Here is our list of the best intern orientation gift ideas.
Intern orientation gift ideas are care packages, gift baskets, and welcome kits for new interns joining your company. Examples include a company swag box, Atlas Coffee Club subscription, and Desktop Tranquility zen garden. The purpose of these gifts is to create a long-lasting impression by showing your appreciation for interns.
These ideas are similar to examples of promotional items for college students, swag ideas for employees, and new employee welcome gifts.
This list includes:
- intern appreciation ideas
- internship care packages
- intern gift baskets
- gifts for interns leaving
- professional gifts for interns
Let’s get started!
List of intern orientation gift ideas
Giving interns thoughtful gifts is a great way to show that you appreciate their hard work and value them as team members. From company swag to indoor plants, here are our top present ideas for intern orientations.
1. Company swag box
One of the best ways to get interns excited about joining your company is by gifting them with branded company swag. Company-branded gear can allow interns to brag about their new job and spread the word about your company.
Brandvia is a corporate swag company specializing in employee engagement through unique items. The best part is that this company offers fulfillment services and custom packaging, making your gifts extra special and unique.
Here are some company-branded gear options:
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Backpacks
- Reusable water bottles
- Notebooks
- Phone cases
- Stickers
We recommend using Brandvia to assemble a kit featuring different items and products to welcome your new hires to the team. Then, you can mail welcome packages full of company swag to your interns.
Learn more about Brandvia.
2. My Life Story - So Far memory journal
A memory journal is a perfect gift for interns who are embarking on a new journey in their professional lives. We recommend gifting new hires a My Life Story – So Far memory journal so they can document every moment of their experience working at your company. This cloth-bound journal measures six by nine inches. The unique notebook includes 106 pages and 36 photo slots for recipients to add pictures.
This memory journal includes inspiring prompts encouraging users to write down their most cherished memories. For example, recipients can document stories about their summer internship, the friends they made at your company, and lessons they learned from coworkers.
A memory journal is a great intern orientation gift that allows users to preserve their experiences.
Check out My Life Story – So Far.
3. Atlas Coffee Club subscription
A tasty cup of coffee could be exactly what your interns need at the beginning of each day. Atlas Coffee Club is a coffee-of-the-month subscription that delivers new flavors and brews to members every month. This gift is perfect for interns who cannot begin their day without coffee.
As part of the subscription, Atlas Coffee Club members receive highly-recommended coffee from a new country every month. Each coffee delivery comes with postcards and information about the coffee’s country of origin. Plus, the firm can easily tailor the monthly offerings to the recipient’s preferences. For example, members can receive whole beans or ground coffee, depending on their coffee of choice. The best part about this gift is that farmers sustainably produce all coffee beans.
Learn more about Atlas Coffee Club.
4. Desktop Tranquility zen garden
Historically, a zen garden is an area that is free from distractions where monks practice meditation. Meant to symbolize peace and tranquility, a desktop zen garden is a perfect gift for incoming interns who may feel anxious about beginning their new job.
Zen gardens typically come with sand, stones, and a rake. Desktop Tranquility’s mini zen gardens allow users to create their own designs using the rake and sand. This activity encourages relaxation while decreasing stress and frustration. The best part is these products come in various sizes, from small to large, so you can find the perfect size for your desk.
Learn more about Desktop Tranquility.
5. The Succulent gift box
One of the most unique gifts for interns is a curated gift box from Natural Succulents. Our recommended product is called The Succulent. In addition to a succulent plant, this gift box also comes with a variety of items focused on relaxation and tranquility.
The Succulent gift box comes with the following items:
- 2.5-inch succulent in a high-quality white ceramic pot
- Vegan soy-scented candle
- Succulent-themed box of matches
- Personalized greeting card
Unlike traditional houseplants, succulents are relatively low-maintenance, making it easy for interns to care for these unique plants.
