On May 25 it is Intern Day. Most interns don't notice a thing. They are often left out of moments of appreciation - no Christmas hamper, no team outing, no "thank you for everything" moment. They have been there too briefly, is the argument.

Meanwhile, they are writing reports, building presentations, coming up with innovative ideas and asking questions no one had thought of. But if something goes wrong? Then it's quickly "which intern did this?" They probably fix more mistakes than they make - but they won't say so themselves anytime soon. And when everything goes well, you don't hear a word.

A small gesture at the end of an internship does more than you think. Especially with today's generation of interns: Gen Z grew up with the expectation that work is more than just a salary. Appreciation, recognition and personal attention make the difference, and determine whether someone enthusiastically tells fellow students about your company, or not.

Why get a gift for your intern?

It may sound exaggerated - a gift for someone who is there for three or six months. But that is exactly where the power lies. No one expects it. And precisely an unexpected gesture sticks.

With a small gift, for example on Intern Day or at the end of an internship, you show that you appreciate someone, and that you see that they have done their best. That's worth more than a standard thank-you email. It doesn't have to cost much effort, and the intern will remember it forever.

Moreover: an intern who feels appreciated speaks positively about your company. To fellow students, on LinkedIn, to future employers. It's employer branding you can't buy - but you can earn it with a small gesture. With Cadeo you let your interns choose what they want to receive themselves. See below a selection from our collection: all gifts you can confidently show up with.

7 gift tips to thank your interns

From handy items for your desk to nice things for relaxing - there is something for every intern.

1. Boost your interior with a beautiful candle

This falls into the 'always a good choice' category. A beautiful scented candle always hits the mark. Luxurious, personal and something you won't quickly buy for yourself. The candles from The Gift Label and Very Goods Studio both do well. One with natural colors, the other with cheerful texts: both with wonderful scents.

2. Grandma's Letterbox Cake: just as delicious as it sounds

A traditional butter cake or apple pie that fits through the letterbox. That sounds like a dream, but it exists. Grandma's Letterbox Cake makes cakes the old-fashioned way - with real butter and no fuss. The perfect gift for the intern who has just left: fits through the letterbox and feels like grandma sent it.

3. A beautiful water bottle or thermos cup

Something they take with them every day - to college, the gym or their next internship. The BE O bottle from BE O Lifestyle is made from sugar cane and fully circular. Prefer stainless steel? The Urban from Retulp is made from recycled stainless steel and keeps your drink hot or cold for hours. Both brands are sustainable and Dutch - gifts with impact, then.

4. A beautiful notebook

For the intern who always takes notes, writes down ideas - old school with pen and paper. The Notebook Journal from Kartotek Copenhagen is minimalist Scandinavian design with dot grid - the kind of thing you don't buy for yourself but love when you get it. The Happinote notebooks are a cheerier alternative, with positive quotes and a feel-good look, and thanks to their erasable pages they are sustainable too. The kind of gift that ends up on a desk and will be well used.

5. Finding calm with Tiny Moments

An aroma diffuser with natural oils. Tiny Moments creates sets that fill your room with calm - exactly what an intern needs after a busy internship period (or during the thesis that follows). Compact, beautifully packaged, and a gift you use every day.

6. Glow Gift Set from JOIK

A radiant sunkissed look without the sun - what intern who has spent a lot of time looking at office walls wouldn't want that? JOIK uses organic ingredients and the packaging is so beautiful that wrapping is almost unnecessary. The Bronze & Shimmer Body Oil gives the skin a warm glow, intensely hydrates and leaves a subtle shimmer for a summery glow, perfect for any party-proof look. The Sunless Tan Facial Drops mix easily with your day cream or serum and build a natural, even complexion without streaks.

7. The Dilemma Game - The School of Life

A card game full of ethical dilemmas that lead to the best conversations. From The School of Life, known for their smart products about everyday life. Fun to play as a team on the intern's last day, or as a farewell gift to take to the next place. Guaranteed not a stuffy gift.

Found a gift? Arrange it through Cadeo

All products above are available via Cadeo. You can choose a specific gift, but you can also go one step further: let your intern choose for themselves. And that actually fits this generation perfectly - Gen Z wants autonomy, even when it comes to gifts. They appreciate the gesture, but find it even nicer if they can decide for themselves what suits them.

Via Cadeo you send a personal link with which the recipient chooses a gift from more than 1200 products. Personalize the experience with your own message via Cadeo Studio. Choice gifts start at €15 and the gift is delivered to the home. Ideal if you want to surprise multiple interns at once. No minimum order, no long-term contract.

And if the chosen gift still doesn't quite fit? Then the recipient can quietly exchange it - without you noticing a thing. 95% of recipients actually make a choice.