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:
Wireless Headphones
Premium Bluetooth Speaker
Wireless Chargers
Laptop Stand
Retail Branded Backpack
Vacuum Cup
Notebook and Pen Pack
T-Shirt
Coffee mug
Cap
Reusable bag
Infusion drink bottle
Stationery set
Lunchbox
Keychain
Drawstring bag
Keep Cups
Die Cut Stickers
Candles
Hoodie
Table Games
Umbrella
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
Over the last few years, company uniform policies have become much more casual. The implementation of casual Fridays, as well as millennials’ relaxed approach to business attire, have contributed to this approach. Nonetheless, uniforms are far from being outdated. They are a solid way to keep employees feeling like they’re part of a team, as well as helping your external clients recognise your brand. In this article, we will discuss the latest trends and the top 5 coolest company uniforms.
Here are the top 5 of Red Tomato’s favourite company uniforms:
Denim is back in a big way: think 1980s’ Guess. Everything is made of denim- shirts, skirts, aprons, and entire outfits. Roster shows off its new uniforms, showing that this material is not only durable, it’s also sleek and super comfortable for its employees. Adding gold, tattoo-inspired logo stitches on each piece brings the look together seamlessly.
Since its inception in 2011, WOW Air has been pushing the envelope. With their jaw-dropping prices and use of bold colours, they haven’t stopped turning heads. Their bright purple uniforms are a risk worth taking- something Delta could have learned years ago. Not only does their sleek attire fit the entirety of their brand (think the airplane, website, and boarding passes), it also leaves a lasting impression on the consumer.
3. Cloudera, founded in the Silicon Valley, California, USA
Depending on what kind of business you run, sometimes logoed t-shirts or polos are the way to go. For example, if you run a hardware store, it wouldn’t fit the brand to have your retail associates wear a suit and tie. As Cloudera proves, with slogans like “I like big data and I cannot lie,” logoed shirts are simple, effective, and can be quite fun. Not only are these t-shirts super comfortable, but they also leave a lasting impression on clients.
As WestWaters’ staff proves, sometimes there’s nothing better than the classic button-up shirt. This fashion-forward establishment knows that, in 2018, checkered shirts are all the rage. This Gingham print is super versatile, as it can be paired with, khakis, black pants, or even a denim skirt. Having your employees dress in this uniform- which is just as fashionable on the street- demonstrates how approachable and relatable your company is.
5. Red Tomato, based in Castle Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Red Tomato (that’s us!) believes in presenting your company with a look of classic elegance. We specialise in tailored chic, combining your brand with the highest names in fashion, such as Calvin Klein, Van Heusen, and Pierre Cardin. There’s nothing like the everlasting style of a European button-down shirt or a sleek, fitted suit jacket. Not only should you dress for the job you want, but you should also dress for the clients you seek.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our selection of the five coolest company uniforms today. From bold colours to logoed t-shirts, to high-fashion classics, there is one thing that these looks have in common. Like everything else, you want to make sure that your image ties directly to your brand.
Upgrade Your Corporate Uniforms
If you need branding tips, we at Red Tomato are always here to assist you. We can help you choose whichever of the coolest styles will work for your company’s mission. Book a session below, and one of our expert fitting professionals will come to you. We want to help you show off your team’s ultimate corporate look.
Successful event planning involves many elements coming together smoothly. Sometimes, it’s easy to overlook steps or deviate from your ultimate event goals. So, to help you, here’s your comprehensive event planning checklist. This checklist aims to ensure success before, during, and after your event.
Here is your complete event planning checklist to ensure everything is successful before, during, and after your event.
Pre-Event
Firstly, set Goals: What are your event goals? Why plan the event? What outcomes do you expect? Use our Define Your Goal worksheet to create attainable goals.
Secondly, identify your Target audience: It’s crucial to identify the event’s target audience. After all, knowing which audience will help you achieve your goals is essential.
Next, Establish a Budget:While crucial, determining a budget can be hard. When creating your budget, be detailed. Include the item, description, quantity, estimated cost, and actual cost. If you need help, here are some tips for creating an event budget.
The fourth step involves Crafting a Program: This step combines the first three checklist elements. Create an event agenda that adds value to your target audience and lets you reach your goals while adhering to your budget.
