9 Ideas For A Spook-tacular Halloween in the Workplace

by Justin Reynolds | Oct 5, 2024 | Uncategorized

Halloween is more than just a kid’s holiday. With the spookiest season just around the corner, why not celebrate Halloween in a spooktacular way with the rest of your team? 

More than creating a fun break from business as usual, celebrating Halloween at the office can help boost your employee engagement and morale. Halloween is the perfect time to play dress up, decorate the office, and explore fun activities trick-or-treating, games, or mini contests to get everyone pumped for the occasion. Keep your team engaged this Halloween with games and activities that entertain, build camaraderie and foster teamwork. 

If you’re looking to add a touch of Halloween magic to your workplace, look no further. Here are 9 different Halloween activity ideas that are fun and engaging for your team – whether it’s a large corporate event or a small remote team. 

9 Fun Ways to Celebrate Halloween At Work

Halloween Costume Contest

Halloween is synonymous with costumes, so a costume contest is a natural way to celebrate the holiday. Whether you’re into spooky characters or more creative themes, a costume contest can transform an ordinary day into a memorable one.

To recognise your employees’ creativity and effort in dressing the part, consider hosting a costume contest with various award categories. From the spookiest costume to the most creative or best-dressed team, the possibilities are endless. 

As a token of appreciation, consider providing custom-branded hoodies as a takeaway. These hoodies can serve as a lasting reminder of your Halloween event and your team’s festive spirit.

Spooky Decoration Contest

Ignite your team’s competitive spirit with a spooky decoration contest! The team or individual with the most creative and impressive workspace will be rewarded with special prizes.

Clearly outline the contest guidelines, including acceptable decoration materials and the level of creativity expected. During the event, host a guided tour so everyone can admire the unique and festive decorations. 

To add a personal touch, provide branded Halloween decoration kits. These kits can inspire your team and help create a truly spooky atmosphere in your workplace.

Trick-or-Treat Office Party

Don’t miss out on this staple Halloween activity this season. Indulge your inner sweet tooth this Halloween event with a fun-filled trick-or-treat party! Set up trick-or-treat stations throughout your office and encourage your team to dress up in their favorite costumes.

The best part about this Halloween event idea is that it’s suitable for large groups. It’s something anyone can participate in without asking much of them and it’s fairly easy to prepare.

Prepare branded candy bags filled with delicious treats that your employees will love. Invite everyone to make rounds when it’s trick-or-treat time. Even create a map of the different locations in your office where you plan to distribute the treats. For an extra special touch, consider personalising the treats or adding your employees’ names to the loot bags.

Halloween-Themed Team Building Games

Add a spooky twist to your traditional team-building games by incorporating Halloween-themed elements. Have your team participate in the games wearing their favorite Halloween costumes. From scavenger hunts to charades, there are plenty of team-building games to choose from that you can get creative with. 

Make it extra special by adding branded company merchandise as rewards for the winning players and teams. Mix and match the different prizes for the level of difficulty of the games. A harder game can have a bigger prize that’s more enticing like branded Bluetooth Headphones or fitness trackers. 

Werewolf Game

Tired of the same old party games? A werewolf game, also known as Mafia, offers a thrilling social deduction experience for your team. In this game, a small group of players are secretly assigned roles as werewolves, while the rest are villagers. The villagers must work together to identify and eliminate the werewolves before they can wipe out the village.

To add to the fun, encourage your team to dress up in costumes and create custom props to make the roleplaying more believable. Those not participating can enjoy the show as they watch the drama unfold.

Halloween Photo Booth

Create lasting memories with a Halloween-themed photo booth in the office. Provide your staff with branded Halloween props and accessories to add a fun and festive touch to their photos. Whether they want to dress up as a vampire or another spooky character, they’ll have a blast capturing unforgettable moments. One thing’s for sure. Your employees will cherish these photos as a reminder of your company’s Halloween celebration.

Virtual Halloween for Remote Teams

Remote teams can still experience the thrills and excitement of Halloween. Set up Halloween-themed virtual backgrounds for the video calls that everyone on the team will use for the celebration. While traditional trick-or-treating isn’t possible, you can still host a virtual costume party. Spread the Halloween spirit by sending your team Halloween-themed gift boxes filled with sweets, goodies, and other branded merchandise. This little gesture can show your employees that they are valued and you want them to share in these good memories.

