15 Best Intern Gifts to Welcome or Thank Them

1. Why Is It Important to Give Intern Gifts?

Internships are a great way to help the students find out their strengths and opportunities while allowing companies to test-drive the new talent. This brings us back to the original statement – creating a lasting first impression. When the intern, as well as the employers are happy, it goes a long way to create a lasting bond between the two. You can choose to give professional gifts for interns as a way of welcoming them, or as a way of thanking them when they complete their internships. Or do both! Some more reasons why giving intern gifts are important -

It reinforces a positive onboarding process and gives a memorable experience of Day 1 in the company.
It introduces the intern to the company’s culture, especially if you include a small pep-talk about the values of the company during the gift-giving session.
Gifts boosts the interns’ excitement and keeps them engaged. I mean, who doesn’t like getting gifts?
Interns feel appreciated and will be happy to give their best to their projects.
It works as a great icebreaker and puts the intern at ease.

We find that if we give these professional gifts for interns in a bundle, similar to a welcome kit we would give to a new employee, interns are much more zealous in their work. Here are some ideas on how to package your intern gifts.

2. 15 Top-Notch Intern Gifts to Welcome or Thank Them

2.1. Branded Company Swag

Let’s face it. Who wouldn’t want to brag about starting to work for the first time ever? The ideal intern gift for such people would be the classic branded company gear. Carefully curated branded everyday items would be something your intern would want to flaunt for the rest of their life. Your kit can include –

T-shirt
Hoodie
Sipper
Laptop sleeve
Coffee Mug
Cap
Tote bag / Laptop bag / Backpack

2.2. Stationery Kit / Office Supplies

Every intern would be keen on taking as many notes as they humanly can. Empower their inner stenographer by gifting them office supplies as intern gifts. Your intern gifts kit can include –

Notepad
Pen, Pencil, Markers
Bookmarks
Post its
Desk cleaning supplies
Folders & storage box

Pro tip: If the intern(s) really impress you, then you can go an extra mile, get this zippered portfolio for them to carry the stationeries in.

2.3. Charging Station

There are some practical gift ideas for student interns that may be tempted to buy and fall under the technical category. If your office has a go green initiative and has reduced usage of papers to the bare minimum, then your interns will have to do with all the available gadgets possible. Get them a charging station as an intern gift and help them keep a wire-free desk.

You can get them this simple USB tower power adapter, this 4-in-1 wireless charging station, this eco-friendly bamboo charging station, or even this premium charging station.

2.4. Chalkboard Stand

An eco-friendly substitute to post-its. We personally find chalkboards to be extremely helpful in writing down tiny reminder notes in ol’ fashioned school style. Depending on your décor, you can go for these vintage-style tabletop chalkboards, this mini chalkboard, or these trendy hanging chalkboards.

2.5. Electronic Gadgets

Another classic intern gift or a welcome gift worthy of a company dealing with IT or ITES. Even if you are not a tech company, here are some electronic gadgets you can gift your interns to remind them of you every time they want to use a gadget –

Wireless Earbuds
Noise-canceling headphones
Power bank
Microfiber cloth
Pen drive
Echo / Alexa

2.6. Employee Handbook

If an intern is considering full-time employment post their internship, then an all-inclusive employee handbook will be a great idea for them to familiarize themselves with the company’s rules, policies, values, and culture. This can include –

Company’s introduction – history, mission, vision, values, programs, etc
Messages from the leadership team
Internship terms & conditions
Benefits & perks
Code of conduct
Job/Project description

You can also add a fun customizable section that the interns can fill it with their memories of working with the organization.

2.7. Desk Plants

Who does not like to be around some greenery? With cities all turning into a concrete jungle, and most of us stuck inside an air-conditioned office or between four walls of our homes (for remote workers), a little splash of green would be an invigorating experience. When your interns want to give you their best, help them bring out their best by sprucing up their workstation with these desk plants as intern gifts. Reducing carbon footprint has never been so stylish with these gift ideas for interns.

