Whether your office is stuffy or relaxed, there's a rule to follow when it comes to birthdays, holidays, and any other gift-giving occasion: Keep coworker gifts lighthearted but not overly personal. Clothing gifts should be avoided because the quickest way to embarrass a coworker is to give them clothing that is either too big or too small. Gifting jewelry, cologne, or other personal items to women by men, and vice versa, can have unintended consequences.
Food can also be a problem because some people have allergies or medical conditions that limit what they can eat. Of course, you'll want to make sure any gift ideas adhere to any company policies.
So, what can you offer? Gifts for coworkers with an office theme are always a hit, and self-care gifts for her and gifts for him come in handy after work. We've compiled a list of dozens of coworker gifts that demonstrate your thoughtfulness. Yes, there are Christmas gifts for coworkers under $25 who leave everything until the last minute. Whether you're shopping for coworkers or looking for boss gifts, secret Santa gifts, or white elephant gifts, you'll find something your coworkers will love.
1. CICHIC Cat Magnets
Best for: The coworker who loves cats
Everyone in the office adores cats as much as Taylor Swift. A six-pack of cat magnets will add to the feline fanatic's kitty decor. They're small but powerful, measuring less than two inches each but capable of holding thick papers to their fridge or office whiteboard.
2. Pen
Best for: The coworker who still takes notes by hand
Using a stylish writing instrument to take notes and jot down important information is more enjoyable. This pen is both beautiful to look at and enjoyable to use. It is designed for both right-handed and left-handed users to write comfortably. When it comes to coworker gifts, it's difficult to go wrong with a dependable pen.
3. Lamp
Best for: The coworker who is obsessed with sanitizing
Going back to work in the COVID-19 era means keeping cleanliness at the forefront of your mind. When the lamp is turned on, bacteria on items (such as smartphones and wallets) within the illuminated area are killed. While it does not target the coronavirus, it is certain to provide greater peace of mind to a germaphobe coworker. With this list of gifts for boyfriends, you can find even more amazing products.
4. Bookshelves Journal
Best for: The bibliophile coworker
This journal was made to last, and it's gorgeous, intricately detailed cover celebrates the beauty of bookshelves. It has a back pocket for scraps of paper and ribbon bookmarks to keep track of important pages. It's the perfect present for book lovers or diary keepers.
5. Mini Fridge
Best for: The coworker who likes a cool drink
It's satisfying to pop open a cold can of soda for a mid-afternoon caffeine fix, but no one wants warm cola. It fits under a desk, giving coworkers easy access to sodas, seltzers, and snacks whenever they want. It would also make an excellent gift for fathers-in-law who enjoy having a cold beer on hand at home.
6. Wearable Blanket
Best for: The coworker who’s always chilly
A wearable blanket, which comes in a variety of colors, truly provides warmth. It's the ideal warm, cozy gift for the work-from-home crowd as well as the office worker who is perpetually cold. Because the blanket is lined with faux Sherpa, it is suitable for vegans and animal lovers alike. This is about as cozy and enjoyable as coworker gifts can get.
7. Wireless Headset
Best for: The coworker who loves to chat
A headset for anyone who spends time on the phone or making video calls. It can be used as a wired or wireless headset, and it has a powerful boom mic that can be positioned higher when not in use. It frees up your colleague's hands for taking notes. Purchase it as a gift for your brother who enjoys online gaming.
8. Icebreaker Deck
Best for: The coworker who loves to play host or hostess
This entertaining deck of cards contains 150 conversation starters suitable for parties or one-on-one conversations with coworkers and friends. Random, deep, experience, life, and "would you rather" questions are among the topic categories.
9. Sticky Note
Best for: The coworker who’s swamped with work
This entertaining deck of cards contains 150 conversation starters suitable for parties or one-on-one conversations with coworkers and friends. Random, deep, experience, life, and "would you rather" questions are among the topic categories.
10. Tea Collection
Best for: The coworker who is a tea enthusiast
Coworkers who are constantly sipping warm cups of tea will appreciate this gift set. Breakfast Blend, Golden Chai, Moroccan Mint, and Chamomile Lemon are among the nine flavors housed in the handcrafted box.
11. AirPods Case
Best for: The coworker who listens to tunes while working
AirPods may be the best thing since sliced bread, but how do you keep track of them? That's a completely different story. Any Apple music fan will appreciate a molded silicone pocket designed specifically to keep AirPods secure. Attach the case to your bag or key chain with the included carabiner; a small access area along the bottom allows for charging. Genius.
