome gifts
- Key Considerations for Choosing Welcome Gifts
- Top Welcome Gift Ideas for 2025
- How to budget your new hire welcome gifts
- Advanced tips to increase the impact of your employee welcome gifts
1. Understanding the Importance of New hire Welcome Gifts
Welcome gifts for new employees serve as a tangible expression of the company’s values and culture. They play a critical role in the onboarding process by making new employees feel acknowledged and valued. A thoughtfully chosen welcome gift can boost morale, increase job satisfaction, and significantly impact a new hire’s perception of the company. It’s not just about the items themselves but the message they convey: “You are an important part of our team.”
Techjury notes that as much as 20% of staff turnover occurs within the first 45 days of employment, underscoring the critical importance of the initial period of employment in retention strategies: 33 Startling Employee Onboarding Statistics to Know in 2024.
2. The Evolution of Welcome Gifts
In today’s workplace, welcoming new teammates with a gift has taken on a whole new meaning, especially when it comes to something as personal as apparel. Think about it—not just any pen or notebook, but something you actually wear. It’s 2025, and we’re all about making people feel like they’re part of something bigger, right from the get-go.
Apparel isn’t just clothing; it’s like wrapping your new guests in the team spirit. It’s a way of saying, “Hey, you’re one of us now.” When a new hire gets a piece of clothing that reflects the company’s vibe, it’s more than a welcome gift. It’s a symbol, a piece of the puzzle that is our unique workplace culture. It says, “We’re glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to see how you contribute to our story.”
This choice of gift is a shout-out to the blend of personalities and talents in our team. It doesn’t matter if you’re dialing in from your home office or grabbing coffee in the break room; wearing something that connects you to the team makes the distance fade away. It’s about creating a feeling of togetherness, even if we’re not all in the same place.
So, why do we lean towards apparel in our welcome gifts? Because it’s a warm hug in the form of a t-shirt or hoodie. It’s our way of weaving the individual threads of our team into a stronger, more vibrant tapestry. It’s about making everyone feel right at home, part of the family, from day one. That’s the heart of it—building a place where everyone feels they belong, supported by the very fabric of what we wear. It’s pretty cool when you think about it.
3. Key Considerations for Choosing Welcome Gifts
Dedicated: You only get 1 shot at a first impression, make sure the welcome box matches your company’s culture, values and quality level. Some companies often make the mistake of just throwing some leftover gifts from marketing events in a flimsy totebag and present this as the welcome gift. Sadly this gives the new employee the impression that they are only worth some leftovers. Make sure your welcome kit is a dedicated and well thought through experience.
Useful: Put items in the box that are actually useful for the new hire. Everybody has plenty of mints, stressballs & charger cables. Put items in there that bring the new hires into the company culture and items that could be practical on their first work day. Later in this article we’ll go through a list of great items for your welcome kits.
Quality over quantity: It is a lot better to give 1 or 2 great items in a nice experience than 10 small items just thrown together. With a good quality fully branded backpack or hoodie the new hire will feel way more valued than 10 little promotional gadgets
Sustainability: With a growing emphasis on environmental responsibility, choosing eco-friendly gifts can reflect your company’s commitment to sustainability. They care how and where everything is produced. Choose for reliable partners with transparency over their supply chain.
Presentation: The way a gift is presented can significantly enhance its impact. Consider packaging and the delivery method as part of the gift-giving experience. Go for a custom branded box to really enhance the gifting experience. If you want to go above and beyond ad a personalized note and maybe even some printed silk paper.
Logistics: The times where every new hire comes to the office are over. Look for a partner that can handle global logistics for you if you want to get a welcome box delivered anywhere in the world. We can help you with our Sunday Wardrobe platform. Make sure the receiving experience is also great, nobody likes to pay duties invoice before they receive.
4. Top welcome gift ideas for 2025
The Basics for Welcome Gifts
- Notebook & Pen: A classic notebook and pen set is not just practical for jotting down notes and ideas; it symbolizes a fresh start at a new company. It encourages the new hire to bring their thoughts and creativity into their new role.
- Water Bottle: Providing a reusable water bottle promotes hydration and wellness, showing the company cares about the employee’s health. It also serves as a reminder of the company’s commitment to sustainability.
- Mug: A mug is a cozy welcome gift that can be used daily, whether at the office or working from home. It adds a personal touch to the new hire’s desk and is perfect for their favorite morning beverage.
- Tote Bag: A tote bag is not only useful for carrying lunch, documents, or personal items to and from work but also promotes the company’s brand as it’s carried around.
- Cap: A cap is a stylish and functional accessory that can be worn on casual office days or company events, helping to foster team spirit and unity.
- Laptop Sleeve: Protecting technology is important, and a laptop sleeve does just that. It’s a thoughtful gift that underscores the value the company places on the tools provided to employees.
Branded Apparel to Boost Your Employer Brand
- Hoodie: A hoodie is the epitome of comfort and casual style. Offering one as a welcome gift can make new hires feel like part of the team, especially when it sports the company logo.
- T-Shirt: A branded t-shirt is a versatile wardrobe staple that employees can wear in various settings, serving as a walking advertisement for the company’s culture.
