25 Best Welcome Gifts for New Employees that Make a Lasting Impression
The best welcome gifts for new employees strike the perfect balance between functionality and flair. From sleek tech gadgets to stylish office essentials, these gifts blend practicality with a touch of sophistication, ensuring they feel prepared and inspired from day one.
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It's enlightening to be privy to candid conversations between people as if you were a fly on the wall. Here’s one such conversation between two Gen-Zers discussing their onboarding experience and welcome gifts as new employees at two different companies.
Friend 2: Meh, it was okay. Nothing too exciting.
Friend 1: Really? My onboarding was lit! I got some dope welcome gifts that were totally personalized to my interests.
Friend 2: That's so sick! What kind of gifts did you get?
Friend 1: They gave me an e-gift card from Apple, a subscription to a wellness app, and some gaming cards. It was so clutch!
Friend 2: Damn, that's pretty cool. I didn't get any gifts like that. It made me feel like the company didn't really care about me.
Friend 1: Yeah, I feel you. It's important to feel valued, especially when you're starting a new job. What else didn't you like about your onboarding experience?
Friend 2: Well, I felt the whole process was boring and outdated. It was just a bunch of videos and paperwork.
Friend 1: I know, right? I wish they had more interactive stuff, like gamified training or something.
Friend 2: Totally! That would've been way more fun. Hopefully, they will step up their game next time.
While the conversation reflects on the preferred choice of welcome gifts for new employees, the mode of delivery, personalization, the impact that the gift creates, ease of delivery and redemption are other important factors to consider.
Sounds too difficult? Let’s solve that for you.
10 Best welcome gifts for new employees
A small gesture of appreciation can go a long way in making a new employee feel valued and welcomed.
Thoughtful welcome gifts for employees can:
- Help them feel more comfortable and confident in a new environment
- Set the stage for a successful start to their career
- Be instrumental in setting the tone for a positive and productive work relationship
According to a survey conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation, employees want cash, gift cards, and travel experiences among tangible rewards. Inspired by the survey results, here are some of the best welcome gift ideas for your new employees that can leave a lasting impression:
1. Electronics gift card
From day one, make new hires feel valued.
Electronics gift cards take the guesswork out of gifting for new hires, allowing them to explore a wide array of innovative products tailored to their interests. Whether it's upgrading their work-from-home setup or indulging in the latest tech trends, these cards ignite their enthusiasm from day one.
An electronics gift card is a great way to start on the right foot with new hires. It's a versatile and practical gift, which allows them to choose their favorite gadgets that fit their needs and preferences.
For instance:
- A new laptop for work with a solid configuration to meet employees’ professional needs
- A set of noise-canceling headphones for their home office
- A smartwatch to help employees stay fit and organized
2. Virtual prepaid reward cards
Instant gratification, boundless joy!
Virtual prepaid reward cards are the perfect way to make new employees feel valued and appreciated from the start. With just a few clicks, they can unlock a world of digital delights, indulging in their favorite brands and experiences.
Virtual prepaid cards are a hassle-free gifting option for employers and employees. You can send them to employees via welcome email, which they can further use to make online purchases wherever they are accepted.
A virtual prepaid card allows employees to use the gift amount in any way they want, making it a great gift option.
3. Wellness subscription
Invest in their well-being from day one.
Wellness subscriptions are the perfect way to welcome new employees with a gift that keeps on giving. With access to expert-guided workouts, meditation sessions, healthy recipes, and more, these subscriptions nurture their physical and mental health, setting the stage for a thriving work-life balance.
Want to show that you care about your employees’ well-being? A wellness subscription might indicate how much you care and would be the beginning of a strong relationship.
This could be as simple as a gym subscription or giving them access to a paid meditation app.
4. Gaming
Level up their welcome and unleash their playful side.
Gaming gifts are the perfect way to create a positive and inclusive work culture from day one. Whether it's console games, mobile apps, or virtual reality experiences, these gifts ignite joy, foster teamwork, and encourage new employees to tap into their creativity and problem-solving skills.
With the gaming fever on the rise, gifting your employees a gaming subscription is a great way to portray you as a fun-loving company. It shows that you respect their leisure time while keeping their morale high. To take it one step higher, you can conduct gaming events as ice-breakers for new employees.
5. Shopping e-gift card
Give the gift of choice and convenience.
Digital gift cards provide the ideal blend of flexibility and personalization for new employees. Whether they prefer to treat themselves to a shopping spree, a relaxing spa day, or a delicious meal, these cards give them the freedom to choose what truly brings them joy.
No one can go wrong with a shopping e-gift card. It gives your employees the freedom to buy whatever they want, whenever they want. They are highly convenient for employers to send and super easy for employees to redeem. Plus, with the wide range of offerings, a shopping e-gift card gives them a variety of options to choose from.
6. City tours
Escape the ordinary and forge connections through shared experiences.
Experiential gifting is a catalyst for building strong relationships among new employees. From team-building activities to group workshops, these gifts create opportunities for bonding and collaboration, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
If the new hire is also new to the city, giving them a city tour can be a delightful experience. It’s a great way to introduce them to the town, helping them explore and make them feel comfortable when they are away from home. Also, gifting a city tour is thoughtful and leaves a lasting impact.
