20 Best Gifts for Your 2022 Summer Interns

April 12, 2022
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Looking for the best intern appreciation day ideas? Check out our top picks.

When it comes to gifts for intern appreciation ideas, you’ll make a better impact with quality, sustainable items that can be personalized with your company’s branding. Whether you’re looking to combine several items together as an intern gift basket or want to give a larger personalized gift, there are a plethora of options at your disposal. 

3 Tips for Finding the Right Professional Gifts for Interns

  1. Try Making Your Intern Swag Industry Specific. Personalized intern appreciation ideas that also reflect your company's industry can make for memorable gifts. For example, Microsoft intern swag or Facebook intern swag could consist of an intern gift basket filled with branded tech gear like wireless chargers, power banks, cord organizers and more.

  1. Choose Intern Swag That’s Sustainable. People learn more about a company by watching what they do over what they say. If your company’s ethos is focused on putting the environment first when making business decisions or reducing your carbon footprint, a sustainable gift will reinforce your intentions. 

  1. Let Your Swag Further Your Marketing Efforts. Branded apparel makes great intern swag since it can be worn anywhere, not just in the office. To make tees, sweatshirts, jackets and other items go the distance, make sure you customize quality pieces that stand the test of time in style and quality. 

20 Ideas for Your Summer Intern Swag And Gifts

In lieu of an end of internship goodbye email, give your hardworking apprentices something to remind them of their time with your company. Below we’ve listed intern swag ideas for 2022 that will help set your company apart from the competition. 

1. Professional Office Supplies

The best intern gifts can offer an upgrade to their everyday essentials. While cheap notepads are iconic supplies for high school or college, when it comes to the workplace professional gifts for interns will always be much appreciated. 

Look for quality, minimalistic styles like these from Appointed, so your logo can take center stage. 

Shown: Appointed A5 journal + Appointed Notebook

2. Day Owl Cord Pouch 

For summer intern gifts that are sure to be appreciated long after the workday is through, you can’t go wrong with cord organizers. 

Not only do they make great Microsoft intern swag or Facebook intern swag, but cord organizers like this one from Day Owl are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and feature-recycled polyester lining.  A perfect choice for businesses focusing on sustainability and recycling in the workplace.  

Shown: Day Owl Cord Pouch

3. Branded Long-Sleeve Tees 

Professional gifts for interns can also include apparel. From working from home and casual Fridays to in the office and on-site meetings with clients, there are endless apparel styles to choose from. Branded tees and polos also make a great gift to give internship supervisor. 

You can’t go wrong adding customization to styles like this one from AsColour that offer a comfortable fit and quality design. 

Shown: AsColour Men’s Stripe Long Sleeve Tee


4. Rains Bucket Hat 

For fun intern appreciation ideas that are spot on for summer, let bucket hats top your swag list. Not only are they a top trend for 2022, but you can order affordable options that are ready to be branded in bulk.  Talk to your Gemnote rep for more swag-worthy hat options

Shown: Rains Bucket Hat 


5. A Quality Tumbler

A sustainable gift for a summer intern doesn’t have to be over the top or expensive. Items like drinkware that are durable, insulated, and BPA-free are always a favorite. Choose reputable brands like Miir that you know your recipient will appreciate. 

Shown: Miir Wide Mouth


6. An Everyday Commuter Briefcase

As a thank you gift for intern hires or as an intern appreciation day idea, a branded everyday briefcase is spot on. Choose one that boasts a minimal design and extra features like a laptop sleeve, organizational pockets, and leather details for next level swag. 

For ultimate applause, choose styles like this one from Topo Designs which can also convert to a backpack. Briefcases also make great gifts for social work interns or your traveling sales teams. 

Shown: Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase


7. A Branded Cap

For intern gift basket ideas, a custom cap offers an everyday style staple that’s available in a rainbow of colors so matching your company’s branding is a no brainer. Not to mention it’s seasonally appropriate for your summer interns. 

Ask your Gemnote rep for unique ways to customize your swag.  

Shown: AsColour Surf Hat 

 

8. A Stylish Tote

Not quite as fancy as a convertible briefcase or upscale backpack, but every bit as functional. When it comes to quality reusable bags, you’ll definitely want to customize. 

Just look for reusable bags like this one from Day Owl that feature longer, reinforced handles, a packable design, and are durable enough to hold a few bags of groceries without breaking, so your recipient can use them in and out of the office.   

Ready to order? In addition to intern appreciation ideas, reusable totes are also great for giveaways, employee recognition, customer incentives, and more. Talk to your Gemnote rep about how you can save money by placing larger, bulk orders. 

