Top 23 Welcome Kits Items for New Employees in 2024

Top 23 Welcome Kits Items for New Employees in 2024

It’s all about “surprise and delight”

One of the things that your newly hired employee will love is receiving an early gift. For instance, they get to enjoy the fruits of their labour and go through employee onboarding. By choosing the right products, you can shape how an employee perceives a company.

So, are you the kind of company that puts appreciation front and centre? It all starts with their first impression. It’s all about that big “wow” factor. Their first day should feel like Christmas. It will set the tone not only for their first day but most likely for the rest of their stay.

Workplace Essentials

In the realm of welcome kits and giveaways, everyday essentials can give you a lot of mileage. For example, people love things that are practical, especially if these are things they could use when they’re in a pinch.’

1. Notebook and Pen Pack

Artboard Notebooks and Pens

Notebooks are a great way to communicate professionalism. It’s also a great companion for team members, especially when they start attending their own meetings. For individual use, it can serve as a to-do list for those who are more skewed towards writing. What we have: Spiral notepads, pocket notebooks, Moleskin notebooks

Price range: $3 – $20

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

2. Magnetic Memo Pad

Magnetic memo pad

Similar to notebooks, these office items can prove useful to your new members. It can be a way to share notes or write important things like schedules or things that need immediate attention. What we have: Sticky note pad, sketch set, magnetic memo pad, desk planner

Price range: $1-10

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

3. Branded Backpack

Branded Backpack

Now, the items above are great but at some point, you’d have to make that “premium” reputation. When it comes to utility and impression, one of the best products you can include are backpacks. What we have: Backpacks, laptop bags, duffle bags

Price range: $15 – $30

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

Fun and Lifestyle

When creating your employee welcome kits, thinking outside the box can give that perception of company culture. Surprisingly, giving out items that employees least expect can make them excited and much more open to possibilities.

4. Scented Diffusers or Candles

Scented Diffusers or Candles

Scented items such as diffusers and candles are small and affordable items that you can put in your welcome kit for variety. Additionally, we have scented candles and diffusers in our store. What we have: Scented candles, diffusers

Price range: $2 – $10

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

5. Custom Puzzle Cubes & Table Games

Custom Puzzle Cubes & Table Games

Table games are not only fun, but they can also help cultivate company culture. These games can be used for team activities, parties, or for personal enjoyment. Besides, it’s always fun to have something you’re not intending to buy. What we have: tumbling towers, puzzles, cards

Price range: $2-20

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

6. Solo Paddle Ball

Solo Paddle Ball

Any one-person game also makes for a fantastic gift. For example, its compact size and easy-to-learn mechanics make it suitable for a quick stress reliever in the workplace. New employees may enjoy taking a short break and engaging in an enjoyable activity. What we have: tumbling towers, puzzles, cards

Price starts at: $6

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

Accessories and Decoratives

Company swag trinkets are not necessarily as useful as everyday items but they make for great collectible items and bling. To clarify, these can include keychains, fob cases, stickers, or coasters.

7. Keychain

Keychain

Key chains or key rings are perfect for companies that provide keys to employees. This can be used for lockers or even company vehicles that they drive. To make them more useful, you can opt for tool key rings like bottle openers or mini-torches! What we have: Torch keyring, bottle opener keyring, multi-tool keyring

Price range: $.80 – $3

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

8. Phone Wallet

Phone Wallet

An attachable phone wallet serves as a wonderful and thoughtful welcome gift providing them with a practical accessory that combines the convenience of a wallet and the functionality of a cardholder. What we have: Silicon or snap phone wallets

Price range: $1-3

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

9. Die-cut Stickers

Stickers can make anything look like company merch! The best thing about die-cut stickers is that they can be used on laptop covers, cases, or anything that younger workers love to sticker-bomb. Die-cut stickers

Dining and Drinkware

You can also use your welcome kits to give your employees items that they can use at work. This suggests the message that you’re there to help and provide support whenever and wherever.

