It’s not easy starting a new job. You’ve got orientation to get through, new processes to learn, and three different Madisons to keep straight. Everybody wants to feel at home in their job, and the best way to make recently hired employees feel at home (aside from a work-from-home position) is a welcome kit.
Welcome kits help your newest team members feel seen and supported by setting them up with branded freebies that’ll help them adjust to their roles. If you’re not sure what to include in yours, here’s some of our favorite new hire swag that’s perfect for welcome kits.
What’s Unique About New Employee Swag
Similar to other giveaway opportunities like conferences and tradeshows, new hire kits should have items featuring your company logo and be useful enough for people to want to keep around.
But while new employee swag might have those features in common with other kinds of swag, here are some key ways it’s distinct from them:
- Usefulness for Onboarding: Ideally, these items will help your new hires learn the ropes and get settled into their new roles and environments.
- Promotion of Company Pride: Rather than just promoting name recognition for your company, these custom promo products should make team members feel a sense of community and pride.
- Premium on Quality: When you’re giving away countless items at a conference, quality may not be your chief concern. But when you’re creating a new hire kit that features a curated selection of items, focus more on the premium choices for improved quality.
- Availability: If you tend to hire regularly throughout the year, it’s worth considering how you’ll store the swag items so you can have them handy for onboarding.
17 New Hire Swag Ideas to Include in Welcome Kits
New hire kits call for a particular type of swag. To give you some inspiration, here are some of our top choices for products to include in a new employee welcome kit.
1. Company Logo Shirts
- Why Pick It: Casual attire to wear in and out of the office
Nobody’s wardrobe is complete without at least a couple (but often many more) company logo shirts. These make perfect additions to new hire welcome kits because they can quickly help employees feel a part of the team. Plus, they can be worn on casual days in the office or at home on the weekends, promoting your brand in the process.
Gildan Adult Softstyle Short Sleeve T-Shirt
- +73 colors
Soft ringspun cotton gives your logo a smooth print surface, and the tear-away label is easy to remove. Print with no minimum, so you can order one shirt per new hire.
458 reviews
2. Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee Mug
- Why Pick It: Premium custom mug for the office
Whether it’s coffee, tea, or just cold water, a good insulated mug gets new hires through long onboarding days. This Hydro Flask mug pairs a classic handle with TempShield insulation that keeps drinks hot or cold for hours, so the first coffee of the day is still warm after orientation. Prefer a travel mug for the commute? Our custom YETI mugs are another premium pick.
Hydro Flask 12 oz. Coffee Mug
A soft-touch finish and a lid that slides open wide enough for a straw make it an easy desk upgrade. Orders start at 12 mugs, and it’s hand wash only.
3. Cougar Rubber Grip Ballpoint Pen
- Why Pick It: A reliable custom pen for everyday use
Is any workspace really complete without a trusty pen? This rubber-grip ballpoint is one of our favorite pens for writing, combining comfort, utility, and value. A customized pen like this is an affordable (and necessary) inclusion in any corporate welcome kit.
Cougar Rubber Grip Ballpoint Pen (Black Ink)
- +1 colors
A retractable medium point writes in black ink, so it’s ready for orientation paperwork. Orders start at 125 pens.
4. Gel Mouse Pad with Wrist Rest
- Why Pick It: An affordable desk accessory that gets used every day
Let’s face it, every job has its stressors. Wrist strain from a week of setup and training shouldn’t be one of them. A gel-filled wrist rest supports new hires through all those first-week logins, and it’s an affordable corporate gift that keeps your logo in view all day.
Solid Jersey Gel Mouse Pad / Wrist Rest
A smooth polyester surface keeps mouse movement easy, and a non-slip rubber base holds it in place on the desk. Orders start at 25 pieces.
5. Nike Brasilia Medium Backpack
- Why Pick It: Quality backpack from a premium brand
Whether your new hire is traveling to the office every day or just walking to their favorite coffee shop, a quality commuter backpack makes for a uniquely useful gift, especially from a premium brand like Nike. Plus, if it doesn’t fit in your welcome basket, you can always use it as the basket.
Nike Brasilia Medium Backpack
Made from recycled polyester with a padded laptop sleeve and a water-resistant base. Print with no minimum, or embroider starting at six bags.
6. CamelBak Eddy+ 20 oz Bottle with Tritan™ Renew
- Why Pick It: A go-to custom water bottle for workdays and weekends
Every desk needs a trusty water bottle, and this branded bottle fits the bill. It has the durability you’d expect from CamelBak, plus a bite valve for spill-proof sipping and a built-in LifeStraw filter. It’ll quickly become a new hire’s go-to hydration companion.
20 oz. CamelBak Eddy+ With Tritan Renew Water Bottle Filtered By LifeStraw
Tritan Renew with 50% recycled plastic resists stains and odors, and your logo prints in full color. Orders start at six bottles.
7. 8.5" x 11" Lg Business Spiral Notebook
- Why Pick It: Simple, useful, and custom-branded
Even in a largely digital office, office supplies are always useful. A custom-designed spiral notebook like this one gives new hires a place to handwrite onboarding notes, keep track of tasks, or even doodle while they sit through (and definitely pay full attention to) all those thrilling orientation videos.
Large Business Spiral Notebook
With 80 ruled sheets and a durable plastic cover, it holds up through weeks of meetings and training notes. Orders start at 75 notebooks.
8. Skullcandy Jib 2 True Wireless Earbuds
- Why Pick It: Premium sound and mic for music and meetings
A decent pair of headphones is a must for any employee. Whether for listening to a podcast during the bus ride to work, playing music while filling out spreadsheets, or tuning into a remote meeting (particularly useful for remote or hybrid employees), these branded Skullcandy earbuds are sure to please any new hire.
