A change of scenery is never easy even if you’re coming back to a familiar place.
Throw in a worldwide pandemic and it’s pretty clear why there are some hesitations to return to work.
In fact, according to Eagle Hill Consulting, 54% of U.S. employees are worried about exposure to COVID-19 at their job.
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Assuming your company is taking all the right precautions, what else can help employees and coworkers feel excited to come back to the office?
As it turns out, the fear of missing out (FOMO) on updates, information, and team building moments are already beginning to impact the desire to return to work.
A 2020 survey by Gensler found that a mere 12 percent of workers want to work from home full-time, with more than half preferring a hybrid workplace, and about a third desiring a full-time in-office routine.
But it still begs the question — How do you get employees who liked the “work from anywhere life” to remain engaged as you transition them back into the office?
One of the ways to get the team to buy into the office culture is to show them how thrilled you are for their return.
Turn your office re-opening into a full blown celebration with the 35 best welcome back to the office gifts in 2022!
Want to improve your employee appreciation program this year?
Yes!1. Welcome Back Box
“It’s like you never left”
What is it: A specialty curated welcome back box that will mark their return in a memorable way.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Get your team excited about their return to the office with premium swag, fun gifts, and productivity tools they can sport around the office.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Take this 60-second quiz to get personalized results
Where to find it: Welcome Back Box
2. Unplugged Box
“For keeping it cool”
What is it: Finding balance is a skill. The Unplugged Box is designed to help your employees strike that middle ground between work and relaxation.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This return-to-work care package is perfect for screen-free time. It comes with a gradient puzzle, a deck of playing cards, an enamel mug, nutritious snacks, and a fragrant coffee and cedarwood candle.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Starting at $25 + Free Shipping
Where to find it: Unplugged Box
3. Verdant Garden
“Fantastic flora”
What is it: The Verdant Garden is an assortment of succulents in a customizable rectangular planter. Take advantage of it by adding a quote your employees will like or something related to your company!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Succulents are easy to take care of and are almost universally loved for being tiny, adorable houseplants. Plus, most of your employees or coworkers are sure to have set up a nice home office and these will make a beautiful addition.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: $77.47+
Where to find it: Verdant Garden
4. Tech Lovers Box
“Check, check, tech it out!”
What is it: The Tech Lovers Box is the perfect welcome back gift box to make remote employees and distributed teams feel like they’re right back in the mix!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Zoom fatigue is a very real thing — however, with blue-light-blocking glasses, a premium leather charger, and other high-tech gifts, your coworkers will be a little less fatigued and a lot more energized with this welcome back gift!
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Take this 60-second quiz to get personalized results
Where to find it: Tech Lovers Box
5. Mama Needs Box
“For her happiness”
What is it: Mama Needs Box is a self-care box for moms! It gets its name from taking care of all of the mothers of the office’s essential needs. It’s the perfect appreciation gift for moms, employees, and the special ones who can juggle both roles.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Designed to take care of what “mama needs,” this self-care package features a different theme each month, but every purchase always supports mother-owned and small businesses.
Customizable: No.
Price: $35.99/mo
Where to find it: Mama Needs Box
6. The Care Package
“Because sharing is caring”
What is it: The Care Package is a great gift to welcome back your team and to let them know you care about their wellbeing. Energizing food and drink help these hardworking worker bees keep buzzing away all day long!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This welcome back kit includes a women’s triblend tee-shirt, a Turkish towel, a copper thermal tumbler, a hot chocolate pouch, and organic energy chews in a custom mailer box.
Customizable: Somewhat.
Price: $87.19
Where to find it: The Care Package
7. Gifts of Gratitude Box
“They say your gratitude determines your latitude”
What is it: Gifts of Gratitude Box is a carefully curated employee appreciation gift to reward serious dedication in a seriously cool way!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This employee recognition gift comes with a fragrant candle and matches, a cool succulent, a tea set, handcrafted soap, a stone paper journal, and other productivity-boosting surprises.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Take this 60-second quiz to get personalized results
Where to find it: Gifts of Gratitude Box
8. Personal Massage
“Deep tissue, deep appreciation”
What is it: The Personal Massage is a hands-on full body pampering to soothe and alleviate your team members’ stresses.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Returning to the office will come with its own readjustments and stresses, so why not make things a little easier by working out all the tension with a massage?
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Contact Blueboard for a pricing breakdown and quote
Where to find it: Personal Massage
9. VIP Treatment Box
“VIP stands for Very Impressive Package, right?”
