Best Welcome Kits That New Hires Actually Appreciate

A great first day starts with a great first impression—and that’s exactly what a thoughtful welcome kit delivers. 

More than just a box of goodies, it reflects your company’s culture, care, and commitment to new hires. 

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes a welcome kit truly memorable and share curated ideas that employees actually appreciate—based on insights from over 400 successful onboarding campaigns at TapWell.

Onboarding a new employee into your organization? Use the following checklist:

What Makes a Welcome Kit Truly Appreciated

Your employees might not say it out loud, but not all welcome kits bring the same results. Some are quickly forgotten, while others become part of an employee’s daily work life. 

At TapWell, we’ve worked with over 400 brands on their employee onboarding campaigns, and we’ve seen what truly works. The pointers below come from our 10+ years of hands-on experience in curating welcome kits that employees actually appreciate.

1. Personalization that shows thoughtfulness

Most companies think that putting a name on a notebook or bottle is enough to call it personalized. Yes, personalization is important, but it goes beyond surface-level branding. You also need to keep in mind the role of the employee, their location, and how the items will actually fit into their day-to-day work life.

Here’s what true personalization should consider:

• Job role and function
• Location and climate
• Work setup (remote, hybrid, on-site)
• Employee preferences or interests (if known)

You can create a stronger impact by aligning the kit with how your employee actually works and lives, rather than just printing their name on things.

2. Useful items that support daily work

The employee kits readily available in the market often look good but don’t offer much practical value. They do not consider what an employee actually needs to get started or stay productive at work. The main purpose of a welcome kit should be to make their day-to-day work smoother, not just to tick off an onboarding task.

You can have items like:

• A high-quality notebook and pen set
• Ergonomic mouse pad or desk stand
• Company email and tools setup guide
• Tech essentials like charging cables or USB hubs

These are the kind of items that new hires are more likely to use every day, making your kit feel purposeful and appreciated.

3. Branded gifts that build company pride

This is one of the most overlooked yet powerful parts of a welcome kit. Branded gifts are not just about slapping your logo on a t-shirt but they are about creating a sense of identity and belonging. As it is an investment in your culture, you want to give something that employees feel proud to use, wear, or keep on their desk.

To look for impact, focus on quality and relevance. A well-made hoodie, a sleek water bottle, or a smart desk item with subtle branding can go a long way in building pride. It shows that you care about how your brand is represented and how your employees feel connected to it.

4. A warm message that makes them feel valued

Employee onboarding is a great time to start building a real human connection with your new hires. You can connect with them on a personal level before they even start work, just through the tone and content of your welcome message. 

It also lets them know that they’re not just joining a company but they’re joining a team that values them.

A message card doesn’t need to be long or overly formal. It just needs to feel genuine. You can mention how excited the team is to have them on board, share a quick note from the manager or founder, or even include a short team inside joke or cultural value that reflects your work environment. These small things often stay with employees long after the first day.

The Best Welcome Kits That New Hires Love

Below are some of the best welcome kits that you can give your new employees. Each one of them is tested for engagement, appreciation, and long-term impact across different teams and industries.

1. Essential Employee Starter Kit

This is one of the most commonly gifted employee welcome kits. It includes everyday items that are simple, useful, and universally appreciated by new hires. The kit typically contains a branded notebook, pen, coffee mug, ID card holder, and a welcome message card. It’s a safe and effective choice when you want to keep things basic but thoughtful.

• Approx Price: ₹1,000 per kit (for bulk orders)

2. Tech Onboarding Kit

This kit is ideal for digital-first teams and remote employees who rely heavily on technology in their daily work. It can include a padded laptop sleeve, a cable organizer to keep cords tidy, a high-definition webcam for clear video calls, and a branded mousepad. 

These items are designed to enhance productivity and ensure a seamless virtual work experience. Additional common items such as a notebook, pen, and welcome message card can also be included to provide a comprehensive onboarding package.

