Employee Welcome Kit Ideas: What to Include and Why They Matter

Employee onboarding no longer starts on day one. It begins the moment a new hire accepts an offer. A well-designed welcome kit for new employees plays a critical role in shaping first impressions, reinforcing company culture, and helping new team members feel confident and valued from the start.

For growing companies, distributed teams, and global organizations, welcome kits are more than branded gifts. They are a practical onboarding tool that supports engagement, consistency, and long-term retention.

What Is a Welcome Kit for New Employees?

An employee welcome kit is a curated set of items given to new hires during onboarding. These kits typically combine practical tools, branded merchandise, and culture-driven materials that help employees transition smoothly into their new role.

Depending on your company’s structure, welcome kits may be:

• Delivered on the first day in the office

• Shipped to remote employees ahead of their start date

• Used as part of a broader onboarding or employer branding program

 

Why Welcome Kits Matter for Employee Onboarding

A thoughtfully planned welcome kit supports onboarding in several ways:

• Reduces first-day anxiety by providing clarity and essentials

• Reinforces company culture through intentional messaging and design

• Builds emotional connection early in the employee journey

• Creates consistency across teams, offices, and regions

• Extends brand presence beyond the workplace

In competitive hiring markets, welcome kits also contribute to employer branding—signaling professionalism, care, and long-term commitment.

Core Items Every Employee Welcome Kit Should Include

1. Welcome Letter: A Warm and Personal Touch

 

Starting a new job can be exciting, but also a bit nerve-wracking.  That’s why a warm, personal welcome letter from the CEO is such a great way to help new hires feel valued and connected to the company from day one. In this letter, you can share your company’s mission and values, and introduce the team they’ll be working with. 

A thoughtful, personalized message will leave a lasting positive impression and help new employees feel at home.

2. Employee Handbook: Essential Information at Their Fingertips

 

The employee handbook is an essential resource that provides new hires with all the need-to-know information about company policies, procedures, and benefits. 

By creating a professional, branded handbook, you can ensure your new employees have everything they require to succeed, right at their fingertips. 

A well-designed handbook reflects your company’s identity and culture, giving new team members a clear understanding of what to expect.

3. Custom Desk Accessories: Enhancing the Workspace

 

A clean, organized workspace can significantly improve productivity and morale. That’s why custom desk accessories branded with your company logo and colors are such a great way to help new hires feel at home. 

These functional, stylish items create a cohesive, professional look and give your new employees the tools they need to hit the ground running.

Here are some popular desk accessory choices:

• Mouse pads: Practical and branded for daily use
• Penholders: Keep desks tidy while promoting your brand
• Branded notepads: Perfect for jotting down ideas and notes
• Customized calendars: Help employees stay organized
• Desk clocks: Add a touch of sophistication to the workspace

Providing these personalized desk accessories shows your new hires that you’ve thought about their needs and want them to be set up for success from the very beginning.

4. Branded Apparel: Building Team Spirit from Day One

 

Nothing says “you’re part of the team” quite like a stylish, comfortable t-shirt or hoodie featuring your company’s branding. 

High-quality, customized apparel is a fantastic way to help new employees feel like they belong from day one. 

Wearing your company’s colors and logo helps promote a sense of unity and pride, and makes a great first impression.

5. Branded Drinkware: Keeping Your Team Hydrated in Style

 

Staying hydrated is key to feeling your best, especially when you’re starting a new job. That’s why branded water bottles and coffee mugs make such a great addition to a new employee welcome kit. 

These are items your new hires will use every single day, giving your company’s branding constant exposure. 

By offering a wide variety of customizable drinkware options that match your company’s style, you can help your new employees feel right at home while keeping your brand top of mind.

6. Tech Gadgets: Modern Solutions for the Digital Workplace

 

In today’s digital world, tech gadgets are essential tools. That’s why customizable tech products are the perfect fit for a new employee welcome kit. Not only are they super practical, but they can also be branded with your company logo, making them both useful and promotional.

Popular tech gadgets at The ODM Group:

• Power banks: Keep devices charged up on the go
• USB drives: High-capacity storage with a personal touch
• Wireless chargers: Convenient and stylish charging solutions
• Bluetooth earbuds: Enjoy high-quality sound and hands-free convenience
• Portable speakers: Compact, powerful audio for work and play

By including these modern tech gadgets in your welcome kit, you’ll show your new employees that you understand their needs and want to set them up for success.

8. Company Swag: Fun and Engaging Items

Swag ideas your new employees will love:

• Keychains and lanyards: Practical and promotional
• Stress balls: Fun, stress-relieving gifts
• Sunglasses: Stylish and practical for company outings
• Caps and hats: Promote your brand while looking great

By rounding out your welcome kit with these engaging, branded items, you’ll give your new employees a collection of useful, fun gifts that will make them feel valued, welcomed, and ready to dive in and contribute to your company’s success.

Packaging Matters More Than You Think

Packaging is often the first physical interaction a new employee has with your brand. Before they use the items, the unboxing experience shapes their initial impression of the company.

Well-designed welcome kit packaging does more than hold products. It protects items during shipping, communicates brand values, and signals the level of care behind the onboarding experience. Clean layouts, quality materials, and thoughtful structure all contribute to how the kit is perceived.

Effective welcome kit packaging should:

• Keep items secure throughout delivery and handling

• Reflect brand positioning, whether that’s premium, modern, or sustainability-led

• Be intuitive to open and practical to reuse

• Align with environmental goals through recyclable or reusable materials

Reusable boxes, recycled paperboard, and minimal yet intentional design choices help elevate perceived value while supporting sustainability objectives. When done well, packaging turns a simple welcome kit into a memorable first-touch brand experience.

Creating the Ultimate Welcome Kit with The ODM Group

A well-designed welcome kit for new employees is an investment in onboarding, culture, and long-term engagement. When items are practical, thoughtfully branded, and aligned with how employees actually work, welcome kits become tools, not just gifts.

For companies scaling teams across offices or regions, consistency, quality, and execution matter just as much as creativity.

At The ODM Group, we support businesses with custom employee welcome kits—from concept and factory selection to manufacturing, packaging, and global delivery—ensuring every new-hire experience is intentional and on-brand.

Contact The ODM Group today to start designing your ideal welcome kit and make a positive impact on your new employees from day one!

 

Browse More Promotional Products

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an employee welcome kit?

An employee welcome kit is a curated set of items given to new hires as part of onboarding. It typically includes practical tools, branded merchandise, and company information designed to help employees feel prepared, welcomed, and connected from day one.

What should be included in a welcome kit for new employees?

A strong welcome kit usually includes a welcome letter, company handbook or onboarding guide, branded stationery, drinkware, desk or tech accessories, and thoughtfully designed packaging. Many companies also add apparel or wellness items to reinforce culture and care.

Why are employee welcome kits important?

Welcome kits help reduce first-day anxiety, reinforce company culture, and create a positive first impression. When done well, they support engagement, consistency, and long-term employee retention—especially in hybrid or distributed teams.

How much should a company spend on an employee welcome kit?

Budgets vary depending on company size, industry, and goals. Effective welcome kits don’t need to be expensive—focused, high-quality items that employees actually use often deliver better value than large kits filled with low-impact products.

How long does it take to produce custom employee welcome kits?

Production timelines depend on product selection, customization level, and quantities. Planning ahead is essential—especially for global teams—to ensure smooth manufacturing, packaging, and delivery without delays.

 

Related Blogs