Then, focus on Speakers: Now you have your program, you can recruit speakers. Source speakers who are industry experts and can captivate an audience.
Lastly, consider Sponsorship: Are you hosting the event alone or do you need sponsors? Sponsorship can give your event more reach and another engagement dimension. If required, reach out early in the planning stage.
Marketing
Start with the Website: Create a simple one-page website with all essential information for potential attendees.
Then, initiate Social media campaigns: Market your event using paid social media campaigns. Consider using Facebook Ads or LinkedIn Sponsored InMail for your target demographics.
Additionally, consider Giveaways: Giveaways can promote your brand and event. Consider holding a giveaway of a free event ticket and a branded product as a prize.
Also, don’t forget about a Press release: Don’t forget about promotions outside of your network. Reach out to different publications to market your event to a wider audience.
The venue choice is crucial. Secure a venue that meets the needs of your target audience and the event’s goals. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a venue for your event:
Permits: What permits will you need? Are they easy to get?
Number of guests: Will your venue accommodate the target number of attendees?
Room design and furniture: What is the vibe you will be creating for your event? Is it more relaxed and casual or more of a formal environment? Knowing this will help you determine which venue is best.
Parking: Does the venue have enough parking to accommodate the estimated number of attendees?
Logistics: Will you and your team be able to move in and out all of the equipment needed for the event quickly and without issues? What about music and sound for the different presentations?
Location: Is the venue in a location that is easily accessible by your attendees? If not, how will you make it accessible?
Equipment: Before your event make a list of all of the equipment (and backup equipment) you will need to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Handouts: What will be in the welcome back for each attendee? Will there be different items for different days of the events?
Gifts: What promotional merchandise will your brand be giving out to attendees? How is it helping your reach your goals and engage with your target audience? Will you have different branded gifts to give out each day of the event? Will your company be holding any giveaways or competitions to engage attendees even further?
Day of the event
Organise event staff: The morning of the event should begin with a (brief) group meeting with the entire event staff. The purpose of this meeting should get them excited about the day to come and to ensure they know their responsibilities.
Set up attendee registration and entertainment space: This is your attendee’s first impression of the event, so you need to set the right tone from the start.
Post-Event
Clean up: Your staff will be exhausted by the end of the event, but it’s important to respect the venue you used and clean up every piece of the event.
Thank you letters or gifts to staff and volunteers: The event wouldn’t have been possible without them and you should thank them for all their hard work.
Thank you presentation for sponsors: Also, prepare a thank you presentation for sponsors: If your event had sponsors involved, you should prepare a presentation with the final numbers and KPIs for the event, and what those results mean for those brands.
Follow-up engagement plan with attendees: How will your brand further engage with attendees even after the event is over?
Debrief with key stakeholders to review goals and plan for improvements: Upon the completion of the event, you should plan a meeting to discuss with the organization team the following:
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.
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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has challenged businesses all over the world.
New physical distancing norms have affected events, seminars, product launches, trade shows, conferences, and live interactions.
We know that it can be tough to devise alternative ways to reach and re-engage event attendees, especially with the restrictions and limitations in place.
However, there is a way.
Through promotional marketing (or ‘promo marketing’), you can continue to spark brand awareness and stimulate engagement with your audience, even if you have to shift your events to an online format. In these unprecedented times, finding innovative promo marketing ideas to spark brand awareness and stimulate audience engagement has become crucial.
Here’s how.
Webinar gift bags
Because physical gatherings are limited right now, online conferences and webinars play a big part in organising events for your business.
But just because you’re not in person, doesn’t mean they have to go empty-handed! You can have physical event merchandise delivered straight to your clients. To promote your brand further, you can encourage people to take photos of your event’s promo products and share them for all attendees to see.
Invites are essential if you still want to run events. But, as you know, digital invites can get lost or ignored. So, get extra creative by sending customised invites using promotional materials or printed direct mailers.
Try ignoring an invite printed on a mug or a fancy printed card that arrives in the post. These will capture attention and ensure no one forgets to log in.
Exclusivity for sign-ups
To attract more attendees and increase excitement, you can put together a branded hamper or “swag pack” full of promo marketing goodies for the first 50 or 100 people to register for your online event. They’ll love the exclusivity and probably share the pack on their socials for everyone to see.