10. Ceramic Mugs

Ceramic Mugs

This timeless item is always in style due to its affordability and versatility. Ceramic mugs are not only perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee or tea but also have a multitude of other uses – alternative cereal bowl, pen holder, you name it!  What we have: bowl mugs, flared mugs, coffee mugs

Price range: $5 – $10

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

11. Covered cups

Covered cups

In contrast, while ceramic mugs have their own advantages, one thing they can’t do is be “on the go.” Covered cups are perfect companions for quick coffee runs as it eliminates single-use cups. What we have: Plastic and silicone covered-cups of varying sizes

Price range: $5 – $10

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

12. Coffee Cups

Coffee Cups

While covered cups have their own advantages, one thing ceramic mugs and covered cups can’t do is keep your beverage at temperature. You can now skip your morning coffee and come back to it still warm and fresh. Vacuum cups can easily make your welcome kit appear premium. What we have: Vacuum cups and flasks of varying sizes

Price range: $6 – $10

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

13. Reusable Straws

Reusable Straws

An eco-friendly reusable straw makes for a wonderful welcome gift for a new employee, showcasing your company’s commitment to sustainability. What we have: Infusion water bottle, tea infuser

Starts at: $4

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

14. Coaster

Coaster

This puzzle-type coaster serves as a useful and stylish gift. Other than being eco-friendly and made from bamboo, it also fosters a sense of fun and creativity. What we have: Cork coaster, glass coaster, slate coaster sets 

Price range: $2 – $10

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

15. Lunchbox

Lunchbox

This is a perfect item for those who prefer preparing their own meals rather than buying outside all the time. To spice up your set, you can also throw in cooler bags to help food stay fresher for longer. What we have: Stackable lunch boxes, collapsible lunch boxes

Starts at: $4 – $9

Create Your Own Welcome Kit!

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

Basic Wearable Swag

More than just apparel, company swag helps new employees identify better with the organisation they just joined. Think of it as an identification badge but better. One of the great things about wearable merch is its versatility in design and use.

16. T-shirt or Hoodie

T-shirt or Hoodie

T-shirts can be used for everyday errands to casual office events, especially those done outdoors. Shirts are perfect for brand awareness as they can be used in any place, situation, or weather. What we have: Cotton shirts, singlets

Price range: $7 – $13

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

17. Socks

Socks

When it comes to apparel, socks remain one of the top choices for a welcome kit. It’s a piece that gets worn more than the others and is something you can’t have too many of. What we have: crew socks, ankle socks, quarter socks

Price range: $5 – $10

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

18. Cap

Cap

They are practical yet subtle. Caps and other headwear are great additions to your employee welcome kit. These pieces are also easy to manage as they are designed to be a “one size fits most” apparel. What we have: Baseball caps, trucker caps, flat peak caps

Price range: $5 – $10

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

Gadgets

The workforce is being filled with generations who grew up with technology. Consequently, you can expect a more gadget-invested team, which means they’ll be much more appreciative of tech accessories and peripherals.

19. Laptop, cell phone, or tablet stands

Laptop, cell phone, or tablet stands

Our gadgets can do almost anything these days, except for one thing – hold themselves up. Now, you can look at your phone while it’s recharging or you can use your gadgets hands-free. No wonder these items are popular. What we have: Bamboo stands, charging stands

Price range: $9 – $14

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

20. Wireless headphones

Wireless headphones

Streaming, whether it’s music or videos, has undoubtedly become the primary means of entertainment. Wireless headphones and earpieces can make these moments more private without the hassle of getting tangled up in wires. What we have: Bluetooth earbuds, noise cancelling headphones, Bluetooth beanie

Price range: $17 – $100

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

21. Premium Bluetooth Speakers

Premium Bluetooth speakers

Who doesn’t like listening to their favourite tunes or watching a show whenever and wherever? A premium set of Bluetooth speakers will surely impress any new employee. What we have: Eco-friendly bamboo wireless speaker, outdoor Bluetooth speaker

Price range: $13 – $45

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

22. Wireless Chargers

Wireless chargers

Wires and cables can be cumbersome, especially when you pick up your phone every now and then. Minimise the hazards of yanking out the entire circuit board with wireless chargers. What we have: Charging pads, phone stand chargers

Price range: $7 – $25

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

23. Powerbank

Powerbank

Now, you don’t have to worry about your phone dying in the middle of nowhere. Because of this, you can choose from smaller sizes for short trips, or bigger ones when you’re on a long trip. These are portable, reliable, and easy to put your logo on. What we have: Keyring power bank, wireless power bank

Price range: $8 – $30

Where to buy: Red Tomato Store

 

Planning to build your own customised employee welcome pack?

