Welcoming new employees is a crucial aspect of fostering a positive work culture and creating a sense of belonging within a company. One effective way to make new team members feel appreciated and excited about joining your organization is by providing them with thoughtful schwag (company-branded merchandise) and gifts. In this article, we will explore the importance of employee onboarding gifts, discuss popular schwag options, and provide creative gift ideas to help you leave a lasting impression on your new hires.
Importance of Onboarding Gifts:
- First Impressions Matter: Providing new employees with a warm welcome through well-thought-out gifts sets a positive tone for their entire onboarding experience. It shows that the company values its employees and is committed to making them feel comfortable and appreciated from day one.
- Brand Representation: Schwag items serve as walking advertisements for your company. When new employees proudly use or display branded merchandise, they inadvertently become ambassadors for your brand, both within and outside the workplace.
- Team Building: Thoughtful gifts can be a great icebreaker, fostering connections and camaraderie among team members. When everyone has something in common, such as matching schwag, it can help break down initial barriers and create a sense of unity.
Popular Schwag Options:
- Custom Apparel: Consider providing new hires with branded T-shirts, hoodies, or polo shirts. This not only promotes team unity but also gives employees a sense of pride in belonging to the organization.
- Tech Accessories: Items like branded laptop sleeves, mouse pads, or phone stands can be both practical and a subtle reminder of their association with the company.
- Stationery and Office Supplies: Quality notebooks, pens, and other stationery items with the company logo can be excellent additions to an employee’s workspace.
- Reusable Water Bottles and Mugs: Encourage eco-friendly practices while promoting your brand with reusable water bottles or coffee mugs featuring the company logo.
Creative Gift Ideas:
- Personalized Welcome Kits: Create personalized welcome kits that include a welcome letter, company handbook, and a mix of schwag items. Tailor the content based on the employee’s role and preferences. You can also go the extra mile based on employees’ resumes and create gifts that you think they can enjoy — a sports fan could be given a team jersey, or someone into Japanese culture could be given kawaii stuffed animals.
- Wellness Packages: Show that you care about your employees’ well-being by gifting wellness packages. This could include items such as a fitness tracker, stress-relief tools, or a subscription to a wellness app.
- Book Club Starter Pack: For a more intellectual touch, provide new employees with a selection of books related to your industry or leadership. Include a personalized note explaining the significance of each book.
- Customized Desk Plants: Bring a touch of nature to the workplace by gifting small, low-maintenance desk plants in custom-branded pots. It adds a personal touch to their workspace.
Conclusion:
Investing in quality schwag and thoughtful gifts for new employees is an investment in your company’s culture and employee satisfaction. By choosing items that are both practical and representative of your brand, you can create a positive and lasting impression on your new team members. Remember, the goal is not just to welcome new employees but to make them feel like valued contributors to the success of your organization.