First impressions can make or break a new hire. The first few weeks of the new employee’s experience will set the tone for the
According to the Spencer James Group: “The first few days and weeks of a new employee’s experience sets the tone for her satisfaction with the position and company. It is the company’s chance to make its first impression and to make it count for the new employee, and that is where successful and well-planned onboarding comes into play.” (Source)
A gifting package can make for a great addition to a new employee’s on-boarding experience.
The 7 Key Ingredients to a Great Gift
We’ve spent several years running gifting campaigns for new employees and clients alike. Weve distilled a successful gift into seven key ingredients.
Practical
If you give your employee a gift that they aren’t going to use, are they really going to feel appreciated? Or are they going to feel like a box that your HR department told you to check off?
A great gift is one that is going to be used at least 3-5 times per week.
Personalized
If you’re giving everyone the same generic Amazon gift card, then your sentiment is going to get lost in a sea of sameness.
A personalized gift will show your employees that you truly value their contribution to the business.
Best in Class
You do not want to compromise on quality in any way. Our test for best-in-class is this: Will your employee’s grandkids be able to use the gift you’ve given them?
Luxury
The best gifts are those that your employee will really want but probably won’t buy for themselves. For instance, I once received a virtual cooking class gift. I’d never buy this for myself, but my wife and I had a blast attending the class and learning how to cook new foods.
Handwritten Notes
Add an extra touch of personalization with a handwritten note telling your employee exactly what you mean to them.
Include Inner Circle
Chances are you’ve asked your star employees to work nights and weekends. If you’re taking time away from their family, then a great employee gift will include the inner circle.
Continuity
Try to create a theme or pattern with your gifts. In this way, you can make sure that the customers are looking forward to getting your gift. Multiple gifts can snowball an emotional impact on your employees.
Here are 7 New Employee Gift Ideas
Cork Pops
Almost all of your employees are going to have a bottle of wine in their house. I don’t even drink wine and I have several bottles of wine.
Because I want to make sure that I have something to serve my wine-drinking guests. Being a wine novice, opening a bottle of wine is one of the most tedious tasks. The cork gets stuck, and I’m sitting there trying to fiddle with a knife, trying to get it out.
Needless to say, a cork pop would be an amazing gift even for someone like me who doesn’t drink wine.
And then, I’d be able to tell all my friends about my amazing new employer and how much they wanted me to feel welcome.
Virtual Events
If you’re looking to “wow” a new employee, then you can’t go wrong with buying them a virtual experience for them and their significant other.
People will always be able to think back fondly on the experiences they’ve shared with their family and friends. Once again, your employees will sing your praises as they tell their friends and family about the amazing experience that you provided for them.
There are numerous companies that offer virtual experiences that can blow your team’s socks off. Everything from appreciation dinners to zoom trivia and more. Contact us 1 on one for recommendations.
Cutlery
One of our favorite gifts to give a beautifully designed cutlery set. You can write a note to your new employee on a knife telling them how much you appreciate them joining your team.
A cutlery set is extremely practical. Your employee will use it every single time that they prepare a meal. Which is at least 2-3 times per day.
An added benefit is that your employee’s spouse will also use the cutlery set every day and think fondly of you as well.
Then when you ask your employee to work the occasional late-night, their spouse will be much more understanding.
Varidesk
Let’s say you’ve just spent 6-8 months courting a new employee. One of the best ways you can make them feel welcome to your company is by gifting them a Varidesk for their home office.
With the push of a button, your employee will have a desk that goes from a sitting position to a standing position in no time.
That way, if they ever have to work from home, they won’t have to sit down the entire day.
Refresh Glass
Refresh Glass is one-of-a-kind household glassware made from recycled bottles. You can engrave each piece of glass to personalize it with your employee’s last name.
It’s highly personalized, has a killer origin story, can be used daily, and shows that you actually put some thought into your gift.
Aura Frames
How about giving your new employee the gift of their most precious memories? An Aura Frame will sync up to a camera and display pictures in real time.
While your employee is at work, they’ll think fondly of you as their memories scroll through their Aura Frame.
You will no doubt win the hearts and minds of your team members… and it’s a practical gift you can give EVERYONE who joins your firm.
Luggage
If your new employee is about to enter a position that will require him or her to travel often, you can gift them some new luggage.
This is the perfect continuity gift as well. You can get them the small carry-on bag the day they join. Then for their 6-month, you can get them the under-seat bag.
And then on their one-year anniversary, you can get them the check-in bag to complete the set.
One of the best gifts you can give to your employees is a new set of luggage they can take on their work trips AND on vacation too.
The best part about a nice luggage set is that they are the perfect heirloom – meaning your employee’s family will be using it for generations to come.
Glassybaby
If you’re looking to gift your employees something that will be the center of dinner conversation and have them speak fondly of you then look no further than Glassybaby glassware.
Once again, this is one of those gifts that will not only be loved by your employee, it will also be loved by their spouse as well.
Here’s what John Hall, had this to say about GlassBaby
“I was given a Glassybaby votive from the company’s founder after we met at an event and she said she wanted to work with my company. My wife fell in love with the product and constantly mentions it to me. I’m a believer in the “Happy wife, happy life” principle, and when my wife is happy, I have warm feelings about the person who gave her that gift. I’ve worked with the founder on different projects since, and I can’t see myself ever not advocating for Glassybaby.”
If you’re looking for a gift to send to your employees, then contact us to set up a free consultation. We’ll make sure that your employees feel appreciated, respected, and stay loyal to you for the long term.
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