An onboarding pack is one of the simplest ways to make a new starter feel welcome on day one. It is a curated bundle of branded and practical items, given to someone at the start of their journey with your company, and it does the quiet work of saying “we were expecting you” before anyone has said a word.
This guide covers what an onboarding pack is, why it matters, the seven essentials every pack should include, more than fifteen extra ideas, how to tailor a pack to different new starters, and what it costs.
Key Takeaways
- An onboarding pack is a curated set of branded and practical items given to a new starter, also called an employee welcome pack, onboarding kit or new starter pack.
- The seven essentials are a welcome note, branded apparel, a drink bottle, tech accessories, a notebook and pen, a bag, and first-day information.
- Good packs are useful, on-brand and personal, and they favour quality over quantity.
- Tailor the pack to the audience. Remote hires, interns, clients and event delegates each need something slightly different.
- A pack works best as one part of a genuine onboarding process, supporting good onboarding without replacing it.
What Is An Onboarding Pack?
An onboarding pack is a set of resources, tools and branded items given to a new employee, client or delegate when they first join you. It usually mixes branded merchandise, useful documents and a personal touch such as a handwritten note.
You will also see it called an employee welcome pack, an onboarding kit, a welcome kit or a new starter pack. The names are interchangeable. The effect is what matters, so the moment someone opens it, they should feel welcomed, informed and included.
Why Do Onboarding Packs Matter?
A strong first impression is not optional. It shapes how quickly a new hire settles in and how connected they feel, and a thoughtful pack is one of the easiest ways to get that first impression right.
They Make People Feel Expected
A pack waiting on the desk, or arriving before day one, signals that someone prepared for this person, and that small gesture eases first-day nerves before the introductions even begin.
They Bring Culture to Life
Your colours, tone and product choices tell a new starter what you stand for, showing your culture through real things they can hold and use from day one.
They Build Belonging
For remote and hybrid hires, a physical pack turns a login and a video call into something real to hold.
They Lift Retention
Onboarding has a measurable link to retention. According to research cited by SHRM, employees who complete a structured onboarding process are 58% more likely to still be with the company three years later.
They Ease a Nervous First Day
Practical items, a schedule and a first-week cheat sheet reduce the small uncertainties that make starting a job stressful. Knowing where to be, who to ask and what the week looks like lets a new starter settle in faster.
They Help New Starters Find Their Feet
When people feel equipped and valued from the start, they settle in and find their rhythm faster. Less time spent working out how things run means more time doing the work they were hired for.
What to Put in an Onboarding Pack: The 7 Essentials
If you want a simple starting point, these seven cover it. Each earns its place because it is either useful, personal or on-brand. Start here, then add extras from the ideas below once the basics are sorted.
1. A Personalised Welcome Note From the Manager or CEO
A short, warm note makes the pack feel prepared for the person opening it, like someone took a moment to welcome them by name.
2. Branded Apparel (T-shirt, Hoodie or Cap)
Something to wear builds belonging quickly, and doubles as friendly brand visibility outside work, so a new starter feels part of the team and quietly spreads the word wherever they go.
3. A Reusable Drink Bottle or Coffee Cup
Practical, used daily, and a small nod to sustainability that shows up every time they refill it at their desk.
4. Tech Accessories (Charger, Wireless Mouse or Earphones)
Useful from the first hour, and especially valued by remote starters who are setting up a home desk from scratch.
5. A Quality Notebook and Pen
Simple, always used, and easy to personalise with a name so it belongs to them from day one.
6. A Practical Bag (Tote or Backpack)
It carries everything else and keeps getting used on the commute, at the gym or on the next work trip.
7. First-Day Information, Paperwork and Perks
A schedule, key contacts, a short benefits summary and any documents they need. This is what most packs forget, and what helps a new starter know where to be and who to ask on day one.
15 More Onboarding Pack Ideas
Once the essentials are covered, these extra ideas help you make the pack your own, whether you want to reflect your culture, work to a budget, or both. They are grouped below by what each item is for.
Everyday Essentials
A reusable coffee cup with a local cafรฉ voucher, a lanyard or swipe-card holder, a desk organiser, and a few high-quality snacks. These are the small, everyday things a new starter reaches for, and they make the first week run more smoothly. The cafรฉ voucher is a nice touch too, giving them an easy reason to explore the area or take a break with a teammate.