7. Classes and workshops
Unleash their creativity and unlock their full potential.
Classes and workshops ignite new employees' creativity and spark innovative thinking. From art and design classes to brainstorming workshops, these gifts encourage fresh perspectives and nurture a culture of innovation within the company.
Giving vouchers that encourage learning is another well-thought-out and personalized gifting option for new employees. These can range from hobby classes to educational workshops. It's a great way to show that you respect your employees' interests and want them to continue doing what they love.
Not just that, giving learning and development packages as gifts can be beneficial in retaining top talent. Moreover, mastery, purpose, and autonomy are essential for new-age employees. (Source: Forbes).
8. Food gift cards
Savor the warm welcome by making them induldge in culinary delights.
Food gift cards are the ultimate gesture for new employees, offering a delightful culinary journey to tantalize their taste buds. From gourmet dining to cozy cafes, these versatile cards let them explore a world of flavors and experience the local food scene.
For foodies looking for novel experiences, meal e-gift cards are a gateway to uncharted culinary territories. These cards enable them to embark on exciting food adventures by discovering hidden gems, trying innovative cuisines, or indulging in exclusive dining experiences.
Not just that, meal gift vouchers offer unparalleled flexibility, ensuring your new hires can enjoy their culinary delights at their convenience. By choosing a food gift card that resonates with their culinary passions, employers demonstrate thoughtfulness and consideration for the employees' preferences.
9. Premium liquor
Raise the bar and give a toast to their success!
Premium liquor gifts set the stage for memorable moments and special occasions. Whether it's a well-crafted cocktail or a perfectly aged whiskey, these gifts encourage new employees to unwind, relax, and savor the finer things in life.
Gifting a bottle of liquor to new employees is a wonderful, welcoming gesture. It is a generous gift, making them feel appreciated, accepted, and more at home. Gifting liquor can also be a great conversation starter, helping build strong relationships in the organization.
10. Nature Tour
Embrace the great outdoors and forge bonds in nature's embrace!
Nature tours are the ultimate gift for new employees, offering a refreshing and rejuvenating escape into the wonders of the natural world. From scenic hikes to wildlife encounters, these immersive experiences provide a welcome breath of fresh air and a chance to reconnect with nature.
A nature tour can be seen as a big reprieve from your new employees' daily schedule. It portrays that you, as a company, encourage work-life balance and want the new employees to be connected to the environment. A well-guided nature tour can be one of the most unique and memorable experiences.
Gifting retreats is another excellent way to express care. People retreat to relax, reflect, and focus on personal growth. It's an opportunity to escape from everyday stress, prioritize self-care, deepen spiritual practice, engage in creative pursuits, and connect with like-minded people.
15 Thoughtful welcome gift ideas to delight your new employees with Empuls
Welcoming a new employee with a thoughtful gift goes a long way in making them feel valued from day one. It sets the tone for your work culture and builds an emotional connection right at the start. Empuls makes this process simple with a wide range of personalized, automated, and globally accessible gifting options. Here are some welcome gift ideas you can explore using Empuls:
1. Digital gift cards for flexible choices
Start your new hires off with something universally loved—choice. Digital gift cards from popular platforms like Amazon, Uber Eats, and Starbucks give employees the freedom to pick what they truly want. Empuls offers a wide selection of gift cards that can be sent instantly, making it a simple and appreciated gesture.
2. E-learning subscriptions for continuous growth
Support your employees’ career development from day one by gifting access to learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or LinkedIn Learning. Through Empuls, you can offer these subscriptions as part of your onboarding experience, showing that you’re invested in their future.
3. Wellness app memberships for work-life balance
Mental well-being matters, especially when joining a new company. Gifting access to wellness apps like Calm, Headspace, or fitness platforms like Cult.fit shows you care about their health beyond the office. Empuls makes it easy to include these options in your gifting plan.
4. Custom welcome swag packs to show team spirit
Make new employees feel like part of the team by sending them a personalized welcome kit. This could include branded hoodies, water bottles, notebooks, mouse pads, or coffee mugs. Empuls allows you to customize these items to reflect your brand and culture perfectly.
5. Streaming subscriptions for relaxing after work
Sometimes, the best welcome gift is the chance to unwind. Subscriptions to Netflix, Spotify, or Audible are a great way to help your new hires relax outside of work hours. Through Empuls, you can include these subscriptions as part of your employee gifting options.
6. Reward points to spend at their convenience
Let new employees earn and redeem reward points through Empuls’ built-in recognition system. They can use these points in the rewards marketplace to choose gifts that suit their preferences—making the welcome experience both personal and empowering.
7. Personalized digital artwork for a creative touch
Add a bit of fun to your onboarding process with custom digital caricatures or personalized illustrations. These lighthearted, creative gifts can bring smiles and are great for adding a personal touch that stands out in a remote or hybrid setting.