Top 23 CTA

Whatever business you’re in, there’s always a welcome item that can make an impact not only on your reputation but on the satisfaction and productivity of your team. Check out our store for a wide assortment of choices for each item and the new ones we have in our catalogue!

What to Include in a Welcome Kit for New Employees in 2024

What to Include in a Welcome Kit for New Employees in 2024

Everyone remembers their first day of work. It may not be the exact play-by-play account of who greeted you first or what you wore on the first day, but it leaves a very lasting impression for the duration of your stay in the company.

organisations with a strong onboarding process increase retention by 82%

Research has shown that organisations with a strong onboarding process increase retention by 82%. In today’s changing workplace where employees’ expectations are changing, first impressions matter a lot. The pandemic and lockdown have shone a light on companies that championed flexibility, work-life balance, and a great company culture. This created a ripple effect where companies now are tasked with the challenge of showing new talent that they care about their employees and invest in their growth and well-being. 

The promotional marketing world is no stranger to creating memorable experiences for new talent. Recruitment teams often seek us out to create welcome packs for new employees. This welcome kit often comprises branded merch that helps show them a little appreciation as they join their new team. 

In this article, join us as we take a closer look at why welcome kits for new employees are something that companies should consider in their onboarding process, how you can get creative with them, and how to design an effective onboarding kit.

sample welcome kit for new employees on our website

What is in an Employee Welcome Kit? 

An employee welcome kit is more than just some branded merchandise. Think about it from the perspective of any new hire in your company. It is their first day and they are anxiously expecting to be ushered into their new roles, awaiting the different welcoming and onboarding processes. One way to give them a proper welcome is through these welcome kits that help them feel prepared on their first few days at work. 

More than just a gift, these employee welcome kits allow you to: 

  • Provide important information — Ensure that employees do not get lost or confused throughout their onboarding process by giving them all the information they need through handbooks and setup guides. This helps equip them with the knowledge, tools, and confidence as they take on their new role. 

provide important information to your new employees

  • Make a great first impression — Give them a memorable start through a welcome kit as they make a transition to the company. This helps make them feel valued and set the tone for a positive relationship with the company. 

make a great first impression to your  new employee and welcome them to the team

  • Improve their performance — Provide them with the necessary tools, knowledge, and resources that enable them to be successful in their roles. This helps them contribute to the team much faster, which can improve your team’s efficiency and productivity. 

improve the performance of your new employees

  • Make them feel welcome — Promote a sense of team spirit and belonging through a company-branded welcome kit. 

Make them feel welcome — Promote a sense of team spirit and belonging through a company-branded welcome kit. 

  • Reduce employee turnover — Reduce turnover and save on training costs by ensuring a smooth onboarding process that makes new hires feel welcomed, valued, and engaged. 

Reduce employee turnover — Reduce turnover and save on training costs by ensuring a smooth onboarding process that makes new hires feel welcomed, valued, and engaged. 

Essential Components of a Modern Welcome Kit

A welcome kit is not rocket science. It is one way of creating a more welcoming workplace through a package that reflects your company’s values. There are many tried and tested kits that worked for other companies but there are still many ways to add your personal flair to them. 

Here are some of the common things to look out for in creating welcome packs for new employees

Essential Information 

  • Welcome letter — A personal letter from the manager or CEO that expresses their excitement about the new hire coming on board as well as the expectations for them. 
  • Employee handbook — This is a comprehensive guide that includes essential information such as company policies, dos and don’ts, company culture, benefits, and more. Even if the HR representatives would inform new hires of this information, it is still great to give employees a copy they can go back to. This can either be a physical handbook or a well-designed sheet with a QR that can lead them to the right digital resources. 

employee handbook

  • Work setup guides — These guides would walk them through how to set up their company laptops, software, email, and other important tools they would need. 

