May 25th is Intern Day. Most interns don't even notice. They are often excluded from moments of appreciation - no Christmas hamper, no team outing, no "thanks for everything" moment. They are there for too short a time, is the argument.

While in the meantime they write the reports, build the presentations, come up with innovative ideas, and ask questions no one else had thought of. But if something goes wrong? Then it is quickly "which intern did this?" They probably solve more mistakes than they make - but they won't quickly say so themselves. And when everything goes well, you don't hear from anyone.

A small gesture at the end of an internship does more than you think. Especially with the current 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 speaks enthusiastically about your company to fellow students, or not.

Why a gift for your intern?

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

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 they have done their best. That is worth more than a standard thank-you email. It doesn't have to cost much (effort), and the intern will remember it forever.

Furthermore: an intern who feels valued talks positively about your company. With fellow students, on LinkedIn, with future employers. It is employer branding you cannot buy - but you can earn indeed with a small gesture. With Cadeo, you let your interns choose what they want to receive themselves. See below a selection from our collection: each and every one a gift you can proudly present.

7 gift ideas to thank your interns

From handy items for the desk to nice things to relax with - there is something for every intern.

1. Boost your interior with a beautiful candle

This falls into the 'always good' category. A beautiful scented candle is always a hit. Luxurious, personal, and something you don't easily 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

An artisanal butter cake or apple pie that fits through the letterbox. That sounds like a dream, but it exists. Oma's Brievenbustaart 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 as if your grandma sent it.

3. A beautiful water bottle or thermos mug

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

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 a dot grid - the kind of thing you don't gift yourself but love to receive. The Happinote notebooks are a more cheerful alternative, with positive quotes and a feel-good look, and thanks to the erasable pages, they are sustainable too. The kind of gift that ends up on a desk and will be well used.

5. Find peace with Tiny Moments

A scent diffuser with natural oils. Tiny Moments makes sets that fill your room with peace - 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 by JOIK

A radiant sunkissed look without the sun - which intern who has seen many 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, hydrates intensely, 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 tan 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 clever products about daily 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 to be a dusty gift.

Gift found? Arrange it through Cadeo

All the products above are available through 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 perfectly with this generation - Gen Z wants autonomy, even when it comes to gifts. They appreciate the gesture, but love it even more if they can decide what suits them best.

Via Cadeo, you send a personal link with which the recipient chooses a gift themselves from more than 1,200 products. Personalize the experience with a custom message via Cadeo Studio. Choice gifts are available from as little as €15 and the gift is delivered to their home. Ideal if you want to surprise multiple interns at once. No minimum purchase, no long-term contract.

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