Buying a gift for someone at work can be a challenge. I want them to know I see them and appreciate them. But I also can’t spend a lot on their gifts when I have a large family to buy for at the holidays. I then will start to worry about who I should get gifts for and what is appropriate. The gifts I buy do vary depending on if I’m buying for a solo coworker or a larger team and how well I know the person. Here are some gifts ideas and a general sense of who will like them best!
1. Coffee Mug
Coffee Mugs are great for anyone who enjoys warm drinks. That can mean coffee, tea, or cocoa. You can also find them in a million different themes. Do they love Star Wars or Disney? I saw cool mugs with light sabers that glow when the mug is hot and a “Chip” mug from Beauty and the Beast that looks well just like the character.
Do they have a favorite sports team or TV show? If you don’t know what team they pull for but know the sport they love then there are mugs for that. Do they like inspirational quotes? Do they have a favorite color? If they commute you could also get a travel mug. I even saw a Hamilton one on Etsy that I loved.
2. Tumbler
Tumblers like above are great for all people. Everyone drinks something so this covers your hot and cold beverages. If you are crafty you can always take some vinyl and add there name down the side or buy one that way. They just make great gifts and can easily be placed in a bag made for wine for quick “wrapping.”
3. Water Bottles
By now you know why these types of beverage gifts work for everyone. Water bottles can be good for the fitness enthusiast. Or if you know someone who’s goal is to drink more water then this may be the perfect one!
4. Candy or chocolates
Pretty much everyone will celebrate on the occasion with something sweet. By tradition, people celebrate there birthday with a cake. Every holiday pretty much has a staple treat. Are you a great baker? Sometime a homemade treat can mean something really special. However, germaphobes will not love something homemade. So if you know people that dodge potlucks they probably are not the person to make some homemade fudge or gingersnaps. If you are gifting candy or chocolates presentation of this gift does matter. Make sure you take time wrapping it with care so that it feels special and not that you bought it at the shop downstairs in a spare 5 minutes.
5. Starbucks gift card
Most people can find something that they love at Starbucks (even if they aren’t a coffee drinker). Maybe they need a quick breakfast or lunch? These are convenient because most people have a Starbucks close by so it makes it practical and easy to use.
6. Beautiful or Iconic Office Supplies
We are not talking your basic pens or pencils. We are talking fancy notepads, pens, markers, highlighters, post-its, and iconic staplers. The stuff that brings joy to the most mundane tasks. Remember how fun it was to go back to school shopping and get to pick out all those Lisa Frank folders and colored gel pens. No, just me? Ok, I’ll accept that I’m old and sometimes the odd one out. If this does sound like someone you know, they may also like something like a hand lettering workbook.
7. Desk accessories
Beyond the supplies that can be upgraded to make a beautiful gift for a coworker there are desk organizers and name plates. These can make people feel a sense of accomplishment. For some reason name plates do that for me. You can find funny ones or you can customize one to say your coworkers name or title. In general desk accessories can again bring some happiness to place you spend half of your time!
8. Calendars/Planner
At the end of year, people are feeling hopeful for the next year and a calendar that is themed for the receiver is a great way to foster that spirit of anything is possible in the new year. I love these at Christmas presents myself and I tend to always find myself buying one at Paper Source because they have so many great options! Similar to calendars if you know someone that always has a couple of handwritten “to do” lists then a planner may be a great option.
9. Blanket
In every office across the world there will be someone who is freezing 98% of the time. In offices in America they have the thermoset set to Deep Winter. For these people, a mug from above may be a good idea but they may love a desk blanket. Which is just a blanket that they can keep at the office.
10. Candle
Work is stressful and a lot of people just want need a little R&R, especially around the holidays. As much as they are fun and exciting times, they can’t add a bit of chaos to your routine. Candles work well because they can be scented or unscented, decorative or not. One year I got one of the Bath & Body Works candle from a co-worker and loved it. Nothing like a clean house, some wine, and a nice burning candle. Throw in a blanket and a Hallmark movie and that’s a wonderful Sunday recharge day!
11. Bath Bomb
If candles aren’t someone’s thing, maybe a bath bomb may be something they can use to unwind and drown out the work woes! I love Lush bath bombs. The packaging is usually so colorful and they usually have wonderful themes perfect for birthdays, holidays, and even anniversaries with their sex bomb bath bomb.