What is it: VIP treatment is purposefully made just for your very important employees!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: With a wireless speaker, a portable charger, a heated mug, a water bottle, a weekender duffel bag, and much more, this gift makes every employee who you send it to feel like a workplace VIP.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Take this 60-second quiz to get personalized results
Where to find it: VIP Treatment Box
10. Clearly Mama Self-Care Beauty Box
“For working moms”
What is it: The Clearly Mama Self-Care Beauty Box is carefully curated to make working moms happy mamas!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This made-for-moms gift box is an excellent Mother’s Day Gift. With 6 full-size, non-toxic beauty products, this perfect-for-pampering care package is also great for working moms and managers.
Customizable: No.
Price: $59.99
Where to find it: Clearly Mama Self-Care Beauty Box
11. Happy Hour Box
“Because happiness is the ultimate gift”
What is it: From virtual happy hour to in-person happy hours, this corporate gift box is an excellent way to quickly warm employees up for the big return to the office!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Happy Hour Box comes filled with fun treats and goodies such as a 12-ounce wine tumbler, a cocktail kit, a party horn, a greeting card, and insanely delicious, healthy snacks.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Starting at $25 + Free Shipping
Where to find it: Happy Hour Box
12. SwagUp Pack
“To help get the office swagger back”
What is it: The SwagUp Pack helps teams get their swagger back as soon as they step through the office doors!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: The SwagUp Pack bundles cool work essentials and gear together to equip your team to thrive in their roles. This employee care package includes a soft tee, an H2Go Silo, a classic dad hat, a soft touch journal, a gel pen, die cut stickers, and insert cards in a custom mailer box.
Customizable: Somewhat.
Price: $113.15
Where to find it: SwagUp Pack
13. Warm Wishes Box
“Cozy up with this gift box”
What is it: Your workplace just got a lot more cheerful with the new Warm Wishes Box. The Warm Wishes is a way for employees to enjoy their return in style. This gift box has a curated selection of tasty treats and goodies that will keep everyone, whether working in the office or working from home, stay warm, happy, and focused throughout holiday season!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Employees will receive their favorite gourmet coffee and a seasonal candle. This box also includes tasty snacks that make this holiday gift box one that they’ll be sure not to forget! It’s the perfect thank you for all of their hard work throughout the year.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Take this 60-second quiz to get personalized results
Where to find it: Warm Wishes Box
14. Marine Layer Joggers
“For versatility”
What is it: The Marine Layer Joggers make for great activewear or casual attire if your office culture allows. Alternatively, when your team can get cozy on their off-days or on their work-from-home days if you take a hybrid work approach.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This all-weather attire fits almost any body type, is moisture-wicking, and has a beautiful texture.
Customizable: No.
Price: $69.52+
Where to find it: Marine Layer Joggers
15. The Rad Dad Box
“For working dads”
What is it: The Rad Dad Box is the perfect gift for the rad dads of the office. Whether they’re coming back following a pandemic or you’re looking for a paternity gift or a Father’s Day gift, this care package for dads is ideal for all things fatherhood-related.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: The Rad Dad Box has been featured in Forbes, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, and much more because of the incredibly rad items in every box. Each one includes books, apparel, baby toys, snacks, grooming products, and dad/baby activities.
Customizable: No.
Price: $22
Where to find it: The Rad Dad Box
16. Who in the Room? Party Game
“It’s not all fun and games — or is it?”
What is it: Who in the Room? Party Game is the game of revelations! Now your team members can learn what the other players actually think of them. Let the surprises and hilarity ensue!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Each turn begins with the phrase “Who in the room…” and ranges from hypotheticals like “Who in the room would do the best in a zombie apocalypse?” to silly questions like “Who in the room probably played hooky from school the most as a kid?” This party game is based around 300 fun and thought-provoking questions to keep the conversation going for as long as teams want!
Customizable: No.
Price: $20
Where to find it: Who in the Room? Party Game
17. Mindfulness Box
“For conscious living”
What is it: The Mindfulness Box is the perfect back-to-office gift for creating a healthy work environment and company culture. With the whole team back together, you’ll even enjoy the crunching as they delight in these tasty treats.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: The Mindfulness Box comes with a 20oz tumbler, a stone pocket journal, a gel pen, a stress ball, and nutritious snacks!