Skullcandy Jib 2 True Wireless Earbuds
Up to 33 hours of total playback, IPX4 water resistance, and Tile tracking to find a lost earbud. Your logo prints in full color, starting at three pairs.
9. Arctic Zone Titan Thermal HP Slim Can Cooler
- Why Pick It: Fun branded swag for the weekend
Not all new hire swag needs to be for office use. This Arctic Zone can cooler fits a slim 12 oz can, or you can add the push-on lid and use it as a tumbler, so it works for weekend cookouts and weekday iced coffee. It shows you value rest and relaxation as much as your team does, and it keeps your logo in view all weekend.
Arctic Zone 12 oz. Titan Thermal HP Slim Can Cooler
Copper-insulated, double-wall stainless steel keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours without condensation, so hands stay dry. Orders start at six.
10. Lanyard with Lobster Clip
- Why Pick It: Convenient for displaying company identification
A lanyard might not seem like a major gift, but it can be hugely helpful for employees who have to show their credentials often. For companies with badge-secured offices, these are small yet useful additions for new hire welcome kits.
Lanyard with Lobster Clip
A breakaway neck clip and swivel lobster clip come standard, and second-side printing is free when both sides use the same artwork. Orders start at 150.
11. Jerzees Cadet Collar Quarter-Zip Pullover
- Why Pick It: An office-ready layer for chilly conference rooms
Every office has one conference room that runs cold. A branded quarter-zip gives new hires a layer they’ll reach for on day one and keep wearing on casual Fridays. This Jerzees pullover’s cadet collar and concealed metal zipper look sharp enough for client calls.
Jerzees Cadet Collar Quarter Zip Pullover
- +6 colors
Its 8 oz. blend uses USA-grown cotton and has a smooth face that resists pilling, so logos stay crisp. Embroider starting at six pieces, or print with no minimum.
42 reviews
12. Classic 6-Can Lunch Cooler
- Why Pick It: Perfect everyday cooler for work lunches
With a six-can capacity, this custom cooler is perfect in the office or outdoors. It’s small enough to carry to and from work every day, but big enough to keep all your food, drinks, and snacks at temperature until lunchtime, with plenty of space for a company logo on the front.
Classic 6-Can Lunch Cooler
- +7 colors
A budget-friendly pick that works best for larger onboarding classes or a year’s worth of kits. Orders start at 50 coolers.
13. Three Compartment Food Storage Bento Box
- Why Pick It: Surprising and useful
If a cooler bag is too big for your company welcome kit, try scaling down to a bento box. This compact custom food storage option has multiple compartments to keep foods separate until lunchtime, and it fits snugly in any bag or lunchbox.
Three Compartment Food Storage Bento Box
BPA-free, microwave-safe, and packed with a foldable spoon, it arrives in a white gift box ready for kits. Orders start at 40.
14. Anker 318 Wireless Charging Pad
- Why Pick It: Convenience at home or in the office
We’ve all been there: your charger wasn’t plugged in right, and your phone has 5% battery left by the time you get to the office. A wireless charging pad solves that problem by giving new hires an easy way to keep their phones powered all workday, all while displaying your company logo. This one comes from Anker, a brand known for charging gear.
Anker 318 Wireless Charging Pad
Qi-certified charging up to 10W works through most phone cases, and it ships with a 4-ft USB-C cable and wall charger. Orders start at six.
15. Resty Phone and Tablet Stand
- Why Pick It: A thoughtful, unique tech accessory
If you’re looking for a new hire swag idea that’s unique, practical, and inexpensive, look no further than a mobile device stand. Featuring your company logo, this allows your employees to keep their phones or tablets on display so they can keep their inboxes open or stream videos at their desks hands-free.
Resty Phone and Tablet Stand
Fits phones and tablets under 0.5 inches thick, adjusts to several viewing angles, and ships in an FSC-certified gift box. Orders start at 100.
16. Retro Sunglasses
- Why Pick It: Distinctly practical, stylish, and customizable company swag
Anyone who’s had to commute going east in the morning and west in the evening knows it’s always good to have an extra pair of eyewear handy. With their throwback styling and company logo, these custom sunglasses make a great piece of new hire swag for any welcome kit.
Retro Sunglasses
- +1 colors
UV400 protection and a one-size unisex frame mean no sizing questions across the team. Orders start at 75 pairs.
17. Valucap Bio-Washed Classic Dad Hat
- Why Pick It: Casual attire for after work
Whether it’s for casual days at the office or weekend treks outdoors, an embroidered hat is a natural apparel pick for corporate welcome kits. This unstructured Valucap dad hat has a relaxed, low-profile fit, and custom hats like this one suit just about any budget.
Valucap Bio-Washed Classic Dad Hat
- +43 colors
Bio-washed, brushed cotton twill feels broken in from day one, and an adjustable closure fits most heads. Embroider starting at six hats, or print with no minimum.
14 reviews
Picking the Right New Hire Swag for Your Welcome Kits
The main thing to remember when assembling a new hire welcome kit is that you want a combination of utility, relevance, and thoughtfulness. You can pack it with custom company swag, but it’s also helpful to consider what will be genuinely useful to new hires just starting to learn the ins and outs of their role.
So stock up on crowd-pleasing promotional products and assemble a collection of items that’ll help new hires get acquainted with your company.
About the Author
Based in New Mexico, Bryce Emley is a seasoned content writer and expert in the realms of custom apparel and eCommerce. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing, he seamlessly blends his passions, specializing in insightful content that bridges the gap between innovative apparel solutions and digital commerce trends. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryce is an avid creator, channeling his creativity into poetry, screenplays, and creative nonfiction. In his leisure time, he has a penchant for collecting unique, vintage anime t-shirts, showcasing his love for both rare finds and the artistry of apparel design.