Snake Plant
Chinese Bamboo
ZZ Plant
Aloe vera
Peace Lily
Bird’s Nest fern
Syngonium
Bonsai Bougainvillea
Orchids
Succulents

2.8. Books

Though unconventional, books related to the project can be a great intern gift. Books that are top ranking in providing knowledge on the practical application of the subject of internship would be considered as a god-sent gift by the interns.

Additionally, you can also give them some of the corporate motivational books that they can read, relax yet learn something that will help them survive the (cruel) world. Here are the top 5 books that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recommended for leadership knowledge.

Philosopher of the Heart: The Restless Life of Søren Kierkegaard by Clare Carlisle,
Utopia or Oblivion: The Prospects for Humanity by R. Buckminster Fuller,
The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values by Brian Christian,
The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools, and Societies by Scott E. Page,
Power of Creative Destruction by Philippe Aghion, Celine Antonin, and Simon Bunel.

If you do not wish to scare away your intern with these intense books, then you can select 1-2 from this list of 100 Best Internship Books of All Time

2.9. Work From Home Essentials

Well, frankly we prefer working from the office, as we get to meet our colleagues and have that human touch. Interns, if working from home, really do miss out on a lot of the personal touch that speeds up the learning curve. A small intern gifts kit comprising the below reminding them that anyone at work is always available for help would be genuinely appreciated by a nervous intern –

Planner
Self-care kits/eye masks
Assorted chocolates & cookies
Custom stickers
Desk lamp

You can also browse this list for some snazzy work from home gifts. And make sure that whatever gift you send, it is branded or you send a small company-branded swag along with it.

2.10. Safety Essentials

Safety essentials are ideal gifts for interns. You can give items like personal alarms, first aid kits, or safety whistles not only demonstrates care for their well-being but also instills confidence in navigating new environments. These practical gifts serve as reminders of the organization's commitment to their welfare, fostering a safe and supportive atmosphere for their internship experience.

2.11. Goodies & Snacks

This is yet another classic. What’s more, this is appropriate all year round. Turn it up a notch and give your intern gifts some assorted goodies and snacks that reminisce them of the holidays – Pumpkin flavors for the Fall; Christmas gift hamper for the winter; Beach gift basket for the Summer, etc. If you are looking for surprising gift ideas for interns, delight them with food vouchers.

2.12. Scented Diffusers

We are so keen to suggest scented candles but are restraining ourselves given that they are a fire hazard. So, swap them out for electrical diffusers or reed diffusers with some invigorating fragrance of essential oils.

2.13. Subscriptions

Something that everyone will love. Monthly or quarterly subscriptions to various services would be a great intern gift. Use the initial few days to get to know them better and gift them a subscription to one of these, and your intern can recall you/the company even after going back home –

Audible
Netflix / Amazon Prime
Healthy snack boxes
Pet food
Tea or Coffee
Book of the Month
Gym membership / Spin classes
My Garden Box
Spotify
Daily Harvest

2.14. Gift Cards

A gift that can never go wrong. Send your interns a gift card from a portal they love – Amazon, Uber, Kindle, DoorDash, anything. After all, the choice is never underrated.

2.15. Hire Them!

Seriously, can there be a better intern gift? Especially if the intern had performed exceptionally well and are actually eager to continue working in your organization? Call in on your intern as they near the end date and gift them the offer letter to send them over the moon in happiness.

3. FAQs

3.1. Should you give your intern a gift?

Intern gifts are the perfect way to welcome interns into the organization. It makes them feel welcome and boosts their excitement. Intern gifts are something that they will want to flaunt with their friends and family, thereby giving more exposure to the organization as well.

3.2. What is the best gift for an intern?

Best Intern gifts can be a combination of company items, motivational and/or feel-good things. Treating them to lunch, getting them company swag or something that’s not boring & helpful in their internship would be great.

3.3. How do you say goodbye after an internship?

A handwritten thank you note, maybe from the intern’s manager and the people they worked with, would be a perfect goodbye after an internship. If you had not given them an intern gift while welcoming them or given a simple one, you can consider giving a larger/better intern gift along with the internship certificate.