Starting a new job at a company with thousands of employees can feel overwhelming. You’re practically just a drop of water in an ocean! Thankfully, a company like Salesforce recognizes that, which is why every new Salesforce hire spends their first week in a program called Discovering Salesforce.
But what does this program entail at Salesforce? Where does a new hire swag kit figure in it? And how can you learn from Salesforce and other tech companies when it comes to creating your own onboarding swag?
Those are the things we’ll answer in this blog! Let’s get started.
How Salesforce Welcomes Its New Hires
Salesforce puts culture first. What this means is that every Salesforce new hire starts with Discovering Salesforce, a five-day onboarding program that takes place either in person near a Salesforce Tower or virtually. During this first week, the employees learn about the company’s core values, Equality Groups, volunteer culture, and the way Salesforce teams work together. Such an approach seems to work, too. Salesforce says nearly 90% of new hires feel they have what they need to ramp up after their first week.
Along with Discovering Salesforce, every new hire receives:
A Trail Guide: An informal mentor who helps them navigate their first few months
56 hours of Volunteer Time Off: Available from day one, so employees can start giving back right away
Full access to Trailhead: Salesforce's gamified learning platform, where employees can build skills and earn certifications
The goal is to help people feel connected from the start, instead of just checking onboarding tasks off a checklist.
But more than a unique onboarding program and experience, Salesforce also notably welcomed its employees with a new hire swag kit with a simple message, “Welcome, Trailblazer #BecomingSalesforce” on the inside of the box.
Just a quick note, though, that this welcome kit dates back several years, and Salesforce's more recent onboarding content focuses on the overall employee experience rather than a swag program. That said, you can still think of Salesforce’s onboarding swag strategy as a case study; after all, the idea behind it still applies: keep the design consistent and add a personal touch that will help ease the nerves of your new employee.
What's inside the Salesforce new hire swag kit?
Salesforce new hires unbox their swag kits on day one and post them under #Salesforce (and other similar variants), so the contents are well documented across LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. The swag kits are consistent, too! They all come in a blue box with a “Welcome Trailblazer” text and Salesforce's mascot art of a campfire scene with Astro, Codey, Cloudy, and the rest of the Trailblazer crew. Inside, a typical kit includes:
A sheet of mascot stickers featuring Astro and friends
A branded ceramic mug
An insulated water bottle
A popsocket
A laptop camera cover
A notebook
A laptop and/or a phone (depending on the kit)
Do note that some kits vary. Some may only have stickers, a water bottle, a popsocket, and a laptop camera cover, while others come with a backpack, a tumbler, and a notebook. This may be because the actual swag contents shift by team, region, and year, so make sure to treat any single unboxing as inspiration rather than an exact checklist.
What stays constant is the design: every item carries the same Trailblazer art and palette, so the whole box reads as one set. That consistency is the part worth copying for your own swag kit.
Why Companies Invest in New Hire Swag
Salesforce knew what they were doing investing in new hire swag for their employees. Here are a couple of reasons why it’s actually really smart to follow in this tech company’s footsteps when it comes to onboarding programs and kits:
A strong first day keeps employees around: Effective onboarding increases new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%, yet Gallup finds only 12% of employees strongly agree their company does a great job welcoming them. A swag kit can help close that gap.
It builds belonging before day one: A branded kit that arrives at your new employee’s doorstep is a great way to start off their journey with your company. This especially matters most for remote and global hires who can’t physically set foot in a physical office.
New hires become your walking brand ambassadors: People photograph good swag kits and post them on LinkedIn and other social media platforms like TikTok. Such acts not only remind your employees how they’re welcomed but also show outsiders that you value your team, which is a natural advertisement you don’t even need to pay for.
A swag kit signals that you invested in your employees: Handing someone quality swag items on day one tells them that you put care into the people you hire. That increases motivation and retention, as we mentioned in point #1.
It pays for itself: Replacing a hire who leaves in the first few months costs far more than a new hire kit. Spending a couple of hundred bucks is still cheaper compared to the costs and resources you have to pay when looking for a new team member.
What Investing in New Hire Swag Kits Actually Looks Like
The reasons we stated above aren't just theories. Plenty of companies act on them because they actually pay off.
Here are some of the tech companies, like Salesforce, that have great onboarding kits you can take inspiration from.
Apple
Apple keeps its employee welcome kit premium and minimal. New hires get a t-shirt stamped with their year of joining, though some teams receive a backpack or other apparel instead, plus logo stickers and a welcome note. The lesson: three premium items beat six cheap ones, and that start-year stamp is the kind of personal touch worth copying.
Uber
Uber goes curated and useful with its swag kit for new hires. The Uber new hire kit typically includes a branded hoodie or jacket, a hat, a notebook, a pen, and a drawstring or laptop backpack. Recent versions add a reusable water bottle, a recyclable coffee cup, and a USB drive, all in minimalist black-and-white branding.
