Imagine your first day at a new job. You open your welcome pack … and inside you find a basic T-shirt, a simple pen, and a plain notebook. While there’s nothing wrong with those items, will they impress you? Probably no.
According to statistics, about 31% of new employees leave their jobs within their first six months due to a negative onboarding experience.
I believe a thoughtful welcome box is a powerful way to start the onboarding process with flying colors and win an employee’s loyalty from day one. But there’s a small catch: it must make a “wow” effect. It’s not just about what you gift, but also how you gift.
Below, I’ll share:
- Our lifehacks for creating a welcome pack
- Welcome box gift ideas for different companies
- Our employee onboarding box
Why is a welcome pack essential?
I won’t bore you with statistics and numbers about how important great merch is. Just take a look at the photos below. Would this kind of merch impress you? An old-fashioned, thin T-shirt in the simplest packaging? I don’t think so.
Even if we swapped that T-shirt for a slightly more modern one and added your logo, it would be tough to create the right impression about your company, its values, culture, and aesthetic.
Below, we see a basic T-shirt again, but this one is oversized with dropped shoulder lines. It is made from high-quality organic cotton, thick, and holds its shape. On the back, there’s a cool company motto.
Holding a T-shirt like this, you immediately feel the company’s vibe—modern, bold, and expressive.
Now, let’s add some craft packaging with a sticker where you can add your company’s message. Complement it with branded tissue paper and a card with a cute personalized text, and your employee will have a completely different unboxing experience.
Both examples clearly show that similar items can work differently.
So, if your goal isn’t just to give merch to check a box, but to create a lasting impression and increase employee loyalty, I’ll share some tips below.
How to build a new hire welcome pack
Use merch to reflect your corporate values
It’s quite a challenge to create a “wow” welcome box these days because it’s a widely adopted practice within the corporate world. As the competition is high, just tossing in a T-shirt and a backpack can have an opposite effect.
So, I recommend thinking of your welcome box not just as a box of gifts, but as a manifesto of your company’s culture, values, and mission.
Try to play into what makes your company unique.
Here are a few examples:
If you’re a wellness tech company, use your welcome kit to show new hires that you care about their well-being. For example, your wellness box can include a branded sleep mask, self-care gift set, and relaxing aroma candle.
If you’re in the tourism and entertainment industry, put together a cool travel pack with things like a memory foam travel pillow, travel containers, a hydrating lip balm, and a hand sanitizer to help employees travel in comfort.
If you’re in the iGaming business, add cool tech gadgets like wireless power banks or Bluetooth speakers to show you’re all about trending tech items. For a unique touch and an extra bit of fun, add a nostalgic Tamagotchi that many of us used to play with as kids.
If you’re in the IT sector, focus on practical items and functional tech swag like a laptop case, wireless chargers, or portable keyboards.
Deliver experience
It’s not about the items themselves but how you feel when receiving them. So, if a pricey, premium box isn’t in your budget, get a simple one, but fill it with something meaningful.
For example, instead of a standard welcome card, use it to give clues about the story behind each item in the box (e.g., the message driving your corporate logo or mascot). Or, add a T-shirt and explain on the card how it connects to your company’s values.
You could even ask your new hires to open gifts in a specific order so that each item tells a story about your company. These things always get remembered.
For an extra touch of excitement, try individually wrapping each item in the welcome pack. This way, they won’t see what’s inside right away, building that satisfying ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) and unboxing thrill.
Packaging
Invest in your packaging. Seriously, it totally boosts the value of your gift! Cool branded packaging, custom tissue paper, shredded paper, and fun stickers create an awesome, festive vibe and make opening the gift more exciting.
For example, many clients use branded stickers to showcase their company’s values, cute mascots, or warm, welcoming messages.
Designing the packaging for the Swag42 welcome box, we added a little quest. New hires must figure out how to open the welcome box using our clues.
So, let your imagination run wild and brainstorm how to surprise your employees and make them itching to unwrap your onboarding box.
Insights into Swag42’s welcome pack
Our core values are beauty, happiness, and aesthetics, so our welcome pack is designed as the first important experience, immersing you in these principles.
When we designed our welcome box, we aimed to give new employees a truly special unboxing experience so they immediately feel like part of our warm team. Every item in the box isn’t just a random thing; it’s a little nod to our company’s values. We really wanted to create the feeling of joining a secret club, and we think we totally nailed it.
Tanya Tereshchenko
Creative Director at Swag42
Inside the Swag42 welcome box, an employee finds a secret silver pin with instructions. This pin signifies that our new employee is invited to the Swag42 exclusive “secret club”. They’ll discover how the name Swag42 came about and other secrets they’re sworn not to reveal. 😉
The main item in our welcome box is a custom notebook filled with special messages, our values, mission, and other exciting content we can’t fully reveal — it’s reserved exclusively for members of the secret Swag42 club.
But in truth, the entire welcome box is infused with a sense of belonging to something intriguing, stylish, and captivating. From the unboxing experience to the last page, every detail is designed to make the new team member feel the unique, fashionable, and magnetic vibe of Swag42.
We also have a branded T-shirt and a warm welcome card in the welcome box.
Welcome pack ideas
I’ve included a few swag ideas for a welcome pack for your inspiration. Mix and match them to reflect your specific values and company aesthetics.
Tech gadgets
Because who doesn’t love functional, practical things they can use daily?
Include things like portable power banks, wireless chargers, Bluetooth speakers, wireless headphones, and waterproof mobile phone cases.
For a premium experience, consider non-standard gifts like a portable photo printer, a branded projector, or an electric thermos.
Branded clothes
Because it’s a great way to build that sense of belonging from day one.
When choosing branded gear, focus on the fabric’s quality. If it’s a T-shirt, go for organic cotton or bamboo for a super-soft touch and excellent breathability. For a premium feel and experience, look for heavyweight cotton.
Add beautiful patches with a company motto or include a QR or NFC tag with a warm welcome message, and your employees will proudly showcase their gear.
Wellness products
Because these gifts show you care about your team’s well-being.
Look for items that will comfort your employees in their daily lives, like a thermo bottle to keep them hydrated, an eco-friendly lunch box for healthy food choices, or cozy slippers for relaxed days at home.
Office supplies
Because everyone needs the right tools to perform at their best.
In our catalog, the most popular office supplies are Hugo Boss notebooks and sets. They come in luxurious packaging, so employees immediately get that exclusive vibe when they open one.
Backpacks and shoppers
Because they’re versatile and practical in daily life.
Perfect for carrying daily essentials, hitting the shops, or enjoying weekend getaways, branded backpacks and shoppers will be used regularly and always show off your brand.
Let’s create your corporate welcome box
Option 1. Go to our Swag Packs page. Choose from the available presets or build your custom box.
Option 2. Go to the Swag42 Platform. It’s a single place to create welcome packs, get designs, approve them, and track your order and delivery statuses.
Option 3. Contact our team with your query; they will provide a free consultation.
About the author:
Ira Sakovich is an HRD at Swag42. After 8 years of working in the automotive and IT industries, she decided that fashion is her calling.
“I love cool merch that won’t just end up forgotten at the summer house — but will actually be worn, with everyone asking which fashion house made it 🙂“