Practical Items 

  • Branded merchandise — Logo-branded merchandise are items that contain the company logo that help reinforce their branding such as pens, notebooks, notepads, mugs, stickers, t-shirts, and tote bags. You can go the extra mile by printing or engraving their names on the items. 

Red Tomato branded merchandise

  • Office supplies —Everyday items they can use such as sticky notes, paper clips, folders, and desk organisers. These are basic but important necessities that would make their day-to-day jobs easier. 

office supplies as a welcome kit for new employees

  • Tech accessories — Gadgets and accessories that can help aid their productivity such as a mouse pad, phone charger, phone or tablet stand, power bank, and the like.

tech accessories as a welcome kit for new employees

  • Food and beverage — A snack box filled with treats, coffee, or healthy snacks. 

food and beverage as a welcome kit for new employees

 

Other Items

  • Team Information — This can come in a handbook form or even a flier that showcases the company’s culture and what their idea of fun is outside of office work. This is a great chance to introduce them to their team members through informative bios, highlight team-building activities and breakthrough performers, and show why the employees love working for the company. 
  • Gift Cards — Gift cards are a great welcome gift as you can let your new hires choose what they want to get. 

Crafting a Personalised Starter Pack

Now that you know what items are typically found in these employee starter packs, the challenge is how you can make personalised employee gifts. An effective employee welcome kit conveys your company’s culture and fosters employee pride and loyalty to your new hires. They should strike the balance of showing your company’s personality while being practical enough to be used day-to-day in the office. While the actual components of the kit would vary on your company’s culture and budget, here are a couple of ideas to get you started. 

personalised employee gifts starter pack

Company introduction and culture materials 

We have to start with the basics. New employees would need a handbook or guide that would help them in their onboarding process. This can be a manual that contains company policies, a guide for setting up their accounts and tools access, and even a map of the office layout so that they wouldn’t get lost. 

Wearable items 

Wearable items go beyond company-branded shirts or hoodies. These can be caps, lanyards, or even a tote bag. This can help give them a sense of belonging especially when they can rep these at the office. 

wearable materials as a welcome kit for new employees

Mugs or tumblers for beverages

Staying hydrated is an important part of any person’s day. A drinking bottle, mug, or tumbler is a practical item that can be used every day. More than having the company’s logo on the cup, this is also good for the environment as it is reusable. 

mugs or tumblers and as a welcome kit for new employees

Trends or industry-specific items 

If your company is fast-paced and one that is constantly evolving with the times, then having a trendy item is a great way to show your hires that you are up-to-date. An example of this is having a branded fidget spinner or cube, which became popular as a way to keep people occupied with something to fidget with. You could also go with industry-specific items such as having tech accessories like phone chargers or pop sockets for tech-focused companies. 

trends or specific items as a welcome kit for new employees

Fun items 

Showing off your company culture and fun side through customised welcome kits is one way to give your new hires a stronger connection with your company and leave a lasting first impression. If travel is a big part of your company culture, including a travel kit would be a good idea to get them excited about your future team-building trips. 

customisedd welcome kits for new employees

Navigating the Digital Landscape – Online Onboarding Resources

The adoption of technology in the workplace has also seen the rise of digital onboarding resources. This is useful for online employee orientation and onboarding or if your company values sustainability by forgoing paper waste. 

These can come in various forms but here are the most common: 

  • Welcome videos — Short video messages from the manager, team members, or CEO. This video can talk about the company’s mission and culture and show some excitement about the new hire joining the team. 
  • Visual presentations — Keynote slides that talk about necessary company information, policies, and benefits creatively and engagingly. 
  • E-learning modules — Online courses, short videos, or guides on learning more about the company’s products and services or the industry. 
  • Knowledge repository — This is a central database containing the policies, FAQs, and other necessary employment information that the new hires would need to access. 

Digital onboarding resources

Technology is at the forefront today and it is important to show how you can blend technology seamlessly into their onboarding process. It modernises and optimises once traditional processes to make for a more effective and streamlined welcoming process. 

