Starting a new job can feel scary, even for adults. That’s why it’s important to make new employees feel happy and welcome from the very first day.
A warm welcome can help them feel less nervous and more ready to do great work.
In this guide, we’ll share some of the best new employee welcome ideas that are simple, fun, and full of kindness.
These ideas will help new team members feel like they belong and feel excited about being part of something special.
Use these links to jump ahead:
- 17 New Employee Welcome Ideas
- Personalized Welcome Kit
- First Day Team Lunch
- Welcome Banner or Desk Decor
- Mentor/Buddy Program
- Pre-Start “Hello” Email
- First Week Schedule
- Company Swag Drop
- CEO or Leadership Welcome Message
- Personalized Bio Introduction
- Welcome Video
- First Week “Wins” Checklist
- Team Icebreaker Games
- Social Media Shoutout
- Custom Digital Onboarding Portal
- First Project Celebration
- Handwritten Welcome Notes
- Virtual Coffee Chats Calendar
- Conclusion
- Engage With Us
17 New Employee Welcome Ideas
We’ve put together a list of the best ways to welcome new hires.
These ideas are easy to do and help build confidence fast.
They’ll also help new employees connect with their team and start their journey on the right foot. Let’s take a look at the list!
Personalized Welcome Kit
Include company swag (like T-shirts, notebooks, pens) with a personal note.
Give the new employee a special gift box on their first day.
This box can have cool company items like a T-shirt, pen, notebook, or mug.
Add a short, kind note from the team or manager. The note can say, “We’re happy to have you here!”
This kit makes the new person feel special. It shows you were excited for them to join. It’s a great way to start their first day with a smile.
First Day Team Lunch
Host a lunch (in-person or virtual) where the team can casually meet the new hire.
Plan a lunch for the new employee and the team.
You can go out to eat, bring food to the office, or have lunch on a video call. This lunch is a fun way to relax and talk.
Everyone can share a little about themselves. It helps the new person feel welcome and not nervous. They can ask questions and get to know the team better.
It’s not about work – just friendly chatting and good food!
Welcome Banner or Desk Decor
Decorate their desk or workspace with a welcome sign or balloons.
Before the new employee comes, decorate their desk or workspace. You can use balloons, a sign that says “Welcome,” or small decorations.
This shows you were thinking of them. It makes their first day feel happy and fun.
If the person is working from home, you can mail decorations or send a digital banner.
A nice-looking space helps them feel ready to begin and part of the team right away.
Mentor/Buddy Program
Assign them a mentor or “buddy” to help navigate the first few months.
Give the new employee a buddy or mentor on their first day.
This is someone from the team who can help them. The buddy answers questions, shares tips, and checks in often.
It’s like having a friendly guide. The new person won’t feel alone or lost.
They’ll know who to ask for help. This makes it easier to learn the job and feel comfortable.
Pre-Start “Hello” Email
Send a warm email introducing them to the team before they even arrive.
Before the new employee starts, send a welcome email.
This email can go to the whole team and include fun facts about the new person.
It can also go to the new hire to say, “We’re excited to meet you!” You can share photos, names, or short messages from teammates.
This makes them feel like they already belong. It’s a small step, but it means a lot.
First Week Schedule
Give them a detailed, thoughtful first-week agenda to reduce anxiety.
Give the new person a clear schedule for their first week. List what they will do each day.
Include meetings, training, lunch breaks, and team introductions.
This helps them feel calm and prepared. They know what to expect, and they won’t feel lost.
A good plan makes the first week less scary and more fun. It also shows that you care about their success.
Company Swag Drop
Mail a surprise swag box to remote employees before their first day.
If the new employee works from home, send them a surprise gift box in the mail.
You can include company swag like a hoodie, water bottle, or stickers. Add a note that says “Welcome to the team!”
Getting this box before their first day makes them feel special.
It shows that even remote workers are part of the team. It’s a fun surprise that helps them feel ready and excited.
CEO or Leadership Welcome Message
Arrange a short, casual meeting or video from leadership welcoming them.