Halloween Charity Drive

Setting up a Halloween charity or volunteer drive is a unique way to give back to your community while celebrating the holiday. Consider partnering with local organisations that need your help or with ones that align with your brand’s advocacy. Don’t forget to collect donations and organise volunteer activities that align with your chosen charity’s goals.

Bring more awareness to your charity or volunteer drive through social media, flyers, and email campaigns. Tie in a fundraiser that involves selling company-branded merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags to raise your charity goals.

Happy Hour/Cocktail Party

Blood red mocktails anyone? Or how about deviled eggs? There’s no better way to end the workday than with a Halloween happy hour. Host a Halloween-themed cocktail party with your Halloween-themed food and beverages. You can get creative with the event and decorate your pantry for Halloween or invite your employees to come in costume. Don’t forget to give them a related giveaway like a company-branded cocktail glass.

Make Halloween Unforgettable with Red Tomato

More than the temporary spooks and thrills, the best Halloween experience is one that lasts in their memory. Give your team an experience they will always cherish and look back on by celebrating Halloween together in your company’s own unique style. Whether you want to hold a costume contest or play some team building games, what’s more important is what they take home from the event. 

Branded merchandise like a Halloween-themed shirt of your company can serve as memorabilia that can serve as a lasting reminder of that experience. Give your Halloween company celebrations a tangible keepsake with the use of branded Halloween items. Red Tomato can help level up your merchandise game with the right customisations to make it extra special. 

Bring those spooky ideas to life this Halloween with Red Tomato. Create unique ideas for your next event with our AI Merch Generator or book an ideas call with us!

Induction Package for New Employees: What to Include

by Justin Reynolds | Oct 5, 2024 | Uncategorized

Hiring the right employee can be a challenge. As business owners, you must go through interview rounds and deliberations to select the right candidates. It’s only proper that with much at stake, your new employees experience a proper onboarding process.

New employees’ first few weeks at the new job is the most crucial part. A Brandon Hall Group study reveals that organisations with a strong onboarding process improve their new hire retention rate by 82% and their employee productivity by 70%.

But how do you create a more welcoming onboarding process?

More than a well-planned induction, you can make your new hires feel a part of the team with a thoughtful induction package.

Induction packages or welcome packs are more than just generic merchandise you give to your employees. They have evolved to become engaging and interactive experiences that give your employees a taste of your company’s culture and values.

Let’s take a closer look at how induction packages can spell a world of difference in welcoming your new employees.

Why Induction Packages Matter for New Employees

Induction packages are a tool that helps in welcoming and integrating your new employees into the company and their new roles. They help complement your existing induction processes by providing new hires with:

• A structured introduction to the company culture, values, and expectations
• Tools that would aid their transition into their new roles
• Knowledge and items that can help integrate them with the team

Giving your hires induction packages shows that you’re committed to the journey they’re about to embark on with your company. According to Gartner, a well-designed recognition programme can increase average employee performance by 11.1%.

A well-crafted induction package can bring a lot of benefits to your company.

• Complement the Induction Experience: Throughout the induction process, new employees will learn more about the company processes, culture, and rules. An induction kit can complement this by providing supplementary information they can turn to long after the induction process has passed.

• Boost Employee Engagement and Retention: A good first impression can go a long way. Employees who feel valued and appreciated tend to stay more engaged in their work. They are also more likely to remain loyal with the company.

• Promote a Positive Company Culture: A welcome kit can’t save a poor induction process. But when used effectively with a structured programme, this can help set a positive start for your new hires.

Essential Items to Include in a New Employee Induction Package

Now you know how important it is to put together a welcoming induction package. But how can you curate the perfect blend of thoughtful and functional items for your welcome kit?

There is no right or wrong when building your own induction package. In fact, the most important thing to remember is to make sure it reflects what’s true for your company’s culture and values. To get you started, we’ve rounded up the essential items to include in your induction package for new employees.

Personalised Welcome Note

Picture this: your new employee opening the induction package and being greeted with a personalised welcome message from the CEO or other top-level executives. This helps set the tone for your new hire’s journey with the company. It also expresses the company’s excitement about having them join the team. Right from the start, they get to feel connected to the leadership team, creating a sense of belonging and appreciation.

Company Handbook and Other Important Documents

A company handbook is a staple in any new hire experience. There’s a big chance that in their first few days, your new employee won’t remember everything. This is why the company handbook is so valuable. It becomes a resource for them to learn more about the company’s rules, policies, and values on their own time.