One of the benefits of this is that new hires can access the relevant information and resources on demand. Centralised information repositories are there that give them the documents and resources that they need. Anytime and anywhere, they can engage in independent learning and problem-solving. A recruitment staff wouldn’t always have to be there for them to learn more about the business and their work. 

For virtual teams, online onboarding processes are an invaluable way for them to connect with their colleagues and be up-to-date with the job even without setting foot in the office. 

Creative Employee Gifts for a Memorable Onboarding Experience

Creative employee gifts are another way to make their onboarding experience memorable. This goes beyond just giving them company-branded items and showing that your company values them by getting to know them or by going the extra mile. Here are some ideas to make their welcome kits memorable: 

  • Engraved items — Pens, journals, coasters, or paperweight containing their engraved names is a nice personalised touch to have. 
  • Birthstone or astrological-related accessories — Go the extra mile by giving them a small token whether it be a necklace or keychain that reflects their astrological sign or birthstone. 
  • Curated music playlist — If your team has done some extra research on your new hires, you can curate specific music playlists that suit their preferences. 
  • Caricatures — Hire a caricature artist who can draw funny portraits for your new hires. 
  • Wellness kits — Let them unwind from a busy day at work with items like a massager, neck pillow, yoga mat, and more. 
  • Eco-friendly items — Show them how you care for the environment through bamboo pens, bamboo golf accessories, recycled totes, and sushi sets. 
  • Personalised fortune cookie — Give them a personalised fortune cookie that contains a heartfelt message. 

Red Tomato welcome packs

The Role of Company Culture in Welcome Kits

tips for designing an effective onboarding kit

Tips for Designing an Effective Onboarding Kit

Determine the budget

The first step is determining your budget. How much you can do is constrained by this so it’s important to determine how much you can allot for every employee welcome kit. If the budget is a bit tight, then you should focus more on practicality than creativity. This doesn’t mean you have to forgo more creative ideas altogether. Try to strike the perfect balance! 

budgeting an effective onboarding kit

Focus on practicality but don’t forget creativity

Going practical is always a safe choice. Focus on items that they can use and rep on a daily basis such as branded pens, notebooks, or shirts. These practical items will serve as the ‘must-haves’ and then you can think of other creative items you can toss in the kit such as company-branded socks or a pack of cupcakes with their initials on it. 

Focus on practicality but don’t forget creativity

Personalise

Tailoring your employee welcome kit to each new hiree is a small gesture that goes a long way. This has many levels from tailoring their package to their department or industry, like including a sticker of a tech joke for developers, to actually including their names and preferences to each item. You can create a pre-onboarding survey to new hires to learn more about their interests and hobbies, which can help you personalise each kit. 

personalise your employee welcome kit

Gather feedback and improve

Employee welcome kit are not one-size fits all. Some may appreciate it more than others. The only way you will know is if you get feedback. Gather feedback from new hires and ask what they liked, what item they found the most useful, and what could be improved. This will help you design future welcome kits. 

Employee welcome kit are not one-size fits all.

Be authentic

At the end of the day, the employee kit is a reflection of your company’s values. Don’t force anything that does not feel genuine to your company’s culture. When designing onboarding materials, think hard about the main values of the company you want to focus on and how to best convey this with the chosen items. 

employee kit is a reflection of your company’s values.

Level Up your Onboarding with A Welcome Kit for New Employees

Creating a welcoming workplace plays a huge role in an employee’s likeliness to stay and be motivated in their jobs. Welcome kits are great as they can help new hires get a better grasp of the company’s culture and values and give them a headstart at adjusting to their new roles. Part of employee onboarding best practice is to create a package by personalising the kits, focusing on practical items, and showing your company’s authenticity are all equally important to remember. 

Creating a welcoming workplace

We at Red Tomato are passionate about creating promotional products that help give you the best first impression. Explore our different welcome packs to kickstart creating your onboarding kit! Get in touch with our team today! 

Explore different welcome packs and kickstart your onboarding kit

Best Welcome Kits for New Employees in 2023

Best Welcome Kits for New Employees in 2023

 

Welcome kits or starter packs for new employees are an essential part of onboarding new employees to your team. Including branded gifts in your kits can encourage company loyalty, make new staff feel like they are part of the team, and be a great way to make a first impression! 