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Starting at $25 + Free Shipping
Where to find it: Mindfulness Box
18. The Office Socks
“For the world’s best employees”
What is it: The Office Socks are the Kevin Malone-inspired socks for fans of the white collar-centric comedy show. Whether your team is competing in the Office Olympics or just kicking it, this gift will add to their comfort — and their swag.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This custom gift is great for Casual Fridays and a good laugh. Each pair of socks features a quote from the lovable chili-making, cookie-eating fan favorite Kevin Malone.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: $12.95+
Where to find it: The Office Socks
19. Work.Space.Spark
“For peak productivity”
What is it: Work.Space.Spark is the monthly office decor + career gift box for professionals. Ranging from tech and productivity to design and decor, each themed box comes with 4-5 thoughtfully curated items.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: In addition to career webinars, articles, and online training, every item in Work.Space.Spark is included just to make life easier and more productive. This is a great gift idea for employee appreciation day, coworker appreciation day, and client recognition.
Customizable: No.
Price: $47.99
Where to find it: Work.Space.Spark
20. Dad’s Playbook
“For wisdom and strategies”
What is it: Dad’s Playbook is the inspirational sports quote-filled book for rookie dads!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Being a dad is amazing and challenging. Every now and then, every working dad can use some serious inspiration to push through those obstacles. Dad’s Playbook is littered with brilliant insights and quotes from sports’ greatest minds on topics like playing under pressure, boosting team morale, and being a leader.
Customizable: No.
Price: $13
Where to find it: Dad’s Playbook
21. Back to Work Essentials
“For a smooth transition”
What is it: Back to Work Essentials provides everything team members need to feel great about going back to the office for work. This super stylish safety-themed productivity pack supports employment for young adults with autism, minority-owned businesses, and much more.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Back to Work Essentials comes with crunchy bite-size double chocolate chip cookies, hand sanitizer, and a double-layered machine-washable cotton face mask for extra precautions.
Customizable: No.
Price: $38
Where to find it: Back to Work Essentials
22. 2022 Vacations Post-Covid
“For braving the new world”
What is it: 2022 Vacations Post-Covid is all about getting your team members ready to resume traveling. Not only are offices reopening — so are flights. In fact, the book centers around 20 specific and sometimes surprising destinations for your jet-setting colleagues to visit!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This travel guide will help friends, loved ones, colleagues, employees, and clients pick where to spend their vacation in the age of the pandemic, how to stay safe, and how to feel good about their decisions.
Customizable: No.
Price: $7.99
Where to find it: 2022 Vacations Post-Covid
23. Sips & Snacks
“For a well-earned drink”
What is it: Sips & Snacks is perfect for staying energized yet relaxed. This food gift box is specially made for the high-achievers.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Sips & Snacks comes with wine, wholesome snacks, and other goodies for free time and work alike!
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Starting at $25 + Free Shipping
Where to find it: Sips & Snacks
24. Carrara Desktop Set
“For a boss-like desk”
What is it: The Carrara Desktop Set is a faux marble desktop set that instantly adds elegance and style to any cubicle or office setup.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This marbleized gift comes with a pen cup, a notepad, a stapler, and staple refills. One of the things your team will love so much about the Carrara Desktop Set is that it will rapidly upgrade their space upon return.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: $12.47+
Where to find it: Carrara Desktop Set
25. Personalized Name Plate
“The VIP-treatment”
What is it: The Personalized Name Plate is an acrylic nameplate designed to make every employee or coworker feel like a boss.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This 8-inch by 2.5-inch nameplate is a great gift for colleagues, family members, and anyone with a desk job. You can customize the nameplate inscription, font, and colors.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: $25.99
Where to find it: Personalized Name Plate
26. Workday Wellness Pack
“For staying on top of their game”
What is it: The Workday Wellness Pack is the quintessential care package to help your team conquer the workday!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: With PowerBuds for listening to music or podcasts, a neck wrap for better posture and extra comfort, and a milk bottle for hydration, the Workday Wellness Pack covers all the bases for success!
Customizable: Yes!
Price: $65.38
Where to find it: Workday Wellness Pack
27. Nomodo Trio
“Because versatility is king”
What is it: The Nomodo Trio is the three-in-one charging, beverage-heating, and beverage-cooling station!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: The Nomodo Trio features a charging mat for a cordless solution for going from zero to fully electrified, a hot plate for keeping beverages hot as they were when they were freshly brewed, and a cooling plate for a thirst-quenching chill.
Customizable: No.
Price: $63.59
Where to find it: Nomodo Trio
28. Welcome Back Bundle
“Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back”
What is it: The Welcome Back Bundle says it all. This return to work kit is packaged around the idea of giving employees and coworkers everything they need to be safe and productive.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: The Welcome Back Bundle offers energizing vanilla and citrus tea, pocket-sized hand sanitizer for safety (of course, keep social distancing), and buttery oat cookies. Every purchase supports domestic violence awareness, sustainability efforts, and more.
