This is exactly why you shouldn't give out items that give players some sort of advantage. Do too much, you've warped the balance for new players. Do too little, and the committed players feel insulted.
Mounts, minions, barding, and general vanity. Those are perfectly fair. They don't alter gameplay and still feel like something special.
What would have been really nifty would be some sort of wind up doll of yourself. But that would probably be more effort than it's worth.