Amazon
Amazon’s new hire swag kit is mostly a laptop, a basic backpack, and sometimes a hoodie. The minimalism traces back to Amazon's “Frugality” leadership principle, and it shows what happens when onboarding aligns with a company’s values.
Several other companies build their new employee swag kits with PerkUp, a swag management platform for global teams. Here are some of them.
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo uses PerkUp for its new hire kit to welcome new members to its team. The swag leans into the company's duck mascot and goes beyond the usual tee and notebook, giving new hires something that's uniquely DuckDuckGo.
Turing
Turing built its global new hire swag kit on PerkUp to welcome its employees spread across countries, like the US and India. The platform helped ensure that every new member’s onboarding experience was consistent through the kit.
Vectra AI
Vectra AI’s new hires get a backpack, a water bottle, a blanket, socks, and branded extras, leaving little for someone to want in their first week.
What swag items should go in your new hire swag kit?
After laying out why the Salesforce onboarding program works, why you should invest in a new hire kit, and what you can learn from other companies’ strategies and kits, here's the fun part: deciding what goes inside your onboarding swag box. Every company's swag kit looks a little different depending on culture and budget. As such, we recommend choosing items from the new hire swag ideas below and mixing the categories that fit your team and budget.
Branded apparel
A comfortable hoodie, tee, or polo is something new hires are likely to wear long after their first week. It's often the most visible item in the kit, so quality matters.
Some apparel swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Stanley/Stella Unisex Crafter Tee ($10.48) - A midweight tee made from 100% organic combed cotton that showcases logos beautifully and comes in sizes up to 5XL. It’s also soft and durable, making it easy to wear beyond onboarding.
Hanes Unisex Tagless Long-Sleeve T-shirt ($8.09) - This one is a 6 oz. preshrunk cotton long-sleeve made with USA-grown cotton. It’s a good choice for cooler climates or if you want something a little heavier than a standard tee.
Gildan Unisex DryBlend Jersey Polo ($10.79) - A classic polo made from a moisture-wicking cotton-poly blend. Pick it if your employee is part of a customer-facing team or will regularly attend trade shows.
Drinkware
A good water bottle or tumbler ends up on someone's desk, in their car, or next to them almost every day. If you're looking for one swag item that's likely to stick around, drinkware is your safe bet.
Some drinkware swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
TYESO OBELISK One-Touch Sports Bottle | 20 oz ($13.99) - This drinkware is a vacuum-insulated bottle with a one-touch lid, foldable handle, and a square design that sits flat on a desk while still fitting in most cupholders. It’s easy to carry anywhere, too!
YETI Rambler 20 OZ Tumbler W/ MagSlider Lid ($38.75) - The YETI Rambler has a double-wall vacuum insulation with a dishwasher-safe MagSlider lid. It's the kind of tumbler people keep using for years, making it one of the strongest branding opportunities in any new employee welcome kit.
Stanley® 20oz IceFlow™ Flip Straw Tumbler ($42.99) - A leakproof flip-straw tumbler made partly from recycled fishing nets, with ice retention for up to 35 hours. The price is a little premium, but it can be the key item in your kit.
Bags
A bag is one of the most practical things you can include in a new hire swag kit. Whether it's used for commuting, traveling, or carrying everyday essentials, it's an item employees are likely to keep using.
Some bag options you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Mesh Tote Bag ($7.59) - A lightweight, breathable alternative to a traditional canvas tote. Pick this if you're looking for an affordable bag that's great for gym trips or casual company events.
Professional Travel Backpack ($39.29) - A microfiber vegan leather backpack with a dedicated laptop compartment and plenty of room for daily essentials. It's a great choice for employees who regularly travel for work.
Compact Tech Kit ($30.39) - A recycled twill organizer with elastic bands for cables, chargers, adapters, and other tech accessories. A practical addition for employees who split their time between home and the office.
Tech accessories
Tech accessories are some of the easiest items to add to a welcome kit because employees can start using them right away. They’re practical and budget-friendly, too!
Some tech swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Blackwater Outdoor Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker ($15.98) - A rugged IPX6 waterproof Bluetooth speaker with an included carabiner for clipping onto a backpack. Compact enough to take on team outings and/or work trips.
Accord Wireless Charger Mouse Pad with Kickstand ($13.70) - A mouse pad with a built-in 15W wireless charger and phone stand. It’s a simple way to charge a phone while keeping an employee's desk a little less cluttered.
10000mAh Portable Magnetic Wireless Charger Power Bank ($14.34) - This swag is a MagSafe-compatible power bank that supports USB-C, Micro USB, and Lightning charging. Such an option is especially handy for employees who travel often or spend a lot of time away from their desks.
Office supplies
Office supplies help round out a welcome kit without adding much to the overall cost. They're practical additions that new hires can start using from day one.