Plan a short welcome from a leader at the company. This could be a quick video or a short meeting on their first day.
The CEO or a manager can say hello and talk about the company’s mission. It doesn’t need to be formal.
Just a few kind words can make the new person feel proud to be part of the team. It also helps them feel seen and valued from day one.
Personalized Bio Introduction
Create a fun team email or Slack post sharing a little about them and their hobbies.
Write a fun post or email to introduce the new person to the team.
Share their name, job, and a few fun facts – like their hobbies or favorite food. Keep it short and friendly.
You can post it in a team chat like Slack or send it by email. This helps everyone feel connected. It makes starting conversations easier.
It also shows that the new person is more than just their job.
Welcome Video
Show a short, engaging welcome video about company culture and team members.
Make a short video to welcome the new employee.
The video can show friendly faces from the team, what the office looks like, and fun parts of your company’s culture.
You can also include short clips of people saying “Welcome!”
This helps the new person feel excited and part of something special. It’s a great way to show what makes your company a fun place to work.
First Week “Wins” Checklist
Give small, achievable goals for their first week to build early success.
Give the new employee a small checklist for their first week.
The list should have easy goals, like setting up email, meeting their buddy, or finishing training. These are small tasks that they can complete quickly.
Checking off items helps them feel proud and successful. It builds their confidence and gives them a strong start.
Team Icebreaker Games
Plan a short, fun game or activity during their first meeting with the team.
Plan a fun, short game for the new hire’s first meeting.
It could be a “Two Truths and a Lie” game, a fun quiz, or a simple question everyone answers. This helps everyone relax and laugh together.
It’s an easy way for the team to get to know each other.
The new person won’t feel shy or nervous. They’ll feel like they’re already part of the group.
Social Media Shoutout
Welcome them on your company’s LinkedIn or Instagram page (with permission).
With their permission, post a welcome message on your company’s LinkedIn or Instagram page.
You can share their photo, name, and job title. Add a short message like, “We’re so happy to have [new employee name] on the team!”
This makes the new hire feel proud and seen. It also shows others that your company values its people.
Custom Digital Onboarding Portal
Have a sleek, interactive onboarding platform instead of just boring PDFs.
Instead of giving boring papers or long emails, create a fun and easy-to-use online portal.
It can have videos, checklists, and helpful tips. The new employee can click through at their own pace.
It’s a simple way to learn everything they need to know. It also shows that your company is modern and cares about good experiences.
First Project Celebration
Celebrate their first completed project, no matter how small, with a team shoutout.
When the new hire finishes their first project, celebrate it!
It can be as easy as a shoutout in a team meeting or a “Great job!” message in chat.
Even small wins matter. It helps them feel proud and shows that their work matters.
This builds confidence and makes them feel like they belong.
Handwritten Welcome Notes
Team members each write a short note to make them feel extra valued.
Ask team members to write short welcome notes for the new hire.
These can be simple, kind messages like “Welcome! Can’t wait to work with you!”
Put the notes on their desk or in a small envelope.
If they work from home, mail the notes or take photos and send them by email.
These personal messages help the new person feel special, cared for, and truly part of the team.
Virtual Coffee Chats Calendar
Pre-schedule short one-on-one virtual coffees with teammates to foster connections.
Set up short one-on-one virtual chats between the new hire and other team members.
Each chat can be 15–20 minutes long. It’s a casual time to talk, not about work, but to get to know each other.
You can schedule a few each week. This helps build friendships and makes the new person feel more connected, even if they’re working from home.
Conclusion
Welcoming a new employee doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.
Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. When someone feels seen, supported, and included, they are more likely to do their best work.
These new employee welcome ideas are simple ways to show that you care.
A great start builds strong confidence. And confident employees grow into happy, successful team members.
So, try a few of these ideas and make every new hire feel like they truly belong!
Engage With Us
We’d love to hear how you welcome new team members!
Do you have your own favorite new employee welcome ideas? Have you tried any from our list?
Share your thoughts, stories, or questions in the comments below.
