Do you remember your first day on the job?
I think I can speak for most of us when I say it’s often awkward and stressful being the new kid on the block. But companies can help make the transition smoother with customized welcome gifts for new employees!
Personalize a new hire welcome kit
First of all, start with a durable bag. I recommend using a custom drawstring bag printed with your company’s name and logo. Employees can keep these lightweight bags handy at their desk or take them home for personal use.
Drawstring bags are very inexpensive. You can purchase 50 of our bestselling, personalized Polyester Drawstring Bags for about $150. Delivery is free!
Items for your employee welcome package
The items you include in your welcome package for new employees should reflect your company culture and creativity. They should also make sense for your type of business and the jobs you are filling.
Here are a few ideas:
- Employee handbook
- If you have multiple buildings, include a map
- Welcome letter with brief company history
- Office supplies, if applicable, such as custom pens and notebooks
- Durable acrylic tumblers, water bottles or travel mugs printed with the company name and logo
- Colorful lanyards that can be worn in the building or when working offsite
- Starbucks gift card
- Custom snacks and candy
- Branded blankets
- Portable chargers
- Office stress balls
Off-the-wall gifts for new hires
Looking for something with a little more zing? Mark Nicholson, vice president of marketing at Nice Job, suggests filling welcome bags with an Amazon gift card; a “Wild Card” coupon for one day off, no questions asked; or a small, desk cactus.
“These are a few examples I’ve come across or heard of in the past,” Nicholson said.
His ideas are meant to show appreciation and introduce the company’s brand and culture, he said.
One of his more unique welcome bag ideas is a Monopoly game hack: a “Get Out of Jail” card. It has no real power, of course, other than generating smiles.
“I included it as a novelty item, but also thought it could put some people at ease,” Nicholson said.
Breaking the ice
The ultimate goal of employee welcome bags is to make newbies feel like part of the team their very first day.
Big tip: Don’t leave new employees stewing at their desk for eight hours; give them a tour and introduce them to the rest of the staff. Most important of all, don’t forget to show them where the restrooms and break rooms are located!
Spend a little, save a lot
Companies who treat their workers well from Day One are more likely to keep them longer. Employee retention can save a company thousands of dollars each year in hiring and training costs. Happy employees will speak positively about their experience and consequently increase the company’s pool of job candidates.
In a nutshell, making a good impression on new employees is crucial to a company’s success. But that doesn’t mean you should forget about your current employees! We have lots of customized items such as custom-printed hand sanitizer, corporate apparel, tech accessories and branded flying discs that can be used as holiday gifts, staff awards and trade show giveaways at corporate events.
Start shopping Totally Promotional today!
