The first day at a new company brings plenty of information, new faces and questions. A thoughtfully planned welcome box can make that start easier: provide a few practical items, introduce the character of your brand and send a clear message: “We are glad you are here.” How do you choose merchandise for a welcome pack that will still be useful after the first week?
Start with how people work, then choose the products
Before making a list of products, consider a typical working day for the person receiving the set. An office-based employee has different needs from someone working from home or regularly travelling between locations.
- Office work: a notebook, comfortable pen, mug and ID card holder can become part of an employee’s everyday equipment.
- Hybrid work: consider a backpack, laptop bag, cable organiser or travel mug. Check equipment dimensions and what the company already provides.
- Remote work: a desk mat, phone stand or water bottle may be useful. Include a short guide explaining where to find support with organisational matters.
What should go in a welcome box? Four useful directions
You do not need to include every category. A coordinated set of a few items is a better choice than filling a box with unrelated extras.
- Something for work: a notebook, pen, organiser or laptop sleeve. Avoid duplicating equipment supplied separately.
- Something for everyday use: a bottle, bag, backpack or mug. Assess ease of use, cleaning and construction, preferably with a sample.
- Something to wear: a T-shirt, sweatshirt, cap or custom-designed socks. For clothing, provide a size chart and let recipients choose their size and an available fit. Do not assume that one model will suit everyone.
- Something personal: a welcome card signed by the team, a short message from the manager or a guide to the company. This helps give the set context.
Make the logo visible and suited to the recipient
Employee merchandise does not need to look like trade show giveaways. A small logo, an interesting design or a detail in your brand colours can work well on products used outside the office too. Choose branding to suit the material, position and desired result. Ask for a visual mock-up and agree whether a sample is needed before approving the complete set.
The budget covers more than the contents
Compare the cost of the finished welcome box, including branding, packaging, protective filling, assembly and transport. For home deliveries, include protective packaging and handling multiple addresses. Also agree who will store spare sets and how further orders will be placed. A simple, well-fitting box can be a more practical choice than elaborate packaging that is difficult to ship.
Take a considerate approach to personalisation
A name on a card or product can be a pleasant touch, but confirm the spelling and agree on the addition beforehand. If you plan to include sweets, ask about dietary preferences and allergies, and provide clear ingredient information. Consider an option without food. Collect only the personalisation and delivery details needed to prepare the set.
Use specific information rather than broad promises
If the set’s environmental impact matters to you, start by reducing unnecessary products and packaging. Choose items that meet recipients’ actual needs. Base claims about recycled materials or certification on documentation for the specific product. A green colour or the word “eco” alone does not explain what a gift is made from or how it was produced.
A short checklist before ordering
- Who will receive the set, and in what circumstances will they use it?
- Have clothing sizes and the compatibility of accessories been confirmed?
- Have the branding design and packaging contents been approved?
- Does the budget include assembly and all deliveries?
- Have spare quantities and a process for reordering been agreed?
Preparing welcome boxes for new employees? Explore products in the Giftmart catalogue or get in touch. Describe your team, working arrangements, planned number of sets and budget — we will help you select the contents and branding.