Here are some of the other important documents you could include together with the handbook:

• Employee forms, contracts, and admin paperwork
• Team profiles or directory
• Office maps
• General information (nearby amenities, transportation options, parking, emergency protocols, etc.)

Whether the handbook and documents are physical copies or digital copies that can be accessed via a QR code, there are plenty of ways to put a spin on this to fit your ideal welcome kit.

Branded Office Supplies

Give your new employees something practical for everyday work. Branded office supplies are functional whether your work setup is in the office or remote. Keep employees organised and productive in their work desks with the help of items like calendars, stationery, and notepads.

Branded Apparel

Elevate your team’s identity and company culture with branded apparel. Whether they’re on the clock or enjoying their downtime, high-quality crew necks, hoodies, and caps will showcase your brand in style.

Not only does branded swag foster a sense of team pride but it’s also a practical investment. For companies that require a corporate uniform, including branded apparel in new hire induction packages is one way to ensure they’re equipped for success.

Wellness and Comfort Items

Show your new hires that you care about their health and well-being through wellness and comfort items. These are products that can help with relaxing, staying active, and becoming a healthier version of themselves. Promote a more active lifestyle with items like sports jugs, yoga towels, drifit shirts, and fitness trackers. Encourage a spa-like day at home with massagers, scented candles, diffusers, and sleeping masks.

Tips on Making an Impact with Your Induction Package 

Want to make a memorable first impression on your newest team members? Here are some tips to keep in mind to make an unforgettable introduction.

Be Practical

Make a lasting impression by picking items that can be useful and relevant to their day-to-day lives. Remember that the more they use the items, the more they’ll relate the positive experiences with the item to your company.

Be Genuine

It can be tempting to check out what other companies did with their induction packages. However, the best welcome kit you could make is one that is true to your brand. What items would best reflect your unique company culture?

Remember that people are drawn to brands that have a strong purpose and identity. Make your brand experience consistent by making your induction packages reflect your culture and values.

Do Personalise! 

Show your new hires that they’re valued. Personalise their welcome kit gifts with their names or items that match their hobbies and interests. No matter how big or small your personalisation is, what matters is the extra effort that went into it. Your new employees would be more motivated to know that their company took the time and effort to give them something meaningful.

Give Your New Employees A Warm Welcome with Red Tomato

Set up your new employees for success with the help of a thoughtful induction package. Investing on your new hires can help in both employee engagement and retention, saving you time and money in the long run. 

Kick off your introductions the right way with the help of high-quality and custom-branded merchandise. Get in touch with Red Tomato today!

7 Branded Merchandise Ideas to Elevate Your Brand

by Justin Reynolds | Sep 11, 2024 | Uncategorized

One important but sometimes overlooked item in any marketing toolkit is promotional products. Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) reports that 73% of people want to receive promotional products more often. 

Promotional products or branded merchandise are tangible ways for your potential customers to interact with your brand. Think of how fleeting most marketing ads and campaigns are today—branded merchandise can seem traditional, but they last as long as the products last. This gives you plenty of opportunity to leave an impression on your customers. 

For companies, there are two main benefits of promotional merchandise:

• Brand Awareness: Many studies have shown the effectiveness of branded merchandise when it comes to brand awareness. According to ASI, 85% of people who are given a promotional gift will remember the brand that gave it to them. 
• Brand Loyalty: Having a physical product to remind customers of the brand will help them get acquainted with the brand. This affinity is valuable when the time comes that they have to make a purchase and your brand comes top of mind. A Sendoso survey shows that 83% of customers who received a corporate gift said it made them feel closer to the company. 73% of consumers are also more likely to consider purchasing from a brand that gave them a branded product they kept.
• Brand Engagement: A PPAI survey shows that 65% of consumers say they’ve kept a promotional item because it was useful. Every time your customers use or interact with your product, they are engaging with your brand. Investing in good quality products that last and deliver consistent engagement with your customers can also reflect a positive and engaging experience with your brand.

Knowing how valuable promotional merchandise can be for your brand, you might wonder what’s next. We curated 7 standout branded merchandise ideas that can increase your brand recognition and drive loyalty and engagement with customers.

Custom Branded Apparel

Elevate your brand through branded apparel that lets your team wear your colors with pride. Branded clothes like hoodies, crew neck shirts, and caps are all items your employees could wear whether it’s at the office or in their day-to-day activities. 