Involve interactive games
In between sessions, you can interact with online event attendees by hosting mini-games like “Spin the digital wheel”, “the best comment competition” or an opportunity to enter the draw by submitting their details on your site. Your branded promo items can then be used as prizes for winners.
Tutorial collateral
If you’re running an educational event online, then you can send them a pack in the mail with all their learning materials, some pens, a pad and even a few promo items gifts.
As you can see, promotional marketing is an avenue your business can take to increase participant engagement using the power of tangibility – even for an online event.
Our team can be an extension of your Marketing department. Leave it to us, and we’ll come up with a creative and tailored solution for your business.
At Red Tomato, we take your marketing strategy to the next level by providing you with innovative promotional products that serve a real purpose – elevating your brand and increasing your returns.
Contact usdirectly to discuss your promotional marketing strategy and we’ll work on getting you only the right products for the right clients at the right time!
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Swiss Peak Heritage Rollerball Pen &
Swiss Peak Heritage A5 Notebook
Gildan Softstyle – Adult V-Neck T-Shirt (Available in different colors)
Seattle Scarf and Gloves Set
Let executives work and travel in style. From a scarf and gloves set to luxury pens, they can find everything they need with our executive essentials set.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Fuel Coffee Mug (Available in different colors)
Stencil United Crew (Available in different colors)
Cordia Cup (Available in different colors)
Powell Pro Foldable Stand
Atlantis Pen (Available in different colors)
Spark creativity with items that merge inspiration with essentials from a crew sweater to keep them comfortable in work sessions to a foldable gadget stand that helps with a creative desk setup.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Swiss Peak Luzern Pen
Omega Notebook (Available in different colors)
Premium Hood (Available in different colors)
Ritz Bib Apron (Available in different colors)
Metro Cup (Available in different colors)
Blend elegance and simplicity perfect for modern professionals with a premium hood, metro cup, an omega notebook, and more.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Classic Tee
Carnaby Cotton Tote Bag (Available in different colors)
Himalayan Vacuum Tumbler (Available in white color)
Nirvana Backpack
Curate everyday essentials for millennials on the go with items like our cotton tote, vacuum tumbler, and backpack.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Swiss Peak TWS Earbuds
Silicone Phone Wallet (Available in different colors)
Vento Double Wall Cup (Available in different colors)
Everest Beanie (Available in different colors)
Berkeley Backpack
Bring the rizz on with gifts your Gen Z employees can enjoy from TWS earbuds to double wall cups for quick coffee runs.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Adora Aluminium Bottle (Available in black color)
Sonnet Cotton Tote Bag (Available in different colors)
Monza Jute Tote Bag (Available in different colors)
RPET Compact Umbrella (Available in different colors)
Arabica Coffee Mug (Available in different colors)
Show your commitment to going green with a sustainable starter kit with quality and recycled items such as a jute tote bag, RPET compact umbrella, and an aluminum bottle.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Swiss Peak Vacuum Cup
Gildan Softstyle (Available in different colors)
Bondi Bucket Hat (Available in different colors)
Kingston Notebook (Available in different colors)
Corolla Backpack (Available in different colors)
Welcome your newest hires with branded swag that will make them feel part of the team.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Swiss Peak Stealth Vacuum Bottle
Stencil Half Zip Crew (Available in different colors)
Swiss Peak Traveller Umbrella
Silicone Phone Wallet (Available in different colors)
Ritz Bib Apron (Available in different colors)
Surprise & delight key clients, partners, or team members with the finer things like our premium bottle of wine, artisanal cheese selection box, and handpicked assorted gourmet chocolates.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Mirage Glass Bottle (Available in different colors)
Gildan Heavy Cotton (Available in different colors)
Swiss Peak Outdoor Backpack
Everest Beanie (Available in different colors)
Andorra Notebook and Pen Gift Set (Available in different colors)
From practical glass bottles to comfortable beanies, impress new hires with trendy and useful items perfect for the daily grind.
Welcome Pack Inclusions
Swiss Peak TWS Earbuds
Vector Wireless Charger – Square
Omega Notebook (Available in different colors)
Cylon Bluetooth Speaker
The ultimate ensemble for forward-thinking professionals who thrive on creativity and innovation. Each item in this meticulously curated kit enhances both productivity and inspiration.
Tip 1: Choose gifts that make new employees feel part of the team
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