If you are looking to put together a welcome kit for your company, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve prepared KICKASS SAMPLE KITS to help you get new ideas ranging from PR boxes to warm welcome starter packs!

 
 Here are the top 23 items best welcome kit items for new employees in 2023: 
  1. Wireless Headphones
  2. Premium Bluetooth Speaker
  3. Wireless Chargers
  4. Laptop Stand
  5. Retail Branded Backpack
  6. Vacuum Cup
  7. Notebook and Pen Pack
  8. T-Shirt
  9. Coffee mug
  10. Cap
  11. Reusable bag
  12. Infusion drink bottle
  13. Stationery set
  14. Lunchbox
  15. Keychain
  16. Drawstring bag
  17. Keep Cups
  18. Die Cut Stickers
  19. Candles
  20. Hoodie
  21. Table Games
  22. Umbrella
  23. Outdoor Essentials

While these may be the most popular gifts to include in welcome kits for new employees, there is always room for creativity! There are some guidelines to follow to make sure your welcome gifts resonate with your new employees. Here are some things to keep in mind as you decide on which products to include as welcome gifts for your new employees.

Top-10-Best-Welcome-Gifts-for-New-Employees--Tip 1: Choose gifts that make new employees feel part of the team

Welcome kits are designed to help with new employee onboarding and to make the employee feel welcomed to the company. Including company branded products in your welcome kit for new staff will make employees feel like part of the team.

For the same reason, fans wear uniforms to match their favorite team, employees at a company use branded products because they have a sense of pride in the company and they are unified to the team. Including branded welcome gifts for new employees will help them feel this sense of unity with the team right from the get-go.

Top-10-Best-Welcome-Gifts-for-New-Employees-

 

Tip 2: Personalise your welcome gifts to match your brand

Of course, you should customise your welcome gifts to match your brand logo, colors, and style. Furthermore, you should personalise your welcome gifts for new employees to match the role, company industry, and the team’s attitude.

Is your team very casual? Maybe choose to include a branded T-Shirt rather than a button-down. Will the new employee’s role requires them to be on the road traveling often? Instead of a branded coffee mug, swap it for a travel mug. Does your company have a wellness program that encourages employees to be active outside? Include a branded cap to encourage participation in the company activities. Will your new team member be taking clients golfing often? Include a nice, branded polo shirt!

It’s important to customise your welcome gifts to be relevant and useful for the new employee. 

ideas welcome kits for new employees

 

Tip 3: Make sure the products you choose deliver core company values

The products you choose to welcome new employees to your company should immediately introduce them to your values. If your company values sustainability, include a reusable water bottle in your welcome kit. If one of your core values is continual learning, maybe include a branded pen and notebook to encourage new employees to take notes.  

 

Tip 4: Learn from the experts when choosing your welcome gifts

Companies all over the world, both large and small, have learned that welcome gifts contribute greatly to employee’s onboarding to a new role. If you need some inspiration, take a look at these companies who have put together welcome gifts for new employees:

welcome gift for new hire

TWITTER

Twitter includes a reusable tote, bottle of wine, small and large notebook, and a branded team T-Shirt for their new hires.

FACEBOOK

In their welcome kit for new team members, Facebook includes a branded mouse, T-Shirt, and two notebooks.

UBER

Uber includes a drawstring bag, jumper, cap, notebook and pen, pencil holder, and moreN

While these larger companies have great examples of welcome kits, there are some more local experts we can learn from. For example, Prospa put together a great new welcome kit for their new team members and included some branded gifts. Read our case study on how Prospa completely transformed their welcome kit with branded gifts that encourages company loyalty.

Ready to design your own welcome kit for new employees?

Top 10 Best Welcome Gifts for New Employees in 2024

Top 10 Best Welcome Gifts for New Employees in 2024

Everyone loves a good first impression. Welcome kits are an essential part of onboarding new employees to your team. Including branded gifts in your kits can encourage company loyalty, make new staff feel part of the team, and be a great way to make a first impression! 