• Approx Price: ₹3,500 per kit (for bulk orders)

3. Eco-Friendly New Joiner Kit

This kit is perfect for companies that actively promote sustainability and want their new hires to feel aligned with those values from day one. You can include a soft-bound jute folder, a reusable bamboo water bottle, a small plant-in-a-pot for their desk, and eco-friendly seed pens. Every item in this kit serves a purpose while reducing plastic waste and promoting a greener lifestyle.

It can instantly set the tone for your culture and spark meaningful conversations around sustainability. It also makes your new team members feel proud to be part of a company that walks the talk.

• Approx Price: ₹1,350 per kit (for bulk orders)

4. Hybrid Office Kit

Designed for companies with flexible work models, the Hybrid Office Kit supports employees who switch between home and office setups. It usually includes a sturdy laptop stand to improve posture, a sleek tote bag for easy commuting, a ceramic coffee mug, and a compact desk organizer to keep things tidy wherever they work.

This kit helps employees stay productive and comfortable in any environment, whether they’re working from their desk at home or a shared space in the office.

• Approx Price: ₹1,250 per kit (for bulk orders)

5. Swag Kit For Startups

This kit is made for startups that want to reflect a fun, relaxed, and energetic work culture. You can add a cozy branded hoodie, quirky laptop or desk stickers, a stress ball for quick breaks, and a cool air freshener to add some personality to their space.

It’s a great way to make new hires feel like part of the tribe right from day one. The kit helps you bring them into your vibe and culture with things that are light, fun, and instantly relatable.

• Approx Price: ₹1,100 per kit (for bulk orders)

6. Luxury Welcome Hamper

This premium kit is designed for executive or leadership-level hires where first impressions matter even more. It typically includes gourmet snacks, a high-quality diary, a premium metal pen, and a scented candle to add a personal touch to their workspace. Every element in the hamper is meant to reflect appreciation, class, and attention to detail.

These kits are fully customizable as you can add, remove, or replace items based on preference, role, or occasion. We offer over 4000+ gifting items, ranging from ₹20 to ₹15,000, so you can create a kit that matches your exact requirement.

• Approx Price: ₹2,500 per kit (for bulk orders)

7. Remote Onboarding Experience Box

Built specifically for distributed teams, this kit helps remote employees feel connected from day one, no matter where they’re located. It includes a curated snack box for their first day, a personalised welcome letter, a time-zone calendar for easier collaboration, and essentials like a branded notebook, coffee mug, and laptop sticker pack.

This box brings the onboarding experience to their doorstep, making them feel like part of the team even if they’re miles away.

• Approx Price: ₹1,500 per kit (for bulk orders)

Tips to Customise Kits Based on Role & Culture

One-size-fits-all kits often miss the mark. If you truly want your welcome kit to make an impact, it should reflect both the employee’s role and your company’s work culture. Customisation helps your new hires feel seen, supported, and aligned with your values from the first day.

Here are some practical tips to customise your employee onboarding kits:

• Match items to the tools or accessories commonly used in the employee’s role
• Choose colors, language, and tone that reflect your brand personality
• Avoid gifting unnecessary tech to non-tech roles—focus on utility
• Include industry-specific items that show domain understanding
• Adapt kit contents for remote, on-site, or hybrid work setups
• Add an internal contact card or team structure guide if onboarding is remote
• Use packaging design to mirror your visual identity and office aesthetics
• Include an intro message from their team lead or department head

Work With TapWell to Create Kits Your Employees Will Love

TapWell is one of the leading corporate gifting and employee engagement companies in India. With over 10 years of experience, we’ve successfully executed thousands of corporate gifting campaigns across industries and employee sizes. Our clientele includes some of the most trusted names in the country, such as IRCTC, RBI, Urban Company, Safari, HPCL, Welspun, and many more.

Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, you can connect with our team to curate a custom employee welcome kit that fits your budget, aligns with your brand, and meets your onboarding goals. We focus on thoughtful curation, quality execution, and timely delivery.