According to ASI, promotional t-shirts generate 5,053 impressions over their lifetime. This is great indirect marketing for your business as it turns your employees into walking brand ambassadors whenever they wear the branded apparel. 

Tech Accessories

As times change, so do people’s needs. This is why tech accessories have become a popular item to include when it comes to branded merchandise. Whether it’s a branded phone case, power bank, or wireless charger, these items will always find their use in today’s modern lifestyle. Its functionality and usability make it a great pick for brands that want products that their customers will frequently engage with. 

Eco-Friendly Merchandise

The last five years have shown a 71% increase in the searches for sustainable goods according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. As the threat of climate change persists, consumers are starting to be more conscious of the goods they are purchasing. Today, brands have embraced being a part of the sustainable movement, and you can achieve this through eco-friendly merchandise. 

Given the wasteful nature of cheap merchandise, show your commitment to sustainability by choosing well-built products that are ethically sourced and recycled. Items like cotton tote bags and bamboo notebooks complete that eco-friendly look while still being customisable to display your brand. Promote against single-use plastics by including a reusable water bottle for your merchandise.

Office Supplies

If your customers are based in the office, then one gift they might appreciate would be branded office supplies. Give them a boost of productivity with items that make their day-to-day tasks much easier and simpler. Think of premium branded pens, desk organisers, or even stationery items. This may be a back-to-basics choice for branded merchandise, but one that is evergreen in its usefulness. 

Lifestyle and Wellness Products 

Are your target customers health buffs? Or are they busy customers would they benefit from a relaxing day at the spa? Depending on their lifestyle, you can tailor your branded merchandise to give them lifestyle/wellness items that support their day-to-day activities. Keep active customers happy with branded merchandise like yoga towels, gym water bottles, or fitness trackers. Indulge your customers in need of relaxation with aromatherapy products, scented candles, and massagers. One thing’s certain, you are showing them that you value their health and well-being. 

Home Products

Products that are useful at home like kitchen and home accessories can be another option for branded merchandise. These tick the box for being functional and practical, without having to tailor them very specifically to the lifestyle and preferences of your potential customers. Choose from items such as tea sets, kitchen cutlery, bottle openers, photo frames, and wine racks. 

Limited Edition Items

Think of a time you were compelled to purchase something just because they were branded a seasonal item. Limited edition items have this effect on consumers that stirs their desire to purchase because of the exclusive nature of the item. You can play on this by releasing limited-edition branded apparel or collectible items. Collaborate with community artists by releasing an exclusive drop of your branded shirts or release a commemorative anniversary coffee mug that your customers.

Got a Merch Idea? Unleash Your Creativity with Our AI-Powered Merch Generator

Brands are always looking for ways to remain at the top of mind of their consumers. In a world of fleeting marketing ads, promotional products can benefit companies as they serve as a tangible reminder of your brand and keepsakes for your customers. Utilising promotional products in your marketing and brand strategy can be effective for building brand loyalty, customer engagement, and brand recognition. 

When it comes to branded merchandise, there are tried and tested options that mean you don’t have to keep reinventing the wheel. Embrace the future of promotional products with Red Tomato’s AI-powered merch generator, which enables you to create unique branded merchandise. Cut down time when brainstorming ideas so you can focus on what matters.

Try out our AI Merch Generator for free and see your branded ideas come to life!

Spring Corporate Gift Ideas for Employees in 2024

by Justin Reynolds | Sep 10, 2024 | Uncategorized

Appreciating employees can go a long way. Employees are the backbone of every business and ensure the smooth day-to-day operations. As business owners, showing appreciation for employees should become a part of your handbook. 

Think of how it would feel to work hard on a project and nailing its execution. When someone recognises this achievement, that feeling of upliftment is multiplied. This simple act of showing recognition and appreciation can do wonders for boosting employee morale and productivity. Make your employees feel proud of what they do and valued for what they bring to the business. 

A Gallup study reveals that employees who receive great recognition are 20 times more likely to be engaged than those who receive little to no recognition. A Gartner study supports this, stating that a well-designed recognition program drives an 11.1% increase in average employee performance.

Spring is the season of renewal and growth, making it the perfect time to celebrate the hard work of your team. If you haven’t planned any appreciation events yet, spring is the ideal opportunity to show your gratitude for your employees with seasonal corporate gifts.

In this blog, we’ll explore some spring gift ideas for employees that will be sure to brighten their day, whether they’re working on-site or remotely. Plus, we’ll share a handy tip that will change your approach to corporate gifting.