This is the crucial period when a new hire will learn more about a company’s background and processes, and interact with the rest of their team. If they haven’t already made an impression, this is the time they will either affirm or form new impressions based on how their first few days go. According to a study, a strong onboarding process can improve new hire retention by 82% and improve the productivity of employees by 70%. 

Learn more about the different trends in welcome gifts as well as our curated picks for every situation as we deep dive into how you can create a memorable onboarding experience for new employees. 

Elevating the Onboarding Experience

In 2024, the best new employee gifts are all about personalisation and creating memorable experiences. Generic gifts are a thing of the past and may even point to you being an outdated company that’s not in line with the times. It’s time to ditch those one-size-fits-all gifts of mugs and pens. Give your employees experiences not things — foster team building and team spirit through gift certificates for rock climbing or cooking classes. 

Personalisation matters. It’s more than just knowing what their name is and printing it on their desk. It means going that extra mile to discover what hobbies or interests they have outside of work and incorporating that into their welcome gift box. Being acknowledged is something all people crave and making your employees feel valued from day one can go a long way. 

Red Tomato’s Selection for New Hires

The customer experience is at the heart of everything we do at Red Tomato. For 2024, here are some of the new employee gifts that you should be adding to your radar: 

  • Promote Health and Wellness —Show appreciation for your employee’s well-being with a wellness kit. Items like a bean bag, neck pillow, and blanket are perfect for unwinding during break sessions. Encourage an active lifestyle with items like a pace pedometer watch, an active t-shirt, and a sipper bottle. Promote Health and Wellness as anew employee gift
  • Go Grreen with Eco-Friendly Picks — Display your commitment to sustainability by choosing reusable products packaged in eco-friendly materials. Items like a pen in a bamboo box, a spirit level & bottle opener, and a 100% cotton tote are great additions to your welcome employee kit. Go Grreen with Eco-Friendly Picks as a gift for new employees
  • Support Local Products — Aussie products are high quality, environmentally safe, and great to include in your welcome kits. Choose from a selection of items like a customised whiskey glass, a bamboo cheese board, an artisan leather memo pad, 3D engraved artwork, and more. Wear that Aussie pride by giving back to the community and supporting local.support local business by buying australian made products as a new employee gift
  • Embrace the Season of Spring — Whether it’s a picnic or an outdoor getaway, we’ve got you covered! Soak in the beauty of nature and outdoors with curated items of spring-ready essentials. Our Spring Collection contains gifts such as picnic blankets, lunch bags, wide-brim hats, garden kits, and camping chairs.spring collection gift

From Practical to Personal: A Range of Options

There are many gifts to choose from whether they are practical or personal. Here are our diverse picks for new employee gifts: 

  • Gift cards or vouchers — Gift cards will always be popular due to how versatile they are. There is a gift card for anything and everything. Whether these vouchers are for the nearby coffee shop next to your office building or that hip new cycling studio perfect for after-work cardio. Gift cards or vouchers
  • Ergonomic desk accessories — Desk accessories that are practical and ergonomic are great not only for your employees’ productivity but also for their health. Things like a laptop stand, ergonomic mouse, ergonomic keyboard, footrest, wrist rest, or seat cushions are picks that nobody will say no to.Ergonomic desk and accessories
  • Snack baskets and treats — A curated basket of snacks and treats is always a safe choice, perfect for employees needing a quick snack during break times. Swap out the food for healthier picks such as granola bars or wheat biscuits for a healthier option. 

Tech-Savvy Onboarding: Gadgets and Gear for New Hires

Long gone are the days that people use pen and paper for most of their day-to-day work. Laptops, smartphones, and other apps have taken over the workforce, especially for those working remotely. Giving tech gifts to new employees that are functional and innovative are signs that your company pays attention to what they need.

Gadgets That Impress: Enhancing the Onboarding Experience

Impress your new employees with these gadgets that will surely make their onboarding experience memorable. 

