10 Corporate Welcome Gifts for New Hires

In the words of Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That’s why you should never diminish the first impression a corporate welcome gift can have on a new employee.

It’s an easy way to communicate your company’s culture right off the bat and let them know you’re thrilled to have them on the team. Plus, research shows that gifts improve brand loyalty and help remote or hybrid team members feel more connected. Read more about why corporate gifting is important. 

The last thing you want to do is give your new hire more junk to shove to the back of their desk drawer, so we’ll walk you through the best products to leave an excellent first impression that they won’t forget.

Table of Contents

1. How to Choose the Right Employee Welcome Gift
2. Welcoming New Employees: 10 Best Corporate Gifts
3. Welcome New Employees with Personalized Gifts from Imprint Engine

How to Choose the Right Employee Welcome Gift

Before we get into brainstorming what to buy for a corporate welcome gift, it’s important to put some thought into what sort of gifts are the best fit for your company. 

Check out our blog post for small welcome gift ideas for new employees.

Prioritize Practical Gifts

Prioritizing practicality will result in gifts that your recipient will actually use in their day-to-day life. Avoid cheap materials or junky trinkets that nobody needs more of and opt for items that are relevant and useful. Think: What could a new employee truly use in their workday or personal life? 

Personalize Gifts When Possible

You may not know your new hire well enough to know their personal interests or tastes, but you do know their role within the company and what kinds of items make most sense for someone in their position. Personalization goes a long way, even if it’s as simple as a handwritten note or their name embroidered with your brand. It shows recipients that you took the time to prepare and make their gift more special.

Send a Strong Brand Message

Welcome gifts should reflect your company’s values, personality, and overall brand messaging. A well-chosen gift not only serves as an opportunity to make a good first impression, it provides new employees with immediate insight into the company’s culture. 

We believe that offline, tangible experiences play a huge role in how employees engage with and feel about their employer. We’re experts in building brand experiences that stay in people’s minds, on their desks, in their closets, and out of the trash — experiences that help people stay connected around the world. Read more about our brand experience process.

Know Your Budget

Consider how many new hires are forecasted and plan a corporate welcome gift budget accordingly. Once you’ve determined a realistic spending limit, avoid overspending or underspending on individuals. If you have a consistent hiring cadence or you know how many hires are forecasted each quarter, you can plan ahead and select gifts before their start dates. Your budget should balance quality and value so that your gifts don’t strike your recipients as cheap or last-minute. 

How to Set a Swag Budget: Balancing Costs and Impact

Welcoming New Employees: 10 Best Corporate Gifts

Our goal is to make gifting fun. Below you’ll find 10 unisex, customizable, and practical corporate welcome gift ideas that your new team members are bound to love.

1. Branded Apparel

Branded apparel makes employees feel like they’re genuinely part of a community. And when you gift branded apparel to new hires, you can be certain you’re buying them something that they don’t already have! Go classic with a custom T-shirt, be trendy with a branded bomber jacket, or think out-of-the-box with a custom cross-body bag that they’ll be able to use for commuting to work, the gym, or even on vacation.  

2. Insulated Mugs and Tumblers

Insulated drinkware makes a great gift because it’s something they can leave at the office to reuse and reduce single-use plastic or if they’re as obsessed with it as we think they’ll be, the cup will accompany them everywhere and serve as stellar advertising for you. You can’t go wrong with Hydroflask’s insulated mug, Petal’s minimalist tumbler, or Stanley’s famous Quencher tumbler. With our help, all three options are easily customizable! 

3. Plant Grow Kits

Plant grow kits are practical, unique, and will brighten any indoor environment. Plus, you may inspire a new, healthy, and wholesome hobby! Gift them with the tools to cultivate their own countertop herb garden or help them grow plants like an expert with a Springbox planter kit.

4. Throw Blanket

Here’s a warm welcome idea for those folks who might run cold. Customize a cozy throw blanket like this chic coastal throw or an oversized fleece so that they feel comfortable in their new workspace and can bring a little piece of the company home with them.

5. Bluetooth Speaker

You can’t go wrong with upgrading a new employee’s tech. A high-quality bluetooth speaker can sit at their desk or accompany them on getaways. We love the classic UE Boom or Hydrobump’s speaker for easy and vibrant customization options. 

6. Consumable Gift Basket

Do you know what gifts never go to waste? The delicious, edible kind. Whether it’s a sweet and savory selection of party snacks or something more local and focused like a Wisconsin meat and cheese board, your new employee will be able to savor their appetizing welcome to the team. 

7. Sustainable Office Supplies

Like we mentioned earlier, welcome gifts are great ways to communicate your values and company culture. At Imprint Engine, sustainability is a big part of who we are which is why we started our Imprint Impact program to minimize our impact on the environment. Sustainable office supplies not only communicate eco-friendly values, they also make the recipient feel like they’re part of making a difference. 

Check out this eco-friendly desk organizer, this reusable and innovative glass lunch bowl, and this recycled 3-in-1 charging station for some green-spiration.   

8. Work-From-Home Essentials

If your new hire is primarily working remotely, set up their home office with upgraded essentials. An ergonomic wireless mouse, a desk mat with a built-in charger, or stylish blue light glasses are great examples of practical and desirable gifts that enhance their day-to-day work-from-home experience.

9. Self-Care Kits

Self-care kits are increasingly popular among today’s trending gifts. Equipping someone with the tools to pamper themselves is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Package together the ultimate relaxation curation with products like aromatherapy salts, a reed diffuser, and a cozy bath robe.

10. Travel Accessories

If your employee will be traveling a lot in their new role, travel accessories are perfect gifts that show you’re grateful for their hard work. A customized travel blanket, a restorative eye mask, or an AirFly adaptor device that connects their wireless headphones to in-flight media are practical options for any frequent flyer.

Welcome New Employees with Personalized Gifts from Imprint Engine

Your team is growing and that’s worth celebrating! Creating gifts and brand experiences that make your new people feel welcome is always worth it, and we’re here to streamline the entire process. Get in touch today and let’s get started!