Some office swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Signature A5 Notebook ($4.49) - A soft-touch hardcover notebook with a ribbon marker, elastic closure, and back pocket. It’s one of those items that gets used from the very first meeting.
Kaco Pure Gel Pen ($1.44) - A 0.5 mm gel pen with a matte soft-touch finish and matching ink. This option is also an inexpensive addition that pairs nicely with the branded notebook above.
Heated Mouse Pad ($10.27) - This extra-large desk mat features three heat settings and a waterproof surface that wipes clean. It’s definitely a thoughtful addition for anyone working from home or through the winter months.
Add-ons
The little extras don't cost much, but they help make a welcome kit feel more personal. That’s because they’re a simple way to make the unboxing experience a bit more memorable.
Some add-on swag items you can include in your new hire swag kit:
Small Insert Card | 4” × 6” ($0.89) - A small card for a welcome message, QR code, or note from your team. It's an easy way to add a personal touch without much extra cost.
Custom Metal Pin | 1.5" ($1.19) - A nickel-plated pin engraved and color-filled with up to four colors at no extra cost. Employees can add it to a backpack, jacket, or lanyard so they’ll feel like they already belong in the team.
Fidget Cube Stress Anxiety Relief Toy ($1.37) - A compact cube with six clickable, flip, and spin features. This swag item is a fun desk accessory that can help take the edge off the first week.
Takeaways From Salesforce’s New Hire Swag Kit
A great new hire swag kit includes a few useful products, reflects your brand, and helps employees feel welcome from day one.
Just take inspiration from companies like Salesforce, which uses a swag kit as a physical anchor while still having its own unique onboarding program. Learn from what such companies do, but build a kit that fits your own culture and budget. Remember that a thoughtful welcome kit can go a long way toward making a strong first impression.
Ready to create your own new hire kit with PerkUp?
You’ve seen what a good new employee welcome kit looks like. You know which items to pick based on your designated budget. The harder question is how to ship it to a new team member who could be anywhere. That’s the time you rely on PerkUp.
PerkUp is a swag management platform that stores, packs, and ships your kit to 65+ countries, so all of your new hires, regardless of location, have the same and consistent unboxing experience they can share on LinkedIn or TikTok.
Here's how it works for onboarding. You design the kit once and order it in bulk, then PerkUp stores the assembled kits in its warehouses until you need them. When a new hire gets onboarded, their kit ships from the nearest warehouse within a few business days, so you get fast delivery without scrambling to forecast every start date. Because those warehouses are in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia, swag kits arrive as domestic deliveries with customs and duties covered.
PerkUp can also automate this process! Simply connect your HRIS, including Workday, Rippling, BambooHR, and 200+ other platforms, and new hires can automatically receive their welcome kit based on their start date.
Need help putting everything together? PerkUp's in-house design team can create an onboarding kit that stays on brand across every item, from the hoodie to the notebook to the packaging. Employees can also choose their own sizes through a branded swag store (that can accommodate both On Demand and bulk swag), helping reduce exchanges and making sure everyone gets something they'll actually use.
Aside from swag kits, PerkUp also offers On Demand swag (1-unit minimum), bulk swag, gift cards (5,000+ options), event swag, and swag stores. There’s something for everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions About New Hire Swag Kits
What should be included in a new hire swag kit?
Aim for a spread across a few categories: apparel, drinkware, a notebook and pen, a bag, and a small cultural item or welcome card. Six to eight items are plenty. Lead with one hero item, like a quality hoodie, jacket, or tumbler, and let the smaller items support it.
How long does it take to produce a custom onboarding kit?
With PerkUp, custom bulk swag with screen printing, embroidery, or other custom decorations usually runs about three to six weeks, and kit assembly adds a little time on top since kits get built once all components arrive. Plan backward from your new hire's start date so you don’t rush.
Can new hire swag be automated through PerkUp?
Yes! With PerkUp’s HRIS integrations, such as BambooHR, Rippling, or ADP, a start date can automatically trigger the new hire swag kit to be sent out. Set it up once, and onboarding swag goes out without manual tracking.
Can PerkUp ship onboarding kits to international new hires?
Definitely. PerkUp’s approach can be two ways: produce and ship from inside the recipient's region instead of mailing everything from one country, or mass-produce the swag items abroad and store them in a warehouse near your recipient, so the swag shipment still counts as a domestic delivery. Both approaches are possible thanks to PerkUp’s warehouses in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, and Australia.
Can new hires choose their own swag instead of receiving a preset kit?
Absolutely! PerkUp lets you set up a branded swag store where your new hires can browse and pick the items they actually want within a set budget. You can configure this as item-based redemption (where pricing is hidden and employees simply choose what they like) or monetary-based redemption (where they see a dollar amount and spend it however they want). Either way, employees get the freedom to choose their own sizes, styles, and products, which drives higher satisfaction and less waste.