Culture and Values
Laptop stickers with your company values, branded socks, and a card with your social media handles so new starters can connect straight away. Little touches like these show your personality and help someone feel part of the culture from the start.
Tech and Workspace
A charging cable, a phone stand, a power bank, a mousepad, and a small desk plant. These little workspace upgrades turn a bare desk into a proper setup, at home or in the office.
Wellness and Eco Picks
Tea and snacks, a candle, a stress ball, plus eco choices such as bamboo accessories or a recycled-material notebook. Small comforts like these show you care about how someone feels at work, and the eco picks signal what your company values.
Personal Touches
A handwritten note, a first-week cheat sheet, and a corporate store voucher so they choose their own items. Personal touches like these show real thought, and a store voucher is a simple way to give people choice without you guessing what they will like.
Onboarding Pack Ideas for Different New Starters
One pack does not fit everyone, because the people you welcome are not all the same. A graduate, a remote hire and a visiting client each arrive with different needs, so it helps to adjust what goes in the box for each one.
Remote and Hybrid Employees
Post the pack to their home before day one, and include tech and a QR code to your digital onboarding hub so they feel connected from wherever they are. For someone who may never set foot in the office, that physical welcome is what makes the first day feel real.
Interns and Graduates
Interns and graduates value clear guidance, so include a resource list, a program timeline and fun merch that helps them settle in and find their footing. For many this is their first real job, and knowing what comes next makes it far less daunting.
Clients and Partners
A welcome pack for a new client or partner shows the relationship comes first. A premium notebook, a thank-you card and a useful branded item make that clear. Lean towards quality here, since this pack represents your brand to people you want to keep working with for years.
Events and Conferences
Speakers, delegates and VIP guests appreciate a kit with the agenda, a branded gift and venue details. It helps them arrive prepared and makes the event feel considered from the moment they check in.
How to Build an Onboarding Pack That Feels Genuine
Building a good pack comes down to a few simple things. Make it useful, keep it on-brand, add one genuine personal touch, choose sustainable items where you can, and favour quality over quantity.
How the Pack Fits Your Wider Onboarding Process
A pack works best as one part of a good process, supporting good onboarding without replacing it. Have everything ready before day one, assign a buddy the new starter can turn to, share the key information they need, and check in after the first month.
The pack makes a strong first impression, and the process carries it through.
Onboarding Pack Examples From Real Companies
Thirdera is a good example of a pack solving a real problem. Most of their team works from home across India and the Philippines, so a branded welcome pack is shipped to each new starter’s door, wherever they are, giving remote hires a tangible welcome on day one.
We hear the same from other clients. Danielle O’Neill described the process as hassle-free and said the packs noticeably improved her team’s new joiner experience.
How Much Does an Onboarding Pack Cost?
There is no single price, because it depends on how many items you include, the quality of those items, the packaging, and whether you personalise.
Packs can be put together at a range of budgets, and the right one comes down to what suits your team and the impression you want to make. The most cost-effective approach is usually to spend on a few quality items that get real, everyday use.
Create an Onboarding Pack with Honeycomb
Ready to build an onboarding pack that reflects who you are? We help Australian brands design, personalise, pack and deliver onboarding packs that new starters want to keep.
FAQs
What is the difference between an onboarding pack and a welcome pack?
There is no real difference. Onboarding pack, employee welcome pack, welcome kit and new starter pack all describe the same thing, a curated gift to welcome someone when they join. Companies simply use different names.
What should be included in an onboarding pack for a remote employee
A remote pack should cover the essentials plus a little extra. Include branded apparel, a drink bottle, tech accessories such as a charger or earphones, a notebook and pen, and clear first-day information with a QR code to your digital onboarding hub.
How long should onboarding last?
Onboarding should start before day one and continue through the first few weeks. Many HR leaders now recommend a formal onboarding period of around three months, which gives someone time to learn their role, absorb the culture and settle in properly.
Are onboarding packs only for new employees?
No. The same idea works for new clients, interns, event delegates and program participants. Anywhere you are welcoming someone to something new, a pack helps make a strong first impression.
What documents should go in an onboarding pack?
Alongside the branded items, include the practical paperwork a new starter needs, such as a welcome letter, an employee handbook, a first-day schedule, key contacts, and any required forms like a tax file number declaration and super choice form.