Spring Gift Ideas for Office-Based Employees

When thinking of gifts to give your employees who are working from the office, you should go for items that will improve their day-to-day activities. This means finding items that are practical and can improve their productivity.

Eco-Friendly Desk Accessories

Show your commitment to sustainable practices by embracing the use of eco-friendly desk accessories that are sure to make your employees’ workday easier. 

Trade generic pens for a bamboo pen that is eco-conscious and makes for a great conversation starter. 

Choose notebooks made of recycled materials like a sustainable hard-cover notebook that uses paper made of sugarcane waste.

Show a unique way of displaying the date with a bamboo calendar that makes use of bamboo blocks you could interchange to display the days and months.

Custom Tote Bags

Carrying essentials to work would be a breeze with the help of a custom cotton tote bag. This functional and versatile item could be used for office days and weekends off with its large carrying capacity. It’s also great for showing off your brand by customising it with your brand logo and designs.

Spring Gift Ideas for Outdoor and Field Employees

Unlike office-based employees, field employees have a unique lifestyle of being always on the go. This means that they would benefit more from items that cater to the needs of someone active and often outdoors.

Sunglasses & Hats

When talking about the perfect outdoor companion, you can’t go wrong with these aviator sunglasses. These modern and stylish shades come with UVA and UVB protection to shield employees who are often under the sun. The perfect companion to that would be hats just like this 5-panel cap or bucket hat. Both of these hats come in a range of colors and can be customised to show off your brand logo, making it ideal for field work when they’re representing the brand.

Custom Apparel

Because employees on the field are always on the move, they need clothes that are lightweight and breathable. A quick dry polo shirt is the ideal match, perfect for sales and field professionals who need to go to many places in a single day. Pair it with a water-resistant jacket that is comfortable and breathable, giving your employees the confidence to brave the outdoors no matter the weather. Both apparel can be customised to show off your company’s branding, which helps make a great impression when meeting clients, business partners, and other stakeholders.

Custom Water Bottles

Ensure your best employees on the field stay hydrated in style with a custom vacuum bottle. This BPA-free, vacuum-insulated bottle helps keep their drinks cold for 24 hours. It comes with a carry handle so your employees can take it with them to their pitches, presentations, and fieldwork. Customise the bottle with your brand and add to your brand recognition when your employees use it on the go.

Spring Gift Ideas for Remote Employees

Working remotely means your employees will have different environments from a typical office setup. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t give them appreciation gifts that can make a small difference in their day-to-day lives. 

Home Office Upgrades

As work has shifted to remote, spaces in homes had to be reworked and reimagined to accommodate a home office. Delight your employees by giving them gadgets and accessories that can uplift their home office.

Let your employees work from anywhere with the help of a bamboo lap desk that lets them turn couches and beds into portable workstations. Multitask with ease with a phone and tablet stand that enables you to use multiple devices. 

Wellness Kits

With work-life balance becoming blurred in the home office, it’s good to give your employees gifts that serve as a reminder that you care for their wellness. A yoga mat is perfect for both newbies who are getting into yoga or experts who are into yoga. Create a relaxing evening for unwinding with scented candles that help with aroma therapy.

Kitchenware

Level up break and meal times with kitchenware items that can elevate their cooking and dining experience. Gifts like a personalised mug or a serving board can be unique ways to incorporate your brand into practical items they use every day in the kitchen. 

If you want something more special, you can go for a tea set or a wine glass set that can become a unique addition to their kitchenware.

The Key to Nailing the Right Employee Appreciation Gift 

Whether your team’s on the go or working from home, there’s one easy way to make your thank you gifts extra special: personalisation.

Personalising your gifts shows your employees you care and makes them feel valued. You can personalise it in lots of ways. One idea is to choose gifts that relate to their job, like sporting gear if they’re in sales or a coffee mug if they’re always on the go.

But you don’t have to stop there. You can make your gifts even more personal by adding your employees’ names or choosing something that relates to their hobbies or interests. This way, each gift feels unique and special.

Create Your Own Personalised Employee Gifts with Red Tomato

Appreciating your employees is more than just some vanity metric. It can impact your business and your employee’s productivity and satisfaction while on the job. Get started with your personalised employee gift this spring with the help of a trusted promotional merchandise partner like Red Tomato. Explore our collection of customisable gifts today!