Shown: Day Owl The More Bag


9. A Professional Writing Set

For summer intern gifts that are sure to please, a nice writing set is something they will appreciate. Choose quality styles like this Baron Fig writing set that includes a Squire pen, case, stand, and extra ink for all their notes, doodles, and more. 

Still not sure? Baron Fig dubs this pen a mighty sword, while Bloomberg named it high and well crafted. And if your goal is to create the ultimate intern gift basket, throw in a Confidant notebook, and Baron Fig will plant a tree

Shown: Baron Fig SquireSquire Writing Set Writing Set 

10. Marine Layer Roll Backpack

Looking for Facebook intern swag or something just as nice? How about a functional backpack that keeps all your gear intact? 

Styles like this one from Marine Layer that feature pockets galore, a key leash,  padded laptop sleeve, and more, are great for Microsoft intern swag and other innovative businesses.

Shown: Marine Layer Roll Backpack

11. A Nice Key Holder 

Looking for summer intern swag and gifts that you can also give to your employees? Who wouldn’t appreciate a contemporary key holder like this one from Rains? It features company’s signature waterproof fabric and offers a fashion-forward way to keep your keys in easy reach. 

These also make perfect gifts for social work interns, your in-office employees, and more.  

Shown: Rains Key Holder 

12.  A Portable Bag 

As intern appreciation ideas or even a gift to give internship supervisor, a portable bag that can keep your smaller essentials in easy reach is essential for staying organized. Brand a pencil bag, fold-over pouch, or waterproof cosmetic bag, like this one from Rains, for easy corporate gifting. 

Shown: Rains Waterproof Cosmetic Bag 

13. An Office-Approved Mug

Interns have a lot going for them, not to mention career growth and an opportunities to really shine. The one thing they probably don’t have? Matching mugs, or maybe even a single mug they would be proud to show off at the office or on their next Zoom call.

For extra points, add a gift card to a nice modern mug like this one from Kinto. These are also great gifts to get your internship supervisor. 

 

Shown: Kinto Mugs



14. A Stylish Pack

Summer intern swag and gifts run the gamut from branded clothes and accessories to drinkware and totes. So where does a backpack fit in? Everywhere! But not just any backpack will do. After all, interns are fresh out of school, so they probably have their share of well-used book bags. Instead, opt for a fashion forward style that you'll be proud to add your logo to.

As an intern appreciation day idea or as a thank you gift, a professional pack that can be used for work and play, like this one from Topo Designs, makes an impressive gift. 

Shown: Topo Designs Roverpack Classic 

15. Sticker Pack 

For colorful and fun intern appreciation ideas that are also great for adding to your intern gift basket, branded stickers are an easy win. Perfect for sprucing up laptop covers, tumblers, and more, they’re a great way to get your logo to “stick” out.

Photo courtesy of A24 films

16. Arc Bookends

When it comes to thinking out of the box for intern day ideas, modern bookends make a fun and affordable gift. Your intern can use it in the office to keep training binders and new orientation materials handy or at home for their books. Either way, it’s a versatile swag gift. Talk to your Gemnote rep for more bookend styles and branding options. 

Shown: Poketo Arc Bookends 

17.  Sustainable Lunch Containers

When it comes to gifts for interns leaving, give them useful swag they can use now and in their next chapter of life like a great lunch container. 

For a quality product, styles like this one from W&P Designs that are dishwasher and microwave safe, featuring BPA-free plastic and a roomy compartment, will really show you care. 

Shown: W&P Porter Bowl Limited Edition 

18. Lightweight Quarter-Zip

Looking for branded intern appreciation ideas that can also double as workwear? Quarter-zip pullovers are a timeless staple in and out of the workplace. Plus, when you add your company logo they make great gifts for social work interns who are training in the field. 

 

Shown: Lightweight-Quarter Zip Sweater

19. Colorful Games

Your intern has probably learned more than they could ever imagine on the job. From corporate policies to office politics, give your summer interns a gift to remind them that reminds them to take it easy at the end of a long day.  

Shown: Areaware Little Thing Puzzle

20. A Quality Wireless Charger

For memorable summer intern gifts all you need is a good charger.  But be forewarned, once word gets out that you’re thinking about adding wireless charger, like this one from Native Union, to your intern appreciation day ideas, your staff is going to want one of their own.  

Shown: Native Union Snap Cable Wireless Magnetic Charging Cable

Professional gifts for interns are out there if you know where to look. Luckily, the staff at Gemnote has scoured the globe for the best products that are on-trend and in-demand. Plus, we when it comes to personalization, we’re here to help your swag goals become a reality!  

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