The Ultimate Guide to Employee Onboarding Kits for New Hires: What to Include (and Why It Matters)

Creating an exceptional employee onboarding kit is one of the most powerful yet often overlooked strategies companies can use to welcome new hires, strengthen company culture, and accelerate productivity from Day One. In today’s competitive talent market, a thoughtful onboarding experience isn’t just nice to have, it’s a strategic imperative.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• What onboarding kits are

• Why they matter

• The essential items every great onboarding kit should include

• Advanced ideas that make your kits memorable

• Practical tips for assembling onboarding kits efficiently

  
  

Let’s dive in.

What Is an Employee Onboarding Kit?

An onboarding kit (also known as an employee onboarding kit or welcome kit) is a curated package of materials sent to new hires before or on their first day. Its purpose is simple yet powerful: to make employees feel welcomed, equipped, and aligned with your company’s values and expectations from the moment they join.

Unlike a generic orientation packet, a great onboarding kit blends practical tools, company information, and personal touches that create an emotional connection between your team and the new hire.

Why Onboarding Kits Matter More Than Ever

A well-crafted onboarding kit can:

• Reduce First-Day Nervousness: Starting a new job can be stressful. Providing clear information and thoughtful gifts helps new employees feel confident and cared for before they even log in.

• Demonstrate Company Culture: Onboarding kits reflect your brand identity and values. Whether you emphasize innovation, wellness, sustainability, or fun, your kit is an early cultural ambassador. 

• Accelerate Productivity: When employees have the right information and tools immediately, they spend less time searching for what they need and more time contributing. 

• Boost Engagement and Retention: A positive first impression increases employee satisfaction, leading to higher loyalty and lower turnover long term.

Core Components of Every Effective Employee Onboarding Kit

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the essential items every onboarding kit should include to set your new hires up for success.

1. Welcome Letter and Information Pack

Start with a warm, personalized letter from the CEO or hiring manager. Follow this with an information pack that includes:

• A welcome note

• Employee handbook

• First-week schedule or agenda

• Benefits overview

• Contact lists of key people and teams

• Office maps or virtual workspace setup guides

This foundational packet ensures clarity and reduces confusion on Day One.

2. Branded Apparel and Swag

High-quality branded apparel instantly helps new hires feel like part of the team. Custom hoodies, T-shirts, and hats are some of the most popular onboarding kit items because they’re practical, comfortable, and reinforce brand belonging beyond the workplace. Choosing well-designed apparel ensures employees actually wear and enjoy your swag both at work and in their personal time. Consider including:

• A branded T-shirt or hoodie

• Stylish hat or socks

• Laptop stickers or branded accessories

The goal? Items they’ll want to wear, not stash in a drawer. 

Here are some customizable branded apparel options that work well for employee onboarding kits:

1. Tshirts

2. Officewear tshirts

3. Hoodies

4. Caps

5. Hats

6. Beanies

7. Sunglasses

8. Watches

3. Essential Office Supplies

Branded office supplies are everyday essentials that quietly reinforce your brand throughout the workday. Items like notebooks, pens, and desk accessories help new hires stay organized while subtly embedding your company identity into their daily workflow. These functional pieces are especially valuable for hybrid and remote employees. Equip new employees with tools they’ll use right away:

• Premium pens and a notebook

• Sticky notes and desk organizers

• Calendars or planners

These items are functional and signal thoughtful preparation. 

Explore customizable office supplies suitable for onboarding and welcome kits:

1. Notepads

2. Sticky notes

3. Pens

4. Calenders

5. Journals

4. Technology and Accessories

Tech accessories are a smart addition to employee onboarding kits, especially for remote and hybrid teams. Custom laptop sleeves, mouse pads, and other tech-friendly gear improve comfort and productivity while creating a polished, professional setup from day one. These items strike the perfect balance between practicality and brand visibility. Even if your company provides hardware, consider adding extra tech accessories to enhance their setup:

• High-quality mouse and mouse pad

• Headphones or earbuds

• Laptop sleeve or phone stand

These upgrades make work more comfortable and efficient.

You can customize the following tech accessories for your employee onboarding kits:

1. Mouse

2. Mouse Pads

3. Phone Stands

4. Laptop Sleeves

5. Headphones

6. Blue light blocking glasses

5. Company Culture and Learning Resources

Reinforce your company culture by pairing learning resources with thoughtfully branded items. Custom journals and notebooks work especially well alongside onboarding guides, training materials, or culture handbooks, helping new hires reflect, plan, and grow as they settle into their role. Include items that help new employees understand your values and grow:

• A short book related to your industry or culture

• Company values card or culture booklet

• Learning resources or course access

This shows commitment to professional development from day one.

6. Wellness and Comfort Items

Modern teams value well-being. Including wellness-focused swag in onboarding kits shows employees that their comfort and well-being matter. Branded water bottles, stress-relief items, and everyday wellness products encourage healthy habits while aligning your employer brand with care, balance, and sustainability. Add a few items that support comfort and balance:

• Reusable water bottle

• Desk plant or air-purifying decor

• Stress-relief items like stress balls or wellness cards

These small gestures go a long way in reflecting a supportive workplace.

Here are some customizable wellness items that fit well into employee onboarding kits:

1. H2fOld Collapsible Water Bottle

2. Hydro Flask® Standard Mouth 21 oz Bottle with Flex Cap

3. 40 Oz. Hubbard Handle Tumbler Mug

4. Check more Tumbers

5. Check more BPA-free water bottles

7. Snacks or Local Treats

Food brings joy and creates connection. Lifestyle swag adds a personal, human touch to onboarding kits. Pairing snacks or local treats with branded drinkware or reusable accessories creates a memorable unboxing experience that feels both welcoming and intentional. Include:

• Healthy snacks

• Specialty local treats

• Beverage sachets or gourmet coffee

Ensure you account for allergies and dietary preferences.

8. Gift Cards (Optional but Appreciated)

Including a small gift card (to coffee shops, lunch spots, or online stores) adds flexibility and personal choice, showing appreciation early. 

Advanced Onboarding Kit Ideas to Stand Out

Want your onboarding kit to pop? Here are creative add-ons that go beyond the basics and help your company stand out:

Role-Specific Resources

For companies looking to take onboarding kits a step further, role-specific swag bundles are a powerful option. Curating customized products based on job function—such as tech gear for engineers or creative tools for designers—helps new hires feel understood and supported from day one.

Interactive Scavenger Hunt or Game

Gamify their first day with a scavenger hunt, either virtual or in person, that introduces them to key information and teams.

Local Guides for Relocated Hires

If employees have relocated, include a guide to local restaurants, services, or public transport maps.

These ideas not only add value but also enhance engagement and retention.

Tips for Assembling Your Onboarding Kits

1. Personalize When Possible

Address employees by name, include tailored notes or items that reflect their interests. Personalized touches significantly increase the emotional impact of the kit.

2. Plan Logistics Early

Ship kits ahead of time for remote employees so they arrive before Day One. For on-site teams, place kits at their desk before arrival. 

3. Standardize Yet Customize

Have a consistent base set of items to ensure fairness while tailoring certain elements for departments or roles.

4. Track ROI

Solicit feedback from new hires about what they loved (or didn’t) to refine future kits.

Conclusion: The Strategic Value of Onboarding Kits

Employee onboarding kits are more than branded goodies; they’re a powerful tool to embed culture, reduce first-day anxiety, and accelerate employee engagement and productivity. When thoughtfully designed, they enhance your employer brand and make lasting impressions that matter.

Ready to create an onboarding kit that truly resonates? Start with the essentials, add thoughtful touches, and let your brand story shine through every item.