Imagine it’s your first day at a new job. You walk into the office — or log in remotely — and there’s a beautifully branded box waiting for you. Inside, there’s a notebook, a hoodie, some chocolate and a welcome note from the CEO. That small gesture instantly makes you feel like you belong.
That’s the power of a Welcome Box (sometimes called a swag box, onboarding kit, or new joiner box).
In Ireland, more and more companies — from traditional businesses like ESB and Musgrave to large Pharma and Tech firms — are using welcome boxes to make new hires feel valued from day one. But what exactly are they, why should you invest in them, and how do you design one that delivers real impact?
What is a Welcome Box?
A Welcome Box is a curated package given to new employees on their first day. It usually includes a mix of practical items (like notebooks or water bottles), branded merchandise and personal touches. For remote employees, these boxes can be shipped to their homes (GDPR compliant) to ensure they don’t miss out on the onboarding experience.
The Challenges of Onboarding Today
As a consultant, I’ve seen over 100 new joiner processes across different industries. And too often it looks like this:
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The laptop isn’t set up.
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The swipe card doesn’t work.
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No one is quite ready for the new hire’s arrival.
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And most importantly — there’s no warm welcome.
I know how busy HR and onboarding teams are, and how difficult it is to make the first days fun, enjoyable and consistent. You've spent thousands of euro (and hundreds of hours) identifying and recruiting the best person for the role - it's so important that the person feels part of the team as soon as possible.
That’s why a welcome box works so well: it creates a reliable, ready-to-go moment of care and excitement, even if other parts of the onboarding process slip.
The Benefits of a New Joiner Kit
1. Make New Hires Feel Valued
A branded welcome pack says “We’re glad you’re here”. That simple gesture can set the tone for an employee’s entire journey with your company.
➡️ Example: One recent survey from a client said that they had left a job role after 15 years and were very nervous about joining the new company. They were having second thoughts but when the box arrived, it really calmed them down and they felt part of the team.
2. Reinforce Your Company Culture
Branded merchandise, personalised cards or items that reflect Irish culture (McCabes Coffee, Skelligs Chocolates, Keoghs crisps) help employees connect with your brand’s identity.
3. Boost Retention and Engagement
According to LinkedIn, companies with strong onboarding improve new hire retention by 82%. Gallup also reports that engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave. A welcome box is a small, tangible way to start building that engagement.
4. Create Shareable Moments
When a new team member receives a beautifully packaged welcome box, they often share it on Instagram or LinkedIn. That’s free employer branding and recruitment marketing rolled into one.
➡️ [Every company we work with has reported that the swag boxes / welcome boxes has been shared on social. For the price of €40-€100, the ROI of these shares with thousands of impressions is huge]
What to Include in a Welcome Box
You choose whatever you like in the welcome box. Some of our most popular items are below:
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Branded Essentials: Notebook, hoodie, water bottle, tote bag.
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Desk & Tech Items: Phone stand, mousepad, webcam cover, laptop stickers.
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Irish Touches: Local chocolates, artisan coffee, McCabes coffee.
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Wellbeing Extras: Desk plant, reusable coffee cup, stress ball.
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Personal Touch: Personal note from the team or CEO.
ROI: Why Welcome Boxes Pay for Themselves
A welcome box usually costs between €40–€100. At first glance, that might seem like a perk — but it’s actually a (tiny) but smart investment.
Replacing a single employee can cost 6–9 months of their salary (recruitment, training, lost productivity). Compare that to a small spend on onboarding and the ROI is clear.
How to Create the Perfect Welcome Box
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Define Your Goal — Are you focused on culture, utility, fun, or all three?
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Choose Quality Over Quantity — A few memorable items > a box of fillers.
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Brand the Packaging — The unboxing experience should feel premium.
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Keep it Inclusive — Avoid gifts that might not suit everyone (e.g. alcohol).
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Deliver on Time — Ideally, the box arrives on or before day one.
At Roody, we can store your welcome box in our warehouse and ship whenever you need it.
FAQs About Welcome Boxes
How much should you spend on a welcome box?
Most Irish companies spend between €40–€100 per employee, depending on size and role.
What if employees are remote?
Ship directly to their home. We have a GDPR compliant process for shipping to homes. The unboxing experience is just as impactful virtually.
Are sustainable welcome boxes an option?
Yes — eco-friendly packaging, locally sourced items, and even planting a tree for every item produced are all possible. Many Irish companies are making sustainability part of their culture story.
Final Thoughts
A welcome box isn’t just swag — it’s a signal of belonging. And when other parts of onboarding don’t always go to plan — laptops delayed, swipe cards missing, schedules too full — the box is one thing you can always rely on to deliver a positive experience.
For a modest investment, companies in Ireland can improve retention, engagement, and culture while also creating shareable brand moments.
👉 At Roody, we help Irish and international companies design sustainable, branded welcome boxes that make new hires feel at home from day one. Whether it’s Irish treats, eco-friendly merchandise, or global delivery, we’ll make sure your new joiner boxes deliver maximum impact.
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