12. American Landscapes Daily Planner
Best for: The nature-loving coworker
Give your coworker a glimpse of nature while they're at work with this planner featuring some of the country's most beautiful landscapes. It's both beautiful and functional (and it might just inspire them to pencil in some vacation time).
13. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Desk Calendar
Best for: The coworker with wanderlust
We all have lives outside of work, right? Give the gift of travel inspiration to your travel-obsessed coworkers to help them book some of that unused vacation time. The 1,000 Places to See Before You Die page-a-day calendar will help them add to their bucket list and plan some fantastic vacations. (However, hopefully, you won't be stuck working on all of their projects while they go to Fiji.)
14. Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best for: The coworker who’s passionate about music
Give your office's audiophile the gift of high-definition sound in a super-compact design. This Bluetooth-enabled portable speaker plays music for 12 to 15 hours and connects to smartphones, tablets, and laptops. That means your coworker can listen to music from home to work without missing a beat.
15. Design Square Scarf
Best for: The coworker who loves to accessorize
This lightweight scarf is ideal for coworkers who appreciate feminine accents and florals. It can be worn to liven up a basic work suit or add a pop of color to a dark dress thanks to its beautiful navy color and lace motif.
16. Beauty Advent Calendar
Best for: The coworker who always looks their best
This is a gift that keeps on giving. This advent calendar comes with 24 mini sachets of spa-quality beauty products such as masks, body creams, and scrubs. This would also be a great gift to bring to your next white elephant gift exchange.
17. Candescent Stress Balls
Best for: The coworker with lots of stress
Work is demanding. With each squeeze of these two gel balls, you can show how much you care. Even in the most stressful situations, motivational phrases like "mindset determines happiness" and "enjoy every moment" inspire calm.
18. Marble Queen Pothos
Best for: The coworker with a green thumb
Green-thumbed coworkers who have missed their plant babies since returning to the office will be delighted to receive a plant to keep at their desks. This marble queen pothos requires little indirect light, making it an excellent choice for those without a window office. If you're willing to pay a little more, you can get it in a nice pot.
19. Bullet Journals
Best for: The coworker who takes notes by hand
This set of two versatile bullet journals is ideal for the coworker who prefers to jot down notes or plan projects by hand. They're the perfect size for most purses and briefcases, measuring six by eight inches. Each journal has many sheets of acid-free paper and a sewn binding.
20. Cozy Socks
Best for: The coworker who’s serious about relaxation
These cozy socks also serve as house slippers. Because they're infused with moisturizing shea butter and relaxing lavender, they're incredibly soft and luxuriously soothing. Get a few pairs because they make great stocking stuffers for women.
21. Naturals Skin Clearing Serum Vitamin C+
Best for: The coworker concerned about skincare
Gifts for coworkers can go beyond the office and speak to their interests. And this one says you completely understand their skincare obsession. Naturals create this wildly popular vitamin C serum, which is suitable for men and women with all skin types, using ethically sourced vegan ingredients. It aids in the repair of damaged skin while also preventing further damage.
22. Coffee Press
Best for: The coworker who runs on caffeine
Purchase a lightweight French press for your coffee-obsessed coworker. With a double micro-filter to keep out grit and sludge, it's ideal for making coffee on the go. The double-walled, insulated stainless steel keeps coffee hot for hours. What a wonderful present for coffee lovers!
23. Worry Stone
Best for: The super-stressed coworker
Worry stones will help your stressed-out coworkers self-soothe during even the most stressful work situations. This eye-catching amethyst represents protection and the purification of negative thoughts. With a thumb-shaped dip in the center, it can be used as a meditation tool, decorative item, or focus item when anxiety is high.
24. Custom Desk Mat
Best for: Coworkers who love to decorate their desks
This large, customizable desk mat can be personalized with any image that is meaningful to your coworker. Use a favorite painting or a special color to create a mat that expresses their interests. It's also long-lasting and simple to clean, so they won't have to worry about spills.
25. Organic Mushroom Farm Gardening Kit
Best for: The coworker who dreams of gardening
How cool would it be to be able to grow your own organic mushrooms? Coworkers who appreciate food gifts will appreciate Back to the Roots' simple indoor gardening kits. If your company's policies permit it, they can start gardening right at their desk (or take it home if not). Maybe they'll share the bounty with you once the vegetables are fully grown by cooking a special team lunch. Win-win!
