The best back-to-work gifts for your team

There is a specific feeling that goes with the first day of work after the summer holidays. Your alarm goes off too early, your inbox is full, and somewhere halfway through the morning you often wonder why you didn't just stay away for another week.

A welcome-back gift or gesture doesn't completely change that feeling. But it does help! And if it's also something you can use daily, then it works double.

These are some of the back-to-work tips we see most often – and they always go down well. Get inspired and then inspire your team to smash it again after the summer holidays.

No bad coffee

The first cup of coffee of the day - and after the holiday - is sacred. And if that coffee is just slightly better than the standard office coffee, the day starts off right.

The Coffee beans from Brute Bonen are a signature blend with aromas of chocolate and caramel. The beans come from agroforestry farms in India, Bolivia, and Guatemala, are freshly roasted in the Netherlands, and shipped within 24 hours. Brute Bonen offsets twice as much CO2 as is released during production.

Bringing lunch

September is the time when good resolutions return. Ordering less, bringing more. Those resolutions survive two weeks if you don't have proper lunch gear.

The lunch wrap from Retulp is a cotton wrap with velcro and a washable interior. No plastic bags, no aluminum foil - just put your lunch in and go. And the lunch pot from BergHOFF is ideal for those who want to take yogurt with granola, soup with croutons, or salad with dressing without everything getting mixed up.

Something to write in

Yes, AI is taking on more and more tasks and we type our hearts out. But there is something about a physical notebook that a screen cannot replace. A meeting note, an idea that pops into your head, a to-do list you cross off with a pen.

This journal from Kartotek Copenhagen has a beautiful design and is made of high-quality materials such as eco-friendly paper and a linen cover. A classic for all thoughts, notes, and creative ideas.

Or what about this notebook from Happinote? A variant made of stone paper, allowing each page to be reused hundreds of times. Made without trees! Comes with an erasable pen, water spray, and cleaning cloth.

Hydration

It sounds like a cliché, but a good water bottle on your desk ensures you actually drink water instead of just coffee. The various bottles from the Urban collection by Retulp are perfect for this. Your drink stays at temperature for hours and the bottle is leak-proof. But what makes these bottles truly special? With every purchase, you donate clean drinking water to people in developing countries.

Not everything has to be a gift

A welcome-back doesn't necessarily have to come in a box. Organize an informal late-summer lunch or drinks where everyone can share holiday stories. Send a personal card. Plan a team outing in the first week back, even if it's just a walk with coffee. Or start Monday with a quick round of "what was your best holiday moment" before the laptops open. It's about the signal: we're glad you're back. Whether that's through a gift, a gesture, or a good conversation doesn't matter.

Why September is the perfect time to give

Most companies only give their team a gift in December, the classic Christmas hamper. That's fine, but it's also the moment when everyone does it. A small back-to-work gesture in September stands out precisely because nobody expects it. It marks the beginning of a new season, a fresh start, and it shows that you don't just think of your team when the calendar says you have to.

It doesn't have to be big. Send a nice personal card, organize late-summer drinks, or arrange a small gift for your team. At Cadeo, you can let each recipient choose which gift they want to receive, then everyone is completely happy. Plenty of ways to make the September landing softer.

Schedule an introduction and discover the ways Cadeo can help surprise your team.