Customizable: No.
Price: $45
Where to find it: Welcome Back Bundle
29. Moroccan Meditation Retreat
“For something truly unforgettable”
What is it: Take a team building trip to the Anti-Atlas mountains for an all-inclusive retreat!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: One of the most exciting ways to welcome the team back to the office is to give them an experience they’ll never forget. Not only will the team be back together — they’ll be closer than ever.
Customizable: No.
Price: Contact Blueboard for more details
Where to find it: Moroccan Meditation Retreat
30. Leather Organizer
“The perfect office and home gift”
What is it: The Leather Organizer is the perfect gift for returning employees. This genuine leather organizer keeps everything neatly contained and in one place!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: It comes in any size, a variety of colors, and can be personalized. For instance, you could add their name, logo, initials, or a full message!
Customizable: Yes!
Price: $56.61+
Where to find it: Leather Organizer
31. Teawrks
“For a terrific tea party”
What is it: Teawrks is a monthly tea variety box to introduce your team members to loose leaf teas and herbalicious drinks from around the world.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Teawrks features more than 36 cups and re-steeps. Each tea care package comes with ingredients, steeping instructions, tasting notes, and a reusable tea bag. The tea that’s chosen for this package is curated to ensure the botanicals are high quality with an international twist.
Customizable: No.
Price: $24.30
Where to find it: Teawrks
32. Make His Day
“For big time encouragement”
What is it: Make His Day is the self-care package for blowing off steam at home. Now that your team will be commuting again and handling their in-person responsibilities, this self-care package is a chance to regain and maintain balance.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: Make His Day includes an enamel mug, pocket notebooks, premium French roast coffee, and Southern-style dark chocolate + pecan toffee.
Customizable: No.
Price: $50
Where to find it: Make His Day
33. Custom Yoga Mat
“A flexible body leads to a flexible mind”
What is it: The Custom Yoga Mat is a PVC yoga mat which can be custom branded to match your company culture!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: This promotional gift is perfect for stretching out the body and the mind. After all, they go hand-in-hand. To make the most of this cool custom exercise gift, offer up in-office yoga class once per week!
Customizable: Yes!
Price: $15.61+
Where to find it: Custom Yoga Mat
34. Super Snack Box
“Super snacks for super-employees”
What is it: The Super Snack Box is a 30-pack of outrageously delicious snacks. The best part is that each one is an absolute treat without any of the guilt associated with junk food.
What makes this a great welcome back gift: As employees get back to the office, it’s easy to get into an unhealthy eating routine; however, the Super Snack Box provides ample nutritious and flavor.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: Starting at $25 + Free Shipping
Where to find it: Super Snack Box
35. The Movie Night
“For a pre-Covid movie theater experience”
What is it: The Movie Night is a team bonding activity pack. This company culture building care package is perfect for entertaining the whole crew!
What makes this a great welcome back gift: The Movie Night includes a Turkish towel, a popcorn popper, a mug, and a bamboo soy candle in a custom mailer box so your team will associate this fun gift with your brand.
Customizable: Yes!
Price: $74.10
Where to find it: The Movie Night
People Also Ask These Questions About Welcome Back To The Office Gifts
Q: What makes a great welcome back to work gift for employees?
- A: A great welcome back to work gift for employees is an item or experience that will get them excited about coming back to the office.
Q: What are some good inexpensive office reopening gifts?
- A: Some good inexpensive office reopening gifts could be as simple as gift cards, coffee mugs, a free yoga class in the office, or a care package.
Q: How much should I pay for gifts for my team that is returning to the office?
- A: What you spend on gifts for your team as they are returning to the office depends largely on your budget; however, there are plenty of low budget gifts your team will love.
Q: What are some common back to work gifts?
- A: Some common back to work gifts include t-shirts, water bottles, gift cards, gift baskets, gift sets, care packages, and team building activities.
Q: How can I personalize a welcome back gift?
- A: Many companies make personalizing a welcome back gift very easy. Gift personalization is an ideal task to hand off to a company that specializes in it.
Loved your suggestions, Connor! This pandemic has been indeed challenging for all of us. Most people have been a part of the virtual office for more than a year now. But, coming back to the office deserves a special surprise gift. It not only brightens up their office space but also lets them know that the team appreciates their commitment to the job.