  • Personalised Airpods — Let them listen to music and participate in video meetings in style with their own Airpods, personalised with their name or initials. 
  • Fitness Tracker — Exercise is the best antidote to stress. Encourage your new hires to stay active and healthy with a fitness tracker that will become their workout buddy wherever they go. 
  • Noise-cancelling Headphones — Those with a budget can invest in good quality noise-cancelling headphones. These headphones can block out noise and outside distractions while they work, leaving them focused and locked in during meetings. 
  • Charging Port or Powerbank — A charging port or powerbank can become a lifesaver for new employees when their smartphone is low on battery. Choose one that is compact and easy to carry around.Tech-Savvy Gifts for the Modern Employee

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Gifting for New Hires

There’s a growing trend of sustainable consumption everywhere and companies are no exception. Research states that 50% of employees prefer being a part of companies that value sustainability. Show your commitment to an eco-friendly future by giving sustainable gifts for new employees. 

Eco-Conscious Choices: Red Tomato’s Commitment to Sustainability

We take our commitment to sustainability seriously at Red Tomato. Check out our sustainable new employee gifts to add to your welcome kit: 

  • Premium Sushi Set — Impress sushi lovers with this premium bamboo sushi set containing a board, two sets of chopsticks, ceramic holders, and a bowl. 
  • Eco-friendly Bamboo Lamp — Light up your desk with this foldable desk lamp made out of bamboo. It also doubles as a wireless charger for your mobile devices. 
  • Bamboo Golf Accessories — Get ready for a hole-in-one with these eco-friendly bamboo golf accessories containing 6 tees, a divot tool, and 2 ball markers in an organic cotton bag. sustainable new employee gifts

Red Tomato’s Success Stories: Memorable Onboarding Moments

Here at Red Tomato, creating lasting impressions matters as much as delivering great products. We have helped countless companies in creating a meaningful onboarding process and here’s what they have to say: 

“We have been working with Red Tomato for a number of years now in producing our Welcome Kits for new starters and other sales merchandise and they have been an absolute hit. The team is professional, friendly, and efficient and the result is a high-quality product that always receives great feedback. Highly recommended!” 

  • Trang Trinh

“Wonderful company to deal with- the promo packs we received were created and shipped super fast and the quality of the products we received was excellent.” 

  • Vanessa Taylor

Case Studies: Memorable Moments Crafted by Red Tomato

Our client Hologic was in the middle of moving offices when they decided that they wanted to gift their employees a welcome pack to celebrate this business milestone. They browsed through our welcome pack catalogue and personalised it, handpicking items like a branded USB hub and hoodie. It was a great addition to their office move and something their employees appreciated. 

Choosing the Perfect Gift: A Guide for Employers

Picking the perfect gift is no walk in the park. Everyone has their definition of what a perfect gift is, but at the very least, a good gift is a memorable one. Here are some of the gifting considerations to give your employees a welcome to remember: 

  • Personalisation — Adding a touch of personalisation matters. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a curated gift basket, or branded items reflecting their department, your employees are sure to appreciate being valued for their individuality. 
  • Audience — Most people think of new employee gifts as any item that includes the brand’s logo. You don’t need to include the logo in all items since the point of these gifts is to show your gratitude.  
  • Company Culture — Pick gifts that will align with your company’s values and overall work environment. Think of your company culture as a compass and the employee gifts are tools that will aid them in their journey with the company. 
  • Budget — A higher budget can buy you more gifts, but more doesn’t always mean better. Curating a well-made employee welcome kit is still possible no matter the budget. 

Beyond Welcome Packs: Elevating Your Gifting Strategy

It can be tempting to follow what other companies do, they are called ‘tried and tested’ for a reason. Doing something different can feel scary but they can also pay off. Consider what your company values and how you can tie it with a gift. A design studio may consider giving their new employees a caricature drawing of themselves. An adventurous marketing team may enjoy a gift voucher to an escape room that doubles as a team bonding activity. The only limit is your imagination and your willingness to go outside the box! 

Conclusion

In 2024, redefine your approach to welcoming new hires with Red Tomato’s curated selection of gifts. Elevate your onboarding experience and create lasting impressions that resonate throughout your employee’s journey with the perfect welcome kit.

To learn more, speak to our Red Tomato team today.

To learn more, speak to our Red Tomato team today.