If you are unsure about which box to gift employees, then the company offers an option to build your own box. This option allows you to choose the box color as well as which items go in your gift boxes, such as live succulents, candles, snacks, and blankets.
Check out Natural Succulents.
6. The Butterfly Effect stationery set
One of the best professional gifts for interns is a luxury stationery set. A stationery set is a memorable gift you can easily personalize for each recipient. This gift is also great for encouraging meaningful communication through handwritten notes.
Our top recommendation is Paper Source’s Butterfly Effect Luxury Stationery Set. This gift provides employees with luxurious supplies, including a gold ballpoint pen, notepad, individual cards, and matching gold envelopes. Plus, the firm packages all items in a decorative box with an inspirational message inside.
Check out Paper Source.
7. Work-from-home gift basket
If you are looking for intern gift baskets, then we suggest going with a work-from-home basket theme. This gift is a great way to show your appreciation for remote interns. Our Green House offers a curated work-from-home gift basket for employees. The firm decoratively ties each basket with clear wrapping and coordinating raffia.
Our Green House’s curated employee gift basket includes essentials like:
- Insulated water bottle
- Popcorn
- Handcrafted candle
- Hand sanitizer
- Notebook set
- Handmade ceramic mug
- Succulent terrarium kit
- Cotton socks
- Cotton rope storage tote
- Handwritten note
- Donation card
The best part about this gift is the company donates 5% of every purchase to a wildlife charity that protects bees and butterflies.
Explore Curated WFH Employee Gift Basket.
9. Keep It Together office supply set
An office supply set is a perfect gift for students beginning their first-ever internship at your company. Knack’s Keep It Together gift set is a great way to surprise and thank interns while helping them remain organized.
The Keep It Together office supply gift set includes:
- 60-page notebook
- 15-count screen cleansing wipes
- Paddywax fresh air and sea salt beam candle
- 30 ”You’re awesome” pop-open cards
One of the most unique items in this gift box is the pop-open cards. Each card features a positive and inspirational message, which can give interns the inspiration they need to excel in their roles. If you are looking for a colorful and unique gift option for interns, then this gift set is a great choice.
Check out Knack’s Keep It Together office supply set.
10. Stress Less care package
If you are looking for internship care packages, then we suggest the Stress Less gift box from Marigold & Grey. When working at a new internship, students may feel stressed about excelling at their new job and making a good impression on their managers. A care package focused on relaxation is the perfect way to help new interns de-stress during this overwhelming time.
The Stress Less care package comes with:
- Botanical facial steam
- White silk eye mask
- Soy candle
- Clay face mask
- Essential oils
- Double-sided satin ribbon
- Bath bombs
The best part about this gift is that it includes a complimentary handwritten note to let recipients know you are thinking of them. Additionally, the firm packages all items in a large magnetic-closure ivory gift box.
Learn more about the Stress Less gift box.
11. A Truly Great Intern is Hard to Find coffee mug
If you want to show appreciation for your intern, then we recommend gifting them a coffee mug with a special message. Sweet & Salty Mugs sells a coffee mug with the phrase, ”A truly great intern is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget.”
This ceramic mug is microwave and dishwater safe with a beautiful glossy finish. Plus, the mug is available in two different sizes with an 11- or 15-ounce capacity. This coffee mug is a unique gift that shows interns how much you appreciate their hard work.
Learn more about Sweet & Salty Mugs.
12. Personalized picture frame
One of the best gifts for interns leaving is a personalized picture frame. This gift lets interns remember their time at your company through a cherished photograph.
Lifetime Creations offers a wooden picture frame that you can personalize with custom text. For example, you can engrave your intern’s name at the top of the frame and your company’s name across the bottom. In addition, you can choose from a variety of fonts and colors as well as a landscape or portrait orientation.
For an added touch of personalization, you can also include a photo of the summer’s intern class. A picture frame is one of the most meaningful gifts and a fantastic keepsake.
Check out Lifetime Creations.