- Socks: Fun and quirky socks with company branding can add a light-hearted touch to the welcome pack, showing the company’s fun side.
- Jacket: A high-quality jacket is not only practical for colder months but also a lasting reminder of the company’s appreciation and warmth towards its employees.
- Backpack: A durable backpack is great for commuters or those who travel for work, signifying the company’s support for their journey and career progression.
- Sports Jersey: Offering a branded sports jersey can ignite team spirit and belonging, it also shows the new hire that health & wellbeing are valued at your company.
The Special Stuff for Epic Welcome Packs
- Sneakers: Custom sneakers can be a standout welcome gift that showcases the company’s commitment to employee comfort and style, making a memorable first impression.
- Tracksuit: Providing a tracksuit offers a dual message: the company supports both comfort and physical activity, aligning with wellness goals.
- Travel Bag: A travel bag is ideal for employees who may need to travel for work. It’s a sign that the company is invested in their comfort and practical needs during business trips.
Each of these items, thoughtfully chosen as welcome gifts for new employee, can make new employees feel welcomed, valued, and ready to embark on their journey with the company.
5. How to budget your new hire welcome gifts
First off, it’s important to understand that welcome gifts are more than just niceties; they’re a tangible way to express your company culture and values. A well-thought-out gift, much like tokens of appreciation, can boost employee morale and engagement from day one, making it a worthwhile investment. Nevertheless that shouldn’t make it a free for all spending spree. It’s crucial that you budget your welcome gifts in a structured way.
Define the Objective: Understand what you want to achieve with the welcome gifts. Is it purely about making a good first impression, or do you want to instill certain values from the get-go?
Determine the Budget Range: Based on your company’s financial health and the significance you place on onboarding, decide on a reasonable range you’re willing to spend per new hire. For example: between €75 – €100 for every new hire.
Factor in Frequency: Consider how often you’ll be welcoming new hires. A high turnover rate or rapid expansion could mean a significant annual investment in welcome gifts. We’ll be welcoming 15 new hires every month, so the yearly forecast is around 180 boxes.
New Hire Welcome Gift Budget Template
A simple budgeting template can help you manage costs effectively. Here’s a basic structure you can adapt:
Company Name: [Your Company]
Budgeting Period: [Year/Quarter]
Total Budget: [Total amount allocated for welcome gifts]
Number of New Hires Expected: [Estimated number]
Per New Hire Budget: [Total Budget] / [Number of New Hires Expected]
Gift box Options:
Option 1: [Box] – [Item] – [Item] – [Item] – [Cost]
Option 2: [Box] – [Item] – [Item] – [Cost]
Option 3: [Box] – [Item] – [Cost]
Additional Costs:
Packaging: [Estimated Cost]
Shipping/Delivery: [Estimated Cost]
Total Estimated Cost per Hire: [Sum of Gift + Additional Costs]
Notes/Comments: [Any special considerations or alternatives]
This template will help you keep track of your spending and ensure that you’re not exceeding your budget. By planning ahead and choosing gifts wisely, you can make every new hire feel welcomed without breaking the bank.
Important tip: Always ask the pricing for a higher quantity tier from your supplier, often these price advantages can make it worth while to order a larger quantity.
6. Advanced tips to increase the impact of your employee welcome gifts
- Gather Information: Use pre-employment surveys to gather information about new hires’ preferences, dietary restrictions, and hobbies to personalize gifts effectively.
- Manage your employee welcome kits through an internal employee webshop, this improves your internal administration flow and gives the new hire the flexibility to even choose the items they prefer.
- Include a Personal Note: A handwritten note from the team or leadership adds a personal touch that can make the welcome gift feel even more special. Through our Wardrobe platform you can also add personalized notes for every new hire.
- Timing is Key: Present the welcome gift on the occasion of their first day or during their first week to make a strong initial impact as part of a celebration of their new journey with the company. Some companies even send out the welcome box the week before the new hire starts.
- Feedback Loop: Encourage feedback on welcome gifts to continuously improve and adapt your approach based on what new employees find valuable.
- Add nudges to share this box on social media on the packaging of the box. Every social share is a new boost to your employer brand.
- Find a partner that you can trust 100% in product, delivery & service. The welcome box is a crucial step in the new employee journey and should be handled with utmost care.
- Go the extra mile in brand, if you are already investing in welcome kits, don’t settle for just your logo on a product. Take the time to really create products that 100% match your brand and style. The more unique the design, the better it will work to connect the new hires with your culture.
- Never forget about the already loyal employees, when starting with employee welcome kits, the current team often feels left behind. You can counter this by giving the welcome kit also on their work anniversary. This way the whole company can rep the employer brand with the first year and it’s a fun present for their engagement.
- Take good pictures. New hire or team foto’s with people wearing the branded merch is great for marketing purposes, take the time to share them.
Conclusion
Welcome gifts for new employees are a powerful tool in building a positive company culture and ensuring new employees feel valued and integrated from the start. By focusing on personalization, practicality, and the presentation of these gifts, companies can make a lasting impression that enhances employee engagement and loyalty. As we move through 2025, the trend towards more thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable welcome gifts will continue to evolve, reflecting the changing dynamics of the modern workplace.
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