26. Cutting Board
Best for: The coworker with hometown pride
Sure, you could honor your coworker's hometown pride with sports memorabilia, but how about something a little more practical? A bamboo serving and cutting board shaped like their state is a great conversation starter and ideal for entertaining. This one has a pre-drilled hole in the back so your recipient can hang it in a cubicle or kitchen.
27. Desk Flipchart
Best for: The coworker with wild mood swings
It can be difficult to navigate moods in the workplace, and not everyone can read the room. This desk chart is a hilarious gag gift as well as a useful workplace tool that can help you avoid awkward conversations and office faux pas. Your coworker can change the mood of the chart to any of the 47 moods, and the rest of the office will know whether to engage or avoid it.
28. Gratitude Journal
Best for: The coworker who strives for self-improvement
According to studies, gratitude can help reduce stress and even improve sleep. This gratitude journal will assist your coworker in focusing on the things that bring them joy and happiness daily. It's chock-full of gratitude prompts and mindful activity instructions.
29. Hair Coils
Best for: The coworker who loves to try new hairstyles
This is not your grandmother's scrunchie! Teleties are flexible, strong hair ties that look like telephone cords. (Go ahead and tell your Gen Z coworker about corded phones.) We love that they are available in a variety of colors and patterns to suit any taste. The pretty hair ties also function as bracelets. They would also make an excellent gift for fashion-conscious mothers.
30. Essentials Balance Ball & Base Kit
Best for: The coworker who is a fitness enthusiast
Sitting is the new smoking, as you've probably heard. If your office hasn't yet embraced the standing desk trend, you can provide your coworker with a balance ball to sit on instead of a chair. It strengthens the core while also improving posture. It can even increase circulation, which is essential during back-to-back conference calls.
31. Candle
Best for: The coworker who works from home
Your coworker may not be able to burn this baby in the office, but it's fair game when they work from home. This scented candle, with top notes of water lily and amber, middle notes of cinnamon, and base notes of patchouli and vanilla, is a great way to define the boundaries of your home office.
32. Desktop Skee-Ball
Best for: The coworker who thinks best while distracted
Coworker gifts do not have to be functional. This desktop Skee-Ball game, which is a little silly but entertaining, gives them something to do while they're thinking up their next brilliant idea.
33. Fruit Infuser Water Bottle
With this handy water bottle, you can stay hydrated while also enjoying the sweet taste of your favorite fruits. Fill the inside tube with your favorite fruit or fruit combination (strawberries, lemons, kiwis, watermelon, and mint work well) and enjoy the taste of fresh, flavored H20 all day.
34. Musical Pillow
Listening to music, a meditation app, or a podcast before bed can help many people fall asleep. The problem is that it's difficult to relax with headphones on.
A built-in speaker connects to your phone or music player via a headphone jack deep within this one-of-a-kind pillow. The best part? The sound from the speaker is only audible to the person whose head is resting on it, which is ideal if you don't want to wake up your spouse or significant other.
35. Espresso Sampler
Give this four-part specialty espresso sampler from Seattle's world-renowned roasters to a coworker. Each sampler includes tasting notes, roaster profiles, and brewing advice.
36. Mobile Lens Kit
If you chose your social media manager's name from the Secret Santa hat, we've got just the thing: this handy mobile lens kit will help them up to their Instagram game. The kit comes with fisheye, wide-angle, and macro lenses, as well as a universal clip that works with most smartphones and tablets.
37. Toaster Grilled Cheese Bags
While nearly every office has a toaster, only a few have a stovetop. This eliminates fresh, delicious grilled cheese from the lunch menu... or does it? When you give the gift of toaster grilled cheese bags, your recipient will be able to quickly toast the perfect sandwich. The reusable Teflon-coated bags can also be used to reheat other foods such as pastries and leftover pizza. Do you have a gluten-free coworker? They can even use these handy bags to protect their food from cross-contamination.
38. Waterproof Notepad
You never know when your next brilliant idea will strike. It could be the shower. With a waterproof notepad, your coworkers can jot down important shower notes before they slip your mind – ideal for making impromptu grocery or to-do lists.
39. Dry Erase Sheets
These sheets can be used as an impromptu discussion tool, a place to post motivational quotes or a place to keep your to-do list. Each sheet has a full-adhesive backing that leaves no residue, making them simple to affix in the office or at home.
40. Grow Kit
Do you have a coworker with a green thumb? Give them this fantastic growing kit, which includes seed packets for Roma tomatoes, jalapenos, Verde tomatillos, cilantro, scallions, and beefsteak tomatoes. When the seeds sprout in the recycled egg carton planter, transfer them to larger pots until ready to pick.