8. Prepaid cards for instant freedom of choice
Give new hires the flexibility to buy what they really want with prepaid cards. Whether it’s for online shopping, dining, or travel, prepaid cards through Empuls are a simple and effective way to offer instant gratification without the guesswork.
9. Virtual event passes for engagement and learning
Help your new employees feel connected and involved by offering them passes to virtual events, industry webinars, or online summits. Whether it’s role-specific or general interest, these experiences can help them learn and network early on.
10. Experience-based gifts that create memories
Offer something beyond physical gifts—think online cooking classes, spa vouchers, or weekend getaway coupons. Empuls supports experiential rewards that help new hires create lasting memories while building a positive association with your company.
11. Charity donation options for purpose-driven onboarding
Give your new hires the option to donate to a cause they care about. Empuls allows you to enable charitable giving as part of your rewards catalog, helping you align your onboarding process with a sense of social impact and shared values.
12. Personalized merchandise to make them feel special
Add a thoughtful touch with personalized items like engraved pens, custom desk organizers, or name-embossed laptop sleeves. These one-of-a-kind gifts show that you’ve gone the extra mile and can be easily managed through Empuls’ gifting platform.
13. Company-branded tech accessories
Custom-branded tech gear like USB hubs, laptop sleeves, and wireless mice are practical, modern, and appreciated. Empuls makes it easy to create a welcome gift box filled with tech accessories that carry your brand and boost day-one productivity.
14. Eco-friendly gift kits for sustainable onboarding
Show your commitment to sustainability by gifting eco-friendly kits. These can include reusable water bottles, bamboo desk accessories, seed paper notebooks, or biodegradable pens. Empuls offers green gifting options that reflect responsible values.
15. Premium snack boxes for a tasty welcome
Nothing says “welcome” like a box full of gourmet treats. Empuls lets you send curated snack boxes filled with healthy nibbles, artisanal chocolates, or international flavors. It’s a great way to make your new hires feel instantly appreciated.
Start strong with memorable welcome gifts
Welcoming a new employee isn’t just about paperwork and orientation—it’s about making them feel seen, valued, and part of the team from day one. Empuls helps you do exactly that, with a seamless employee gifting solution designed to create unforgettable first impressions.
🎁 Curated gift experiences that feel personal
Empuls lets you send customized welcome kits or digital gifts that reflect your brand culture. From branded swag and wellness goodies to globally redeemable gift cards, you can create a warm and personal onboarding moment that speaks volumes.
🛍️ Massive global catalog
With access to over a million gift options across 100+ countries, Empuls ensures that every new hire—remote or onsite—can receive something meaningful and relevant, no matter their location.
⚙️ Hassle-free and automated
Empuls makes gifting easy with automation workflows. Set it once, and new hires will automatically receive a welcome message and gift on their first day—no manual coordination needed.
🌟 Build belonging from day one
Thoughtful gestures early on can increase engagement and boost retention. Empuls helps you kick off the employee journey with a touch of delight and appreciation, setting the tone for a strong work relationship.
Use Empuls to send impactful, personalized welcome gifts at scale—effortlessly. Give every new employee a reason to feel excited from the start.
Discover Empuls gifting →
Conclusion
Welcome gifts for new hires are more than thoughtful gestures—they shape first impressions and signal how much a company values its people. From personalized swag and prepaid cards to wellness perks and reward points, every item contributes to a more meaningful and memorable start.
Whether your new employees are joining remotely or walking into the office, the right gift can turn an ordinary onboarding into something special.
Platforms like Empuls make it easy to get it right—automating the process, offering global delivery, and ensuring every gift feels personal.
So, if you want to set the tone for loyalty, motivation, and long-term engagement, start with a welcome that’s worth remembering.
Welcome gifts for new hires transcend mere tokens of appreciation.
There’s no better way to say ‘welcome to the team’ than with a nice onboarding gift kit that takes away the first-day jitters and brings a smile to new hires! Start creating a profound impact on the employee experience and the way they look at your organization from day one.
FAQs
1. What to give your new hires?
The best gift ideas for new employees include a nice work-from-home setup, self-care packages, personalized gifts, wellness subscriptions, learning sessions, etc.
2. What do new hires like the most?
Employees prefer choosing their gifts rather than being forced to take what they don't like. Surprisingly, 84% of employees in a survey said they want a prepaid/gift card because of its flexibility. 40% opted for additional vacation days, 29% wanted food gifts, and 28% preferred physical gifts.
3. How to make welcome gifts for new employees special and memorable?
Make the employee gifting experience exclusive by adding a personal touch. Write meaningful words of affirmation and spend some quality time with them.
4. Why should you give gifts while onboarding?
Giving gifts during onboarding has several benefits:
- Creates a positive first impression and makes employees feel welcome and valued.
- Reinforces the company's culture and values.
- Increases retention and improves employee loyalty.
- Increases job satisfaction and productivity levels.
5. What is the purpose of a welcome kit?
A welcome kit provides all the necessary information, tools and resources about the company to the new employees. It is an onboarding tool that helps to create a positive first impression. A welcome kit should include employee handbooks, company merchandise, information about training programs, company benefits, gifts and rewards etc.