Nice to know
Onboarding Gifts:
More Than Just a Bouquet of Flowers.
Surprise your new employees with original, branded welcome gifts – to show appreciation, support quick identification with the company and strengthen your employer branding. Let’s go!
Welcome on Board:
Fill Out the Form and Get Inspired!
Onboarding Gift:
First Impressions Matter.
Successful onboarding doesn’t start on the first day. Even before that, new employees begin to form an impression of how a company thinks, communicates and expresses appreciation. This is exactly where a carefully selected onboarding gift can make a meaningful contribution and support the start both emotionally and organizationally.
The classic choice is a bouquet of flowers. It’s beautiful, friendly and always a nice gesture – but its impact usually fades after just a few days. A thoughtfully selected, branded product stays relevant for longer and creates a more lasting impression. This transforms a simple welcome moment into the first building block of employer branding.
Well-planned onboarding starts right here: it connects emotion, culture and the first practical touchpoints with the company.
More Than Just Nice:
Why a Gift Supports the Start.
An onboarding gift doesn’t just show appreciation – it can also make the transition into a new role easier. It communicates: you are welcome, we’ve thought about you, and we want you to feel connected to the company from day one.
Especially in the first few days, this feeling matters a lot. A carefully chosen product can foster identification while also reflecting the company culture. It doesn’t have to come with a big budget. What matters is that the gift fits the company and has a clear connection to the brand.
In short: onboarding gifts are evolving from a nice-to-have into a strategic HR and branding tool.
Not Just Classics:
The Right Gift Can Surprise.
Classic items like water bottles, mugs or notebooks absolutely have their place – and for good reason. They are proven, functional and versatile. But especially in onboarding, a gift can also intentionally break away from the expected.
A custom-designed team hoodie is a great example: it instantly creates a sense of belonging, is actively worn and makes the brand visible in everyday life – internally and externally. These products are not only practical, but also emotional and unifying.
In general, surprising or less obvious products attract more attention and are remembered longer – for example an IQ game or a useful, original everyday tool.
Products with strong branding and a story create a greater impact than generic standard items. They show that a company has put real thought into it – not just into giving something, but into what truly fits the new team member and the company culture.
An onboarding gift can deliberately convey emotions or values. The key is that it doesn’t feel interchangeable. HR or marketing teams know the company’s culture, positioning and philosophy best – and this should be reflected in the gift. The more individual and fitting the selection, the more authentic and relevant the first impression will feel.
Real Impact:
Branded, Meaningful and Aligned with Your Culture.
A good onboarding gift doesn’t have to be expensive. A small but thoughtful product can often have more impact than a costly item with no real connection to the company. When the gift aligns with the brand both visually and in content, it immediately creates a professional impression.
This makes employer branding tangible from the very beginning. The company shows that it not only welcomes new employees, but also values details, quality and a consistent culture. These signals often stay in mind much longer than short-lived gestures like a bouquet of flowers.
Onboarding:
And That’s It?
In everyday HR life, there are many more moments where appreciation can be expressed in a visible and authentic way.
Companies that consciously shape these occasions strengthen not only the relationship with employees, but also the company culture as a whole. For example, during a longer illness, a small motivational gift or an encouraging «get well soon» message can make a difference – perhaps accompanied by a vitamin shot.
For completed degrees, a personalized prosecco is perfect for celebrating – or, of course, a non-alcoholic alternative. For promotions, a personalized Toblerone with a message like «Congrats Mia» creates a personal moment.
For new parents, suitable baby items are always appreciated: a custom-branded stroller bag, a wet/dry bag or soft muslin cloths with a company label. A SIGG kids’ bottle can also be a thoughtful addition. What always matters: the gift should fit the occasion, the person and the company culture.
Smart Logistics:
Plan Costs, Storage and Distribution Wisely.
In addition to selecting the right onboarding gift, logistics also play a key role. Especially for larger companies or recurring onboarding programmes, it pays off to plan processes early.
Onboarding gifts can either be stored centrally at bb trading or internally and accessed as needed. This makes implementation not only more flexible, but also much easier to plan – especially when new employees join every month.
Another important factor is distribution. Shipping to private addresses is generally easy, but depending on quantity, weight and shipping method, it generates additional postage and handling costs. These can add up quickly, especially for larger campaigns.
If organizational processes allow, handing over the gift directly at the workplace is often the more efficient option. It reduces logistical effort and creates a personal moment during onboarding itself.
In short: companies that consider logistics and distribution from the beginning can use onboarding gifts not only emotionally, but also economically.
Visible Appreciation:
Small Gestures, Big Impact.
Whether it’s a new job start, promotion, diploma, return after illness or the birth of a child – these moments offer the perfect opportunity to show appreciation in a visible, personal and authentic way.
Onboarding gifts are often just the first step. They set the tone for everything that follows and shape how a company is perceived.
Those who continue to use thoughtful employee gifts beyond onboarding create recurring positive touchpoints with their brand. This turns appreciation from a one-time gesture into a consistent part of the company culture.
And that’s where the real strength lies: employee gifts accompany the entire employee lifecycle and make employer branding tangible in the long term.
➤ GET EXPERT ADVICE FROM OUR SALES TEAM