13. Book of the Month subscription
Books can be an extremely meaningful gift, especially for team members who love to read. We recommend a Book of the Month subscription as one of the best intern appreciation ideas.
Members of the Book of the Month subscription receive a list of five to seven unique book recommendations every month. Subscribers can choose one or more books from this list. Alternatively, members can also skip a month at no additional cost. A Book of the Month subscription is a perfect gift for enthusiastic readers.
Learn more about Book of the Month.
14. New Job Who Dis luxury candle
Candles are a great gift, perfect for relaxation. We suggest combining candles and comedy with the Coffee & Motivation Co. luxury candle jar. This candle has a funny message printed on the label, perfect for your new interns: ”New job, who dis.”
This luxury candle is made of an exotic blend of essential oils. Plus, you can choose from a variety of fragrances, including relax & unwind, so fresh & so clean, and best spa day ever. This one-wick candle is seven ounces and has a 35-hour burn time.
This luxury candle from Coffee Motivation and Co. can help recipients relax and escape from stress.
Buy the New Job Who Dis candle.
15. Personalized wooden nameplate
Wooden nameplates are one of the most personal gifts you can give to an incoming intern. Woodgeek offers a variety of customizable nameplates made from natural wood. You can personalize each nameplate with the intern’s name as well as your company’s name.
Wood nameplates are a great way to boost interns’ excitement about beginning their new internships. This gift will encourage interns to decorate their desks with their new custom-engraved nameplates. Woodgeek also offers nameplates specific to different jobs, such as engineers, teachers, and lawyers.
Explore Woodgeek’s wooden nameplates.
16. Turn Me Yellow! custom artwork
If you are looking for funny gifts for interns leaving, then we recommend Turn Me Yellow! custom artwork. This product allows you to turn special photographs into iconic Simpsons-style characters.
As part of the process, begin by sending in one photo for each intern. Then, the artist works to turn the individual in your photo into a character inspired by The Simpsons. You can personalize each piece by choosing the character’s clothing, pose, and background. Once the drawing is complete, you can have the artwork printed on a canvas, T-shirt, or throw pillow.
Learn more about Turn Me Yellow! custom artwork.
16. The Path necklace
If you are deciding what gifts to get for incoming interns, then you cannot go wrong with jewelry. We recommend a meaningful piece of jewelry that doubles as inspiration.
The Path Necklace, available on Uncommon Goods, has a green tourmaline stone and smoky quartz. The necklace also features a powerful quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This necklace is the perfect gift to remind new team members to forge their own trails and make the most out of their internship experience.
Buy The Path necklace.
17. StickerYou laptop stickers
Laptop stickers are a creative gift that allows interns to personalize their laptops and work devices. StickerYou lets you turn your favorite photos, designs, or logos into laptop stickers. Plus, you can choose from StickerYou’s high-quality glossy material in either white or clear vinyl.
The best part about this product is that these stickers are durable and printed on thick vinyl material. StickerYou’s laptop stickers will not ruin your laptop by leaving a sticky residue or scratches, making them perfect for company-issued devices.
StickerYou allows you to place bulk orders from 20 to 1,000 stickers. Alternatively, you can also purchase stickers individually for $0.60 each.
Learn more about StickerYou.
Conclusion
Interns are often early in their careers and eager to jump into their day-to-day responsibilities in their new roles. Providing these new hires with a special and unique gift is a great way to boost their excitement while showing your appreciation. Intern orientation gifts can be as simple as a gift card to a local coffee shop or as complex as a work-from-home survival kit.
You only have one chance to make an excellent first impression on your interns. Therefore, we suggest sending new hires a thoughtful gift to welcome them onboard. Regardless of what items you gift your interns, be sure to make them useful, meaningful, and creative.
Next, check out our lists of employee gift ideas, brand awareness ideas, and branded T-shirt companies. You can also explore our ultimate guide on corporate swag.
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